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Fuel Oil Piping and Storage (18-28-1301 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 18, ch. 18-28, art. XIII
in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1301.1 Scope.

18-28-1301.1 Scope. This chapter shall govern the design, installation, construction and repair of fuel oil storage and piping systems. Quantities of fuel oil that exceed the quantity limitations of this chapter and flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored in accordance with the Chicago Fire Prevention Code. (Amend Coun. J. 9-14-21, p. 35949, Art. XIII, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1301.2 Storage systems.

18-28-1301.2 Storage systems. Fuel oil storage and piping systems shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Chicago Building Code, the Chicago Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 31. (Amend Coun. J. 9-14-21, p. 35949, Art. XIII, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1301.3 Fuel type.

18-28-1301.3 Fuel type. An appliance shall be designed for use with the type of fuel to which the appliance will be connected. Such appliance shall not be converted from the fuel specified on the rating plate for use with a different fuel without first securing re-approval from the Building Commissioner.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1301.4 Fuel tanks, piping and valves.

18-28-1301.4 Fuel tanks, piping and valves. The tank, piping and valves for appliances that burn oil shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. If an oil burner is served by a tank, any part of which is above the level of the burner inlet connection, and if the fuel supply line is taken from the top of the tank, an approved antisiphon valve or other siphon-breaking device shall be installed in lieu of the shutoff valve.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.2 Rated for system.

18-28-1302.2 Rated for system. All materials shall be rated for the operating temperatures and pressures of the system and shall be compatible with the type of liquid used.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.3 Storage tanks.

18-28-1302.3 Storage tanks. All shop-fabricated fuel oil storage tanks shall be listed and labeled. Fuel oil tanks shall comply with one of the appropriate standards listed in Table 18-28-1302.3. Table 18-28-1302.3 Fuel Oil Storage Tanks Material | Standard Glass-fiber reinforced plastic | UL 1316 Glass-fiber reinforced polyester | ASTM D 4021 Steel | API 12B; API 12D; API 12F; API 650; UL 58; UL 80; UL 142; UL 443; STI Standard for Dual Wall Underground Steel Storage Tanks

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.4 Pipe standards.

18-28-1302.4 Pipe standards. Fuel oil pipe shall comply with one of the standards listed in Table 18-28-1302.4. Table 18-28-1302.4 Fuel Oil Piping Material | Standard Material | Standard Brass pipe | ASTM B 43 Brass Tubing | ASTM B 135 Copper or copper-alloy pipe | ASTM B 42; ASTM B 302 Copper or copper-alloy tubing (Type K, L or M) | ASTM B 75; ASTM B 88: ASTM B 280 Labeled pipe | (see Section 18-28-1302.5) Nonmetallic pipe | ASTM D 2996 Steel pipe | ASTM A 53; ASTM A 106 Steel tubing | ASTM A 254; ASTM A 539

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.5 Nonmetallic pipe.

18-28-1302.5 Nonmetallic pipe. All nonmetallic pipe for flammable and combustible liquids shall be listed and labeled as acceptable for the intended application. Nonmetallic pipe shall only be installed outside and underground.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.6 Fittings and valves.

18-28-1302.6 Fittings and valves. Fittings and valves shall be approved for the piping system, and shall be compatible with, or of the same material as, the pipe or tubing.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.7 Bending of pipe.

18-28-1302.7 Bending of pipe. Pipe shall be approved for bending. Pipe bends shall be made with approved equipment. The bend shall not exceed the structural limitations of the pipe.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1302.8 Pumps.

18-28-1302.8 Pumps. Pumps that are not part of an appliance shall be of a positive-displacement type. The pump shall automatically shut off the supply when not in operation. Pumps shall be listed and labeled.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.1 Approval.

18-28-1303.1 Approval. Joints and connections shall be approved and of a type approved for fuel-oil piping systems. All threaded joints and connections shall be made tight with suitable lubricant or pipe compound. Unions requiring gaskets or packings, right or left couplings, and sweat fittings employing solder having a melting point of less than 1,000°F (538°C) shall not be used in oil lines. Cast-iron fittings shall not be used. Joints and connections shall be tight for the pressure required by test.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.1.1 Joints between different piping materials.

18-28-1303.1.1 Joints between different piping materials. Joints between different piping materials shall be made with approved adapter fittings. Joints between different metallic piping materials shall be made with approved dielectric fittings or bass converter fittings.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.2 Preparation of pipe ends.

18-28-1303.2 Preparation of pipe ends. All pipe shall be cut square, reamed and chamfered and shall be free of all burrs and obstructions. Pipe ends shall have full-bore openings and shall not be undercut.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.3 Joint preparation and installation.

18-28-1303.3 Joint preparation and installation. If required by Sections 18-28-1303.4 through 18-28-1303.10, the preparation and installation of brazed, mechanical, threaded and welded joints shall comply with Sections 18-28-1303.3.1 through 18-28-1303.3.4.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.3.1 Brazed joints.

18-28-1303.3.1 Brazed joints. All joint surfaces shall be cleaned. An approved flux shall be applied if required. The joints shall be brazed with a filler metal conforming to AWS A5.8.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.4 Brass pipe.

18-28-1303.4 Brass pipe. Joints between brass pipe or fittings shall be brazed, mechanical, threaded or welded joints complying with Section 18-28-1303.3.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.6 Copper or copper-alloy pipe.

18-28-1303.6 Copper or copper-alloy pipe. Joints between copper or copper-alloy pipe or fittings shall be brazed, mechanical, threaded or welded joints complying with Section 18-28-1303.3.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.7 Copper or copper-alloy tubing.

18-28-1303.7 Copper or copper-alloy tubing. Joints between copper or copper-alloy tubing or fittings shall be brazed or mechanical joints complying with Section 18-28-1303.3 or flared joints. Flared joints shall be made by a tool designed for that operation.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.8 Nonmetallic pipe.

18-28-1303.8 Nonmetallic pipe. Joints between nonmetallic pipe or fittings shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the labeled pipe and fittings.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.9 Steel pipe.

18-28-1303.9 Steel pipe. Joints between steel pipe or fittings shall be threaded or welded joints complying with Section 18-28-1303.3 or mechanical joints complying with Section 18-28-1303.9.1.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.9.1 Mechanical joints.

18-28-1303.9.1 Mechanical joints. Joints shall be made with an approved elastomeric seal. Mechanical joints shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Mechanical joints shall be installed outside, underground, unless otherwise approved.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1303.11 Piping protection.

18-28-1303.11 Piping protection. Proper allowance shall be made for expansion, contraction, jarring and vibration. Piping other than tubing connected to underground tanks, except straight fill lines and test wells, shall be provided with flexible connectors, or otherwise arranged to permit the tanks to settle without impairing the tightness of the piping connections.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.1 Size.

18-28-1305.1 Size. The fuel oil system shall be sized for the maximum capacity of fuel oil required. The minimum size of a supply line shall be 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) inside diameter nominal pipe or 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) OD tubing. The minimum size of a return line shall be 1/4 inch (64 mm) inside diameter nominal pipe or 5/16-inch (7.9 mm) outside diameter tubing. Copper tubing shall have 0.035-inch (0.9 mm) nominal and 0.032-inch (0.8 mm) minimum wall thickness.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.2 Protection of pipe, equipment and appliances.

18-28-1305.2 Protection of pipe, equipment and appliances. All fuel oil pipe, equipment and appliances shall be protected from physical damage.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.2.1 Flood hazard.

18-28-1305.2.1 Flood hazard. All fuel oil pipe located in a flood-hazard zone or a high-hazard zone shall be capable of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and stresses, including the effects of buoyancy, during the occurrence of flooding to the base flood elevation.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.3 Supply piping.

18-28-1305.3 Supply piping. Supply piping shall connect to the top of the fuel oil tank. Fuel oil shall be supplied by a transfer pump or automatic pump or by other approved means. Exception: This section shall not apply to inside or above-ground fuel oil tanks.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.5 System pressure.

18-28-1305.5 System pressure. The system shall be designed for the maximum pressure required by the fuel-oil-burning appliance. Air or other gases shall not be used to pressurize tanks.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.6 Fill piping.

18-28-1305.6 Fill piping. A fill pipe shall terminate outside of a building at a point at least 2 feet (610 mm) from any building opening at the same or lower level. A fill pipe shall terminate in a manner designed to minimize spilling when the filling hose is disconnected. Fill opening shall be equipped with a tight metal cover designed to discourage tampering.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1305.7 Vent piping.

18-28-1305.7 Vent piping. Liquid fuel vent pipes shall terminate outside of buildings at a point not less than 2 feet (610 mm) measured vertically or horizontally from any building opening. Outer ends of vent pipes shall terminate in a weather-proof vent cap or fitting or be provided with a weather-proof hood. All vent caps shall have a minimum free open area equal to the cross-sectional area of the vent pipe and shall not employ screens finer than No. 4 mesh. Vent pipes shall terminate sufficiently above the ground to avoid being obstructed with snow or ice. Vent pipes from tanks containing heaters shall be extended to a location where oil vapors discharging from the vent will be readily diffused. If the static head with a vent pipe filled with oil exceeds 10 psi (69 kPa), the tank shall be designed for the maximum static head which will be imposed. Liquid fuel vent pipes shall not be cross connected with fill pipes, lines from burners or overflow lines from auxiliary tanks.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1306.1 Level indication.

18-28-1306.1 Level indication. All tanks in which a constant oil level is not maintained by an automatic pump shall be equipped with a method of determining the oil level.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1306.2 Test wells.

18-28-1306.2 Test wells. Test wells shall not be installed inside buildings. For outside service, test wells shall be equipped with a tight metal cover designed to discourage tampering.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1306.3 Inside tanks.

18-28-1306.3 Inside tanks. The gauging of inside tanks by means of measuring sticks shall not be permitted. An inside tank provided with fill and vent pipes shall be provided with a device to indicate either visually or audibly at the fill point when the oil in the tank has reached a predetermined safe level.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1306.4 Gauging devices.

18-28-1306.4 Gauging devices. Gauging devices such as liquid level indicators or signals shall be designed and installed so that oil vapor will not be discharged into a building from the liquid fuel supply system.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1306.5 Gauge glass.

18-28-1306.5 Gauge glass. A tank used in connection with any oil burner shall not be equipped with a glass gauge or any gauge which, when broken, will permit the escape of oil from the tank.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1307.1 Building shutoff.

18-28-1307.1 Building shutoff. A shutoff valve shall be installed on the fuel-oil supply line at the entrance to the building. Inside or above-ground tanks may have valves installed at the tank. The valve shall be capable of stopping the flow of fuel oil to the building or to the appliance served if the valve is installed at a tank inside the building.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1307.2 Appliance shutoff.

18-28-1307.2 Appliance shutoff. A shutoff valve shall be installed at the connection to each appliance where more than one fuel-oil-burning appliance is installed.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1307.3 Pump relief valve.

18-28-1307.3 Pump relief valve. A relief valve shall be installed on the pump discharge line if a valve is located downstream of the pump and the pump is capable of exceeding the pressure limitations of the fuel oil system.

Municipal Code of Chicago § 18-28-1307.5 Relief valve operation.

18-28-1307.5 Relief valve operation. The relief valve shall discharge fuel oil if the pressure exceeds the limitations of the system. The discharge line shall connect to the fuel oil tank.
Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2689135Fetched: 10/24/2026

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