Section FC 5503: General Requirements
5503.1 Cryogenic container.
Cryogenic containers shall comply with the requirements of FC 5503.1.1 through 5503.1.3.3 and FC Chapter 50.
5503.1.1 Cryogenic container standards.
Cryogenic containers shall be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code or United States Department of Transportation regulations, or as otherwise approved.
5503.1.1.1 Pressure gauges.
Cryogenic containers shall be provided with pressure gauges. The maximum face reading for dial-type gauges shall not be less than 133 percent nor more than 250 percent of the MAWP of the cryogenic container.
5503.1.1.2 Liquid level-indicating devices.
Cryogenic containers shall be provided with a liquid level-indicating device. It shall be unlawful to use cryogenic containers with glass liquid level gauges in direct contact with the contents of such containers.
5503.1.2 Flood hazard.
Stationary cryogenic containers located in areas of special flood hazard or on the premises of Group I-2 occupancies that are hospitals in shaded X-Zones (as defined in Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the Building Code) shall comply with Section G307.5 of the Building Code.
5503.1.3 Foundations and supports.
Cryogenic containers shall be installed upon substantial concrete or masonry foundations or structural steel supports on firm concrete or masonry foundations. Cryogenic containers shall be supported to prevent the concentration of excessive loads on the supporting portion of the shell. Foundations for horizontal cryogenic containers shall be constructed to accommodate expansion and contraction of the cryogenic container. Foundations shall be provided to support the weight of vaporizers and heat exchangers.
5503.1.3.1 Temperature effects.
When cryogenic container foundations or supports are subject to exposure to temperatures below -130°F (-89.9°C), the foundations or supports shall be constructed of materials to withstand the low-temperature effects of cryogenic fluid spillage.
5503.1.3.2 Corrosion protection.
Portions of cryogenic containers in contact with foundations or saddles shall be painted to protect against corrosion. Precautions shall be taken to avoid or minimize corrosion due to galvanic action.
5503.1.3.3 Fill connection supports.
Fill connection supports shall be designed and maintained to withstand the repeated application of force required to connect and disconnect hoses of cargo tanks.
5503.2 Pressure relief devices.
Pressure relief devices shall be provided in accordance with FC 5503.2.1 through 5503.2.6 to protect cryogenic containers and systems containing cryogenic fluids from rupture in the event of overpressure. Pressure relief devices shall be designed in accordance with CGA S-1.1, CGA S-1.2 and CGA S-1.3.
5503.2.1 Cryogenic containers.
Cryogenic containers shall be provided with pressure relief devices. Precautions shall be taken to prevent overpressurization of atmospheric tanks. Such pressure relief devices shall communicate with the vapor space of the container, not the cryogenic fluid.
5503.2.2 Equipment other than cryogenic containers.
Heat exchangers, vaporizers, insulation casings surrounding cryogenic containers, and sections of coaxial or single wall piping systems in which liquefied cryogenic fluids could be trapped because of leakage from cryogenic containers or isolation by valves shall be provided with pressure relief devices.
5503.2.3 Sizing.
Pressure relief devices shall be sized in accordance with the specifications to which the cryogenic container was fabricated. The relief devices shall have sufficient capacity to prevent the MAWP of the cryogenic container or system from being exceeded. It shall be unlawful to use pressure relief devices that are not clearly marked by the manufacturer with their set pressure.
5503.2.4 Accessibility.
Pressure relief devices shall be located such that they are readily accessible for inspection, repair and other maintenance.
5503.2.5 Arrangement.
Pressure relief devices shall be arranged to discharge unobstructed, at rated capacity, to the outdoors in such a manner as to prevent escaping gas from impinging on personnel, cryogenic containers, equipment and adjacent structures or from entering enclosed spaces.
Exception: United States Department of Transportation specification cryogenic containers with an internal volume of 2 cubic feet (0.057 m3) or less.
5503.2.6 Shutoffs between pressure relief devices and cryogenic containers.
Shutoff valves shall not be installed between pressure relief devices and cryogenic containers.
Exception: A shutoff valve is allowed on cryogenic containers equipped with multiple pressure-relief device installations where the design and arrangement of the valves provide sufficient relief capacity for the pressure relief devices to prevent the MAWP of the cryogenic container or system from being exceeded at all times.
5503.3 Pressure-relief vent piping.
Pressure-relief vent-piping systems shall be constructed and arranged so as to remain functional and direct the flow of gas to a safe location in accordance with FC 5503.3.1 and 5503.3.2.
5503.3.1 Sizing.
Pressure-relief-device vent piping shall have a cross-sectional area not less than that of the pressure-relief-device vent opening and shall be arranged so as not to restrict the flow of escaping gas.
5503.3.2 Arrangement.
Pressure-relief-device vent piping and drains in vent lines shall be arranged so that escaping gas will discharge unobstructed to the outdoors and not impinge on personnel, containers, equipment, foundations and adjacent structures or enter enclosed spaces. Pressure-relief-device vent lines shall be installed in such a manner to exclude or remove moisture and condensation and prevent malfunction of the pressure relief device because of freezing or ice accumulation or other types of obstruction.
5503.4 Marking.
Cryogenic containers and systems shall be marked in accordance with FC 5503.4.1 through 5503.4.6.
5503.4.1 Identification signs.
Visible hazard identification signs in accordance with NFPA 704 shall be provided at entrances to areas in which cryogenic fluids are stored, handled or used.
5503.4.2 Identification of contents.
Stationary and portable cryogenic containers shall be clearly marked with the name of the cryogenic fluid contained therein. Stationary aboveground cryogenic containers shall be placarded in accordance with FC 5003.5 and 5003.6. Portable cryogenic containers shall be identified in accordance with CGA C-7.
5503.4.3 Identification of cryogenic containers.
Stationary cryogenic containers shall be identified with a permanent nameplate indicating the manufacturing specification and MAWP. The nameplate shall be installed on the cryogenic container in an accessible location. The nameplate shall be marked in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code or the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation, as set forth in 49 CFR Parts 100-180.
5503.4.4 Identification of cryogenic container connections.
Cryogenic container inlet and outlet connections, liquid level indicating devices, liquid level limit controls, valves, pressure gauges, regulators, and safety devices shall be marked with a permanent tag or label identifying their function or identified by a schematic drawing designating their function and whether they are connected to the vapor or liquid space of the cryogenic container. Where a schematic drawing is provided, it shall be permanently attached to the cryogenic container and maintained in a legible condition.
5503.4.5 Identification of piping systems.
Piping systems shall be identified in accordance with FC 5303.2.3.
5503.4.6 Identification of emergency shutoff valves.
Emergency shutoff valves shall be identified by posting a durable sign at a conspicuous location at or near the valve.
5503.5 Container protection.
Cryogenic containers and systems shall be secured and protected against physical damage and tampering in accordance with FC 5003.9.2, and FC 5503.5.2 through 5503.5.4.
5503.5.1 Reserved.
5503.5.2 Securing of cryogenic containers.
Stationary containers shall be secured to foundations in accordance with the Building Code. Portable cryogenic containers shall be secured to prevent movement from contact, vibration or seismic activity. Nesting shall be an acceptable means of securing cryogenic containers. Cryogenic containers shall not be secured to plumbing pipes or electrical conduits.
5503.5.3 Securing of vaporizers.
Vaporizers, heat exchangers and similar equipment shall be anchored to a suitable foundation. Connecting piping shall be sufficiently flexible to provide for the effects of expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.
5503.5.4 Physical protection.
Cryogenic containers, piping, valves, pressure relief devices, regulating equipment and other appurtenances which could be exposed to physical damage and tampering shall be protected by posts or other approved means.
5503.6 Electrical wiring and equipment.
Electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with the requirements of the Electrical Code and FC 5503.6.1 and 5503.6.2.
5503.6.1 Location.
Cryogenic containers and systems shall not be located where they could become part of an electrical circuit.
5503.6.2 Electrical grounding and bonding.
Cryogenic containers and systems shall not be used for electrical grounding. When electrical grounding and bonding is required, the grounding and bonding system shall comply with the requirements of the Electrical Code. The grounding system shall be protected against corrosion, including corrosion caused by stray electric currents or galvanic action.
5503.7 Service and repair.
Service, repair, modification or removal of valves, pressure relief devices or other cryogenic container appurtenances, shall comply with the requirements of FC 5503.7.1 and 5503.7.2 and the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII or the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation, as set forth in 49 CFR Parts 100-180, as applicable.
5503.7.1 Cryogenic containers.
Cryogenic containers that have been removed from service shall be repaired or disposed of lawfully.
5503.7.2 System inspection.
Cryogenic containers and systems shall be inspected by competent personnel at least once a month.
5503.8 Unauthorized use.
Cryogenic containers shall not be used for any purpose other than as a container for the product that it is designed to contain.
5503.9 Leaks, damage and corrosion.
Leaking, damaged or corroded cryogenic containers shall be immediately removed from service. Leaking, damaged or corroded systems shall be replaced, repaired or disposed of lawfully in accordance with FC 5503.7.
5503.10 Lighting.
Lighting shall be provided for equipment such as control valves, gauges, regulators, vaporizers and heat exchangers and operating facilities such as walkways and gates ancillary to stationary cryogenic container installations.
