4.12.733    STORAGE INSTALLATIONS FOR NITROGEN FERTILIZER SOLUTIONS

(1)  Location of storage containers. Permanent storage shall be located outside of densely populated areas. If located within the corporate limits of a village, town or city, written approval of the municipality's governing body shall be submitted to the department, accompanied by a plot plan, drawn to scale, prior to installing said equipment. Storage tanks installed outside of corporate limits after the effective date of these rules shall not be less than 10 feet from the lot line of the property which has been or may be built on or not less than 400 feet from any school, hospital or other existing places of public and private assembly. A copy of the county's zoning permit or municipality's approval and plot plan shall be submitted to the department prior to site inspection. The department will approve sites based upon compliance with this rule.

(2)  Installation of storage containers:

(a)  Aboveground containers shall rest on the ground or on foundations in such a manner as to permit expansion and contraction. Every container shall be supported so as to prevent the concentration of excessive loads on the supporting portion of the shell. That portion of the container in contact with the foundation or the ground shall be protected against corrosion in accordance with the code.

(b)  Wherever high flood water might occur, container shall be securely anchored or placed on a pier of a height above the normal high water mark.

(3)  Protection of storage containers and accessories:

(a)  Containers need not be electrically grounded. Where an electrical system exists, such as for lighting or pump motors, the electrical system shall be installed and grounded as recommended by the National Electrical Code (as adopted this 1st day of January, 1982)  .

(b)  Storage container sites shall be kept free of debris and weeds.

(c)  A sign with letters of a minimum height of 2 inches shall be displayed in a conspicuous place stating the name, address and telephone number of the owner, manager or local agent of the storage location.

(4)  All stationary, pressure-vented storage plants shall have on hand as a minimum the following equipment:

(a)  a gas mask, approved by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (30 CFR part II, section 14f)  ;

(b)  one pair of rubber or plastic gloves;

(c)  readily accessible shower or at least 75 gallons of clean water in an open top container;

(d)  tight-fitting, vent-type chemical goggles or a full face shield.

(5)  Transfer of nitrogen fertilizer solutions:

(a)  In the handling and transfer of nitrogen fertilizer solutions at the storage site, a closed system or an equally effective system which will control objectionable free vapors shall be provided.

(b)  Transfer of nitrogen fertilizer solutions from trucks, semi-trailer or trailers in excess of 3,000-gallon capacity shall be made only at sites approved by the department (ARM 4.12.735)  or at the site of application.

(6)  The filling volume of pressure-vented nitrogen fertilizer solution storage containers shall not exceed 95 percent.

(7)  The owner of an abandoned storage system shall be responsible for its proper maintenance and the safe disposal of the solutions.

History: Sec. 80-10-503, MCA; IMP, Sec. 80-10-503, MCA; NEW, 1986 MAR p. 1820, Eff. 10/31/86.