Page 1 of 4

CODE REVIEW NFPA 30A

Chapter 10 Marine Service Stations
10-1 Scope.
10-1.1 This chapter shall apply to that portion of a property where liquids used as fuels are stored,
handled, and dispensed from equipment located on shore, or from equipment located on piers,
wharves, or floating docks into the fuel tanks of marine craft, including incidental activity, except as
covered elsewhere in this code or in other NFPA standards.
10-1.2 This chapter shall not apply to:
(a) Bulk plant or terminal, loading and unloading facilities;
(b) Transferring flammable or combustible liquids utilizing a flange-to-flange closed transfer piping
system;
(c) Marine service stations where liquids used as fuels are stored and dispensed into the fuel tanks of
marine craft of 300 gross tons (849 m") or more.
10-1.3 For the purpose of this chapter, the word "pier" shall also mean "dock," "floating dock," and
"wharf."
10-2 Storage.
10-2.1 General Provisions.
10-2.1.1 Liquids shall be stored in:
(a) Tanks located under ground as governed by Section 2-4 of NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible
Liquids Code, or
(b) Tanks located above ground at marine service stations with the approval of the authority having
jurisdiction and as provided for in Section 2-4.
10-2.1.2 Tanks supplying marine service stations and pumps not integral with the dispensing device
shall be on shore or on a pier of the solid-fill type.
Exception: Where shore location would require excessively long supply lines to dispensers, tanks shall be permuted
to be located on a pier, provided that applicable requirements of NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids
Code, Chapters 2 and 3, relative to spacing, diking, and piping, and Chapter 5, Table 5-9.5.3, relative to electrical
classification, are met and the quantity so stored does not exceed 1100 gal (4164 L) aggregate capacity.
10-2.1.3 At marine service stations where a tank is at an elevation that produces a gravity head on the
dispensing device, the tank outlet shall be equipped with a device (such as a normally closed solenoid
valve) that will prevent gravity flow from the tank to the dispenser. This device shall be located
adjacent to and downstream of the outlet valve specified by 2-3.8.1 of NFPA 30, Flammable and
Combustible Liquids Code. The device shall be installed and adjusted so that liquid cannot flow by gravity
from the tank to the dispenser in the event of failure of the piping or hose when the dispenser is not in
use.
10-3 Piping Systems.
10-3.1 Piping shall be located so as to be protected from physical damage.
10-3.1.1 All piping systems shall be substantially supported and-protected against physical damage
and stresses arising from impact, settlement, vibration, expansion, contraction, or tidal action.
10-3.1.2 A means shall be provided to ensure flexibility of the piping in event of motion of the pier.
Flexible piping shall be of a type designed to withstand the forces and pressures exerted upon piping.
10-3.2 Suitable lengths of oil-resistant flexible hose shall be permitted to be employed between the
shore piping and the piping on a floating structure to accommodate changes in water level or
shoreline.
Page 2 of 4

10-3.3 A readily accessible valve to shut off the liquid supply from shore shall be provided in each
pipeline at or near the approach to the pier and at the shore end of each marine pipeline adjacent to the
point where each flexible hose is attached.
10-3.4 Shutoff and check valves shall be equipped with a pressure-relieving device that will relieve air
pressure generated by thermal expansion of the contained liquid back to the storage tank.
10-4 Fuel Dispensing Devices.
10-4.1 All hoses shall be listed. Where hose length at marine service stations exceeds 18 ft (5.5 m), the
hose shall be secured so as to protect it from damage.
10-4.2 Dispensing nozzles used at marine service stations shall be of the automatic-closing type
without a latch-open device.
10-4.3 Dispensing devices at marine service stations shall be permitted to be located on open piers, or
on shore or on piers of the solid-fill type, and shall be located apart from other structures so as to
provide room for safe ingress and egress of craft to be fueled.
10-4.4 Dispensing devices at marine service stations shall be located so as to minimize exposure to all
other operational marina or pleasure boat berthing area facilities. Where tide and weather conditions
permit, all liquid fuel handling shall be outside the main berthing areas. Inside marina or pleasure boat
berthing areas, fueling facilities shall be so located that, in case of fire aboard a boat alongside, the
danger to other boats near the facility will be minimal. No vessel or marine craft shall be made fast to
or berthed at any fuel dispensing location except during fueling operations.
10-4.5 No vessel or marine craft shall be made fast to any other vessel or marine craft occupying a
berth at a fuel dispensing location during fueling operations.
10-4.6 Apparatus dispensing Class I liquids into the fuel tanks of marine craft of the public shall not
be located at a bulk plant unless separated by a fence or similar barrier from the area in which bulk
operations are conducted. Aboveground tanks located at a bulk plant shall not be connected by piping
to marine service station tanks.
10-4.7 Each marine service station shall have an attendant or supervisor on duty whenever the station
is open for business. The attendant's primary function shall be to supervise, observe, and control the
dispensing of liquids.
10-6 Sources of Ignition.
10-6.1 All electrical components for dispensing liquids shall be installed in accordance with Chapter
7.
(a) All electrical equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with the requirements of
NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, as it applies to wet, damp, and hazardous locations.
(b) Clearly identified emergency switches readily accessible in case of fire or physical damage
at any dispensing unit shall be provided on each marine wharf so interlocked as to shut off
power to all pump motors from any individual location and to reset only from the master
switch. Each such
switch is to be identified by an approved sign stating "EMERGENCY PUMP SHUTOFF" in
2-in. (5-cm) red block capital letters.
(c) All electrical wiring for power and lighting shall be installed on the side of the marine
wharf opposite from the liquid piping system.
(d) Smoking materials, including matches and lighters, shall not be used within 20 ft (6 m) of
areas used for fueling, servicing fuel systems for internal combustion engines, or receiving or
dispensing of Class I liquids. Conspicuous and legible signs prohibiting smoking shall be
posted within
sight of the customer being served. The motors of all equipment being fueled shall be shut off
during the fueling operation, except for emergency generators, pumps, etc., where continuing
operation is essential.
10-7 Grounding/Bonding.
10-7.1 Where excessive stray currents are encountered, piping handling Class I and Class II liquids
at marine service stations shall be electrically isolated from the shore piping.
10-7.2 Pipelines on piers shall be adequately bonded and grounded. Bonding and grounding
connections on all pipelines shall be located on the pier side of hose riser insulating flanges, if
used, and shall be accessible for inspection. (NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on Static
Electricity, contains information on this subject.)
10-7.3 The fuel delivery nozzle shall be put into contact with the vessel fill pipe before the flow of
fuel shall commence and this bonding contact shall be continuously maintained until fuel flow has
stopped to avoid possibility of electrostatic discharge.
Page 3 of 4

10-8 Fire Control.
10-8.1 Each marine service station shall be provided with one or more listed fire extinguishers
having a minimum classification of 40-B:C located so that an extinguisher will be within 100 ft (30
m) of each pump, dispenser, and pier mounted liquid storage tank.
10-8.2 Piers that extend more than 500 ft (152 m) in travel distance from shore shall have a Class
III standpipe installed in accordance with NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of
Standpipe and Hose Systems.
10-8.3 Materials shall not be placed on a pier in such a manner as to obstruct access to fire-fighting
equipment or important piping system control valves. Where the pier is accessible to vehicular
traffic, an unobstructed roadway to the shore end of the wharf shall be maintained for access by
fire-fighting apparatus.
10-9 Portable Tanks and Containers.
10-9.1 The provisions of 2-1.1 shall not prohibit the temporary use of movable tanks in conjunction
with the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into the fuel tanks of marine craft on
premises not normally accessible to the public. Such installations shall only be made with the
approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
10-9.2 No delivery of any Class I or Class II liquid shall be made into portable containers unless
the container is constructed of metal or is approved by the authority having jurisdiction, has a tight
closure, and is fitted with a spout or is so designed that the contents can be dispensed without
spilling. (See NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 4-2.1, for further information.)
10-9.3 Portable containers of 12 gal (45 L) capacity or less shall not be filled while they are in or
on a marine craft.
10-10 Cargo Tank Fueling Facilities.
10-10.1 The provisions of 10-2.1.1 shall not prohibit the dispensing of Class II liquids in the open
from a tank vehicle to a marine craft located at commercial, industrial, governmental, or
manufacturing establishments when the liquid is intended for fueling marine craft used in
connection with their busi-
nesses. Such dispensing shall be permitted provided:
(a) An inspection of the premises and operations has been made and approval granted by the
authority having jurisdiction.
(b) The tank vehicle complies with the requirements of NFPA 385, Standard for Tank
Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
(c) The dispensing hose does not exceed 50 ft (15 m) in length.
(d) The dispensing nozzle is a listed automatic-closing type without a latch open device.
(e) Nighttime deliveries shall only be made in adequately lighted areas.
(f) The tank vehicle flasher lights shall be in operation while dispensing.
(g) Fuel expansion space shall be left in each fuel tank to prevent overflow in the event of
temperature increase in accordance with 10-11.5.
10 11 General.
10 11.1 It shall be the responsibility of the attendant to (l) prevent the dispensing of Class I liquids
into portable containers not in compliance with Section 9-2; (2) be familiar with the dispensing
mechanism and emergency shutoff controls; (3) ensure that the vessel is properly moored and that
all connections are made; (4) be within 15 ft (4.6 m) of such dispensing controls during the fueling
operation and maintain a direct clear unobstructed view of both the vessel fuel filler neck and the
fueling facility emergency fuel shutoff mechanism.
10 11.2 Fueling shall not be undertaken at night except under well-lighted conditions.
10 11.3 During fueling operations smoking shall be forbidden on board the boat or vessel and on
the dispensing site.
10 11.4 Before opening the tanks of the vessel to be fueled, the following precautions shall be
taken:
(a) All engines, motors, fans, and bilge blowers shall be shut down.
(b) All open flames and smoking material shall be extinguished and all exposed heating
elements shall be turned off.
Page 4 of 4

(c) Galley stoves shall be extinguished.
(d) All ports, windows, doors, and hatches shall be closed.
10-11.5 After the flow of fuel has stopped:
(a) The fill cap shall be tightly secured.
(b) Any spillage shall be wiped up immediately.
(c) If Class I liquid has been delivered, the entire vessel shall remain opened and bilge
blowers turned on and allowed to run for at least 5 minutes before starting any engines or
lighting galley fires. If bilge blowers are not available, an additional 5 minutes of
ventilation shall be required.
10 11.6 No Class I liquids shall be delivered to any vessel having its tanks located below deck
unless each tank is equipped with a separate fill pipe, the receiving end of which shall be securely
connected to a deck plate and fitted with a screw cap. Such pipe shall extend to and into the tank.
Vessels receiving Class II or Class IlIA combustible liquids shall have the receiving end of the fill
pipe securely connected to a deck plate and fitted with a screw cap. Such pipe shall be permitted to
connect to a manifold fuel fill system that shall extend to and into each separate tank. Each tank
shall be provided with a suitable vent pipe that shall extend from the tank to the outside of the
coaming or enclosed rails
so that the vapors will dissipate outboard.
10 11.7 Vessel owners or operators shall not offer their craft for fueling unless;
(a) The tanks being filled are properly vented to dissipate vapors to the outside atmosphere
and the fuel systems are liquidtight and vaportight with respect to all interiors.
(b) All fuel systems are designed, installed, and maintained in compliance with the
specifications of the manufacturer of the vessel.
(c) Communication has been established between the fueling attendant and the person in
control of the vessel receiving the fuel so as to determine the vessel's fuel capacity, the
amount of fuel on board, and the amount of fuel to be taken on board.
(d) The electrical bonding and grounding systems of the vessel have been maintained in
accordance with the specifications of its manufacturer.
10-11.8 A suitable sign with the following legends printed in 2-in. (5-cm) red block capital letters
on a white background shall be conspicuously posted at the dispensing area of all marine service
stations:
BEFORE FUELING:
(a) Stop all engines and auxiliaries.
(b) Shut off all electricity, open flames, and heat sources.
(c) Check all bilges for fuel vapors.
(d) Extinguish all smoking materials.
(e) Close access fittings and openings that could allow fuel
vapors to enter enclosed spaces of the vessel.
DURING FUELING:
(a) Maintain nozzle contact with fill pipe.
(b) Wipe up spills immediately.
(c) Avoid overfilling.
(d) Fuel filling nozzle must be attended at all times.
AFTER FUELING:
(a) Inspect bilges for leakage and fuel odors.
(b) Ventilate until odors are removed