Underground/Aboveground Tank Removal Submittal Requirements

Check the submittal requirements below and submit your application through our online City View portal. Go to our construction page for help with signing up for an account and submitting. Payment can be made via credit card from that portal. This is the ONLY way we accept submittals.  

  • When you are ready to apply, go to the above portal page, sign in, click apply for a fire permit, in the choose application type select Fire, and enter Aboveground or Underground tank removal (which you are doing) as your work item, and then complete the remainder of the application.   

The following is a list of requirements for the removal of underground/aboveground flammable/combustible storage tanks within the city limits of Gastonia.

  • Sketch of the entire site where the removal will take place.
  • Letter submitted on company letterhead detailing the complete plan of action to remove the tanks, including: the number and size of tanks, how they will be removed, how they will be transported, and how they will be disposed of once they are removed.
  • Copy of liability insurance.
  • Copy of the NCDEQ tank report.

In addition to the above-mentioned, the above requirements are those of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code:

3404.2.14.1 Removal. Removal of above-ground and

underground tanks shall be in accordance with all of the

following:

  1. Flammable and combustible liquids shall be

removed from the tank and connected piping.

  1. Piping at tank openings that is not to be used further

shall be disconnected.

  1. Piping shall be removed from the ground.

Exception: Piping is allowed to be abandoned

in a place where the fire code official determines

that removal is not practical. Abandoned piping

shall be capped and safeguarded as required by

the fire code official.

  1. Tank openings shall be capped or plugged, leaving a 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch-diameter (3.2 mm to 6.4 mm) opening for pressure equalization.
  1. Tanks shall be purged of vapor and inerted before removal.
  1. All exterior above-grade fill and vent piping shall be permanently removed.

Exception: Piping associated with bulk plants, terminal facilities and refineries.

3404.2.14.2 Disposal. Tanks shall be disposed of in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.