Section 170.310  Unattended Self-Service Other Than Fleet Operations

 

Service stations which allow or permit the fueling of motor vehicles with Class I, II, or III liquids, by persons other than an owner or employee, without the presence of an attendant, are allowed only at locations which have a valid "Unattended Self-Service Permit" issued by the Office (except as allowed by 41 Ill. Adm. Code 180.22 at airport facilities). Unattended "Self Service Permits" shall be issued for one year initially, and renewals shall be issued for two year intervals thereafter.   If a service station is to be operated as an unattended station during any portion of a day it will be deemed as requiring a permit for unattended operation and must meet such standards. Plans of the premises shall be submitted as required by Section 170.105.

 

a)         Equipment required for an unattended self-service permit:

 

1)         Dispenser control device (actuators and monitors) for use by customers to activate dispensing equipment.

 

A)        Devices may use currency, coins, keys or cards to activate dispenser and pumps.

 

B)        Card devices shall use magnetically coded, optically read or inductive coil cards to be inserted in a device to activate the pump.

 

C)        All dispenser control devices must meet the standards of UL 1238 (1992) and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.  All wiring shall comply with NFPA 70 (1996), Chapter 5.

 

D)        Motors of pumps to dispensing devices shall not have electrical current supplied to them unless and until the dispensing device is activated.  The electric current to the motors of the pumps shall automatically terminate and not more than 3 minutes after the flow of product has ceased.  Electrical current to the pump motors shall be off at all other times.

 

2)         Dispensing devices, remote pumps and hose nozzle valves must comply with this Part and the following rules:

 

A)        Hose nozzles must meet the standards of UL 842 (1993) and:

 

i)          Nozzles must be equipped with devices (e.g., wire or a spout anchor spring) designed to retain the nozzle spout in the vehicle fill pipe while refueling.  Such devices must be in compliance with (UL) Standard 842 (1993), or be approved by Factory Mutual, as part of the nozzle assembly.  The spout anchor spring shall be of the type recommended by the manufacturer of the hose nozzle valve and be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Vacuum assist and balanced type vapor recovery nozzles prohibited from having such wire or spout anchor springs as the result of their design shall be exempt from this requirement.

 

ii)         An automatic self-closing type nozzle with a latch hold open device must be installed as an integral part of the nozzle assembly, and must meet UL 842 (1993).

 

iii)         Hose nozzle valves shall be of the type which will close automatically, independent of the latch-open device, upon loss of pressure in the dispensing system and in which the latch-open device may only be engaged when the dispensing system is under pressure.

 

iv)        The nozzle must be designed and maintained to cease the flow of product if the nozzle falls from the fill pipe of the motor vehicle being fueled to the ground, as described in UL 842 (1993).

 

B)        Remote pumps serving dispensing devices shall meet the standards of UL 79 (1992) and shall be equipped with a leak detection device in accordance with paragraph 4-3.3 of NFPA 30A (1996) and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

 

C)        Dispensing devices shall meet the standards of UL 87 (1990) and the following rules:

 

i)          Devices shall be equipped with a secondary control means in accordance with Paragraph 4-2.3 of NFPA 30A (1996).

 

ii)         Devices served by remote pumps shall be equipped with an emergency shut-off valve meeting the standards of UL 842 (1993) and which shall comply with paragraph 4-3.6 of NFPA 30A (1996).

 

iii)         Devices shall be mounted or protected against collision damage by means of islands, posts or an equivalent means.

 

iv)        Dispensing devices shall be bolted to their mounting surface in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

 

v)         Devices shall be wired in accordance with Chapter 5 of NFPA 70 (1996) and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

 

vi)        An emergency breakaway device shall be installed on each hose at all dispensing devices available for self service of Class I, II and III liquids.  The breakaway device shall be designed to retain liquid on both sides of the breakway point, and shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

3)         Emergency Electrical Controls shall be provided and shall comply with the following rules:

 

A)        A Master Electrical shut-off switch or circuit breaker shall be provided at a location not less than 20 feet from the nearest nor more than 100 feet from the farthest dispensing device for unattended self-service and shall:

 

i)          Be visible from all unattended self-service dispensing device locations on the premises.  If installation of a single switch or circuit breaker does not achieve compliance with this visibility requirement, duplicate switches or circuit breakers shall be required by the Office to achieve compliance.

 

ii)         Terminate electric power to all dispensers, pumps and dispenser control devices on the premises, including neutral conductors and low voltage control wiring.

 

iii)         Be of such a type or installed in such a way, that it may only be reset manually with a key which shall be kept in the custody of the unattended self-service station owner or an employee of the owner or, alternatively, the resetting device shall be kept in a secured area accessible only by key or other device which is kept solely in the custody of the owner or employee of the owner.  (Club members, card holders and other persons utilizing the station may not have access to the mechanism necessary to the resetting of the master electrical control.)

 

B)        In addition to the Master Electrical Shut-off required in subsection (a)(3)(A) above, additional emergency electrical controls shall be provided at each group of dispensers or pumps served by a single dispenser control device.  Such additional controls may, at the option of the owner be an integral part of the dispenser control device assembly.  The device shall, when activated, terminate all electrical power to all dispensing devices or pumps which are served by that dispenser control device.  Stations with only one island may elect to utilize only a master electrical control located at the dispenser control device meeting the requirements of subsection (a)(3)(A) above.

 

C)        The emergency electrical controls required by this section shall, at all times, be identified by a sign constructed of all weather material which shall state, in letters not less than 1" in height, "EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SWITCH".  Lettering shall contrast with the background material of the sign.  The sign shall be mounted in place with the bottom of the sign not less than 5 feet above the ground.

 

D)        Resetting the Master Electrical Shut-off required by this Section shall be accomplished only after the condition which caused it to be activated has been corrected.

 

E)         Power for illumination of dispensing areas required by this Section shall not be affected by activation of any of the Emergency Electrical Controls.

 

F)         Activation of a Master Electrical Shut-off shall transmit an alarm as required in subsection (a)(4)(A)(iii) and subsection (a)(4)(B)(iv) below.

 

G)        A sign shall be placed at or near the Master Electrical Shut-off stating that activation of the Master Electrical Shut-off "transmits a fire alarm to the fire department".

 

4)         Fire detection, control and suppression equipment must meet either (A) or (B) of the following (note:  local governments may require option A or option B):

 

A)        Unattended dispensing areas for Class I, II and III liquid motor fuels utilizing this option shall be protected by an automatic fire suppression system(s) meeting the standards of UL 1254 (1992) and NFPA 17 (1994).  If a fire suppression system meeting these requirements is installed, no fire extinguishers are required. In the event of a fire suppression system discharge, the fuel dispensing facility shall not be returned to service until the suppression system is recharged and fully operational in the area protected by the system.  The fire suppression system shall:

 

i)          automatically activate the Master Electrical Shut-off.

 

ii)         sound a local alarm notification device audible throughout the dispensing area and meet the standards of NFPA 72 (1996).

 

iii)         automatically transmit an alarm signal to the fire department which provides fire protection service to the service station property.  The method of alarm transmission to the fire department shall meet the standards of NFPA 72 (1996).

 

iv)        include extinguishing agent discharge nozzles mounted above dispensers, and at or near ground level to discharge agent underneath vehicles being fueled.  Suppression systems that are not listed by UL for ground level discharge should have ground level discharge nozzles installed by January 1, 1987; overhead nozzles shall be installed prior to issuance of a permit.

 

B)        Unattended dispensing areas for Class I, II and III motor vehicle fuels electing this option shall be equipped with portable fire extinguishers and a fire detection system located under a weather enclosure canopy (unless written documentation is submitted verifying that the detection system will operate properly without such a canopy).

 

i)          The system shall detect a fire in the dispensing area through the use of rate compensation, rate of rise or flame sensing detectors, and the installation must meet the requirements of NFPA 72 (1996).

 

ii)         Activation of the system shall automatically activate the Master Electrical shut-off.

 

iii)         Activation of the system shall cause the sounding of a local alarm notification device audible throughout the dispensing area and meeting the standards of NFPA 72 (1996).

 

iv)        Activation of the system shall cause the automatic transmission of an alarm signal to the fire department which provides fire protection service to the service station property.  The method of alarm transmission to the fire department shall meet the standards of NFPA 72 (1996).  Fire extinguishers meeting the requirements of Section 170.145 shall be installed and maintained at each island and at the master electrical shut-off. Cabinets, or other enclosures for extinguishers, shall not require breaking of glass or other act(s) which could injure users attempting to access the extinguishers; doors, panels and local alarm systems may be provided at the owner's option.

 

5)         At all times instructions shall be posted in all weather materials by each actuator.  These instructions shall be mounted not less than four feet nor more than six feet six inches from the bottom of the sign to the ground, and give the following information in letters not less than 1" in height:

 

A)        No smoking.

 

B)        Turn off engine.

 

C)        Containers for gasoline must be red.

 

D)        Containers for kerosene must be blue.  It is dangerous and unlawful to fill unapproved containers with gasoline, diesel or kerosene.  All containers must be metal or stamped with the marking "Conforms to or meets ANSI/ASTM D3435-83", or "UL" or "FM".

 

E)         In case of fire or spill use emergency shut-off (or stop) button located at (owner must insert the locations of the emergency shut-offs); Master Electrical Shut-off transmits fire alarm to fire department.

 

b)         Inventory records must be maintained and available for inspection by personnel of the Office.  Applications for unattended self-service shall contain the name(s), address(s) and telephone number(s) of the person(s) the Office can contact for the inventory emergency reconciliations.

 

1)         Emergency reconciliations shall be available on two hours notice by telephone or in person.

 

2)         Records must be maintained showing the date, time of purchase (or delivery), amount of product, type of product, and name (or account number which can identify a name) for other than coin and currency sales for each purchase or delivery of product. Records must be maintained for one year and be available in the same manner as inventory records.  These records may be maintained electromagnetically, provided that the owner or operator can provide a printout when requested.

 

c)         Dispensing devices or actuators must limit the delivery of product in such a manner as to require the reactivation of the latch open (hold-open) device to the following:

 

1)         Motor vehicle fuels (Class I, II and III)

 

A)        Class I liquids (gasoline, gasahol, ethanol, motor fuel blends) – maximum 50 gallons.

 

B)        Class II and III liquids (diesel fuel) - maximum 250 gallons.

 

2)         Kerosene (grade K-1 only) – 6 gallons.

 

3)         Other Class I, II and III liquids – 6 gallons.

 

d)         When kerosene is to be dispensed at unattended service stations, only grade K-1 kerosene shall be dispensed.  All dispensing shall be from underground tanks.  Kerosene dispensers shall not be located on the same island with other Class I, II or III liquids.  Labeling of dispensers shall comply with the Space Heating Safety Act [425 ILCS 65].

 

e)         The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall, for failure to comply with these rules, for violation thereof, or for violation of any applicable federal, state or local laws, statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations, refuse to issue, refuse to renew or suspend or revoke an unattended self-service station permit.  The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall revoke such permit for flagrant, repeated and/or serious violations of these rules. The Office of the State Fire Marshal shall serve notice of such refusal, suspension or revocation on the applicant for or holder of such permit by personal service or by certified or registered mail.  The applicant for or holder of such permit may, within 10 days after notice of such refusal, suspension or revocation is served, file in the Office of the State Fire Marshal written request for a hearing.  Such hearings shall be governed by Article 10 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act [5 ILCS 100/Art. 10].  Any order or decision made by the Office of the State Fire Marshal based upon such hearing shall be an "administrative decision" within the meaning of the Administrative Review Law  [735 ILCS 5/Art. 3].

 

(Source:  Amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 8945, effective July 15, 1997)