2624827 ONTARIO INC - Approval for variance from the Liquid Fuels Handling Code

Clause 1.3.1 of the Liquid Fuels Handling Code (LFHC) requires that equipment be approved. The Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) Standard for Metallic and Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids (CAN/ULC-S679:2017) is the current standard for piping. Versapipe^TM 4710 pipe is not approved to this ULC standard.

Tom Gallagher, P. Eng., of Gallagher Technical Services, was retained to perform a risk assessment on Versapipe^TM 4710 pipe. In his letter, dated March 12, 2020, he concluded that, in his opinion, a Versapipe^TM 4710 piping system does not pose any additional risk to the public or the environment than a CAN/ULC- S679 piping system for the following reasons:

• Versapipe^TM 4710 is made from high-density polyethylene, which is also used to manufacture other fuel components like sumps, spill boxes and jerry cans. These items are subject to long-term fuel exposure, including fuel additives and ethanol.
• In a worse-case scenario in which the vent at the facility is blocked, the Versapipe^TM 4710 piping would be subjected to a maximum of 5 per cent (10 pounds per square in gauge) of the rated pipe pressure (200 pounds per square in gauge).
• The overfill valves on the underground tanks will protect against a tank overfill that could potentially expose the vent piping to liquid fuel.

In addition, the pipe manufacturer sent an email endorsing the use of Versapipe^TM 4710 pipe for venting gasoline/diesel tanks.