Underground Propane Tank Installation Requirements

Propane Tank Requirements

In an effort to provide an increased level of safety for all, the Dartmouth District 1 Fire Department has issued the following requirements regarding propane installations:

• All installations must be preapproved by the fire department.

• All underground installations will require a means to secure the tank in the hole, such as a pre-cast or poured concrete pad, with the tank bolted to the pad and a minimum of four points of restraint. Any request to waive this provision will require an affidavit from a Massachusetts Registered Engineer with a concentration in civil, sanitary or environmental engineering or be certified by the MA DEP as a Certified Soil Evaluator. The affidavit must state that there is no danger to the tank from settling or ground water.

• A poured-in-place concrete pad must sit for a minimum of three days prior to placing and securing an empty tank on the pad. A poured-in-place concrete pad must sit for a minimum of seven days prior to filling a tank. Any request to waive this provision will require an affidavit from a Massachusetts Registered Engineer with a concentration in civil engineering indicating the length of time necessary for the pad to cure in order to support the tank and the fuel without damaging the pad.

• A minimum of 24 hours’ notice must be given prior to setting the tank in the hole.

• No back-filling is allowed until the installation is inspected.

• Clean fill must be on-site for the inspection of the tank.

• Aboveground installations must be labeled with the street address that it services.

• Contact Fire Prevention at 508-996-1596  

Inspections:

Please call (508-996-1596) to schedule an inspection. 

Inspections are conducted Monday-Friday during normal business hours