Indoor Propane Storage ??

[Anakin's Glass Eye]

Does anyone out there keep their propane indoors? Legally? And meet fire inspection requirements?

How'd ya do it?

To keep a long story short, here's my deal: I'm looking at studio space that would be on the top floor of an old woolen mill. The space is perfect, price is right, etc. It will require an occupancy permit which I'm guessing is gonna be a problem because I'd have to maintain the propane bottle inside - I'm not gonna keep it out back on ground floor and pipe it up 60 feet to the third floor. I'm wondering if anyone has encountered and solved this problem. I am about to go talk to the city hall people/inspector to see what I have to do. I'm anticipating they will be di*ks about it though.

Any good info is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Brad

[MikeAurelius]

Brad, the rules are different, *sometimes*, for commercial installations. When I did my studio though, they were not - I had to follow the same rules as residential installations of propane -- outside period, no if's and's or but's.

I can understand the desire to keep in inside and near for convenience sake, but for safety, it really should be outside.

Good luck.

[Dale M.]

Does anyone out there keep their propane indoors? Legally? And meet fire inspection requirements?

How'd ya do it?

To keep a long story short, here's my deal: I'm looking at studio space that would be on the top floor of an old woolen mill. The space is perfect, price is right, etc. It will require an occupancy permit which I'm guessing is gonna be a problem because I'd have to maintain the propane bottle inside - I'm not gonna keep it out back on ground floor and pipe it up 60 feet to the third floor. I'm wondering if anyone has encountered and solved this problem. I am about to go talk to the city hall people/inspector to see what I have to do. I'm anticipating they will be di*ks about it though.

Any good info is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Brad

My comment would be, check with "code" enforcement inspectors...

They have final say on legality of situation. Also insurance inspectors may have a voice in this also...

I also believe outside would be best situation.

Dale

[Anakin's Glass Eye]

Talked to the building inspector today regarding an occupancy permit. I thought propane would be a problem but I was wrong. Apparently there's not one single place within the stupid city of Grafton, WI that you can legally have a glass studio of any kind. WTF? The village uses the OSHA SIC designations to categorize permitted land use. Each SIC has a zoning restriction. If I were making furniture, I could only do it in a M-1 (manufacturing) zoned building/space/lot, etc. Glass manuf would get the 3200 somethin SIC. Well, in shitty little Grafton, there is no zoning whatsoever for SIC 3200. Can't even get a conditional use permit to do glass blowing in a M-1 zoned space. How f*n stupid is that.

Apparently what I have to do is petition the Planning Commission and the Village Board to change the zoning restrictions to allow my intended use in a space zoned M-1. So, fuck 'em. I'll give it a try. I'll fill out the forms, push all the papers, dot all the I's and T's. Present my case. But I'm not gonna kiss any ass and I'm not gonna grease any wheels to make it happen. If good 'ol Grafton does not want a legit money making, tax revenue generating enterprise in their wonderfull little megalopolis then I will go elsewhere.

How f*n stupid is that, that they wont allow a glass studio in a space zoned for manufacturing.

Ok, done venting, now I will do somethin about it.

[Wonker]

Hi,

I'll throw something out here. If you really want the space you're looking at, it seems to me that one approach for you to take is to find a way to get around the concerns that the permitting board would have before you apply. You're going to need an effective ventilation system as well as some way to safely store your propane. Would you consider hiring an engineer to design an enclosure that would fit within an existing window that would serve as the exit structure for the ventilation and underneath serve as a steel enclosure for the propane tank. It would cost a few bucks, probably require a machine shop to fabricate the enclosure if they approve, but at least you can meet any safety objections with a document that has been prepared by an engineer that could vouche for its appropriateness.

Just a thought. Good luck.

Wonker

[MikeAurelius]

Brad - they've classified you wrong - 3200 is for MANUFACTURING RAW GLASS. Big difference.

When I get into work this morning, I'll get you the correct SIC codes for craft studios.

[Anakin's Glass Eye]

SIC # 3229 Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware, Not Elsewhere Classified
SIC # 3231 Glass Products, Made of Purchased Glass

Grafton, WI has no permitted zoning for either SIC, not even a conditional use permit is possible.

Does anyone slip in under a different SIC? I've looked at all of them and can't find a loophole.

[MikeAurelius]

3231 is the classification, I was incorrect, sorry.

Do you have a current studio set up that the city people could look at to see that it is not "manufacturing" per se?

I'll bet they are looking at "manufacturing" in the light of heavy equipment, lots of employees, high hazards for industrial accidents, etc.

You need to show them that this is a "craft" not manufacturing per se.

[Cheddarlander]

Wow, Brad. Sounds like a mess. Hope you get them to change the rules. Will we see you at JC's this month?

Karen