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New Work Permit: installation, alterations, and removal

When do you need a permit?

The Safety Codes Act – Permit Regulation mandates that permits be obtained for the installation, alteration, or removal of flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks.

The following guidelines apply to permit applications under ASCA’s jurisdiction. If you live in a municipality accredited to monitor compliance on storage tank systems, contact your municipality for assistance.

Not sure who has jurisdiction in your area? See our Where to get a permit tool for help.

Obtain a permit

All ASCA permit applications for the installation, or removal of a tank must use the eServices form linked . If you are applying for the Storage Tank System Operating Permit, click here.

Submit Documents

Permit applications and required documents can be emailed to ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca

Storage Tank means a vessel for flammable liquids or combustible liquids having a capacity of more than 230 L, and designed to be installed in a fixed location.

There are two processes for permitting storage tank installations. The standards for smaller installations are as follows:

  • Individual storage tanks do not exceed a capacity of 8,000 litres
  • Their aggregate capacity does not exceed 20,000 litres,
  • The tank(s) are outdoors and,
  • All parts of the tank system are aboveground and visible to inspection.
Installations

Storage Tank System Permit Application
Installation Checklist

Alterations

Storage Tank System Permit Application

Underground removals

Storage Tank System Permit Application
Removal/Decommissioning Report

Aboveground removals

Notify ASCA (ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca) with the address and date the tank removal occurred so we may update your site records.

Small aboveground installations

Note that stamped construction drawings are not necessary for these installations but you will be required to provide all information as per the Installation Checklist with the appropriate Section completed and page 2 of the permit application form completed together with shop drawings, manufacturer’s instructions and material and tank specifications sheets.

  1. ASCA will acknowledge receipt of the permit application and conduct a review. Contact will be made with the applicant if it’s apparent the Fire Code is not being followed in the construction planning.
  1. An invoice for the applicable fee will be provided to the applicant.
  1. The permit shall be issued to the applicant if the application review is complete, development is compliant with the Fire Code, and payment for permit services is received.
  1. A proposed construction date must be provided on this form. Unless by exception, construction must commence within 90 days of the Date of Issuance on the Permit.
  1. Upon completion, a Verification of Compliance (VoC) shall be submitted to ASCA (ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca). The VoC is confirmation that the project was completed as applied for. Confirmation will be accepted from an engineer if one was used to design the project, a certified contractor assigned to the project, a 3rd party inspector, an ASCA Safety Codes Officer, or the tank owner.
  1. ASCA will review the information received for the Verification of Compliance.

An ASCA Safety Codes Officer will perform a physical inspection within one year of project completion. Any deficiencies must be corrected within 30 days with evidence of correction submitted to ASCA. (Contractor invoice for work and/or digital photos sent to the ASCA will be accepted.)

All other installations

You will need to include drawings that bear the stamp and seal of a licensed engineering professional registered to practice in Alberta. The permitting process for these larger installations is as follows:
  1. Complete and submit the Storage Tank System Permit Application with all information as per the installation checklist with the appropriate Section completed and page 2 of the permit application form completed together with shop drawings, manufacturer’s instructions and material and tank specification sheets.
  1. Applicant will email ASCA (ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca) a PDF of construction drawings stamped by a registered engineering professional licensed to practice in the province of Alberta.
  1. An invoice for the applicable fee will be provided to the applicant.
  1. Engineered drawings will be reviewed and if development is compliant with the Fire Code and permit fees are paid, a permit will be issued.
  1. Unless by special request, construction must commence within 90 days of the Date of Issuance on the Permit.
  1. Upon completion, a Verification of Compliance (VoC) shall be submitted to ASCA (ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca). The VoC is confirmation that the project was completed as applied for. Confirmation will be accepted from the engineer that designed the project, a certified contractor assigned to the project, a 3rd party inspector, an ASCA Safety Codes Officer or the tank owner.
  1. ASCA will review the information received for the Verification of Compliance.
  1. An ASCA Safety Codes Officer will perform a physical inspection within one year of project completion. Any deficiencies must be corrected within 30 days with evidence of correction submitted to ASCA. (Contractor invoice for work and/or digital photos sent to the ASCA will be accepted).

Alterations

An alteration is a minor change to tanks and/or piping (usually in the form of a repair) that does not require modifications to the tank or piping. Follow these instructions for an alteration:

  1. Complete and submit the Storage Tank System Permit Application, accompanied by a description of the scope of work.
  1. An invoice for the applicable fee will be provided to the applicant.
  1. The application will be reviewed, and if compliant with the National Fire Code – 2019 Alberta Edition and permit fees have been paid, a permit will be issued.
  1. Upon completion, a Verification of Compliance shall be submitted to ASCA (ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca)
  1. A Permit Services Report will be provided to the applicant.
  1. An ASCA Safety Codes Officer may perform a physical inspection within one year of project completion.

Underground removals

Follow the below instructions if you are removing underground tanks or installations with any underground components. A certified remover must supervise the removal of underground tanks.

  1. Complete and submit the Storage Tank System Permit Application. The municipality may require additional permits be taken out in addition to ASCA’s tank permit for other structural items such as canopy removal.
  1. An invoice for the applicable fee will be provided to the applicant.
  1. The application will be reviewed, and if it is compliant with the National Fire Code – 2019 Alberta Edition and the fees have been paid, a permit will be issued.
  1. Contractor will submit a Removal/Decommissioning Report upon tank removal.

An ASCA Safety Codes Officer may perform a physical inspection within one year of project completion.

Aboveground removals

If you are removing a system where all components are aboveground, a permit is not required for removal.

  1. Proceed with the removal.
  1. Notify ASCA (ascatanks@safetycodes.ab.ca) with the address and date the tank removal occurred so we may update your site records.