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Permit to Install Anhydrous Ammonia Storage - Application Instructions
Anhydrous ammonia tanks

All new facilities and substantial alterations must be approved by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) prior to construction.

There is a permit fee of $50.00 for substantially altering a facility, and a permit fee of $100.00 for a new facility pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 18C.205, subd. 2.

In order for the department to determine if your facility meets the requirements, it is necessary that the application contain certain essential information. The following is a list of points to keep in mind when completing the application.

LOCATION OF SITE INCLUDING LEGAL DESCRIPTION - If you do not know the legal description of the property you may include a map or aerial photo showing the location of your facility.

LOCAL PERMIT - If the construction of your facility requires a permit, a copy of that permit is required to be submitted with the application.

NUMBER & CAPACITY OF STORAGE CONTAINERS - State capacity, in gallons, of each storage container.

STORAGE CONTAINER NAMEPLATE INFORMATION - List information requested on application.

DISTANCES - List distances from tank(s) to property lines and occupied dwellings. Permanent storage must not be less than 400 feet from any residence, school, hospital, or other place of public assembly if the total storage capacity is 100,000 gallons or less and 1000 feet if more than 100,000 gallons. Other distances that must be adhere to are:

(1) 50 feet from a well or other source of potable water; (2) 50 feet from the line of adjoining property, from the near side of a public roadway or mainline of railroad; and (3) Area around storage tank(s) must be accessible to emergency vehicles and personnel.

PLUMBING - A COMPLETE diagram showing location and type of pumps, valves, piping specs, fittings specs, truck unloading bulkhead protection, risers and riser pull-way provision.

VICINITY MAP - A scale drawing of the entire facility showing other storage containers and buildings. This should also include the entire property boundary and the location of the facility to lakes, streams, drainage ditches, storm drains, wells, dwellings, etc.

CONTINGENCY PLAN - A plan which describes storage, handling and incident handling practices must be available at facility for review.

In addition to the above mentioned items the entire application must be completed. Contact the MDA prior to making updates to your firm's anhydrous ammonia storage facility, to determine if an approval/permit is required.

Guidelines for Dealers and Others for Storage, Handling, Marking, Placarding, and General Requirements for Anhydrous Ammonia

Safety and Safety Equipment

  1. A person required to store, handle transfer, transport, or otherwise work with ammonia must be trained in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, parts 1900-1910, to understand the properties of ammonia, to become competent in safe operating practices, and to take appropriate actions in the event of a leak or an emergency.
  2. A person making, breaking, or testing an ammonia connection, transferring ammonia, or performing maintenance or repair on an ammonia system under pressure, must wear protective gloves and chemical splash goggles rated for ammonia use. A full face shield may be worn over the goggles. However, a face shield may NOT be worn as a substitute for goggles.
  3. Each storage facility, at a minimum, must have the following ammonia safety equipment, readily accessible and properly maintained:
    1. Two full face gas masks, each with one spare ammonia canister in ammonia concentrations less than those that pose an IDLH;
    2. One pair of ammonia-rated protective gauntlet-style gloves of sufficient length to allow for cuffing;
    3. Ammonia-rated chemical splash goggles or chemical splash goggles with full face shield to be worn over the goggles.
    4. One pair of protective boots, impervious to ammonia;
    5. One protective slicker or rain suit, impervious to ammonia; and
    6. Emergency shower and plumbed eye wash unit or in lieu of these, at least 150 gallons of CLEAN water in an open top container

    Bulk Storage Tanks and Systems

    1. Each container or group of containers shall be marked on at least two (2) sides with the words "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA" in sharply contrasting colors in letters not less than four (4) inches high. "INHALATION HAZARD" in sharply contrasting letters not less than four (4) inches high (effective 10/1/92). The container or group of containers must also carry the DOT "NON-FLAMMABLE GAS" placards on at least two sides. The DOT identification number "1005" placard will be accepted in lieu of the DOT "NON-FLAMMABLE GAS" placard.
    2. A sign shall be displayed in a conspicuous place stating the name, address and telephone number of the nearest representative, agent, or owner of the storage system.
    3. Each container shall be marked with the appropriate grade or guaranteed analysis. Suggestion - locate marking next to or near truck unload area.
    4.  Main container shut-off valves shall be kept closed and locked when the installation is unattended. If the facility is protected against tampering by adequate fencing or other suitable means, valve locks are not required.
    5. All system openings and appurtenances must be marked/decaled to indicate whether the opening is in contact with the liquid and vapor phase. If paint is used, liquid must be orange and vapor yellow. Valves and lines must be painted within three (3) feet of the system opening (except for hose).
    6. Pressure relief valves (PRV's) are required to be installed in a manifold. The manifold allows for the replacement of PRV's while the tank remains pressurized. PRV's have a five (5) year use limitation from the date of installation.
    7. Pull-away protection are required for the truck unload and nurse tank loading areas.

    Ammonia Equipment Specifications:

    NURSE TANKS - (3,000 gallons or less and mounted for transportation)

    1. There must appear on: (1). EACH SIDE of the tank in letters at least two (2) inches high, the words "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA", "INHALATION HAZARD", UN identification number, "1005" placard; and (2). EACH END of the tank in letters at least two (2) inches high, the words "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA", UN identification number, "1005" placard. No marking may be within six (6) inches of the "1005" placards.
    2. Nurse tanks with a total width of 80 or more inches and 10,001 or more pounds GVW must install 2 inch reflective strips between 15 to 60 inches from the ground level at the following areas of tank/trailer assembly: (1) Sides - Red/White strips along at least of the overall length, including the tongue/hitch; (2) Upper Rear Corners - two pairs of 12 inch long WHITE strips placed horizontally/vertically; and (3) Lower Rear - Red/White strips across width of trailer axle.
    3. Nurse tank must be securely attached to the vehicle drawing them by means of drawbars supplemented by hitch pins with a retainer and set of suitably sized independently-operating safety chains.
    4. Slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem must be provided and visible while being towed on public roads.
    5. A nurse tank must be equipped with at least five (5) gallons of CLEAN water in a container designed to provide ready access to the water for flushing any area of the body contacted by ammonia.

    APPLICATORS (CADDY TANK APPLICATORS)

    1. There must appear on: (1). EACH SIDE of the tank in letters at least two (2) inches high, the words "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA", "INHALATION HAZARD", UN identification number, "1005" placard; and (2). EACH END of the tank in letters at least two (2) inches high, the words "ANHYDROUS AMMONIA"UN identification number, "1005" placard. No marking may be within three (3) inches of the "1005" placards.
    2. An applicator must be securely attached to the vehicle drawing them by means of drawbars supplemented by hitch pins with a retainer and suitable sized, independently-operating safety chains.
    3. Slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem must be provided and visible while being towed and public roads.
    4. An applicator must have legible decal depicting the instructions for step-by-step ammonia transfer.
    5. An applicator must be equipped with at least five (5) gallons of CLEAN in a container designed to provide ready access to the water for flushing any area of the body contacted by ammonia.

    TOOLBARS

    1. Proper operating automatic break-away, self-closing coupling device, equipped with a double swivel. Information for connecting and disconnecting the coupling device must be displayed in a manner that is readily visible near the coupling device.
    2. An applicator must be securely attached to the vehicle drawing them by means of drawbars supplemented by hitch pins with a retainer and suitable sized, independently-operating safety chains.

    General Conditions for Fertilizer Storage Site Approval/Permits

    1. This approval/permit shall not release the permittee from any liability or obligation imposed by Minnesota or federal statutes or local ordinances and shall remain in force subject to all conditions and limitations now or hereafter imposed by law. The approval/permit shall be permissive only and shall not be construed as estopping or limiting any claims against the permittee for damage or injury to persons or property, or any waters of the state resulting from any acts, operations, or omission of the permittee, its agent, contractors or assigners, nor as estopping or limiting any legal claim of the state against the permittee, its agent, contractors or assigners for damage to state property, or for any violations of the terms or conditions of this permit.
    2. No transfer of ownership and no major alterations or additions to the storage site shall be made without the written approval of the Department.
    3. The use of the site shall be limited to the storage of the materials or substances described in the approval/permit application and associated material filed with the Department.
    4. The Department's review of plans which provide the basis for this approval/permit is solely for the limited purpose of determining whether there is reasonable assurance that the facilities constructed thereby will comply with the rules and criteria of the Department.
    5. The permittee is responsible for the integrity of structures, physical features, or the reliability, durability and efficiency of specific items or proprietary equipment or material. All applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations or ordinances must be followed in the design, location, and construction of proposed containment areas.
    6. The approval/permit is based upon the assumption that the information provided by the applicant is correct, and that all other necessary legal requirements have been or will be satisfied.
    7. Certification of completion of the project shall be made immediately after construction is finished and reports on operational practices shall be submitted as may be required by the Department.
    8. This approval/permit authorizes the holder to perform the activities described herein under the conditions set forth. In issuing this approval/permit, the State/Department assumes no responsibility for any damage to persons, property or the environment caused by the activities of the holder in the conduct of its actions, including these activities authorized, directed or undertaken pursuant to this approval/permit. To the extent the State/Department may have any liability for the activities of its employees, that liability is explicitly limited to that provided in the Torts Claim Act, Minnesota Statute 3.736.
    MDA Contact

    Ed Kaiser, Consultant
    Ed.Kaiser@state.mn.us
    651-201-6275
    Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division