Requirements

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

• All installations must be preapproved by the fire department.
• Any installation that requires trenching or substantial earth movement must be preapproved by the Conservation Commission.  No permit for storage will be issued without Con-Com approval. 
  
• Only one propane installation shall be allowed on any single property (this provision excludes 20lb cylinders for outdoor cooking).
• 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 (781) 471-5092 or FirePrevention@townhall.westwood.ma.us for more information.

Inspections

Please call (781) 471-5092 to schedule an inspection or you may send an Email to FirePrevention@townhall.westwood.ma.us

Inspections are conducted Monday-Friday during normal business hours.