Introduction to Decreto Supremo 160
Picture yourself operating a fuel depot where the slightest mistake could cause catastrophe — fires, spills or worse. That’s the reality that Chile’s government sought to address with Decreto Supremo 160 (DS 160), a landmark regulation on liquid fuels. En el Diario Oficial de la Federación publicado el 7 de julio del 2009, se dio a conocer este decreto emitido el 26 de mayo del 2008, por medio del cual se aprueba el “Reglamento de Seguridad para las Instalaciones y Operaciones de Producción y Refinación, Transporte, Almacenamiento, Distribución y Abastecimiento de Combustibles Líquidos”. It’s not just a collection of rules; it’s an umbilical cord to safety in an industry shot through with risky business.
DS 160 went into effect on October 5, 2009 and replaced earlier rules such as DS 90 of 1996 and DS 379 of 1985. It is primarily aimed at reducing the risk associated to liquid fuels of oil based and bio origins. Although it addresses the entire supply chain from production to distribution the focus of this article is on compliance and some main rules regarding fuel storage, or as known in spanish “almacenamiento de combustibles.” This comes in handy for operators because improper storage can result in damage to the environment, health hazards and significant fines.
In energy-hungry Chile, which boasts urban and rural infrastructure, DS 160 guarantees the compliance of storage facilities to standards such as those issued by API, ASME or NPFA. Read on to learn how as a refinery manager, distributor, or simply someone that is curious about regulatory frameworks, the knowledge of DS 160 guides you through complexities associated with safe fuel handling. Let’s work our way through it one step at a time, with reference to the order as written and in terms of how we might make it pragmatic and actionable.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Decreto Supremo 160
- Objectives and Scope of the Decree
- Classification of Liquid Fuels
- General Safety Requirements and Responsibilities
- Tank Design and Construction Standards
- Installation and Location Requirements for Storage Tanks
- Safety Distances and Containment Systems
- Ventilation, Pressure Relief, and Overfill Prevention
- Electrical Installations and Control of Ignition Sources
- Operational Procedures for Fuel Storage
- Maintenance, Inspections, and Record-Keeping
- Emergency Plans, Accident Reporting, and Risk Management
- Compliance Responsibilities, Fiscalization, and Sanctions
- Recent Modifications and Transitional Provisions
- Conclusion: Ensuring Safe Fuel Storage in Practice
Objectives and Scope of the Decree
The object of this DS Decreto Supremo 160 is, in essence, to define the minimum security measures for all installations and operations with liquid fuels (CL), controlling the risks to persons, property and environment. It classifies CO as liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons that are liquid at 37.8°C and working pressure is set at 275 kPa, biofuels such as food based ethanol and biodiesel are part of this definition. The decree provides exceptions in particular for production fields on site, direct airplane filling and maritime transport, to concentrate solely on land-based operations Other restrictions included in the regulation include: – Access to the heliport just exclusive employees with an identity card; – Drivers should “remain inside the cabs [and only] drive with two persons per cabin”; – Drivers cannot enter any office or facilities within the ports and docks complex.
It is all encompassing: it covers everyone from someone producing, or refining or hauling or storing and distributing CL. For storage in particular, robust design and operating procedures also focus on measures to prevent leaks, fires and overfills. If your operation will store more than 1,100 liters, registration with the Superintendence de Electricidal y Combustibles (SEC) is required smaller ones will also need to follow rules, but do not have to be formally inscribed.
Think of it as though you are building a house: You can’t just slap on walls; you need a blueprint that takes into account earthquakes, floods and daily wear. DS 160 requires reference to international norms (e.g., ANSI, API) where Chilean standards are inadequate and allows use of new technologies if they demonstrate equivalent safety through SEC approved projects.
Classification of Liquid Fuels
Correct categorization is the core of compliance. CL are classified according to their flash point, the lowest temperature that a liquid sample will produce enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture. This dictates storage needs; volatile fuels require greater coverage.
Here it is in table format for easy comparison:
| Class | Flash Point Range | Examples | Storage Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | < 37.8°C | Gasoline, some solvents | High risk; requires vapor recovery systems, inertization for unstable types. |
| Class IA | < 22.8°C and boiling point < 37.8°C | Highly volatile fractions | Strictest controls; no storage in buildings. |
| Class IB | < 22.8°C and boiling point ≥ 37.8°C | – | Enhanced ventilation and pressure relief. |
| Class IC | ≥ 22.8°C and < 37.8°C | – | Similar to IB but slightly less volatile. |
| Class II | ≥ 37.8°C and < 60°C | Diesel, kerosene | Moderate risk; allowable in certain building setups. |
| Class IIIA | ≥ 60°C and < 93.3°C | Heavy oils | Lower risk; reduced distancing requirements. |
| Class IIIB | ≥ 93.3°C | Lubricants, asphalt | Minimal volatility; simplest storage rules. |
Unstable or boiling point problematic (‘due to it’s initial reactivity) liquids are given special designations necessitating blanket with inert gas or refrigeration. Biofuels play by the same rules, but their compatibility with materials must be assured lest they corrode.
One of the first steps to becoming compliant is identifying what class your fuel is Misclassified and can result in legal compliance violations as well as accidents.
General Safety Requirements and Responsibilities
Safety isn’t a choice; it’s woven into every level of DS Decreto Supremo 160. Owners and operators are responsible for total compliance, including the establishment of a Programa de Seguridad (Safety Program), which would enumerate risks, describe measures to prevent such accidents or incidents from occurring in the future and contain training. For storage operations, that means just a Manual de Seguridad de Combustibles Líquidos (MSCL) with procedures, material safety data sheets and maintenance plans to be reviewed after an incident or every three years.
Rules would require registered professionals (expert retentionists) to do inspections based on the size of the facility and whether it’s a high, medium or low risk site (eg monthly at high risk sites). Records are kept in a foliated logbook, and accidents such as spills over 5 m³ or fires must be reported within 24 hours, followed by a more detailed report after 30 days.
It’s akin to having a family disaster plan: everyone has their role, from the operator monitoring levels to the manager who knows whether insurance covers third-party damages. Non-compliance? The SEC can shut you down.
Tank Design and Construction Standards
The rough guidance of Decreto Supremo 160 for tanks is on its own a hefty statement. Designs should comply with API 620 standards for low-pressure tanks, API 650 standards for atmospheric tanks, or ASME Section VIII Standards for high-pressure vessels. Materials? Applicable grade of steel, with corrosion margin (for example 1.5 mm additional thickness).
They are well resistant to seismic loading and floods when surface tanks; the foundations of which resist these loads. Underground tanks are covered by UL 58 standards, while above ground tanks are classified as being under ASTM D 4021 specifications. All the tanks are hydrostatically/pneumatically tested—e.g., 20.6-34.5 kPa for 1-12 h to ensure that they do not leak.
Special features include:
- Welded connections with full penetration.
- Ladders, platforms and gauges up on tank.
- Manufacturer nameplates and test pressures and dates.
If you are storing Class I fuels, especially, tanks should be able to accommodate the vapors without rupturing.
Installation and Location Requirements for Storage Tanks
Location is as important as design. Tanks can’t be put under buildings or public roads and underground ones have to be covered by at least 60cm (or just 30cm with a concrete slab of 10cm). Deep bed penetration is restricted to avoid high pressure, and a soil corrocity evaluation is required.
Groupings risk-stratify tanks, and include perimeter roads for emergency access. There will be no arcing from static electricity and tightness, corrosion protection and anchoring of every installation must be certified as part of the pre-service effort.
That means, in real terms, surveying your site for terrain, proximity to bodies of water and urban infrastructure — get it wrong and the SEC won’t sign off on your supply.
Safety Distances and Containment Systems
In order to avoid domino effects, the DS 160 prescribes minimum separations. These are horizontal projections between tank shells, buildings, Swiss lines and highways. Values are given in the decree tables (e.g., Table VII for Classes I/II/III A) depending on tank capacity and fuel type.
Example table section (simplified for the sake of decree tables):
| Fuel Class | Minimum Distance to Property Line (m) | Between Tanks (Fraction of Diameter) |
|---|---|---|
| Class I/II | 1/6 sum of diameters (min 1 m) | 1/6 (reducible for fixed protection) |
| Class IIIA | Half of Class I/II distances | As above, but outside dikes |
| GLP | 1.5-60 m depending on capacity | Specific for pressure vessels |
Containment is Critical diked storage areas are required to hold 110% of the biggest tank, with floors that must be impermeable and sloped at no less than one percent. Remote catches (min. 20 m distance) are allowed when capacities match. For spills, dual collection systems clean oily water.
This involves acting in a similar way to a moat around a castle; they hold potential enemies back before they can do damage.
Ventilation, Pressure Relief, and Overfill Prevention
Tanks breathe — and DS 160 makes sure they can do so safely. Venting shall be normal as per API 2000 with minimum size as in table VI. Fire emergency venting is less demanding, for which we employ capacities from Table III, reducible by insulation or sprinklers (Table V).
Pressure relief valves open at predetermined pressure values (6.9 kPa positive, 2.5 kPa vacuum) to avoid implosion or explosion. For unstable fuels, inert systems (e.g., nitrogen blanketing) are needed.
Overfill prevention? Top level overflow alarms, auto shut down and fill pipes 15 cm above tank bottom. A) Vapor recovery systems (SRV): SRVs are required for Class I fuels in high-emission areas according to API RP 1004.
The pressures sit in balance, much like a pressure cooker valve — key to preventing eruptions.
Electrical Installations and Control of Ignition Sources
Electricity and fuels are a dangerous combination, so tank locations must be classified as Class I, Division 1 or 2, Group D according to NFPA 70. Explosion proof equipment with ground for static discharge is required.
Operations: During operations no open flames or smoking in classified zones distances extend 7 m. Installations come with surge protection and emergency shutoffs.
In either case, yard lighting and wiring comply with NFPA 77 to reduce sparking. “This is all about eliminating that one spark that will ignite vapors.
Operational Procedures for Fuel Storage
Day-to-day ops demand vigilance. Level in the filling systems should be controlled (grounding and absence of ignition sources) 6. = = = Intake/Exhaust: For loading/unloading bottom or top, with vapor tie-ins.
Restrictions include fill exceeding capacity, mixing mismatched ESC fuel types, and running without qualified individuals. Drivers must inspect the integrity of the tank before transport, and facilities maintain logs for each transfer.
Think of it as a checklist: ground, check levels, supervise/ repeat for safety!
Maintenance, Inspections, and Record-Keeping
Maintenance schedules are also included in the MSCL, including checks for corrosion, testing of valves and tank internals (e.g., bottom inspections every 20 years according to Table XV). Underground tanks require regular pressure tests for tightness.
The superset of inspections performed by risk professionals are based upon Table II frequencies found in foliated books. Records are kept at least 5 years, the reports of any accidents.
Routine maintenance lengthens the life of a tank and keeps you compliant fail to do it, and you’re ready to be audited.
Emergency Plans, Accident Reporting, and Risk Management
Each has to have an emergency plan under national norms, involving brigades, drills and cooperation with local authorities. Incidents (e.g., a spill >200 L in the case of small seal) are subject to immediate notification of the SEC.
Risk management is hazard recognition in the Safety Program — proactive, not predicative.
Compliance Responsibilities, Fiscalization, and Sanctions
Owners guarantee complete compliance; SEC fiscalizes through inspections and has sanctions as part of the decree. Amendments must be approved and cessation includes safe shutdown (e.g., tank inerting).
Recent revisions, including DS 34 of 2019 and DS 138 of 2016, narrow the rules for mobile tanks and inspections.
Recent Modifications and Transitional Provisions
DS 160 has not stood still: 2019 amendments dealt with mobile transport and there were transitional rules within which existing sites should move their model to a higher standard (e.g. incumbents had two years to do so for SRV). Always check SEC for updates.
Conclusion: Ensuring Safe Fuel Storage in Practice
decreto supremo 160 is not all that much bureaucracy at least it’s a plan to keep fuel storage safe. Facilities reduce their risks and maintain compliance by complying with this one set of rules, governing design, operations and maintenance. Whether it is about upgrading tanks or training staff, the solution won’t work without integration: Make safety culture part of your organization. Being at the top of the lists in audits and peace of mind for Chilean operators. If you work in the business, read the entire decree and SEC experts safety does pay over time.
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