Storage Tank Regulations Flashcards
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What revisions were made to the Underground Storage Tank Regulation in 2015?
Increasing emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment to help prevent UST releases which cause groundwater contamination.
Where can you find additional information for all of the changes to UST regulation?
EPA website
What are the three basic requirements that UST leak detection systems must meet?
- Able to detect a leak from any portion of the tank/piping
- Install, calibrate, operate and maintain leak protection
- Meets performance requirements per federal regulations
What are UST owners required to keep records of by law?
Keep records about any upgrades and repairs to your UST system during its lifetime.
What are the record keeping requirements for a Sacrificial Anode System and an Impressed Current System?
Sacrificial Anode System: Keep results of the last 2 cathodic protection tests.
Impressed Current System: Keep results of the last 3 equipment inspections.
What are the three leak detection methods that are mandated by the EPA?
- Interstitial method
- Internal method
- External method
What are the two types of release detection methods available to the owner of a tank installed on or before April 11, 2016?
- Monthly monitoring
- Monthly inventory control and tank tightness testing
What are the two methods of monitoring the pressurized piping of a fuel system installed on or before April 11, 2016?
- Use an automatic line leak detector that shuts off, restricts flow or triggers alarm
- Annual line testing
What is required on Pressurized piping installed or replaced after April 11, 2016?
- Use an automatic line leak detector that shuts off, restricts flow or triggers alarm
- Secondary containment with interstitial monitoring
What are the release detection methods available for suction piping installed before and after April 11, 2016?
- Monthly monitoring
- Lines testing every 3 years
What should you do after a leak has been confirmed?
- Identify where the tank is leaking
- Notify government agencies
- Follow state requirements
How is monitoring the groundwater used as a method of leak detection?
To see if petroleum is detected.
How can spills be protected against?
USTs must have catchment basins to contain small spills.
How can Overfills be protected against?
Making sure there is enough room in the tank for delivery and watching the entire delivery to prevent spilling. Tanks must have an overfill device that has automatic shutoff or alarm.
How can corrosion be protected against?
Steel tanks require cathodic protection. the current going to the UST system overcomes the corrosion-causing current, normally flowing away from it.
What are the three groups of UST operators in the revised underground storage tank regulations?
Class A – persons having primary responsibility for operation and maintenance of UST.
Class B – persons having daily responsibility for operation and maintenance of UST systems.
Class C – daily onsite employees having primary responsibility for emergency release from UST systems.
When do class A, class B, and class C operators need to be trained by?
new Class A and Class B operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming duties.
What training must class A operators have?
- Spill and overfill prevention
- Release detection
- Corrosion protection
- Emergency response
What training are class B operators required to have?
- Operation and maintenance
- Spill and overfill prevention
- Release detection and reporting
- Corrosion protection
- Emergency response
What training are class C operators required to have?
Each designated Class C operator must either:
be trained by a Class A or Class B operator;
complete a training program;
pass a comparable examination.
What are the retraining requirements of class A and B operators who are out of compliance?
Must be retrained within 30 days of the determination of noncompliance.
What operator records must be kept?
- identifying all currently designated operators at the facility.
- include the operator name, operator class, date assumed duties, and training or retraining dates.
How does the EPA work to help clean up UST releases?
EPA works with its state, territorial, tribal, and industry partners to clean up releases from USTs.
How do local factors affect the best method to clean a release site?
A contaminated site will need a site characterization to help choose the cleanup method.
What are the LUST Corrective action resources?
Leaking Underground Storage Tanks – technical information and resources about cleaning up UST releases.
What are some industry codes and standards that must be followed?
- UST must be designed, constructed and protected from corrosion.
- The use of industry codes for upgrading, repairing and closing USTs.
What is the red tag program?
Delivery prohibition programs physically identify USTs that are ineligible to receive product.
What is the green tag program?
If a green tag or permit is present, then one can assume the tank is compliant and eligible for delivery.
Are the majority of states in the red or green tag program?
Red tag program.
What do most AST’s need to meet as a minimum?
State and local fire codes.
Usually contain a mix of construction, installation, operation and maintenance requirements that are intended to prevent fires and other hazards.
What are some of the other requirements of AST’s?
Additional state and local regulatory requirements that safeguard human health and the environment from potential threats from ASTs.
How are AST’s inspected?
- Tested for integrity on a regular schedule.
- Combine visual inspection with another testing technique such as hydrostatic testing, radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, acoustic emissions testing, or another system of non-destructive shell testing.
- Comparison records must be kept.
- Personnel must frequently inspect the outside of the container.
What secondary means of containment are required for AST’s?
Provided for the entire capacity of the largest single container and freeboard to contain precipitation.
What detection devices must be installed in AST’s?
- High liquid level alarms with audible or visual signal at a constantly attended operation or surveillance station.
- High liquid level pump cutoff devices set to stop flow at a predetermined container content level.
- Direct audible or code signal communication between the container gauge and the pumping station.
- Fast response system for determining liquid level.
What is required of new UST’s?
- Must have a location and maintenance schedule which allows the system to be withdrawn from service.
- Composed of double wall tanks.
- Have a spill containment device, an overfill protection device, corrosion protection.
What is required of new UST’s that store used oil?
- A 50mm suction pipe to remove product to clear a blockage.
- An overfill device.
- Spill containment device of at least 25L.
- Rain cover and screen to prevent objects from entering the tank.
What materials must UST piping be made of?
Either copper, steel, zinc-coated or be welded and seamless.
What are the secondary containment requirements of UST piping?
Installed and designed so leaks either accumulate in a containment sump or detected by a monitoring system.
What must be completed for leaking single walled UST’s?
Must be immediately and permanently withdrawn from service and removed within 2 years of the owner/operator becoming aware of the leak.
What standards are AST’s held to in Canada?
Subject to standards set by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA1999). Primary purpose to prevent contamination located on federal and aboriginal lands.
What is required for an AST to be in good standing with the NFCC?
The design, fabrication and installation must conform to NFCC standards and rules.
Who should be involved in the installation of an AST?
By a company or individual that has proper authorization. Enlisting an expertise contractor or engineer.
What should be included in the drawings of an AST to be submitted to a local regulatory authority?
- Outline of all storage tanks.
- Centerline of all piping.
- Centerline of all underground electrical power.
- Building foundation outlines.
- Secondary containment systems.
- Property lines.
What three criteria should be met before installing an AST?
- Possess required permits from authority.
- Have approved plans, drawings and specs of the system.
- Drawings, plans and specifications have stamp and signature from licensed engineer.
What three things must Canadian and American AST’s possess?
- Proper corrosion protection.
- Outfitted with secondary containment system.
- Proper leak detection and adequate overfill protection.
Who should be involved in designing a proper corrosion protective system?
Designed by a corrosion expert and conform to proper guidelines.
How should spills and runoff be treated?
Contained, treated and disposed of in compliance with territorial guidelines.
Containment area floors should slope away from the tank towards a sump. An oil water separator used to treat storm water runoff, overfills or spill from product transfer.
