Storage Tank Regulations

Question 1

What revisions were made to the Underground Storage Tank Regulation in 2015?

Answer 1

Increasing emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment to help prevent UST releases which cause groundwater contamination.

Question 2

Where can you find additional information for all of the changes to UST regulation?

Answer 2

EPA website

Question 3

What are the three basic requirements that UST leak detection systems must meet?

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

What are UST owners required to keep records of by law?

Answer 4

Keep records about any upgrades and repairs to your UST system during its lifetime.

Question 5

What are the record keeping requirements for a Sacrificial Anode System and an Impressed Current System?

Answer 5

Sacrificial Anode System: Keep results of the last 2 cathodic protection tests.
Impressed Current System: Keep results of the last 3 equipment inspections.

Question 6

What are the three leak detection methods that are mandated by the EPA?

Answer 6

• Interstitial method
• Internal method
• External method

Question 7

What are the two types of release detection methods available to the owner of a tank installed on or before April 11, 2016?

Answer 7

• Monthly monitoring
• Monthly inventory control and tank tightness testing

Question 8

What are the two methods of monitoring the pressurized piping of a fuel system installed on or before April 11, 2016?

Answer 8

• Use an automatic line leak detector that shuts off, restricts flow or triggers alarm
• Annual line testing

Question 9

What is required on Pressurized piping installed or replaced after April 11, 2016?

Answer 9

• Use an automatic line leak detector that shuts off, restricts flow or triggers alarm
• Secondary containment with interstitial monitoring

Question 10

What are the release detection methods available for suction piping installed before and after April 11, 2016?

Answer 10

• Monthly monitoring
• Lines testing every 3 years

Question 11

What should you do after a leak has been confirmed?

Answer 11

• Identify where the tank is leaking
• Notify government agencies
• Follow state requirements

Question 12

How is monitoring the groundwater used as a method of leak detection?

Answer 12

To see if petroleum is detected.

Question 13

How can spills be protected against?

Answer 13

USTs must have catchment basins to contain small spills.

Question 14

How can Overfills be protected against?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

How can corrosion be protected against?

Answer 15

Steel tanks require cathodic protection. the current going to the UST system overcomes the corrosion-causing current, normally flowing away from it.

Question 16

What are the three groups of UST operators in the revised underground storage tank regulations?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

When do class A, class B, and class C operators need to be trained by?

Answer 17

new Class A and Class B operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming duties.

Question 18

What training must class A operators have?

Answer 18

• Spill and overfill prevention
• Release detection
• Corrosion protection
• Emergency response

Question 19

What training are class B operators required to have?

Answer 19

• Operation and maintenance
• Spill and overfill prevention
• Release detection and reporting
• Corrosion protection
• Emergency response

Question 20

What training are class C operators required to have?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What are the retraining requirements of class A and B operators who are out of compliance?

Answer 21

Must be retrained within 30 days of the determination of noncompliance.

Question 22

What operator records must be kept?

Answer 22

• identifying all currently designated operators at the facility.
• include the operator name, operator class, date assumed duties, and training or retraining dates.

Question 23

How does the EPA work to help clean up UST releases?

Answer 23

EPA works with its state, territorial, tribal, and industry partners to clean up releases from USTs.

Question 24

How do local factors affect the best method to clean a release site?

Answer 24

A contaminated site will need a site characterization to help choose the cleanup method.

Question 25

What are the LUST Corrective action resources?

Answer 25

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks – technical information and resources about cleaning up UST releases.

Question 26

What are some industry codes and standards that must be followed?

Answer 26

- UST must be designed, constructed and protected from corrosion. - The use of industry codes for upgrading, repairing and closing USTs.

Question 27

What is the red tag program?

Answer 27

Delivery prohibition programs physically identify USTs that are ineligible to receive product.

Question 28

What is the green tag program?

Answer 28

If a green tag or permit is present, then one can assume the tank is compliant and eligible for delivery.

Question 29

Are the majority of states in the red or green tag program?

Answer 29

Red tag program.

Question 30

What do most AST’s need to meet as a minimum?

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

What are some of the other requirements of AST’s?

Answer 31

Additional state and local regulatory requirements that safeguard human health and the environment from potential threats from ASTs.

Question 32

How are AST’s inspected?

Answer 32

- 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.

Question 33

What secondary means of containment are required for AST’s?

Answer 33

Provided for the entire capacity of the largest single container and freeboard to contain precipitation.

Question 34

What detection devices must be installed in AST’s?

Answer 34

- 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.

Question 35

What is required of new UST’s?

Answer 35

- 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.

Question 36

What is required of new UST’s that store used oil?

Answer 36

- 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.

Question 37

What materials must UST piping be made of?

Answer 37

Either copper, steel, zinc-coated or be welded and seamless.

Question 38

What are the secondary containment requirements of UST piping?

Answer 38

Installed and designed so leaks either accumulate in a containment sump or detected by a monitoring system.

Question 39

What must be completed for leaking single walled UST’s?

Answer 39

Must be immediately and permanently withdrawn from service and removed within 2 years of the owner/operator becoming aware of the leak.

Question 40

What standards are AST’s held to in Canada?

Answer 40

Subject to standards set by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA1999). Primary purpose to prevent contamination located on federal and aboriginal lands.

Question 41

What is required for an AST to be in good standing with the NFCC?

Answer 41

The design, fabrication and installation must conform to NFCC standards and rules.

Question 42

Who should be involved in the installation of an AST?

Answer 42

By a company or individual that has proper authorization. Enlisting an expertise contractor or engineer.

Question 43

What should be included in the drawings of an AST to be submitted to a local regulatory authority?

Answer 43

- Outline of all storage tanks. - Centerline of all piping. - Centerline of all underground electrical power. - Building foundation outlines. - Secondary containment systems. - Property lines.

Question 44

What three criteria should be met before installing an AST?

Answer 44

1. Possess required permits from authority. 2. Have approved plans, drawings and specs of the system. 3. Drawings, plans and specifications have stamp and signature from licensed engineer.

Question 45

What three things must Canadian and American AST’s possess?

Answer 45

- Proper corrosion protection. - Outfitted with secondary containment system. - Proper leak detection and adequate overfill protection.

Question 46

Who should be involved in designing a proper corrosion protective system?

Answer 46

Designed by a corrosion expert and conform to proper guidelines.

Question 47

How should spills and runoff be treated?

Answer 47

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.