underground storage tank management regulations for commercial heating oil tanks

RI DEM/Office of Technical and Customer Assistance

slide 1

Underground Storage Underground Storage Tank Management Tank Management

Regulations for Regulations for Commercial Heating Oil Commercial Heating Oil

TanksTanks

RI Department of Environmental RI Department of Environmental ManagementManagement

DisclaimerDisclaimerThe purpose of this session is to provide you with a general overview of certain regulatory requirements. As such, the remarks offered by DEM representatives are merely intended as opinions, offered to assist you in understanding how the regulations may be applied in general. These opinions should not be taken as attempts to apply the regulations to specific factual scenarios. They are offered without familiarity with all of the facts presented by a given situation and, therefore, you should not act in sole reliance upon the opinions provided. Specific questions about the application of environmental regulations to individual cases should be directed to the Department’s Office of Technical & Customer Assistance, or to the Office of Waste Management, UST Section. Nothing said today should be taken as being binding upon the Department- neither the Department’s interpretation of applicable regulations, nor any policy which may have been developed through applying those regulations.


slide 3

What is a UST?What is a UST? 10% or more of its volume (including

piping) is underground Holds petroleum product or hazardous

material Also includes holding tanks serving floor

drains


slide 4

Why regulate USTs?Why regulate USTs? Small leaks of petroleum products or hazardous materials from USTs can contaminate

large groundwater supplies

Leaks can also create health and fire hazards in nearby buildings


slide 5

Program Elements Program Elements for Heating Oil USTsfor Heating Oil USTs

UST Registration Existing System Requirements

– Spill Protection– Leak Detection– Abandonment Prohibition– Tank Closure

New/Replacement Tank Standards– New Installation Standards


slide 6

UST RegistrationUST Registration USTs storing fuel oil for heating

commercial facilities must be registered with DEM - including schools

Commercial USTs storing motor fuel or hazardous materials must also be registered– includes waste oil USTs– includes holding tanks serving floor

drains


slide 7

UST Registration UST Registration (cont’d.)(cont’d.)

Annual fee- $50 per tank (municipalities exempt); DEM issues annual certificate

Application provides information on tank system age, construction, contents and ownership


slide 8

Existing System Existing System Requirements-Requirements-Spill ProtectionSpill Protection Spill containment required on all

registered USTs since January 1, 1993– three gallon capacity– above-ground fills exempt


slide 9

Existing System Existing System Requirements- Leak Requirements- Leak DetectionDetection Leak detection is not specifically required for

USTs holding heating oil for on-site consumptive use

DEM recommends periodic tightness testing, and other inventory controls, as good management practices– DEM licenses testers and approves test methods

All releases must be reported immediately to DEM, the local water supplier (if sensitive area), and the local fire authority


slide 10

Existing System Existing System Requirements- Requirements- Abandonment ProhibitionAbandonment ProhibitionAbandonment means the relinquishment

or termination of possession, ownership or control of USTs, by vacating or by disposition, without meeting the closure requirements...; or the action of taking a UST or UST system out of operation for a period of greater than 180 consecutive days without the prior permission of the Director...

No UST may be abandoned- there are no exceptions

Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis (temporary closure)


slide 11

Existing System Existing System

Requirements-Requirements- Tank Tank ClosureClosure

Closure of commercial tanks must be pre-approved by DEM– $75 application fee

DEM conducts inspection of excavation– must schedule closure inspection

Residues must be managed appropriately– must be transported off-site by permitted hazardous

waste transporter Tank must be cut/cleaned per Fire Marshal’s regulations Closure Assessment only required for motor fuel USTs Closures-in-place only approved under special conditions


slide 12

New Installation New Installation StandardsStandards Application must be submitted to DEM

Must be approved before installation

New UST facilities may not be constructed in wellhead protection areas (replacement tanks are allowed)

Substantial modifications of UST systems must also be pre-approved

USTs serving floor drains have special requirements


slide 13

New Installation Standards New Installation Standards (cont’d.)(cont’d.)

Tanks must be double-walled, steel tanks must have corrosion protection

Piping must be double-walled, with containment sump

UL or ULC listed, National Codes of Practice

Entire system precision tested upon installation

Spill containment and overfill protection required


slide 14

General Approval ProcessGeneral Approval Process Submit scope of work to DEM thirty

(30) days in advance Written approval from DEM required

prior to commencement of work (including product piping replacement)

Notify DEM 48 hours prior to installation

Written verification of completion within fifteen (15) days


slide 15

Installation PaperworkInstallation Paperwork completed registration application detailed site plan (plans for new facilities

require PE stamp) including location of:– all tanks and piping– dispensing units– groundwater monitoring wells– water table elevation– public water supply wells or reservoirs within 400’– facilities served by private wells within 200’– proposed and existing buildings and associated

structures– boundaries of the facility– north arrow


slide 16

Installation Paperwork Installation Paperwork (cont’d.)(cont’d.) Cross-sectional view of the tank

– depth of excavation– bedding thickness– backfill depth– supports and anchorage used– dimensions and thickness of traffic pad

Equipment list and written description– tank(s)– piping– leak monitoring systems– spill/overfill protection methods– corrosion protection methods– operation and maintenance requirements for any of the above


slide 17

UST Professional UST Professional CertificationCertification

Individuals who conduct precision tests must now be licensed by DEM

Installers must be licensed by RI Dept. of Labor/Division of Professional Regulation, and certified by applicable equipment manufacturers

DEM encourages voluntary efforts by UST installers, removers, and corrosion protection experts to obtain certification from a non-profit testing agency- the International Fire Code Institute– we hope to make this certification mandatory

Self-Audit ChecklistSelf-Audit Checklist Are all your USTs registered?

check DEM registration database make sure registration fees are paid in full

Make sure required documentation is submitted spill containment installation notices

Plan for replacement remove/replace (old) tanks evaluate new storage technology- UST vs AST

Gasoline or generator fuel USTs? Leak detection, 1998 upgrade requirements, and others apply


slide 19

What about above-ground storage tanks?– ASTs are regulated by DEM– Installations are approved by local authorities

What about the 1998 upgrade requirements?– These only apply to motor fuel USTs, and fuel

oil distribution USTs.

What about financial responsibility?– This is only required for motor fuel USTs, and

fuel oil distribution USTs.

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers


slide 20

Any questions? Call us Any questions? Call us at-at-

277-OTCA (6822)Tom Epstein- ext. 7501fax 222-3810

UST Program222-2797Eric Beck- ext. 7504fax 222-3813


slide 21

or visit theor visit theOffice of Technical & Customer Office of Technical & Customer AssistanceAssistanceat our new home-at our new home-

235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908

first door on left from the Beach Street entrance

underground storage tank management regulations for commercial heating oil tanks

Documents