(a) General installation procedures. Any new underground
storage tank (UST) system installed on or after September 29, 1989,
shall be installed in compliance with the provisions of this section.
(1) Standards. All tanks, piping, and associated equipment
shall be installed in accordance with at least one of the following
standards, as applicable:
(A) Petroleum Equipment Institute Publication RP-100, "Recommended
Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems;"
(B) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1615, "Installation
of Underground Petroleum Storage Systems;"
(C) National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, "Flammable
and Combustible Liquids Code" and Standard 30A, "Code for
Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages;" or
(D) any other code or standard of practice developed
by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory
that has been reviewed and determined by the agency to be no less
protective of human health and safety and the environment than the
standards described in subparagraphs (A) - (C) of this paragraph,
in accordance with the procedures in §334.43 of this title (relating
to Variances and Alternative Procedures).
(2) Installation personnel. All tanks, piping, and
associated equipment shall be installed by personnel possessing the
appropriate skills, experience, competence, and, if applicable, any
required certification or license to complete the installation in
accordance with recognized industry practices and this chapter, and
in a manner designed to minimize the possibility of UST system failures
and the releases of regulated substances.
(3) Damages.
(A) All reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent
improper handling and damaging of the tanks and piping during the
unloading and installation processes.
(B) Tanks and piping shall be physically inspected
by the installer prior to installation.
(C) Any damage shall be repaired in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications; otherwise, damaged tanks and/or
piping shall be replaced.
(4) Excavation.
(A) The tank excavation zone and piping trenches shall
provide adequate vertical and horizontal space for the tanks, piping,
and associated equipment, for the proper placement and compaction
of bedding and backfill materials (particularly under the lower quadrant
of the tank's circumference), and for adequate cover and paving to
accommodate anticipated traffic loads.
(B) Tank excavation shall be performed in a manner
that will avoid the undermining of foundations and other existing
structures, and shall be constructed not less than three feet from
the base of adjacent structures (unless specifically approved by a
licensed professional engineer) and not less than three feet from
any underground utility easements and property lines.
(5) Bedding and backfill.
(A) The bedding and backfill shall consist of clean,
washed, suitably graded, and noncorrosive sand, crushed rock, or pea
gravel.
(B) The bedding and backfill material shall be selected
and placed in accordance with the tank and piping manufacturer's specifications,
and shall be placed and compacted in uniform lifts, as appropriate,
to assure proper support and protection of the tank and piping after
installation.
(C) Minimum bedding and backfill requirements shall
be in accordance with the applicable industry standard for the construction,
as prescribed in this subsection.
(D) The placement of tanks or piping directly on native
soils, concrete pads or saddles, or any other underlayment except
the bedding materials listed in this paragraph is specifically prohibited.
(b) Anchoring systems. Unless otherwise approved by
the agency in accordance with §334.43 of this title, all USTs
located in areas subject to high water tables or flooding shall be
protected from any flotation or movement which could jeopardize the
integrity of the UST system.
(1) Methods to prevent tank flotation shall be in accordance
with the tank manufacturer's specifications and shall be one (or a
combination) of the following methods:
(A) the provision of ample backfill and/or paving on
top of the tank to offset the buoyancy forces;
(B) the installation of a properly designed deadman
anchoring system, where the concrete beams shall be placed outside
the vertical extension of the tank diameter and where the length of
the beams shall extend at least one foot beyond the ends of the tank;
or
(C) the installation of a properly designed concrete
hold-down pad anchoring system beneath the tank, where the pad's width
and length shall extend at least one foot beyond the tank sides and
ends in all directions.
(2) The installation of anchoring straps or cables
shall be in accordance with the tank manufacturer's specifications.
All parts of the straps, cables, and hardware shall be of corrosion-resistant
material or, if metallic, shall be thoroughly coated or wrapped with
a suitable dielectric material.
(c) Piping system installation.
(1) The piping layout shall be designed in a manner
that will minimize the crossing of other lines and conduits, and the
crossing of tanks and other UST system components. Where such crossing
is unavoidable, adequate clearance shall be provided to prevent contact.
(2) Traps, sumps, or sags in the piping shall be avoided,
and all piping shall slope at least 1/8 inch per foot in the direction
of the tank.
(3) All piping joints shall be accurately cut, deburred,
cleaned, and sealed with appropriate piping sealant, bonding agent,
or adhesive in accordance with the piping manufacturer's specifications
so as to provide liquid-tight connections.
(d) Installation testing for new tanks and piping.
(1) Air testing of new tanks shall be conducted in
accordance with the tank manufacturer's specifications.
(A) Air testing for single-wall tanks shall include
the soaping of all surfaces, seams, and fittings, pressurizing and
gauging with three to five pounds per square inch gauge (psig) air
pressure for at least one hour, monitoring the gauge for pressure
drops, and inspecting for bubbles.
(B) Air testing for double-wall tanks shall be in accordance
with subsection (f)(2)(B) of this section.
(C) Gauges used in air testing procedures shall have
a maximum range not exceeding 15 psig. All tanks undergoing air pressure
testing shall be equipped with a pressure relief device capable of
relieving the total output of the compressed air source at a pressure
of not more than six psig.
(2) Air testing of new piping, fittings, and valves
shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
New piping shall be tested before being covered and placed into use.
Air testing of piping shall include the soaping of all joints, pressurizing
with compressed air to 150% of the maximum piping operating pressure,
or a minimum of 50 psig, for at least one hour, and inspecting for
bubbles. Air testing for secondary containment piping shall be in
accordance with subsection (f)(3)(B) of this section.
(3) In addition to the air tests, a tank tightness
test and a piping tightness test meeting the requirements of §334.50(b)(2)(A)(ii)(I)
and (d)(1)(A) of this title (relating to Release Detection) shall
be performed after the backfill has been placed but prior to bringing
the new UST system into operation.
(4) Additional tests required. In addition to the air
tests and tightness tests required in this subsection, the following
additional installation tests shall be required, as applicable.
(A) For fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks, the tank
diameter shall be accurately measured prior to and after installation
to ascertain the amount of vertical deflection, as specified in the
tank manufacturer's installation procedures. Except when specifically
authorized in writing by an authorized representative of the tank
manufacturer, tanks shall not be placed into operation if the measured
vertical deflection exceeds the manufacturer's maximum allowable deflection
ratings.
(B) For steel tanks and other underground UST system
components which are equipped with factory-installed or field-installed
cathodic corrosion protection systems, the cathodic protection systems
shall be tested for operability and adequacy of protection by a qualified
corrosion technician or qualified corrosion specialist after the UST
system installation is completed but prior to placing the system into
operation.
(i) If the test indicates that the cathodic protection
system is inoperable or inadequate, a qualified corrosion specialist
shall review the test results and thoroughly inspect the UST system
to ascertain the extent of corrosion protection.
Cont'd... |