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  • 02.00 Storage Tanks | Underground

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02.05 What are the construction issues for underground tanks?

Most State regulations require that a specially licensed contractor install all underground fuel tanks and piping. The licensing is typically predicated on initial testing and periodic re-testing or training as a condition of maintaining the license. States may also require that the licensed contractors are covered by liability insurance for environmental claims. Tank. Piping, and monitoring equipment manufacturers also have training and certification requirements for the installers of their equipment.

Besides the licensing of firms, many States also require the licensing of individuals who must be present at all or at least critical points of the installation. Besides the licensing requirements familiarity with special materials, tools, and techniques is typically required for underground tank installation.

Installation of underground tanks requires permits from States and / or local regulatory agencies. This is the start of an extensive set of inspection and approval procedures that are required throughout the installation. Typical inspection requirements are:

  1. Inspection of the tank unloading and setting. This sometimes includes holiday testing of steel tank coatings and inspection of hydrostatically charged tanks.
  2. Pressure testing of the primary tank, and / or pressure or vacuum testing of the tank secondary space.
  3. Pressure testing of primary fuel piping after installation and prior to backfill.
  4. Pressure testing of secondary containment fuel piping after installation and prior to backfill.
  5. Liquid tightness testing of tank sumps or vacuum testing of double wall sumps.
  6. Electrical inspections of conduit and wiring.
  7. Mechanical inspection of complete fuel system.
  8. Testing of high level alarms for tank fill overfill protection. Testing of leak detection sensors. Testing of remote leak alarms annunciation and monitoring.
  9. Final inspection of fuel system including all safety interlocks, such as pump shutdown upon leak detection and emergency stops.
02.04 What are the site considerations for underground tanks? 02.00 Storage Tanks | Underground 02.06 What are the regulatory issues for underground tanks?