02.06 What are the regulatory issues for underground tanks?

All states regulate underground fuel tank installation and operation. The regulations have their basis in the federal underground tank rules that were first established in 1988 and phased in through 1998. The regulations include technical requirements for fuel tanks and piping as well as financial responsibility requirements. Technical requirements include: leak detection, corrosion priotection, and spill and overfill protection.

Many states have special technical requirements that are in addition to the standard regulations. California rules would be inclusive of most of the special requirements that can be encountered. Their regulations include:

1. Pre-qualification approval of all equipment and materials used in underground fuel tank systems.
2. Full secondary containment of all tanks and piping.
3. Fill pipes and spill container located within secondary containment sumps. All tank openings including tank gauging within secondary containment sumps.
4. Periodic testing of secondary containment piping, sumps, tanks, and tank monitors.
5. Double wall construction for tank sumps and piping transition sumps.
6. Double containment of vent piping.
7. Continuous positive monitoring of tank, pipe, and sump secondary containment by vacuum, pressure, or hydrostatic method.
8. Precision leak detection testing after installation and backfill using tracer gas method.