Section 245.432. Operation and maintenance including corrosion protection

(a) Owners and operators of steel underground storage tank systems with corrosion protection shall comply with the following requirements to ensure that releases due to corrosion are prevented for as long as the underground storage tank system is used to store regulated substances:

(1) Corrosion protection systems shall be operated and maintained to continuously provide corrosion protection to the metal components of that portion of the tank and piping that routinely contain regulated substances.

(2) Underground storage tank systems equipped with cathodic protection systems shall be inspected for proper operation by a qualified cathodic protection tester in accordance with the following requirements:

(i) Frequency. Cathodic protection systems shall be tested within 6 months of installation and at least every 3 years thereafter.

(ii) Inspection criteria. The criteria that are used to determine that cathodic protection is adequate as required by this section shall be in accordance with a code of practice developed by a Nationally-recognized association.

(3) Underground storage tank systems with impressed current cathodic protection systems shall be inspected or checked every 60 days to ensure the equipment is running properly. At a minimum, the operator or person conducting the 60-day check shall document the date checked, annotate the system’s functioning status, and for systems equipped with a direct current readout meter, record the amount of current indicated on the meter.

(4) For underground storage tank systems using cathodic protection, records of the operation of the cathodic protection shall be maintained, in accordance with § 245.435 (relating to reporting and recordkeeping) to demonstrate compliance with the performance standards in this section. These records must provide the following:

(i) The results of the last three inspections required in paragraph (3).

(ii) The results of testing from the last two inspections required in paragraph (2).

(b) Monitoring and observation wells shall be clearly identified using industry codes and standards, and caps shall be secured to prevent unauthorized or accidental access.

(c) Required equipment, including line leak detectors, product sensors and probes, dispenser pans, containment sumps, measuring devices (including gauge sticks), gauges, corrosion protection, spill prevention, overfill prevention and other appurtenances whose failure could contribute to a release of product, shall be maintained in a good state of repair to ensure they function as designed.

(d) Tanks which have been lined and have not had corrosion protection added in accordance with § 245.422(b)(2) (relating to upgrading of existing underground storage tank systems) shall have the lining evaluated by, or under the direct onsite supervision of, a TL certified tank installer or by a professional engineer.

(1) Evaluations must adhere to an evaluation process developed by a National association identified in § 245.405 (relating to codes and standards) (See API 1631 and NLPA 631) as follows:

(i) Ten years after lining installation.

(ii) Every 5 years after the preceding evaluation.

(2) Each evaluation finding shall be documented on a form approved by the Department and shall be maintained at the facility for the duration of the tank’s operating life.

(e) Lined tank systems that do not meet original design specifications or have not been evaluated as required in subsection (d)(1) and (2) shall be emptied, removed from service and permanently closed in accordance with § § 245.451 and 245.452 (relating to temporary closure; and permanent closure and changes-in-service).

(f) Primary and secondary containment structure must be maintained in a leak free condition. If infiltration or a release is detected within the secondary containment, the defective component shall be repaired in accordance with § 245.434 (relating to repairs allowed). Repairs, including those performed to stop infiltration, shall be tested in accordance with § 245.434(5).

(g) A check for water in petroleum tanks shall be performed monthly and excess water shall be promptly removed as necessary. Water may not exceed the tank manufacturer’s recommendations, product supplier’s guidelines, or 2 inches of accumulation in the bottom of the tank, whichever is less. No amount of water is desirable in gasoline containing ethanol. Therefore, water should not be allowed to accumulate in tanks containing ethanol. Excess water shall be properly managed in accordance with applicable State and Federal requirements, such as Chapter 299 (relating to storage and transportation of residual waste), 40 CFR 261, Subpart B (relating to hazardous waste identification) and 29 CFR 1910 (relating to occupational safety and health standards).

The provisions of this § 245.432 amended November 9, 2007, effective November 10, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5979. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (234730) to (234731).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 245.403 (relating to applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 245.421 (relating to performance standards for new underground storage tank systems); 25 Pa. Code § 245.434 (relating to repairs allowed); 25 Pa. Code § 245.435 (relating to reporting and recordkeeping); 25 Pa. Code § 245.444 (relating to methods of release detection for tanks); and 25 Pa. Code § 245.451 (relating to temporary closure).