Section 245.442. Requirements for petroleum underground storage tank systems

(a) Owners and operators of underground storage tank systems installed after November 10, 2007, shall perform interstitial monitoring, at least once every 30 days, in accordance with § 245.444(7) (relating to methods of release detection for tanks) of both the tank and underground piping that routinely contains a product (regulated substance). In addition, pressurized piping for these systems must be equipped and operated with an automatic line leak detector with an automatic pump shut off device in accordance with § 245.445(1) (relating to methods of release detection for piping).

(b) Owners and operators of petroleum underground storage tank systems installed on or before November 10, 2007, shall provide release detection for tanks and piping as follows:

(1) Tanks. Tanks shall be monitored at least every 30 days for releases using one of the methods listed in § 245.444(4)—(9) except that:

(i) Underground storage tank systems that meet the performance standards in § 245.421 (relating to performance standards for underground storage tank systems), may use monthly inventory control requirements in § 245.444(1) or (2), and tank tightness testing (conducted in accordance with § 245.444(3)) until 10 years after the tank was first installed or upgraded under § 245.422(b), but not later than December 22, 2008.

(ii) Underground storage tank systems with a capacity of 1,001 to 2,000 gallons may use manual tank gauging, conducted in accordance with § 245.444(2) and a tank tightness test at least every 5 years until November 10, 2017.

(iii) Tanks with a capacity of 550 gallons or less may use manual tank gauging, conducted in accordance with § 245.444(2) as long as they continue to meet requirements of this subchapter.

(iv) Tanks with a capacity of 551 to 1,000 gallons using the longer test times specified may use manual tank gauging, conducted in accordance with § 245.444(2) as long as they continue to meet requirements of this subchapter.

(2) Piping. Underground piping that routinely contains regulated substances shall be monitored for releases in a manner that meets one of the following requirements:

(i) Pressurized piping. Underground piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure shall meet the following requirements:

(A) Be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with § 245.445(1) (relating to methods of release detection for piping).

(B) Have an annual line tightness test conducted in accordance with § 245.445(2) or have monthly monitoring conducted in accordance with § 245.445(3).

(ii) Suction piping. Underground piping that conveys regulated substances under suction shall either have a line tightness test conducted at least every 3 years and in accordance with § 245.445(2), or use a monthly monitoring method conducted in accordance with § 245.445(3). Release detection is not required for suction piping that is designed and constructed to meet the following standards:

(A) The below grade piping operates at less than atmospheric pressure.

(B) The below grade piping is sloped so that the contents of the pipe will drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released.

(C) No more than one check valve is included in each suction line.

(D) Check valves are located directly below and as close as practical to or within the suction pump.

(E) A method is provided that allows compliance with clauses (B)—(D) to be readily determined.

The provisions of this § 245.442 amended November 9, 2007, effective November 10, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5979. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (234736) and (317227) to (317228).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 245.31 (relating to underground storage tank tightness testing requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 245.403 (relating to applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 245.423 (relating to registration requirements); 25 Pa. Code § 245.441 (relating to general requirements for underground storage tank systems); 25 Pa. Code § 245.443 (relating to requirements for hazardous substance underground storage tank systems); 25 Pa. Code § 245.444 (relating to methods of release detection for tanks); 25 Pa. Code § 245.445 (relating to methods of release detection for piping); 25 Pa. Code § 245.446 (relating to release detection recordkeeping); 25 Pa. Code § 245.451 (relating to temporary closure); and 25 Pa. Code § 252.3 (relating to scope).