Section 245.553. Out-of-service inspections

(a) Inspections must follow the guidelines of a Nationally-recognized association such as API 653, API 570 or ASME and applicable engineering criteria (See § § 245.524(b), 245.534(c), 245.542(d)(2) and 245.543(d)).

(b) The out-of-service inspection must evaluate the following:

(1) Containment areas.

(2) Foundation and supports.

(3) Tank shell.

(4) Tank roof.

(5) Tank bottom.

(6) Appurtenances.

(7) Ancillary equipment including piping.

(8) Leak detection method.

(9) Cathodic protection system, if installed.

(10) Internal linings and coatings, if installed.

(11) Tank system integrity and suitability for service.

(c) The tank bottom evaluation of metallic floors must be based on ultrasonic testing and visual examination and include at least one other method of nondestructive examination such as magnetic flux tests or vacuum tests of bottom lap welds (See API 653 and ASTM metallography—nondestructive testing Vol. 03.03). The ultrasonic evaluation must be statistically representative of the whole floor, excluding the release prevention barrier or secondary containment on double bottom tanks.

(d) Inspection information shall be submitted to the Department on a form provided by the Department and include the results of subsection (b) and the following:

(1) A determination of the corrosion rate for tank shell, bottom plates and piping.

(2) A calculation of the tank life and piping life based on the corrosion rate.

(3) The schedule for next out-of-service inspection, based on the API 653 calculated service life method or 1/2 of the corrosion rate life, with a maximum of 20 years between inspections. Other site-specific conditions, for example, maintenance practices, previous repairs, internal linings, the nature of the substance stored or soil conditions that may affect corrosion rate life and should be considered when projecting tank service life and the next inspection interval.

(4) The recommendations for maintaining tank system integrity and meeting performance standards.

(e) Inspection intervals for out-of-service inspections are as follows:

(1) Tanks installed after October 11, 1997, shall be initially inspected based on measured or similar service corrosion rates. When the corrosion rate is unknown the tank’s actual bottom thickness shall be determined by inspection within 10 years of installation to determine the corrosion rate.

(2) Existing tanks shall be initially inspected as follows:

(i) If corrosion rates are not known, tanks shall be inspected within 10 years of installation or by October 11, 2000, whichever is later.

(ii) If corrosion rates can be determined or are known, tanks shall be inspected at their API 653 calculated service life method or 1/2 the corrosion rate life, from installation or previous out-of-service inspection or by October 11, 2000, whichever is later.

(3) Tanks shall have an out-of-service inspection at their API 653 calculated service life method or 1/2 of the corrosion rate life, with a maximum of 20 years from the last out-of-service inspection.

(4) An out-of-service inspection interval may be delayed under § 245.562 (relating to temporary removal-from-service) for a tank that is temporarily removed from service. The delayed inspection shall be conducted prior to placing regulated substance in a tank and returning the tank to operating status. Deficiencies noted during inspection shall be addressed and remedied and an amended registration form submitted to the Department prior to returning the tank to operating status.

(f) Deficiencies shall be remedied before the tank is returned to service. When substantial modifications are necessary to correct deficiencies, they shall be made in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications or an engineer’s design criteria (See § § 245.522(a) and (b), 245.524(b)(2) and 245.532(b) and (c) (relating to new aboveground tank installations and reconstructions; aboveground tank modifications; and cathodic protection system)). The Department may require submission and review documentation relating to these remedies. Required tank handling activities are reported to the Department by the certified installer. Tank handling activities involving major modifications shall also be inspected by a certified aboveground storage tank inspector and reported to the Department.

(g) Aboveground storage tanks which can be completely examined from the exterior are exempt from out-of-service inspections except for tanks that are internally lined.

(h) The completed inspection report for out-of-service inspections shall be kept with the facility records under § 245.516 (relating to recordkeeping requirements).

The provisions of this § 245.553 amended November 9, 2007, effective November 10, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5979. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (234764) and (254863).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 245.505 (relating to applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 245.526 (relating to piping for aboveground storage tanks); 25 Pa. Code § 245.542 (relating to containment requirements for aboveground storage tank systems); and 25 Pa. Code § 245.562 (relating to temporary removal-from-service).