Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 171 - CONTROL OF PETROLEUM STORAGE FACILITIES
Section 096-171-5 - Inspection Requirements

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-171-5

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. Inspections Using Optical Gas Imaging Equipment. The owner or operator of a petroleum storage facility shall perform inspections in accordance with the following:

(1) At least once per calendar quarter the owner or operator shall conduct an inspection survey of each non-exempt tank and facility fugitive emissions component using optical gas imaging equipment. The first inspection survey shall be performed in the first full calendar quarter after the Department's approval of the optical gas imaging leak detection and repair plan, but in no case shall the first inspection survey be performed later than the third full calendar quarter after the effective date of this rule.

(2) The optical gas imaging equipment used must meet the following specifications as verified by the manufacturer:
(a) Capable of imaging gases in the spectral range for benzene; and

(b) Capable of imaging a gas that is half methane and half propane at a concentration of 10,000 ppm at a flow rate of <= 60 grams per hour from a quarter inch diameter orifice.

(3) No later than 60 days after the effective date of this Chapter, the owner or operator shall prepare and submit for Department approval an optical gas imaging leak detection and repair plan. This plan must include the following elements:
(a) Procedures for a verification check to confirm that the optical gas imaging equipment meets the specifications in subsection 5(A)(2) of this Chapter;

(b) Procedures to ensure that all fugitive emissions components are monitored during each inspection survey. Example procedures include, but are not limited to, a sitemap with an observation path, a written narrative of where the fugitive emissions components are located and how they will be monitored, or an inventory of fugitive emissions components;

(c) A written plan for all fugitive emissions components designated as unsafe-to-monitor in accordance with Subsection 5(A)(4) of this Chapter;

(d) Procedures for determining the maximum distance from the equipment being surveyed for effective use of the optical gas imaging equipment and how the operator will ensure that this distance is not exceeded;

(e) Procedures for determining maximum wind speed during which monitoring can be performed and how the operator will ensure monitoring occurs only at wind speeds below this threshold;

(f) Procedures for conducting inspections, including the following:
(i) How the operator will ensure an appropriate thermal background is present in order to allow detection of potential fugitive emissions;

(ii) How the operator will deal with adverse monitoring conditions, such as wind;

(iii) How the operator will deal with interference (e.g., steam, precipitation); and

(iv) How the operator will confirm leaks.

(g) Training and experience required for operators of monitoring equipment and other inspectors prior to performing inspections;

(h) Procedures for calibration and maintenance of the optical imaging equipment. At a minimum, procedures must comply with those recommended by the manufacturer; and

(i) Procedures and timeframes for conducting and verifying fugitive emission component repairs.

(4) Some fugitive emissions components may be designated as unsafe-to-monitor if monitoring personnel would be exposed to immediate danger while conducting an inspection. Additionally, some fugitive emissions components may not be capable of being surveyed using optical gas imaging equipment due to interference (e.g., steam or nearby heat sources). The owner or operator must provide a written plan for inspection of all of the fugitive emissions components designated as unsafe-to-monitor or incapable of being surveyed with OGI equipment. This plan must be incorporated into the leak detection and repair plan required by Section 5(A)(3) of this Chapter. The plan must include:
(a) The identification and location of each fugitive emissions component designated as unsafe-to-monitor or incapable of being surveyed;

(b) An explanation of why each fugitive emissions component designated as unsafe-to-monitor or incapable of being surveyed is so designated;

(c) A schedule and alternative method(s) for inspection of fugitive emissions components designated as unsafe-to-monitor no less frequently than once per calendar year; and

(d) A schedule and alternative method(s) for inspection of fugitive emissions components designated as incapable of being surveyed with optical gas imaging no less frequently than once per calendar quarter.

(5) If visible emissions are observed in a fugitive emissions component using optical gas imaging equipment, within two calendar days the owner or operator shall determine whether a leak, as defined by this chapter, is present by using photo ionization detection (PID) technology or flame ionization detection (FID) technology. Alternatively, the owner or operator may elect to presume that a leak is present without further confirmation. If a leak is determined or presumed to be present, the owner or operator shall initiate corrective action and repair the leak within 15 calendar days.

If the presence of a leak cannot be confirmed due to safety concerns or physical constraints, the owner or operator shall presume the leak to be confirmed and initiate corrective action and repair the leak within 15 calendar days.

If a leak cannot be repaired within 15 days, the owner or operator shall notify the Department of the leak, the reason for the delay, and the expected date of the repair. The owner or operator shall promptly notify the Department of the date that the leak is successfully repaired. A fugitive emissions component is considered repaired when the optical gas imaging equipment shows no indication of visible emissions or there is no longer indication of a leak as that term is defined in this regulation under normal use conditions.

B. Internal Floating Roof Tank Inspections. The owner or operator of a petroleum storage facility shall perform inspections on each non-exempt internal floating roof tank in accordance with the following:

(1) Visual Inspections.

At least once per calendar month, the owner or operator shall conduct a visual inspection of the roof of each non-exempt internal floating roof tank through roof hatches.

(2) Instrument Inspections.
(a) At least once per calendar month, the owner or operator shall conduct an external inspection of the internal floating roof for each non-exempt internal floating roof tank using photo ionization detection (PID) technology or, in lieu of PID technology, an LEL meter.

(b) The inspection of the internal floating roof must measure the percent LEL inside the vapor space within three feet of the internal floating roof. The PID or LEL meter must be equipped with Teflon sample tubing of sufficient length to meet this requirement. The external inspection of the floating roof tank does not include or require human entry into the confined space between the tank's floating and fixed roofs.

(c) The owner or operator shall use a PID or LEL meter that logs data at 15 second intervals and for which the manufacturer has published correction factors for the VOCs in the tank to be measured.

(d) Readings must be taken when the wind speed is no more than five miles per hour above the average wind speed for the facility location.

(e) Readings must be conducted for a minimum of five minutes after the sample line purge is complete or in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, whichever is longer.

(3) If a leak is detected, the owner or operator shall initiate corrective action and repair the leak within 15 calendar days. If the leak cannot be repaired within 15 days, the owner or operator shall notify the Department of the leak, the reason for the delay, and the expected date of the repair. The owner or operator shall promptly notify the Department of the date that the leak is successfully repaired.

(4) At least once every five calendar years and each time the tank is emptied and degassed, the owner or operator shall conduct a complete inspection by visually inspecting the floating roof deck, deck fittings, and rim seals from within the internal floating roof tank. The inspection may be performed entirely from the top side of the floating roof as long as there is visual access to all deck components.

(5) The owner or operator shall notify the Department at least 30 days before an inspection is to be performed from within the internal floating roof tank. If an inspection is unplanned and the facility could not have known about the inspection 30 days in advance, then the owner or operator shall notify the Department at least seven days before the inspection. Notification shall be made either by telephone immediately followed by written documentation demonstrating why the inspection was unplanned, or in writing only and sent such that it is received at least seven days before the inspection.

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