New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 5 - PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS
Part 111 - RELEASE DETECTION FOR ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANK SYSTEMS
Section 20.5.111.1105 - REQUIREMENTS FOR AST UNDERGROUND PRESSURIZED PIPING INSTALLED PRIOR TO JULY 24, 2018

Universal Citation: 20 NM Admin Code 20.5.111.1105

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024

Owners and operators of above ground storage tank systems with underground pressurized piping installed prior to the effective date of these regulations must have implemented a method, or a combination of methods, of release detection for the piping. The monitoring method, or combination of methods, shall follow the current edition of an industry standard or code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory approved in advance by the department.

A. Owners and operators of AST systems shall:

(1) use automatic line leak detectors (including mechanical or electronic detectors) that alert the operator to the presence of a leak by restricting or shutting off the flow of regulated substances through piping when a leak is detected at three gallons per hour at 10 pounds per square inch line pressure within one hour;

(2) perform an annual test of the operation of the leak detector which includes a simulated leak, is conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's testing protocol, and confirms the automatic line leak detector detects a leak at three gallons per hour at 10 pounds per square inch line pressure within one hour; and and

(3) use a method, or combination of methods, for monitoring the piping for releases that complies with one of the following:
(a) a precision line tightness test is conducted every 12 months that is capable of detecting a leak of one-tenth gallons per hour at one and one-half times the operating pressure; or

(b) use interstitial monitoring that complies with all of the requirements in 20.5.111.1103 NMAC, 20.5.111.1106 NMAC, and all of the following:
(i) shall automatically shut off the submersible turbine pump for the AST if the sensors used for interstitial monitoring detect regulated substances or water within the interstice or in the containment sumps associated with the piping; and

(ii) all sensors shall be tested annually in accordance with Subsection C of 20.5.11.1104 NMAC;

B. Automatic line leak detectors and sensors required in this section that either fail a test or are found to be damaged shall be repaired or replaced, and a line tightness test shall be conducted in accordance with Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (3) of Subsection A of this section once the repairs or replacements have been completed;

C. Equipment and methods used to monitor the piping shall be appropriate for the type and length of piping.

D. Owners and operators shall use one or more of the following to comply with the requirements of this section:

(1) Petroleum Equipment Institute Publication RP100, "Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems";

(2) Petroleum Equipment Institute RP200, "Recommended Practices for Installation of Aboveground Storage Systems for Motor Vehicle Fueling";

(3) American Petroleum Institute Publication RP 1615, "Installation of Underground Hazardous Substances or Petroleum Storage Systems";

(4) American Petroleum Institute 570, "Piping Inspection Code: In-Service Inspection, Repair, and Alteration of Piping Systems"; and

(5) American Society of Mechanical Engineering Standard B31.3, "Process Piping".

E. Owners and operators shall maintain all records of release detection and testing in accordance with 20.5.111.1111 NMAC and provide to the department reports for all leak detector testing, line tightness testing, and sensor testing in accordance with 20.5.111.1112 NMAC.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.