Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) Owners and
operators of underground storage tank systems shall ensure installed equipment
for release detection and prevention is operating properly by meeting all of
the following requirements:
(1) Containment
sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping in accordance with §
245.444(6)
(relating to methods of release detection for tanks) and spill prevention
equipment must meet one of the following:
(i)
When the containment sump or spill prevention equipment is double-walled, the
integrity of both walls shall be periodically monitored by maintenance
walkthrough inspections as required under §
245.438 (relating to periodic
operation and maintenance walkthrough inspections). If walkthrough inspections
are discontinued, the owner and operator shall comply with subparagraph (ii)
and conduct a test within 30 days of the last inspection.
(ii) Containment sumps and spill prevention
equipment shall be tested at least once every 3 years to ensure the equipment
is liquid-tight by using vacuum, pressure or liquid.
(2) Overfill prevention equipment shall be
evaluated at least once every 3 years. At a minimum, the evaluation shall
ensure that overfill prevention equipment is set to activate at the correct
level specified in §
245.421(b)(3)
(relating to performance standards for underground storage tank systems) and
must activate when the regulated substance stored reaches that level.
(3) Electronic and mechanical components of
release detection equipment shall be tested for proper operation at least
annually. At a minimum, required tests, as applicable to the facility, shall
cover all of the following components and criteria:
(i) Automatic tank gauges and other
controllers must be tested by:
(A) Testing
alarm.
(B) Verifying system
configuration.
(C) Testing battery
backup.
(ii) Probes and
sensors shall be tested by:
(A) Inspecting
for residual buildup.
(B) Ensuring
that floats move freely.
(C)
Ensuring the shaft is not damaged.
(D) Ensuring cables are free of kinks and
breaks.
(E) Testing alarm
operability or running condition and communication with
controller.
(iii)
Automatic line leak detectors shall be tested to meet criteria in §
245.445 (relating to methods of
release detection for piping) by simulating a leak.
(iv) Vacuum pumps and pressure gauges shall
be tested to ensure proper communication with sensors and controller.
(v) Handheld electronic sampling equipment
associated with groundwater and vapor monitoring shall be tested to ensure
proper operation.
(b) Owners and operators of underground
storage tank systems shall ensure tests and evaluations required under this
section are performed in accordance with one of the following criteria:
(1) Requirements developed by the
manufacturer.
(2) Code of practice
developed by a Nationally recognized association or independent testing
laboratory.
(3) Requirements
determined by the Department to be no less protective of human health and the
environment than the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(c) Owners and operators shall
comply with the periodic testing requirements in this section as follows:
(1) For underground storage tank systems
installed on or before December 22, 2018, owners and operators shall ensure
tests and inspections as required under this section are performed prior to the
next required underground storage tank inspection occurring after December 22,
2019, or not later than December 21, 2021, whichever occurs first.
(2) For underground storage tank systems
installed after December 22, 2018, these requirements apply at
installation.
(d) Test
liquids used to perform tests as required in this chapter shall be reused,
treated or disposed in accordance with applicable requirements in Chapters 91,
92a, 260a-270a and 287-299.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
245.403 (relating to
applicability); 25 Pa. Code §
245.421 (relating to performance
standards for underground storage tank systems); 25 Pa. Code §
245.435 (relating to reporting and
recordkeeping); and 25 Pa. Code §
245.451 (relating to temporary
removal from service
(out-of-service)).
