Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) The
in-service inspection must follow the guidelines of a Nationally recognized
association such as API 653, API 570 and applicable engineering criteria (See
§§
245.524(b),
245.542(d)(2) and
245.543(d)
(relating to aboveground tank modifications; containment requirements for
aboveground storage tank systems; and leak detection requirements).)
(b) The in-service inspection must evaluate
the following:
(1) Containment
areas.
(2) Foundation.
(3) Tank shell.
(4) Tank roof.
(5) Appurtenances.
(6) Ancillary equipment including
piping.
(7) Leak detection
method.
(8) Cathodic protection
system, if installed.
(9) Tank
system integrity and suitability for service.
(c) Inspection information shall be submitted
to the Department on a form provided by the Department and include the results
of the evaluation in subsection (b) and the following:
(1) A determination of the corrosion rate of
the shell and piping.
(2) A
calculation of the life of the tank shell and piping based on corrosion
rate.
(3) The next inspection
schedule based on the API 653 calculated service life method or 1/4 of the
corrosion rate life with a maximum of 5 years between inspections. Other
site-specific conditions, for example, maintenance practices, previous repairs,
the nature of the substance stored or soil conditions that may affect corrosion
rate life or tank system integrity and should be considered when projecting
tank service life and the next inspection interval.
(4) The recommendations for maintaining tank
system integrity.
(d)
Except as provided in paragraphs (5) and (6), inspection intervals for
in-service inspections are as follows:
(1)
Aboveground storage tanks shall be initially inspected within 5 years of
installation.
(2) Aboveground
storage tanks shall have an in-service inspection within 1/4 of the corrosion
rate life with a maximum of 5 years from the previous inspection or
installation.
(3) An out-of-service
inspection may replace an in-service inspection.
(4) An in-service inspection interval, if
agreed upon by the Department, may be delayed under §
245.562 (relating to temporary
removal from service (out-of-service)) for an aboveground storage tank that is
temporarily removed from service. Prior to placing product in the aboveground
storage tank, the delayed inspection shall be conducted, deficiencies noted
during inspection shall be addressed and remedied, and an amended registration
form shall be completed and submitted to the Department.
(5) Aboveground storage tanks in underground
vaults shall have in-service inspections conducted as follows:
(i) Aboveground storage tanks with a capacity
greater than 5,000 gallons shall have in-service inspections conducted within 6
and 12 months of installation and at least every 3 years thereafter.
(ii) Aboveground storage tanks storing highly
hazardous substances with a capacity greater than 1,100 gallons shall have
in-service inspections conducted within 6 and 12 months of installation and at
least every 3 years thereafter.
(iii) More frequent in-service inspections
may be required by the Department when a prior inspection identifies corrosion,
deterioration or other violations of this subchapter.
(6) Existing aboveground storage tanks in
underground vaults with scheduled in-service inspections after December 21,
2021, shall be inspected by the next currently scheduled in-service inspection
date, unless notified otherwise by the Department. Subsequent in-service
inspections shall be conducted in accordance with this section.
(e) Inspection recommendations
shall be addressed and deficiencies remedied. When modifications or repairs are
necessary to correct deficiencies, they shall be made in accordance with
manufacturer's specifications and engineering design criteria (See §§
245.522(a) and
(b),
245.524(b)(2),
245.532(b) and
(c) and
245.534(c).) The
Department may require submission and review of all 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.
(f) The complete inspection report shall be
kept at the facility until the next out-of-service inspection is
completed.
This section cited in 25 Pa. Code §
245.113 (relating to certified
inspector experience and qualifications); 25 Pa. Code §
245.526 (relating to piping for
aboveground storage tanks); and 25 Pa. Code §
245.562 (relating to temporary
removal from service
(out-of-service)).
