Pennsylvania Code
Title 25 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part I - Department of Environmental Protection
Subpart D - Environmental Health and Safety
Article VI - General Health and Safety
Chapter 245 - ADMINISTRATION OF THE STORAGE TANK AND SPILL PREVENTION PROGRAM
Subchapter F - TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS AND FACILITIES
RELEASE PREVENTION AND LEAK DETECTION
Section 245.542 - Containment requirements for above-ground storage tank systems

Universal Citation: 25 PA Code ยง 245.542

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) Containment structures must be compatible with the substance stored and minimize deterioration to the aboveground storage tank system.

(b) Containment areas shall be designed, maintained and constructed in accordance with sound engineering practices adhering to Nationally recognized codes of practice and in compliance with State and Federal requirements.

(c) Secondary containment under the aboveground storage tank bottom and around underground piping must be designed to direct any release to a monitoring point to meet leak detection requirements. Secondary containment shall be provided on a new tank at installation, and shall be provided on an existing tank at reconstruction or relocation of the tank or when the tank floor is replaced (See API 650 Appendix I). Permeability of the secondary containment must be less than 1 x 10-7 cm/sec at anticipated hydrostatic head and shall be verified at the time of installation.

(d) Aboveground storage tanks must have emergency containment structures, such as dike fields, curbing and containment collection systems, which contain releases from overfills, leaks and spills.

(1) Permeability of newly installed or replacement emergency containment structures or emergency containment structures for aboveground storage tanks installed after October 11, 1997, must be less than 1 x 10-6 cm/sec at anticipated hydrostatic head and be of sufficient thickness to prevent the released substance from penetrating the containment structure for a minimum of 72 hours, and until the release can be detected and recovered.

(2) Emergency containment structures for aboveground storage tanks installed on or before October 11, 1997, must meet one of the following standards:
(i) The standards for new emergency containment structures for aboveground storage tanks in paragraph (1).

(ii) Verification by a professional engineer that the emergency containment structure, coupled with the tank monitoring program and response plan, is capable of detecting and recovering a release and is designed to prevent contamination of the waters of this Commonwealth. Verification may be conducted in a manner consistent with the Department's technical document entitled "Verification of Emergency Containment Structures for Aboveground Storage Tanks" or in a manner at least as protective of public health and safety and the environment and which meets all statutory and regulatory requirements. Verification of earthen structures should include determination of the containment structure permeability following Nationally recognized testing methods.

(3) Verification of the containment structure is valid until conditions at the site, monitoring program, response plan or procedures change.

(4) Transfers of regulated substances to an aboveground storage tank within the emergency containment shall be monitored by designated personnel for the duration of the transfer.

(e) Emergency containment areas, such as dike fields, must be able to contain 110% of the capacity of the largest aboveground storage tank in the containment area.

(f) Water shall be removed from the emergency containment area as soon as possible. Water shall be removed from the containment before it comes in contact with the aboveground storage tank or piping and before it reduces the capacity of containment by 10% or more. Manually operated pumps or siphons and manually operated gravity drains may be used to empty the containment. If drain valves are used they shall be secured in the closed position when not in use. Discharge or disposal of substances from the containment structure must comply with applicable State and Federal requirements.

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 245.521 (relating to performance standards for aboveground storage tanks); 25 Pa. Code § 245.552 (relating to in-service inspections); and 25 Pa. Code § 245.553 (relating to out-of-service inspections).

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