Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-6-15-.06

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 335-6-15-.06 - Performance Standards For New UST Systems, And Dispensers

In order to prevent releases due to structural failure, corrosion, leakage from submersible pumps and dispensers or spills and overfills for as long as the UST system is used to store regulated substances, all owners and operators of new USTs, underground piping, UST systems and/or dispensers must install this equipment in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory and meet the following requirements:

(a)USTs. USTs installed on August 6, 2007 and thereafter must be manufactured so that any portion of the underground storage tank that is underground and routinely contains product has an inner and outer wall, and interstitial space. The USTs must be designed to allow monitoring of the integrity of both the inner and outer wall, contain a leak into the interstitial space until it is detected and removed, and prevent a release to the environment at any time during its operational life. Each UST must be properly designed and constructed, and any portion in contact with the ground that routinely contains product, as well as the metal outer wall of double wall underground storage tank which is in contact with the ground, must be protected from corrosion in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory as specified below:

1. The UST is constructed of fiberglass-reinforced plastic; or

2. The UST is constructed of steel and cathodically protected in the following manner:

(i) The UST is coated with a suitable dielectric material;

(ii) Field-installed cathodic protection systems are designed by a corrosion expert;

(iii) Cathodic protection systems are designed to allow determination of current operating status according to the requirements of Rule 335-6-15-.10; and

(iv) Cathodic protection systems are operated and maintained in accordance with Rule 335-6-15-.10.

3. The UST is constructed of and clad or jacketed with a nonmetallic material; or

4. The UST construction and corrosion protection are determined by the Department to be designed to prevent the release or threatened release of any stored regulated substance in a manner that is no less protective of human health and the environment than the requirements of subparagraphs (a)1. through 3. of this rule.

(b)Underground Piping. All underground piping, other than suction underground piping that meets the requirements specified in rule 335-6-15-.15(b)2.(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v), installed under the ground on August 6, 2007 and thereafter must be manufactured so that underground piping has an inner and outer wall and interstitial space. Such underground piping must be designed to allow monitoring of the integrity of both the inner and outer wall, contain a leak into the interstitial space until it is detected and removed, and prevent a release to the environment at any time during its operational life. All metal underground piping that routinely contains regulated substances and is in contact with the ground, as well as the metal outer wall of double wall underground piping which is in contact with the ground, must be properly designed, constructed, and protected from corrosion in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory, as specified below:

1. The underground piping is constructed of either a nonmetallic material such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic (rigid) or thermoplastic (flexible). Nonmetallic underground piping installed on January 10, 2006, and thereafter, must meet the requirements of the most current edition of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Standard for Safety for Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable Liquids, UL 971. Performance claims must be demonstrated by an evaluation properly conducted in accordance with UL 971; or

2. The underground piping is constructed of steel and cathodically protected in the following manner:

(i) The underground piping is coated with a suitable dielectric material;

(ii) Field-installed cathodic protection systems are designed by a corrosion expert;

(iii) Cathodic protection systems are designed to allow determination of current operating status according to the requirements of Rule 335-6-15-.10; and

(iv) Cathodic protection systems are operated and maintained in accordance with Rule 335-6-15-.10.

3. The underground piping construction and corrosion protection are determined by the Department to be designed to prevent the release or threatened release of any stored regulated substance in a manner that is no less protective of human health and the environment than the requirements in subparagraphs (b)1. and 2. of this rule.

(c)Spill And Overfill Prevention Equipment. Except as provided for in subparagraphs (c)3. and 4. of this rule, to prevent spilling and overfilling associated with product transfer to the UST, owners and operators must use the following spill and overfill prevention equipment or preventive measures in subparagraphs (c)1. and 2. of this rule:

1. Spill prevention equipment that will prevent release of product to the environment when the transfer hose is detached from the fill pipe (for example, a spill catchment basin) operated and maintained in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.09; and

2. Overfill prevention equipment that will:

(i) Automatically shut off flow into the underground storage tank when the underground storage tank is no more than 95 percent full; or

(ii) Alert the transfer operator when the underground storage tank is no more than 90 percent full by restricting the flow into the underground storage tank or triggering a high-level alarm.

3. Owner and operators are not required to use the spill and overfill prevention equipment specified in subparagraphs (c)1. and 2. of this rule if:

(i) Alternative equipment is used that is determined by the Department to be no less protective of human health and the environment than the equipment specified in subparagraph (c)1. or 2. of this rule; or

(ii) The UST system is filled by transfers of no more than 25 gallons at one time.

4. Flow restrictors used in vent lines may not be used to comply with subparagraph (c)2. of this rule when overfill prevention is installed or replaced on or after December 8, 2017.

5. Spill and overfill prevention equipment must be periodically tested or inspected in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.09(1) (a)1. and (b)1.

(d)Submersible Pump, Under Dispenser, and Piping Transition Containment. USTs installed with submersible pumps on August 6, 2007 and thereafter must have submersible pump containment sumps; new dispenser systems installed on August 6, 2007 and thereafter must have under dispenser containment sumps; and piping transitions installed on or after December 8, 2017 must have containment sumps.

1. The sumps must be operated and maintained in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.09(1)(c). Containment sumps must be designed, constructed, installed, and maintained to:

(i) Be liquid-tight on all sides, bottom and all penetrations to contain leakage and prevent release of regulated substances from equipment related to dispensers and submersible pumps until the regulated substance is detected and removed; and

(ii) Be compatible with the substance conveyed by the underground piping to prevent the release of regulated substances to the environment at any time during the operational life of the UST system; and

(iii) Be able to allow access to the components in the containment sumps, and be periodically visually inspected for evidence of a leakage into the sumps.

(e)Installation. UST systems must be properly installed:

1. Under the supervisory control of an individual or individuals certified in accordance with the requirements in rule 335-6-15-.47;

2. In accordance with codes of practice developed by nationally recognized associations or independent testing laboratories;

3. In accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; and

4. In accordance with plans and specifications required under rule 335-6-15-.08 and reviewed by the Department to include any modifications required to be made by the Department.

(f) The Department reserves the right to inspect an UST system within 30 days of submission of plans or notification of installation prior to the UST system being fully backfilled and placed into operation. The Department may authorize a representative to make this inspection.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-6-15-.06

Effective April 5, 1989. Amended: Filed December 6, 2005; effective January 10, 2006. Amended: Filed July 2, 2007; effective August 6, 2007. Amended: Filed March 21, 2008; effective April 25, 2008. Amended: Filed December 12, 2011; effective January 16, 2012. Amended: Filed February 25, 2014; effective April 1, 2014.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2017, eff. 12/8/2017.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 01, October 31, 2018, eff. 12/7/2018.

Authors: Sonja Massey, Curt Johnson, Lee Davis

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-36-3.