La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § V-4435

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-4435 - Design and Installation of New Tank Systems or Components

A. Owners or operators of new tank systems or components must ensure that the foundation, structural support, seams, connections, and pressure controls (if applicable) are adequately designed and that the tank system has sufficient structural strength, compatibility with the waste(s) to be stored or treated, and corrosion protection so that it will not collapse, rupture, or fail. The owner or operator must obtain a written assessment reviewed and certified by an independent, qualified professional engineer in accordance with LAC 33:V.513 attesting that the system has sufficient structural integrity and is acceptable for the storing and treating of hazardous waste. This assessment must include, at a minimum, the following information:

1. design standard(s) according to which the tank(s) and ancillary equipment is or will be constructed;

2. hazardous characteristics of the waste(s) to be handled;

3. for new tank systems or components in which the external shell of a metal tank or any external metal component of the tank systems is or will be in contact with the soil or with the water, a determination by a corrosion expert of:

a. factors affecting the potential for corrosion, including but not limited to:

i. soil moisture content;

ii. soil pH;

iii. soil sulfides level;

iv. soil resistivity;

v. structure to soil potential;

vi. influence of nearby underground metal structures (e.g., piping);

vii. stray electric current; and

viii. existing corrosion-protection measures (e.g., coating, cathodic protection); and

b. the type and degree of external corrosion protection that are needed to ensure the integrity of the tank system during the use of the tank system or component, consisting of one or more of the following:

i. corrosion-resistant materials of construction such as special alloys, fiberglass-reinforced plastic;

ii. corrosion-resistant coating (such as epoxy or fiberglass) with cathodic protection (e.g., impressed current or sacrificial anodes); and

iii. electrical isolation devices such as insulating joints and flanges;

4. for underground tank system components that are likely to be affected by vehicular traffic, a determination of design or operational measures that will protect the tank system against potential damage; and

5. design consideration to ensure that:

a. tank foundations will maintain the load of a full tank;

b. tank systems will be anchored to prevent flotation or dislodgement where the tank system is placed in a saturated zone, or is located within a seismic fault zone; and

c. tank systems will withstand the effects of frost heave.

B. The owner or operator of a new tank system must ensure that proper handling procedures are adhered to in order to prevent damage to the system during installation. Prior to covering, enclosing, or placing a new tank system or component in use, an independent, qualified installation inspector or an independent, qualified professional engineer, either of whom is trained and experienced in the proper installation of tank systems, must inspect the system or component for the presence of any of the following items:

1. weld breaks;

2. punctures;

3. scrapes of protective coatings;

4. cracks;

5. corrosion;

6. other structural damage or inadequate construction or installation.

All discrepancies must be remedied before the tank system is covered, enclosed, or placed in use.

C. New tank systems or components and piping that are placed underground and that are backfilled must be provided with a backfill material that is a noncorrosive, porous, homogeneous substance and that is carefully installed so that the backfill is placed completely around the tank and compacted to ensure that the tank and piping are fully and uniformly supported.

D. All new tanks and ancillary equipment must be tested for tightness prior to being covered, enclosed or placed in use. If a tank system is found not to be tight, all repairs necessary to remedy the leak(s) in the system must be performed prior to the tank system being covered, enclosed, or placed in use.

E. Ancillary equipment must be supported and protected against physical damage and excessive stress due to settlement, vibration, expansion or contraction.

F. The owner or operator must provide the type and degree of corrosion protection necessary, based on the information provided under LAC 33:V.4435.A.3, to ensure the integrity of the tank system during use of the tank system. The installation of a corrosion protection system that is field fabricated must be supervised by an independent corrosion expert to ensure proper installation.

G. The owner or operator must obtain and keep on file at the facility written statements by those persons required to certify the design of the tank system and supervise the installation of the tank system in accordance with the requirements of LAC 33:V.4435.B-F to attest that the tank was properly designed and installed and that repairs, pursuant to LAC 33:V.4435.B and D were performed. These written statements must also include the certification statement as required in this Chapter.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § V-4435

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Waste Division, LR 10:200 (March 1984), amended LR 13:651 (November 1987), LR 18:723 (July 1992), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 34:1004 (June 2008).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2180 et seq.