§ 245.432. Operation and maintenance including corrosion protection.
(a) Owners and operators of metal underground storage tank systems with corrosion protection shall comply with all of the following requirements to ensure that releases due to corrosion are prevented until the underground storage tank system is permanently closed or undergoes a change-in-service in accordance with § 245.452 (relating to permanent closure and changes-in-service).
(1) Corrosion protection systems shall be operated and maintained to continuously provide corrosion protection to the metal components of that portion of the tank and piping that routinely contain regulated substances.
(2) Underground storage tank systems equipped with cathodic protection systems shall be tested for proper operation by a qualified cathodic protection tester in accordance with the following requirements:
(i) Frequency. Cathodic protection systems shall be tested within 6 months of installation and at least every 3 years thereafter.
(ii) Inspection criteria. The criteria that are used to determine that cathodic protection is adequate as required by this section shall be in accordance with a code of practice developed by a Nationally recognized association.
(iii) Documentation. Surveys of cathodic protection systems required under this chapter shall be documented on a form provided by the Department and shall be provided to the Department upon request.
(3) Underground storage tank systems with impressed current cathodic protection systems shall be checked every 60 days to ensure the equipment is functioning as designed. At a minimum, the operator or person conducting the 60-day check shall document the date checked, annotate the system’s functioning status, and for systems equipped with a direct current readout meter, record the amount of current indicated on the meter.
(4) For underground storage tank systems using cathodic protection, records of the operation of the cathodic protection shall be maintained, in accordance with § 245.435 (relating to reporting and recordkeeping) to demonstrate compliance with the performance standards in this section. These records must provide the following:
(i) The results of the last three checks required in paragraph (3).
(ii) The results of testing from the last two surveys required in paragraph (2).
(b) Monitoring and observation wells shall be clearly identified using industry codes and standards, and caps shall be secured to prevent unauthorized or accidental access.
(c) Underground storage tank systems and storage tank system components, including tanks, piping, line leak detectors, product sensors and probes, containment sumps, measuring devices (including gauge sticks), gauges, corrosion protection, spill prevention, overfill prevention and other appurtenances whose failure could contribute to a release of product, shall be maintained in a good state of repair to ensure they function as designed.
(d) Tanks which have been lined and have not had corrosion protection added in accordance with § 245.422(b)(2) (relating to upgrading of existing underground storage tank systems) shall have the lining evaluated by, or under the direct onsite supervision of, a TL certified tank installer or by a professional engineer.
(1) Evaluations must adhere to an evaluation process developed by a National association identified in § 245.405 (relating to codes and standards) (See API 1631 and NLPA 631) as follows:
(i) Ten years after lining installation.
(ii) Every 5 years after the preceding evaluation.
(2) Each evaluation finding shall be documented on a form approved by the Department and shall be maintained at the facility for the duration of the tank’s operating life.
(e) Lined tank systems that do not meet original design specifications or have not been evaluated as required in subsection (d)(1) and (2) shall be emptied, removed from service and permanently closed in accordance with § 245.451 (relating to temporary removal from service (out-of-service)) and § 245.452.
(f) Primary and secondary containment structures, containment sumps and spill prevention equipment must be maintained in a leak-free condition. If any liquid or regulated substance is detected, the liquid or regulated substance shall be immediately removed and the defective component, if applicable, shall be repaired in accordance with § 245.434 (relating to repairs allowed). Repairs, including those performed to stop infiltration, shall be tested in accordance with § 245.434(4).
(g) A check for water in petroleum tanks shall be performed monthly and excess water shall be promptly removed as necessary. Water may not exceed the tank manufacturer’s recommendations, product supplier’s guidelines, or 2 inches of accumulation in the bottom of the tank, whichever is less. No amount of water is desirable in gasoline containing ethanol. Therefore, water should not be allowed to accumulate in tanks containing ethanol. Excess water shall be properly managed in accordance with applicable State and Federal requirements, such as Chapter 299 (relating to storage and transportation of residual waste), 40 CFR Part 261, Subpart B (relating to criteria for identifying the characteristics of hazardous waste and for listing hazardous waste) and 29 CFR Part 1910 (relating to occupational safety and health standards).
Source The provisions of this § 245.432 amended November 9, 2007, effective November 10, 2007, 37 Pa.B. 5979; amended December 21, 2018, effective December 22, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 7875. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (331072) and (384207) to (384208).
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 78a.57 (relating to control, storage and disposal of production fluids); 25 Pa. Code § 245.403 (relating to applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 245.421 (relating to performance standards for new underground storage tank systems); 25 Pa. Code § 245.434 (relating to repairs allowed); 25 Pa. Code § 245.435 (relating to reporting and recordkeeping); 25 Pa. Code § 245.444 (relating to methods of release detection for tanks); and 25 Pa. Code § 245.451 (relating to temporary removal from service (out-of-service)).
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