Standard Practice for Performing Visual Examination of Containment Sumps

Importancia y uso:

5.1 All liquid and debris in a containment sump should be removed and managed properly.

5.2 Liquids introduced into a containment sump for testing purposes may come in contact with regulated substances that have leaked from the primary UST system.

5.2.1 Test liquids in contact with regulated substances may require response and corrective action if leaked from a containment sump during testing. 40 CFR §280.12 defines release as “any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching or disposing from an UST into groundwater, surface water or subsurface soils.”

5.2.2 For handling and disposal consideration for liquids removed from containment sumps, see Appendix X1.

5.3 Visual examinations may identify compromised conditions that warrant repair or response to reduce the probability of a release of regulated substance to the environment.

5.3.1 Visual examinations should be performed prior to the introduction of liquids in to a containment sump to reduce the potential risk of a release of regulated substance to the environment during liquid testing methods.

5.3.2 Frequent visual examination of containment sumps between three-year test intervals is a proactive loss preventative measure that may identify compromised equipment before the equipment fails.

5.3.3 Visual examinations do not apply vacuum, or pressure, stress to containment sump components, nor do visual examinations introduce liquids into containment sumps which may come in contact with regulated substances that must be properly handled pursuant to regulations of the authority having jurisdiction.

5.4 Spill prevention equipment and containment sumps are designed to contain a regulated substance that is released from the primary fuel path of a UST system including leaks that occur when the delivery hose is disconnected from the fill pipe, until the regulated substance is detected and removed. There is no established leak rate, capacity requirement or holding time.

5.5 Spill prevention equipment and containment sumps must be properly installed pursuant to 40 CFR §280.20 in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Properly installed spill prevention equipment and containment sumps will perform as designed unless one or more components become compromised. Many indications of component compromise that could lead to containment sump failure to remain liquid tight allowing a release of liquid during a liquid test, are visually observable.

5.6 This practice is used to perform a visual examination of containment sumps to determine if the containment sumps are capable of containing a regulated substance leaked from the primary fuel path of the UST system until the regulated substance is detected and removed.

5.7 Visual examination is the process of using the naked eye, alone or in conjunction with various aids such as portable lighting, camera, or mirrors, as the sensing mechanism from which a determination is made about the condition of the containment sump being inspected.

5.8 This practice is only applicable to containment sumps after installation testing is complete. Properly installed liquid tight containment sumps will remain liquid tight unless one or more components become compromised.

5.9 This practice does not address all of the periodic operation and maintenance walkthrough inspections required by §40 CFR §280.36.

5.10 This practice is not applicable where components are not observable.

5.11 This practice does not supersede requirements developed by the manufacturer of items tested, if any requirements exist.

5.12 This practice does not supersede requirements required by the authority having jurisdiction, if any requirements exist.

Subcomité:

E50.01

Volúmen:

11.06

Número ICS:

75.200 (Petroleum products and natural gas handling equipment)

Palabras clave:

compromised; containment sump; interstitial monitoring; liquid test; liquid tight; professional inspector; spill prevention equipment; underground storage tank; USEPA; UST; visual examination;