Notes
Slide Show
Outline
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SPCC Program & Issues
  • Michael L. Walker, P.E.
  • Manager, Environmental & Engineering Services
  • EI, Inc.
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August Deadline Approached…
  • Owners wrestled with rules implications
  • Require additional items in Plans
  • Operating implications
  • Some new rules burdensome
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…and approached
  • “New” rules first published in 2002
  • Much written and said
  • Not another overview
  • Discussion on several specific items
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Our Workshop
  • Informative & Interactive
    • Any SPCC topic
    • Ask questions
    • Panel
  • Some new elements requiring thought & decision
    • Security – 112.7(g)
    • Unloading Areas – 112.7(h)
    • Inspection and Testing – 112.8(c)(6)
    • Mobile Tanks – 112.8(c)(11)
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I. Security Requirements (112.7(g))
  • Purpose: to prevent accidental or intentional (vandalism) releases of oil
  • 112.7(g)(a) requires
    • “Fully fence each facility handling, processing, or storing oil, and lock and/or guard entrance gates when the facility is not in production or is unattended.”
  • July 17, 2002 preamble rule:
    • “When you use a fence to protect a facility, the design of the fence should deter vandalism.  Methods of deterring vandals might include barded wire or other devices.”
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Security Challenges
  • Large rural facility




  • Truck access
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Security Challenges
  • Some fences better than others




  • Lock containment drains



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Security Challenges
  • Along railroad spur
  • Deviation from standard allowed 112.7(a)(2)
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II. Loading/Unloading Areas
  • Commonly overlooked in facility design process
  • 2002 preamble: loading and unloading of fuel represents a significant risk of release
  • Rules now include specific requirements (rather than suggestions)
    • Containment
    • Warning systems or physical barriers
    • Inspections
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Unloading Area Containment
  • Catchment basins
    • Direct the material to treatment system
  • “Quick drainage system” that collects and contains the oil
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Loading/Unloading Containment Challenges
  • Rail car unloading
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Loading/Unloading Containment Challenges
  • Fueling from asphalt parking lot
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Loading/Unloading Containment Challenges
  • Fueling from public street
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III. Inspection & Testing (112.8(c)(6))
  • Most significant impact of the rule
  • Larger facilities may have employed certain industry standard inspections
  • Most owners now have a new requirement
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Inspection & Testing Rules
  • Paragraph 112.7(e) requires that the inspection and testing of bulk storage tanks be defined
  • Paragraph 112.8(c)(6) requires
    • integrity testing on a regular basis
    • the testing combine visual inspection with some other technique, and
    • that records be kept to facilitate comparisons about tank wall thicknesses.
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Where is the Guidance
  • EPA acknowledges that specific industry standards:
    • API Standard 653, “Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction”
    • API Recommended Practice 575, “Inspection of Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Tanks”
    • Steel Tank Institute Standard SP001, “Standard for Inspection of In-Service Shop Fabricated Above-Ground Tanks for Storage of Combustible and Flammable Liquids”
  • API 653 and 575 applied to larger field-fabricated tanks
  • STI standard specifically developed for smaller shop-fabricated tanks
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STI SP001-03
  • January 2003
  • Establishes specific standards
    • Periodic inspections
    • Certified inspections
    • Owners are to visually inspect
      • Monthly
      • Quarterly
      • Annual
    • Copy of the STI checklist in notebook
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Comments on STI Inspection List
  • Some find the three levels of inspection slightly burdensome
  • Whatever the inspection regiment, it must be clearly defined in the SPCC Plan.
  • Items not included
    • loading/unloading area containment
    • spill kit contents
    • closed and locked containment drain valves
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Visual Inspections Testimonies
  • Double-wall tanks
  • Imperative to inspect prevention and containment systems
  • Imperative to test electronics
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Visual Inspections Testimonies
  • Full diversionary sump
  • Checking would improve the capabilities
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Tank Integrity Testing
  • Most significant change
  • Qualified tank inspector
  • Useful for owners to know elements of standard
  • Tank type:
    • Single-wall tank not in contact with the ground
    • Single-wall tank in contact with the ground
    • Double-wall tanks
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Single-wall tanks not in contact with the ground
  • Saddles or legs
  • Allow for visual inspection of entire tank exterior
  • Pressure (or vacuum) testing is optional
  • Ultrasonic testing required on a ten-year cycle
    • Except where measured changes in wall thicknesses are encountered
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Single-wall tank in contact with the ground
  • Ten-year cycle unless measurements of wall thickness require more frequent testing.
  • Ultrasonic testing
    • Point method of testing tank must be pressure (or vacuum) tested
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Single-wall tank in contact with the ground (Con’t.)
  • Double-bottom with a vacuum on the interstice
    • Verify leak detection operating
    • Check for fuel in interstice
    • Pressure (or vacuum) test is optional
  • Single-wall tanks without manways
    • Empty tank
    • Inspect bottom
    • Determine remaining wall thickness
      • Ultrasonic testing or visual inspection
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Double-Walled Tanks
  • Offer good spill protection
  • Ultrasonic or pressure testing not required (although always optional)
  • Inspector (10-year cycle)
    • Verify that the leak detection equipment is operating
    • Check for water and fuel in the rupture tank
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IV. Mobile Tanks (112.8(c)(11))
  • Mobile or portable storage containers
  • Positioned and located to prevent the discharge of oil
  • Secondary means of containment must be employed.
  • Include any storage tank larger than 55 gallons
    • Portable emergency generators
    • Tank trucks (if used to store oil)
    • Portable fueling or waste oil tanks
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Portable Containers
  • Emergency generators, an owner could utilize drip pans under the parked units.
  • The fuel truck (such as at airports) or portable fueling tanks could be parked within a bermed containment area
  • Potential operational difficulty
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Rules Allow Flexibility
  • Containment be impractical, 112.7(d) allows for the deviation from the standard.
  • include in the SPCC Plan
    • Contingency plan to effectively respond to spill incident
    • Written commitment of resources to implement plan
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Conclusion
  • Numerous changes that impact the owners of regulated facilities
    • Testing requirements add activity and expense
    • Containment systems not optional for loading/unloading facilities and portable tanks
  • Some flexibility to prevent the discharge of oil
  • Responsibility of the owner and his engineer


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Panel Discussion
  • You are the panel
  • Specific examples
  • Questions for our experts