&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste And
Emergency Response
5403W
EPA510-F-94-004
August 1994
UST Program Facts
Preventing Releases
How can releases be prevented?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
designed part of die technical regulations for
underground storage tanks (USTs) to prevent
releases from USTs. The regulations require USTs
to be protected from spills, overfills, and corrosion.
Spills and overfills result from bad filling practices.
Unprotected steel tanks and piping corrode and
release product through corrosion holes. A free
booklet explaining these requirements can be
obtained by calling the toll-free RCRA/Superfund
Hotline at 800 424-9346 and asking for "Don't Wait
Until 1998" (publication number 510-B-94-002).
What is spill protection?
Many releases at UST sites come from spills made
during delivery. Human error causes most spills,
which can be avoided by following standard tank
filling practices. In addition, USTs must have
catchment basins to contain spills. Basically, a
catchment basin is a bucket sealed around the fill
pipe. USTs installed after December 22,1988 must
have catchment basins when they are installed.
USTs installed before December 1988 must add
catchment basins by December 1998 or properly
close.
What is overfill protection?
When a tank is overfilled, large volumes can be
released at the fill pipe and through loose fittings on
the top of the tank or a loose vent pipe. Overfills
can be avoided by good filling practices and the
installation of overfill protection devices. USTs
must have one of the following devices that guard
against overfills: automatic shutoff devices, overfill
alarms, or ball float valves. USTs installed after
December 22,1988 must have overfill protection
devices when they are installed. USTs installed
before December 1988 must add overfill protection
devices by December 1998 or properly close.
What is corrosion protection?
Unprotected steel USTs corrode and release product
through corrosion holes. All USTs installed after
December 22,1988 must meet one of the following
performance standards for corrosion protection:
• Tank and piping completely made of
noncorrodible material, such as fiberglass.
• Tank and piping made of steel having a
corrosion-resistant coating AND having
cathodic protectioa (Cathodic protection is
described below.)
• Tank made of steel clad with a thick layer of
noncorrodible material (this option does not
apply to piping).
USTs must also be designed, constructed, and
installed in accordance with a national code of
practice.
What about USTs installed earlier?
USTs installed before December 1988 must have
corrosion protection by December 1998. These
USTs must meet one of the corrosion protection
standards listed above, meet one of the upgrade
options described below, or close properly. Use
ONE of the Mowing THREE options to add
corrosion protection to existing steel tanks:
Add cathodic protection
Add cathodic protection to a tank that has been
proven to be structurally sound. Cathodic protection
can be provided by adding an impressed current
system that protects the UST by introducing an
electrical current into the soil around the UST.
Cathodic protection systems need to be periodically
inspected and tested.
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Add interior lining
Owners and operators must also keep records on:
Add a thick layer of noncorrodible material to the
interior of the tank This interior lining must be
periodically inspected.
Combine cathodicprotection and interior lining
Combine cathodic protection and interior lining.
USTs using this option are not required to have the
interior lining periodically inspected.
What about piping?
Steel piping must have cathodic protection. Piping
entirely made of (or enclosed in) noncorrodible
material does not need cathodic protection.
How do you property close an UST?
To properly close an UST:
• Notify the regulatory authority 30 days before
closing.
• Determine if the tank has leaked and damaged
the environment. If it has, take appropriate
notification and corrective action.
• Empty and clean the UST according to standard
safety practices.
• Either remove the UST from the ground or leave
it in the ground (USTs left in the ground must
be filled with a harmless and chemically inactive
solid).
Are there reporting and recordkeeping
requirements?
UST owners must notify state or local authorities of
the existence of an UST and its leak prevention
measures, or of the permanent closure of an UST.
Technical regulations also set guidelines for
notifying authorities of spills of more than 25
gallons.
• Inspection and test results for the cathodic
protection system.
• Repairs or upgrades.
• Site assessment results after closure.
Is there financial help to comply with
prevention requirements?
Some states have established financial assistance
programs that can provide funds or low-interest
loans to help owners upgrade or replace their tanks.
"Preventing Releases" is one in a series of fact sheets
about underground storage tanks (USTs) and leaking
USTs. The series is designed to help EPA, other federal
officials, and state authorities answer the most frequently
asked questions about USTs with consistent, accurate
information in plain language. Keep the fact sheets
handy as a resource. This fact sheet addresses federal
regulations. You may need to refer to applicable state or
local regulations, as well. For more information on
UST publications, call the RCRA/Superfund Hotline at
800424-9346.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with Soy/Canola Ink on paper that
contains at least 50% post-consumer recycled fiber
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