Owners and operators of
regulated underground
storage tanks (USTs) on tribal
lands must comply with
federal UST regulations.
This compliance assistance
brochure highlights best
management practices for
piping release detection.
Note: This document is a
resource to promote
compliance and does not
replace the federal UST
regulations.
EPA developed this
brochure to help UST
owners and operators in
Indian country comply with
the federal UST regulations.
This brochure is one in a
series of EPA compliance
assistance brochures
designed to help owners and
operators comply with UST
regulations.
Other brochures focus on
spill buckets, overfill
protection, recordkeeping and
notification, financial
responsibility, insurance, and
tank release detection.
www.eoa.aov/oust/Dubs
&EPA
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
www.epa.gov/oust
August 2013
EPA-510-F-13-004
Compliance Assistance In
Indian Country
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RELEASE DETECTION
What is release detection?
Piping release detection is an electronic or
manual method or combination of methods
designed to help you quickly detect releases from
your underground piping.
What type of release detection
must you use for pressurized
piping?
A line leak detector (LLD) must be installed on
your pressurized piping and must be tested
annualty\Q make sure that it works properly.
You also must conduct one of the following:
^ an annual tightness test of the piping, or
^ monthly monitoring using:
* interstitial monitoring:
* vapor monitoring:
* groundwater monitoring:
* statistical inventory reconciliation: or
* other methods approved by the
implementing agency.
What type of release detection can
you use for suction piping?
Release detection is not reguired if the suction
piping:
^ operates at below atmospheric pressure;
^ is sloped so its contents drain
back into the tank; and
^ there is only one check valve
directly below the dispenser
pump.
If your facility's suction piping does
not exactly match the characteristics'Suctionpipingsystem
above, then you must use either one
of the monthly methods used for pressurized
piping, or conduct a tightness test at least every 3
years.
Your release detection must be installed,
calibrated, operated, and maintained
according to manufacturer's instructions.
What should you do to ensure your
release detection device is working
properly?
'-' Check your alarm control panel printout
(if installed).
* Does the printout show problems like
alarms occurring, the console is not
programmed properly, sensors not
working properly, or liguid in the sump?
MM DD, Y7YY HH:MM HI
0 1 :lWLEjy}ED REG LIME
j.O GAL/HE RESULTS:
NUWBER OF TE£TJ FA.y E'
PREV 24 HOURS : .:
SINCE MIDHIGHT : :
0.20 G«L;HR RESULTS:
o.io GHL/HR RESULTS:
ffiiH DEM'nT m-.m XH PAL".:;
MM\ N18TOCY tfl'ORT
L1.DISP12
X. 2'!, 2006 10:I2PM
iFUELAimi 1
SFP <0. 2005 8:27 PH
IFI1EL nLACI-1 1
LIQUID STATUS
MMH DD.HYY mm BI
L 1 : UEEADED M1ILAR
EBGCR Om
L 2 : siM AKNULAF.
ISESSOR HQSMJLI
Piping leak test results
Sump sensor alarm history
Sump sensor status report
Immediately respond to and investigate any
control panel alarms or flashing lights.
Not all alarms are due to releases.
However, releases have gone undetected
when alarms are either ignored, or the
control panel Is turned off to stop flashing
lights or beeps.
Inspect your sumps.
/.,
Control panel indicator lights
* Is a sensor present?
* Is the sensor positioned
correctly?
* Is there any liguid or
product present?
* Does the lid have a tight
seal and is it securely
fastened?
* Is the sump damaged? A
damaged sump would no
longer hold product if a
release occurs.
Tank top sump with double-
walled piping and liquid sensor
Tank top sump full of liquid
What are some common piping
release detection problems?
Line leak detectors (LLD)
^ Not installed or functions incorrectly.
^ Not tested yearly or in accordance with
manufacturer's reguirements.
^ Not programmed or properly connected.
Submersible turbine pump Electronic LLD
without a LLD installed ' "
Mechanical LLD
Sensors
Not present or not functioning.
Installed too high or placed improperly.
Tank top sump sensor installed too Sensor has been moved and cannot
high detect liquid
Tightness Testing
^ Not testing every three years. This applies to
suction systems that do not meet the
requirements for exemption from leak
detection.
^ An annual line test not being conducted for
pressurized piping.
Recordkeeping
^ No records of an annual tightness test.
^ No release detection performance claims or
repair and maintenance records.
^ No annual LLD test results.
For more information on piping release
detection, see EPA's Straight Talk On
Tanks: Leak Detection Methods For
Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks
And Pipings
www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/straiaht.htm or
order free copies by calling (800) 490-9198.
aefft suakJM Talk 01 Tanks
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