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 storage tank 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 piping release detection. www.eDa.aov/oust/Dubs U3 K mmm mm MiSiCiO) MlX Effective through October 12, 2018 Visit https://www.epa.gov/ust/managing- your-usts-indian-country Inspect ŁEPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks www.epa.gov/oust August 2013 EPA-510-F-13-003 Compliance Assistance In Indian Country ------- RELEASE DETECTION What is release detection? Underground storage tank (UST) release detection is an electronic or manual method or combination of methods designed to help you quickly detect releases from your tank. What type of storage tank release detection must you use? You must conduct one of the Mowing: Your release detection device must be Installed, calibrated, operated, and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions. automatic tank gauging (ATG), interstitial monitoring. f®5 groundwater monitoring, vapor monitoring. ^ manual tank gauging (for tanks 2,000 gallons or less) tank tightness test and inventory control (in some cases, there is a ten year limit), or ^ another method approved by the implementing agency. What should you do to ensure your release detection method is working properly? If you use: ATG: Check your printout and make sure: * the ATG probe is working; * there is enough down time between fuel delivery and testing; and * the tank product level is at an appropriate test level. TEST ENDING TIME: JAN 22, 200? 7:02 PM TEST LENGTH 5 HOURS STARTING TEMP = 31.0 F ENDING TEMP = 27.7 F LEAK TEST RESULTS- 0.2 GAL/HR TEST_ 0.2 GAL/HR FLAGS? RECENT DELIVERY CHANGE IN TANK TEMP ZONE TEMP CHANGE TOO LARGE LEAK TEST REPORT T 2:SUPER TEST STARTING TIME: JAN 22. 2007 2:02 PM T 1:UNLEAD VOLUME = ULLAGE = 90X ULLAGE5 TC VOLUME ¦ HEIGHT ¦ 16.25 INCHES WATER = 0.00 INCHES TEMP = 30.9 DEG F TEST LENGTH 2 HOURS START LEAK TEST FEB 1, 2011 12:30 2 GAL/HR FLAGS:— W LEVEL TEST ERROR 601 GALS 2407 GALS 2106 GALS 613 GALS Immediately respond and investigate any audible alarms or flashing lights. Not all ATG alarms are due to releases. However, releases have gone undetected when alarms are either ignored or the ATG is turned off to stop flashing lights or beeps. \ IBSOM2M J ATG in alarm status Interstitial monitoring: Inspect your system and: * look for liquid at the lowest point of the UST containment and record the results; * if the sensor alarms, contact your service proyiderto find the source of the alarm and replace malfunctioning electronic sensors. Vapor or groundwater monitoring: Check your well and well cover and make sure: * it is installed in an area where leaks can not enter into the monitoring well: * the well caps are secure; and * the well caps are not damaged. 1 Monitoring well placed in the flow surface run-off Monitoring well with missing cover and filled with debris Inventory control: Use the right equipment and make sure: * the gauge stick is not warped; its ends are not worn, broken, or shortened; and markings are clear- ly legible * readings are recorded daily and reconciled monthly. Use water finding paste to check for water on the tank bottom with record the reading. Gauge stick with a broken Checking for water on bottom of tank with paste. Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR): Collect the right information and: * record the data according to your vendor's instruction; and * have a trained professional analyze your data. What are some common UST release detection problems? ATG ^ Not performing a monthly leak test. ,Sr ATG malfunctioning or improperly programmed. ^ Not responding to ATG alarms. ,Sr Malfunctioning or disconnected probe. m Not having printer paper installed. ^ Not having enough product in tank. ** Not allowing enough time for tests. Interstitial Monitoring ^ No sensor. ** Malfunctioning sensor. Improperly installed sensor. SIR Not further investigating inconclusive results. Not obtaining vendor reports in a timely manner. Inventory Control m Not gauging the tank daily, checking for water monthly, or recording all deliveries. Not performing proper calculations to reconcile data at the end of each month. m Not conducting an annual tightness test. Tightness Testing w Not having enough product in the tank to perform the leak test. Recordkeeping Not maintaining printed copies of electronic monthly leak detection records. ,Sr Not maintaining written logs of manual month- ly interstitial monitoring checks, a* Not keeping daily and monthly inventory records. For more information on storage tank release detection, see EPA's Straight Talk On Tanks: Leak Detection Methods For Petroleum Underground Storage Tanks And Piping www.epa.aov/oust/pubs/straiaht.htm or order free copies by calling (800) 490-9198. Straight Talk On Tanks Leak Detection Methods For Tanks And Piping 1 asSn V interstitial monitoring sensor invalid test due to inadequate down-time Invalid test due to low product level ------- |