Recommended Actions for Underground Storage Tank Facilities impacted by Fire What To Do as Fire Approaches Your Underground Storage Tank Facility* If Evacuation is Imminent Keep valves open on aboveground piping to avoid isolating a section without a relief valve. Depress the emergency stop switch, If You ha ve Hours or Days to Prepare Keep valves open on aboveground piping to avoid isolating a section without a relief valve. Secure power at the electrical panel by turning off the circuit breakers to all dispensers, pumps, and air compressors. If possible, leave the tank monitoring system turned on. Turn off the submersible pumps at the standard control box. If available, print an inventory and status report from the environmental monitoring system. If not available, note tank inventory. Close shear valve (also known as dispenser crash or emergency valve). Install signs that facility is closed. How to Prepare Every Season Take photos or video of the system. Keep valves open on aboveground piping to avoid isolating a section without a relief valve. For a more detailed description of preparedness guidelines, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/ust/wildfire-guide-preparation-and-recovery-underground-and- aboveground-storage-tank-systems * This document lists recommended activities for UST facilities depending on the distance of the fire at the time of evacuation. Remember that personal safety is always of primary importance. Further guidance can be found in the document, Wildfire Guide: Preparation and Recovery for Underground and Aboveeround Storage Tank Systems (EPA 510-B-21-001, September 2021). &EPA EPA 510-F-23-001 December 2023 ------- Recommended Actions for Underground Storage Tank Facilities Impacted by Fire Steps To Take When Returning to Your UST Facility* When you first return to the UST Facility, be sure to: Visually inspect the dispenser, piping and vent piping, and all physical components to look for signs of damage or fire effects. Compare the system to before photos, if available. Compare the tank inventory to the before inventory. If: Then: For vent pipingthere is any sign of fire damage such as scorched piping, melted plastic, or any telltale of excessive heat from the fire in or near the facility. As soon as practicable after the facility is in operation, a qualified person should inspect the vent and vent valve to ensure it is properly working and plastic parts are undamaged. There is significant fire damage near the dispensers and the piping or equipment is deformed, melted, leaking, collapsed, or showing similar failure. Closely inspect the under-dispenser area. Complete a comprehensive electrical test and inspection; replace wiring, conduits, and components as necessary. Test all sensors, probes, alarms, and safety devices. Replace all failed components. There is damaged paint, or other evidence that the dispenser was affected by fire, but the system appears otherwise intact. Determine if there is any damage by testing the UST system, according to industry standards or manufacturer instructions. Complete a comprehensive electrical test and inspection; replace wiring, conduits, and components as necessary. Test all sensors, probes, alarms, and safety devices. There is unexplained product loss or inventory discrepancy. Report a release to regulatory authorities. Complete a comprehensive physical inspection of all accessible portions of tanks, piping, and components. The system appears intact, and none of the above conditions are present. Hire a licensed electrician to inspect the electrical system and restore power to the system. Test all monitoring system probes, sensors, alarms, and the emergency stop switch system. Check operability of impressed current cathodic protection system, if installed. If at any time a system is functioning incorrectly or anything fails testing, suspend all restart work until you identify and correct the source of the problem. Turn the submersible pumps back on at the standard control box. There is fuel remaining in tanks. Determine the quality of the fuel, check for water ingress. Determine what to do with that fuel. Are you going to be re- opening with no need for additional repairs? Is damage significant such that you should consider whether to pump out or sell remaining fuel? * This document lists recommended activities for UST facilities depending on the distance of the fire at the time of evacuation. Further guidance can be found in the document, Wildfire Guide: Preparation and Recovery for Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Systems (EPA 510-B-21-001, September 2021). Remember that personal safety is always of primary importance. EPA 510-F-23-001 December 2023 ------- |