Although not all the practices listed below are required by regulation, they include best practices that should be implemented in the management of storage tanks.
- Tanks should be assigned to personnel or departments that are accountable for tank condition, material and maintenance.
- Inventory and assess the condition, use and need for storage tanks. For tanks that are not needed remove or decommission tanks in accordance with local regulatory requirements.
- Older tanks should be removed and replaced if needed, with equipment that meets current regulatory requirements.
- Certain tanks must be covered by a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. The plan should meet regulatory requirements and include anticipated release scenarios and describe the facility's means of responding to spills and releases of stored material. The facility should maintain adequate spill control equipment and train personnel to be able to stabilized the largest anticipated release.
- Underground tanks should have secondary containment.
- Tanks should have a leak detection system. Be sure your leak detection system is "certified" for the type of tank, size and material. This system should be checked at least every 30 days.
- Spill buckets should be installed at fill points to contain drips and spills that may occur during delivery. Keep spill buckets clean and free of liquid and debris.
- Tanks should have overfill protection systems installed that may include automatic shutoff devices, overfill alarms or ball float valves. Be sure the delivery person knows what type of overfill protection your tank has.
- Be sure you order the correct amount of product for delivery. Order only the amount of product that will fill the tank to 90 percent of capacity. Be sure to account for product already in the tank.
- Monitor product delivery to ensure overfilling or spills do not occur.
- Be prepared to respond to releases. Be sure all personnel involved with tank operation and maintenance are familiar with the SPCC plan.
- Perform practice drills.
- If a spill or release occurs:
- Take action as soon as possible that does not endanger personnel to prevent release of additional product.
- Turn power off to the dispenser. For flammable or combustible material keep ignition sources away from the release area.
- Contain the spill or release in accordance with your SPCC plan.
- Report releases or suspected releases to local regulatory agencies in accordance with local regulations.
- Maintain records of :
- Inventory control.
- Release detection inspections.
- Maintenance activities.
- Spills and releases and responses.
- The EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) maintains a website at http://www.epa.gov/swerust1/index.htm with extensive information on tanks storage operations and maintenance systems. Consult this site for detailed information on release detection systems, tank inspection checklists and other information that will help properly manage tank systems.