Questions And Answers About The 2015 Underground Storage Tank Regulation As Of May 2017

EPA

Check out the May 2017 updated version of the EPA’s  PDF document :

Questions and Answers about the 2015 Underground Storage Tank Regulation

And please be sure to call us at 1.800.451-4021 for all your underground storage tank needs.

We appreciate your continued business and support!

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NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE: Myers Tank Vacuum Test Components

Myers Vacuum Test Kit

We now offer the  Myers Tank vacuum test components. You can either purchase all the individual components in a kit or individually.  One of the featured components is the BJ Enterprises (Husky Corp.) Jarhead remote tank sensor that works as a standalone manual reading gauge or in conjunction with the 007 electronic tank gauge.

As with just about everything we stock that we offer online or that you can buy over the phone, your order ships the same day if received by 3PM Eastern TimeAnd if you see something on our site you can’t place in your shopping cart or doesn’t show any available quantity from our stock, please give us a call at 1.800.238-1225 as many products can be shipped same day, factory-direct to you!

 

 

Please do not hesitate to call us at 1.800.238.1225 if you would like to learn more about Myers Tank vacuum test components or any of the other products we offer!

We appreciate your continued business and support!

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Phase Separation and What it Means for You

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Detect_Phase_SeparationWith over 90% of U.S. gas stations blending gasoline with ethanol, an important thing to consider when maintaining fuel tanks at your station is Phase Separation.  Phase Separation occurs when ethanol absorbs water and separates from the gasoline , sinking to the bottom of the tank.  Due to its lighter density, it can remain undetected by a traditional water float and may end up being pumped directly into customers’ vehicles, which can lead to damages you will be held liable for.  If left unaddressed for too long, the costs and consequences of Phase Separation could lead to serious damage to your reputation and business.

The best way to prevent these issues from arising is constant, diligent tank monitoring which will allow for early detection.  Veeder-Root offers the Phase-Two Separation Float, which replaces a traditional gasoline float kit and detects both water and phase separation in your tanks.

For more information on Phase Separation, read this article on Veeder-Root’s Fueling Solutions blog here.

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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Omntec Delivery Defender Lite Operation

Have a look at this video from Omntec, where NE District Manager Bob Hyatt demonstrates the practical benefits of their new Delivery Defender Lite (DDL) remote overfill alarm:

The DDL is universal, and can connect to just about any industry standard automatic tank gauge (ATG).  During operation, its sunlight-visible LED indicators let the driver and site know that it’s working, as well as letting them know which tank is currently being fueled to prevent drop errors.  The DDL can service up to five tanks, depending on the version (DDL1-DDL5), and also has a wireless option.  Click here to view a PDF with more information.

For more information or to order, please call us at 1-800-451-4021.

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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Stiction: What It Is and What You Can Do About It

FFS Pro Logoffs-vibration-motor

The Campus, the online technical news resource from Franklin Fueling’s FFS PRO University, has published an article detailing “stiction”, a term for static friction, between probes and floats and its effects on them.  When stiction occurs, it can cause the float to remain in its current position regardless of whether the product level rises or falls, thus leading to inaccurate readings and leak detection from the probe.  Stiction can occur when a probe is placed improperly or if the tank is tilted at an angle.  It can also be identified when tank levels remain constant for long periods followed by a sudden rapid increase or decrease in levels over a short period.

One of the easiest ways to prevent stiction is to ensure proper, plumb installation of probes, as well as keeping the probe and floats clean regularly.  Another solution, offered by Franklin themselves, is their new brand of INCON digital probes, which feature a vibration motor in the probe head which periodically activates to stave off stiction and mitigate its effects.

ffs-vibration-motor-diagram

You can read the full article here, and you can find out more about FFS PRO University by visiting the official site.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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10 Things You Need to Know About the Revised EPA UST Rules

The following has been reproduced from an article posted by Joel Hershey on http://www.ecsconsult.com

Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements for Owners and Operators of Underground Storage Tanks

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Late last month, the USEPA published the long-awaited revisions to the Underground Storage Tank (UST) rules under 40 CFR 280 and 281.  The full 120-page rule is available on the EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks website (http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/revregs.html) and has just been published to the Federal Register.  If you do not have the time to delve into the document, we have put together this summary of 10 key things you need to know about the 2015 rule rewrite.  This is not an exhaustive list, and the full rule text should be consulted for a comprehensive understanding and evaluation of owner/operator obligations.

  1. OPERATOR TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE – The Energy Policy Act of 2005 only required training for operators in states that received monies from the EPA.  This change ensures that all operators across the country and in states without operator training requirements, and in Indian Country, have training. The EPA is attempting to ensure that all operators across the country are trained to prevent and respond to releases.  The EPA has provided a 3 year timeframe for implementation.
  2. WALKTHROUGH INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL FACILITIES – Monthly (30) day inspections are required for all facilities that consist of a visual evaluation of spill prevention equipment and release detection equipment. Containment sumps such as for STPs, piping must be viewed at least annually.  The purpose is to ensure that owners are looking regularly at their equipment to catch problems early and prevent releases.  The EPA is allowing a 3 year adoption period for these inspections.
  3. TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SPILL PREVENTION EQUIPMENT, OVERFILL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT, CONTAINMENT SUMPS, AND RELEASE DETECTION – Owners/operators are required to test spill prevention equipment, containment sumps used as secondary containment for piping  and overfill protection equipment every three years, and release detection devices must be tested annually.  This testing will ensure that all components of a UST system that are designed to detect and prevent a discharge are operating properly.  Some components, such as spill buckets, will fail. This rule modification will help operators catch issues early. The EPA is requiring testing within 3 years of the adoption of the rule.
  4. EMERGENCY GENERATORS ARE NO LONGER EXEMPT FROM PERFORMING RELEASE DETECTION MONITORING – With technology now available to monitor tanks and detect releases at remote locations, the EPA has lifted the deferral on this requirement.  Owners/operators of emergency generator tanks are now required to equip tanks with release detection monitoring.  The EPA is allowing 3 years for the upgrades to take place.
  5. FIELD CONSTRUCTED TANKS AND AIRPORT HYDRANT FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS MUST PERFORM RELEASE DETECTION – The 1988 UST Regulations deferred release detection for hydrant systems and field constructed tanks because there was not sufficient technology or information available to effectively test these systems.  With technology changes in the marketplace, methods are now available to monitor and detect releases at alternative leak rates and frequencies.  To address the uniqueness of these systems, EPA has added in an entirely new subsection (Subpart K) that outlines the general requirements and exceptions.  As for an adoption timeframe, various provisions are phased in anywhere from immediately to over a seven year period.
  6. VENT LINE FLOW RESTRICTORS ARE NO LONGER AN OPTION TO MEET OVERFILL REQUIREMENTS – UST systems used to be able to rely on flow restrictors on vent lines (ball floats) as a means to meet the overfill prevention requirements of the 1988 UST rule.  Several inherent weaknesses had been identified with the use of this technology, which included in the over-pressurization of tanks.  Owners/operators are required to use alternate overfill prevention measures listed in the rule (Subpart B) on all new systems and replaced vent lines.  This portion of the rule goes into effect immediately.
  7. INTERNAL LINING NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE AS A SOLE MEANS OF CORROSION PROTECTION  -In the past, UST systems that relied on an internal lining as the sole method of corrosion protection could add another internal lining, cathodic protection, or both when internal lining failed a periodic inspection and could not be repaired. The new rule requires tanks using internal lining as the only method of corrosion protection to be permanently closed if the internal lining fails inspection and cannot be repaired according to a code of practice.  This portion of the rule is effective immediately.
  8. OWNER NOTIFICATION PRIOR TO SWITCHING TO REGULATED SUBSTANCE CONTAINING >10% ETHANOL, 20% BIODIESEL, OR THAT MEETS COMPATIBILITY CONCERN REQUIREMENTS – With the increased use of biofuels in the marketplace, there is an increasing concern regarding tank material compatibility.  The rule revision addresses this concern by requiring owners/operators to notify the regulatory agency at least 30 days prior to switching to a regulated substance containing greater than 10 percent ethanol, greater than 20 percent biodiesel, or any other fuel that the agency identifies as a concern.  The owner/operator must demonstrate material compatibility through a listing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, equipment manufacturer approval, or other method that the agency deems to be no less protective.  This change is effective immediately.
  9. INTERSTITIAL MONITORING RESULTS NOW REPORTABLE – As interstitial monitoring becomes a more widely used method of release detection, the EPA has clarified the rule to include its use.  Specifically, interstitial alarms are now considered an unusual operating condition under release reporting.  EPA adds an option to test secondary containment when present as a means of investigating and/or confirming a release.  The rule also adds an option for system closure if a test confirms a leak.   This portion of the rule revision is effective immediately.
  10. STATE PROGRAM APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS – States that receive monies from the EPA are required to address the changes made to 40 CFR 280 within 3 years of adoption.  Specifically, states must meet the delivery prohibition, operator training, and groundwater protection requirements contained within the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

As stated at the beginning of this article, this list is not a comprehensive or complete summary of the rule changes.  There are other key provisions and clarifications that are contained in the rule text and preamble.  Should you have any questions regarding your tank system and whether or not your facility is in compliance with the new rule, we suggest you contact our Eclipse Division for an evaluation and consultation.

Joel Hershey is the Director of Environmental Compliance Services, Inc. (ECS’) Eclipse Fuel System Management Division.  He has worked exclusively in the field of petroleum liquid storage systems since 1989.  His expertise includes compliance testing, diagnostics, petroleum construction, maintenance, and upgrades for both UST and AST systems.  During his career, Joel has held various positions, including Senior Petroleum Specialist, Operations Manager, and four years as Senior Vice President for Tanknology.  There he managed and executed upgrades for more than 6,800 facilities to meet the 1998 federal UST systems upgrades. He can be reached at (800) 789-3530 or jhershey@ecsconsult.com.

As always, feel free to contact us at 1.800.451.4021 with any questions.


We appreciate your business and thank you for your continued support!

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ATTENTION!! New Hampshire State Tank Laws

NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE TANK LAWS

Tanks

New Hampshire. Underground storage tank owners in the state have until December 22, 2015, to replace their single-walled UST systems with double-walled equipment to comply with a Department of Environmental Services (DES) rule passed nearly two decades ago. According to a story in The Union Leader, DES reports that 148 single-walled USTs remain in operation while another 597 systems either need to install under-dispenser containment or double-walled piping, or be closed. Another 134 heating oil tank systems either need to be upgraded or removed by December 22, 2015, as well. 

Call 800.451.4021 with any questions or to place your tank order today!

We appreciate your business and thank you for your continued support!

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