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The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducts periodic inspections of regulated facilities to ensure aboveground and underground tanks are properly maintained, tested, and inspections are being conducted by the fuel tank operators. Facility owners and operators should conduct these testing and inspections within the required time frame in order to stay in compliance.
Frequent Questions & Answers
How often do I need to test my underground and aboveground storage tank?
Generally, fuel tank should be inspected monthly by a certified operator and the released detection equipment should be third party tested annually according to Chapter 62-761, F.A.C. for Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and Chapter 62-762, F.A.C. for Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs).
The DEP requires the following components to be inspected to ensure proper operation and prevent leaks and spills of regulated products:
o Release Detection - Electronic Devices
Electronic release detection devices shall be inspected for proper operation every month. A record or summary of the alarm history, sensor status and testing results shall be printed from the device and kept for 3 years. If the device does not have print capability, then a manual log must be maintained.
o Release Detection - Emergency Generators
Release detection is now required for underground storage tank systems that store fuel for use by emergency power generators.
o Annual Operability Testing - Release Detection Devices & Overfill Protection Equipment
All release detection devices must be tested for operability annually at Intervals not exceeding 12 months to ensure proper operation and be registered with the Department.
Effective October 13, 2019, owners and operators must designate a primary overfill device. Secondary overfill devices cannot interfere with the proper operation of the designated primary device. The designated primary overfill device must be registered with the FDEP and perform annual operability testing at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
o Periodic Integrity Testing
Periodic testing of storage tank system components shall occur according to the following schedule:
a. Single-walled spill containment systems – once a year, not to exceed 12 months.
b. Piping sumps, dispenser sumps, double-walled spill containment systems - every three years, not to exceed 36 months.
c. Piping and dispenser sumps over the surface waters of the state shall be tested every three years
thereafter, not to exceed 36 months.
o Repairs, Operation and Maintenance
Storage tank system equipment shall be maintained in sound operational condition to reduce the likelihood of releases and incidents. Corrosion of metal components must be minimized by periodic maintenance. Water in excess of one inch in depth or any regulated substances collected in secondary containment shall be removed within 72 hours of discovery and properly disposed
What equipment should be inspected as part of the visual AST (Above-ground Storage Tank) Site Inspection?
• Tank Man Ways
• Tank Coating Integrity
• Tank Interstitial
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Signage
• Primary & Secondary Vents
• Remote Fill with Valves
• Overfill Prevention
• Piping Integrity
• Fuel Dispenser Integrity
• Belts, Meter Calibration
• Registers, Hose Retractor
• Dispenser Hose
• Hose Break-A-Way
• Filter Integrity
• Swivel Integrity
• Nozzle Integrity
• Submersible Pump Condition
• Leak Detector Tested
• Dispenser Sump Integrity
• Conduit and Wiring Integrity
• Emergency Shut-Off
• Tank Management System
• Fire Extinguisher
• Gauges
How do I document the Tank Inspections and Certification?
Upon completion of inspection, the contractor or certified operator must provide a detailed report with the following:
1. Detailed information on the condition of the tank, accessories, and appurtenances.
2. Detailed information concerning required and recommended repairs and renovations.
3. Drawings detailing the inspection information and color pictures illustrating the inspection findings.
4. Comparison and analysis of the tank’s current condition with the original tank fabrication conditions.
Don Woods Inc. can conduct a complimentary site evaluation. We will develop a schedule for the required testing and inspection to ensure your site is in compliance with the Florida DEP regulations. Our technicians are highly trained and certified by most of the release detection equipment manufacturers.
Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Removal
Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs) and Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) no longer in used or beyond their life expectancy should be properly removed or closed in place in accordance with federal, state and local regulations. A large number of tank removals are conducted by the sellers as part of a real estate transaction.
The following are common steps for a proper Underground Tank Removal (UST)
· Apply for necessary permits (tank removal, trench permit, etc.)
· Notify regulating agency 48-72 hour prior to the removal
· Obtain a utility clearance for the work area (identify underground utilities)
· Prepare a confined space entry permit & a site-specific health and safety plan
· Provide retrieval system, ventilation equipment, supplied air system, communication equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), lighting, safety barriers, ladders, etc.
· Conduct a pre-removal at the site evaluation
· Obtain a sample of liquid present within the UST for subsequent analysis to identify proper disposal facility
· Remove, transport and properly dispose of regulated product
· Excavate to top of UST while stockpiling excavated materials to prevent loss and mixing with other materials until completion of initial soils testing
· Remove tank-top appurtenances and associated piping
· Preform pre-entry atmospheric testing
· Enter tank to clean in accordance with applicable API standards and remove and dispose of non-pumpable tank bottom sludge
· Clean tank bottom with absorption pads to remove residual fluids
· Arrange a UST inspection with the State Agency
· Remove UST from the excavation and place on the ground adjacent to the removal location (use plastic to place tank)
· Load UST onto a truck and deliver to a licensed tank disposal facility
· Collect soil samples from the UST excavation area (sidewalls, pit bottom and piping area)
· Submit soil samples to a state-certified lab
· Backfill and compact excavation with clean fill to grade
· Restore surface area disturbed during the UST removal
· Submit new tank registration to update the state UST database
· Provide outcome report including environmental assessment and disposal documentation
The following are common steps for a proper Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Removal
· Apply for necessary permits (tank removal, etc.)
· Notify regulating agency 48-72 hours prior to the removal
· Prepare a confined space entry permit & a site-specific health and safety plan
· Provide retrieval system, ventilation equipment, supplied-air system, communication equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), lighting, safety barriers, ladders, etc.
· Conduct a pre-removal at the site evaluation
· Obtain a sample of liquid present within the AST for subsequent analysis to identify proper disposal facility
· Remove, transport, and properly dispose of regulated product
· Remove tank-top appurtenances and associated piping
· Perform pre-entry atmospheric testing
· Enter tank to clean in accordance with applicable API standards and remove and dispose of non-pumpable tank bottom sludge
· Clean tank bottom with absorption pads to remove residual fluids
· Arrange a AST inspection with the State Agency
· Load UST onto truck and deliver to a licensed tank disposal facility
· In the event the AST is in direct contact with the soil samples an submit to a state certify lab
· Submit new tank registration to update the state AST database
· Provide outcome report including environmental assessment (if required) and disposal documentation
What is the state of Florida storage tank law?
The applicable rule is Chapter 62-761, F.A.C. for Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and Chapter 62-762, F.A.C. for Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs). These are the statewide petroleum storage tank codes for Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) and Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs), respectively.
Is a special permit require for the removal of storage tanks ?
For regulated tank the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requires a 30-day written notification and 48-hour’s notice prior to the removal in accordance with 62-761 and 62-762, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
What kinds of tanks are regulated?
Above ground pollutant storage tanks (ASTs) with capacity greater than 550 gallons. Underground petroleum and hazardous substance tanks (USTs) with capacity greater than 110 gallons. Residential USTs greater than 1100 gallons (Federal Regulation); otherwise all residential tanks (including but not limited to propane tanks, heating oil tanks, etc.) are exempt from regulation. See section 300 of Chapter 62-761, F.A.C. for applicability and exemptions, and Section 200 for definitions.
How do I dispose of residential heating oil tanks at my house?
These tanks are unregulated, meaning a licensed contractor is not required for removal. However, the tank should be pumped and cleaned prior to the removal, the product (fuel and sludge) remaining in the tanks has to be property managed, transported and disposed of; a soil assessment should be conducted to determine if a leak has occurred; in the event of a leak, the cleanups are regulated under the cleanup rule, so care must be taken during removal to insure the safety of the contractor and homeowner and to prevent spills. We recommend that and ensured and experienced tank contractors be used for the removals.
What kinds of spills require cleanup?
You must report a sheen or free product in the water or soils on or near a regulated facility (one with regulated storage tanks), the results of analytical data from soil or groundwater showing concentrations of regulated substances above State guidelines, or the release of 25 gallons of petroleum or petroleum products to soil or other pervious surface, regardless of the source. If, after a spill or release is reported, our cleanup section determines a contamination problem exists, as defined in Chapter 62-780, Florida Administrative Code, cleanup will be required.
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