Code of practice for storage tank systems containing petroleum and allied products: part 4


Part 4: design and installation of underground storage tank systems

Section 4.1: scope

4.1.1 This part applies to the design and installation of a new underground storage tank system.

Section 4.2: general requirements

4.2.1 Except as provided in this part, the design, fabrication and installation of an underground storage tank system shall be in conformance with part 4 of the National Fire Code of Canada (NFCC).

4.2.2 An underground storage tank, components, and accessories, for which there is a recognized standard, shall be approved only for the uses indicated by the standard.

4.2.3 An underground storage tank system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, the appropriate standards, and this code.

4.2.4(1) Except as specified in sentence (2), an underground storage tank system shall be designed and installed to have:

  1. double-wall tank(s) with monitorable interstitial space;
  2. an overfill protection device;
  3. a fill pipe spill containment device;
  4. containment sumps, as applicable;
  5. leak detection in conformance with part 6;
  6. except for venting purposes, liquidand vapour-tight connections, caps and adapters; and
  7. corrosion protection, as applicable.

4.2.4(2) An underground storage tank system for storing used oil shall be designed and installed to have:

  1. double-wall tank(s) with monitorable interstitial space;
  2. corrosion protection;
  3. a 50 mm (2 in) schedule 40 suction pipe, for product removal that can be removed for the purpose of clearing a blockage;
  4. product removal or transfer connections located within a spill containment device;
  5. an overfill protection device where the storage tank is filled by pump or remote manual fill;
  6. where the fill port is outside, it shall be fitted with a spill containment device having a capacity of at least 25 L and the spill containment device shall be fitted with:
    1. a rain cover; and
    2. a screen to prevent nuts, bolts, rags, and other such objects from entering the storage tank;
  7. in-take venting with an open area at least twice the open area of the suction pipe as specified in 4.2.4(2)(c) to avoid vacuum collapse from high rate of product removal; and
  8. leak detection in conformance with part 6.

4.2.5 A company or individual that is authorized by the authority having jurisdiction shall verify that the design and installation of an underground storage tank system meets the requirements of this code or other requirements as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction.

4.2.6 An underground storage tank system shall be installed by a company or individual that is authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.

4.2.7 An underground storage tank shall be located and maintained to permit the eventual removal of the storage tanks when the storage tank system is taken out-of-service. (See appendix B, note B.4.2.7)

4.2.8(1) The owner of an underground storage tank system shall provide an as-built drawing to the authority having jurisdiction in the manner and time frame as specified by the authority having jurisdiction.

4.2.8(2) As-built drawings for an underground storage tank system shall include, as a minimum:

  1. the outline of all storage tanks;
  2. the centerline of all piping or pipinggroups;
  3. the centerline of all underground electrical power and monitor sensor conduit;
  4. building foundation outlines;
  5. secondary containment systems; and
  6. property lines.

4.2.9(1) No person shall install an underground storage tank system unless:

  1. required permits or approvals have been obtained from the authority having jurisdiction;
  2. plans, drawings and specifications of the system or equipment have been examined by the a uthority having jurisdiction; and
  3. the plans, drawings and specifications referred to in clause 3.2.8(1)(b) bear the stamp and signature of a professional engineer licensed to practice in the province/territory.

Section 4.3: design standards

4.3.1(1) An underground storage tank shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with the following:

  1. Canada/Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (CAN/ULC)-S603-1992, "Underground Steel Tanks";
  2. ULC-S615-1998, "Underground Reinforced Plastic Tanks";
  3. ORD-C58.10-1992, "Underground Jacketed Steel Tanks";
  4. ULC-S652-1993, "Tank Assemblies for Collection of Used Oil"; or
  5. CAN/ULC-S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks".

4.3.2 An overfill protection device shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with ORD-C58.15-1992, "Overfill Protection Devices for Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks".

4.3.3 A spill containment device shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with ORD-C58.19-1992, "Spill Containment Devices for Underground Tanks".

4.3.4 A dispenser sump shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with ORDC107.21-1992, "Under-Dispenser Sumps".

4.3.5 A Liner shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with ORD-C58.9-1997, "Secondary Containment Liners for Underground and Aboveground Tanks".

4.3.6(1) Subject to part 6, a leak detection device shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with one of the following:

  1. ORD-C58.12-1992, "Leak Detection Devices (Volumetric Type) for Underground Storage Tanks"; or
  2. ORD-C58.14-1992, "Leak Detection Devices (Nonvolumetric) for Underground Tanks".

4.3.6(2) Subject to part 6, a leak detection method shall be in conformance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/530/UST-90/007, "Standard Test Procedures for Evaluating Leak Detection Methods: Statistical Inventory Reconciliation Methods".

4.3.7(1) A storage tank designed to contain a llied petroleum products may be constructed of materials other than steel when necessitated by the properties of the liquid stored and approved for use with that liquid.

4.3.7(2) A storage tank shall:

  1. be designed, built, and approved in conformance with:
  2. CAN/ULC-S603-1992, "Underground Steel Tanks";
    1. CAN/ULC-S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks"; or
    2. ORD-C58.10-1992, "Underground Jacketed Steel Tanks".
  3. be constructed of materials compatible with the liquid to be stored; and
  4. have corrosion protection in conformance with section 4.5.

4.3.8(1) Secondary containment for underground storage tanks shall be designed, built, and approved in conformance with:

  1. for a double-wall steel storage tank, CAN/ULC-S603-1992, "Underground Steel Tanks";
  2. for a double-wall fibreglass-reinforced plastic storage tank, ULC-S615-1998, "Underground Reinforced Plastic Tanks"; or
  3. for a jacketed-steel storage tank, ORDC58.10-1992 "Underground Jacketed Steel Tanks".

Section 4.4: installation

4.4.1(1) Petroleum or allied petroleum products shall not be placed in an underground storage tank until:

  1. a fill pipe and vent line have been installed in the tank; and
  2. all other openings have been sealed or piping systems have been installed in accordance with their operational requirements.

Section 4.5 : corrosion protection of underground steel storage tank systems

4.5.1(1) A steel underground storage tank system shall be provided with corrosion protection in conformance with:

  1. CAN/ULC-S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks" including appendices;
  2. a storage tank built in conformance with CAN/ULC-S603-1992, "Underground Steel Tanks" and coated in conformance with CAN/ULC-S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks" shall be provided with a cathodic protection system designed by a corrosion expert to conform with:
    1. Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI/PACE Report 87-1, "Impressed Current Method of Cathodic Protection of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks"; or
    2. NACE International (NACE) RP0285-2002, "Corrosion Control of Underground Storage Tank Systems by Cathodic Protection";
  3. a storage tank with the entire primary tank surface encased in the interstice of a non-corrodible jacket built in conformance with ORD-C58.10-1992, "Underground Jacketed Steel Tanks"; or
  4. a storage tank with the entire primary tank surface encased in a non-corrodible jacket built in conformance with ORDC58.20-1996 "Special Corrosion Protection Underground Tanks."

4.5.2(1) Except for a storage tank jacketed in conformance with ORD-C58.10-1992 "Underground Jacketed Steel Tanks" or ORD-C58.20-1996 "Special Corrosion Protection Underground Tanks" or installed in a vault with backfill, the cathodic protection system on all new installations of steel underground storage tank system s shall be tested for electrical isolation and system effectiveness after final backfilling in order to allow any corrective measures to be completed before final grading and placement of asphalt or concrete covers, as applicable.

4.5.2(2) A cathodic protection system shall meet the requirements of section 8.6 of this code.

4.5.2(3) When a cathodic protection system does not satisfy the requirements as specified in section 8.6, the owner shall take corrective action in accordance with the recommendations of a corrosion expert.

4.5.2(4) The owner of a underground storage tank system shall, upon completion of the installation, ensure that the cathodic protection system meets the requirements as specified in section 8.6 and report in writing to the authority having jurisdiction the measured voltage potential(s) and whether or not cathodic protection has been achieved.

4.5.3(1) A new steel storage tank added to an existing system that already has an impressed current cathodic protection system shall:

  1. be in conformance with CAN/ULCS603-1992, "Underground Steel Tanks"; and
  2. be electrically bonded into the impressed current cathodic protection system. (See appendix B, note B.4.5.3(1)(b))

4.5.3(2) When a new storage tank built in conformance with CAN/ULC-S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks" is installed near an existing CAN/ULC S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks" storage tank, precautions shall be taken to ensure both the new and existing tanks are adequately protected. (See appendix B, note B.4.5.3(2))

4.5.4(1) Impressed current cathodic protection shall be interlocked in such a manner that if the cathodic-protection system is turned off or bypassed either:

  1. power to the pump will be shut off; or
  2. audible and visual alarms will be turned on.

4.5.5 Impressed current cathodic-protection systems shall be equipped with a running time or a downtime totalizer. (See appendix B, note B.4.5.5)

4.5.6(1) Cathodically protected storage tanks shall be installed with:

  1. test wires brought to the surface and fastened at an accessible location; or
  2. a permanent reference electrode and approvedmonitoring station, including test wires for each tank.

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