Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-14-5-.09 - Use And Management Of Containers

(1) Applicability. The regulations in 335-14-5-.09 apply to owners and operators of all hazardous waste facilities that store containers of hazardous waste, except as Rule 335-14-5-.01 provides otherwise.

(2) Condition of containers. If a container holding a hazardous waste is not in good condition (e.g., severe rusting, apparent structural defects) or if it begins to leak, the owner or operator must transfer the hazardous waste from this container to a container that is in good condition or manage the waste in some other way that complies with the requirements of 335-14-5.

(3) Compatibility of waste with containers. The owner or operator must use a container made of or lined with materials which will not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the hazardous waste to be stored, so that the ability of the container to contain the waste is not impaired.

(4) Management of containers.

(a) A container holding hazardous waste must always be closed during storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove waste.

(b) A container holding hazardous waste must not be opened, handled, or stored in a manner which may rupture the container or cause it to leak.

(c) Containers having a capacity greater than 30 gallons must not be stacked over two containers high.

(5) Inspections. At least weekly, the owner or operator must inspect areas where containers are stored, looking for leaking containers and for deterioration of containers and the containment system caused by corrosion or other factors. The owner or operator must also note the number and capacity of hazardous waste containers present. These inspections must be documented in accordance with Rule 335-14-5-.02(6)(d).

[Comment: See 335-14-5-.02(6) (c) and 335-14-5-.09(2) for remedial action required if deterioration or leaks are detected.]

(6) Containment.

(a) Container storage areas must have a containment system that is designed and operated in accordance with 335-14-5-.09(6)(b), except as otherwise provided by 335-14-5-.09(6) (c).

(b) A containment system must be designed and operated as follows:

1. A base must underlie the containers which is free of cracks or gaps and is sufficiently impervious to contain leaks, spills, and accumulated precipitation until the collected material is detected and removed;

2. The base must be sloped or the containment system must be otherwise designed and operated to drain and remove liquids resulting from leaks, spills, or precipitation, unless the containers are elevated or are otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquids;

3. The containment system must have sufficient capacity to contain 10% of the volume of containers or the volume of the largest container, whichever is greater. Containers that do not contain free liquids need not be considered in this determination;

4. Run-on into the containment system must be prevented unless the collection system has sufficient excess capacity in addition to that required in 335-14-5-.09(6) (b)3. to contain any run-on which might enter the system; and

5. Spilled or leaked waste must be removed from the sump or collection area in a timely manner not to exceed 24 hours after detection. Accumulated precipitation must be removed in as timely a manner necessary to prevent overflow of the collection system.

(c) Storage areas that store containers holding only wastes that do not contain free liquids need not have a containment system defined by 335-14-5-.09(6)(b), except as provided by 335-14-5-.09(6)(d) or provided that:

1. The storage area is sloped or is otherwise designed and operated to drain and remove liquid resulting from precipitation, or

2. The containers are elevated or are otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquid.

(d) Storage areas that store containers holding the wastes listed below that do not contain free liquids must have a containment system defined by 335-14-5-.09(6) (b):

1. F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, and F027;

2. [Reserved]

(7) Special requirements for ignitable or reactive waste. Containers holding ignitable or reactive waste must be located at least 15 meters (50 feet) from the facility's property line.

(8) Special requirements for incompatible wastes.

(a) Incompatible wastes, or incompatible wastes and materials (see 335-14-5 - Appendix V for examples), must not be placed in the same container unless 335-14-5-.02(8) (b) is complied with.

(b) Hazardous waste must not be placed in an unwashed container that previously held an incompatible waste or material.

(c) A storage container holding a hazardous waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials stored nearby in other containers, piles, open tanks, or surface impoundments must be separated from the other materials or protected from them by means of a dike, berm, wall or other device.

(9) Closure and post-closure care.

(a) At closure, all hazardous waste and hazardous waste residues must be removed from the containment system. Remaining containers, liners, bases, and soil containing or contaminated with hazardous waste or hazardous waste residues must be decontaminated or removed.

(b) If the owner or operator cannot remove or decontaminate all waste required by Rule 335-14-5-.09(9)(a), then the owner or operator must close the container storage area and perform post-closure care in accordance with the closure and post-closure care requirements that apply to landfills [Rule 335-14-5-.14(11) ].

(10) Air Emission Standards. The owner or operator shall manage all hazardous waste placed in a container in accordance with the applicable requirements of 335-14-5-.27, 335-14-5-.28, and 335-14-5-.29.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-14-5-.09

July 19, 1982. Amended: April 9, 1986; February 15, 1988; August 24, 1989; December 6, 1990. Amended: Filed November 30, 1994; effective January 5, 1995. Amended: Filed February 20, 1998; effective March 27, 1998. Amended: Filed March 9, 2001; effective April 13, 2001. Amended: Filed February 8, 2002; effective March 15, 2002. Amended: Filed February 27, 2007; effective April 3, 2007. Amended: Filed April 22, 2008; effective May 27, 2008. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2018, eff. 4/7/2018. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2020, eff. 4/13/2020.

Authors: Stephen C. Maurer, James W. Hathcock, C. Edwin Johnston, Michael B. Champion, Theresa A. Maines, Heather M. Jones; Vernon H. Crockett, Sonja B. Favors, Brent A. Watson

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-30-11, 22-30-16.