Ariz. Admin. Code § R3-7-1004 - Application Requirements and Process for Authority to Construct Plan Approval

A. A person shall not begin to construct a stage I vapor recovery system or to make a modification of an existing stage I vapor recovery system before applying for and obtaining an Authority to Construct permit. A modification is:

1. Adding or replacing a gasoline storage tank that is equipped with a stage I vapor recovery system;

2. Modifying, adding, or replacing vent piping; or

3. Conducting construction at the tank top that exposes stage I or stage II vapor recovery piping.

B. A person shall file with the Division a written change order, using a form provided by the Division, to obtain a modification of the approved vapor recovery system or component if a modification is needed after the Division issues an Authority to Construct permit. The person shall not make any modification until the Division approves the change order.

C. To obtain an Authority to Construct permit, a person shall submit to the Division, on a form provided by the Division, the following:

1. The name, address, and telephone number of any owner, operator, and proposed contractor, if known;

2. The name of the stage I vapor recovery system or component to be installed along with the CARB certification for that system or component;

3. The street address of the site where construction or modification will take place with an estimated timetable for construction or modification;

4. A copy of a blueprint or scaled site plan for the vapor recovery system or component including all stage I vapor recovery equipment and stage I vapor recovery piping detail; and

5. The application fee specified under R3-7-1006.

D. A person shall ensure that an installed or modified stage I vapor recovery system meets the following requirements:

1. Has CARB-certified product and vapor adaptors that prevent loosening or over-tightening of the stage I product and vapor adaptors;

2. Consists of a two-point stage I system with separate fill and vapor connection points. Coaxial stage I vapor recovery systems shall not be used;

3. Has a submerged fill pipe that has the fill pipe's highest point of discharge no more than six inches from the tank bottom;

4. Has no tank containing motor fuel other than gasoline connected to the vapor piping;

5. Has vapor piping with a minimum 1/8 inch slope per foot from the vent riser to the tank;

5. 6. Uses cement that is resistant to deterioration from exposure to water, hydrocarbons, and alcohol to join all pipes;

6. 7. Has tank vent pipes that extend at least 12 feet above the elevation of the stage I fill points;

7. 8. Has tank vent pipes with a minimum inside diameter of:

a. Two inches if the pipe is not manifolded, or

b. Three inches from the point of manifold for a single vent line;

8. 9. Has pressure vacuum vent valves that are attached to the tank vent pipes by a threaded connection;

9. 10. If a gasoline tank is installed in an enclosed vault, has an emergency vent in addition to the pressure vacuum vent valve required under subsection (D)(9);

10. 11. Has risers into gasoline storage tanks that are covered with caps approved by Underwriters Laboratories;

11. 12. Has lead wires for instrumentation that pass through a leak-tight grommet with a compression fitting suitable for exposure to gasoline vapors;

12. 13. Has storage tank vent pipes and fill and vapor manhole tops that are painted a color that minimizes solar gain and has a Light Reflectance Value ("LRV") of at least 55%, according to the following principles:

a. Reflectivity shall be determined by visually comparing the paint with paint-color cards obtained from a paint manufacturer that uses either the Master Palette system to specify the paint color (e.g. 58YY 88/180, where "88" represents the paint reflectivity percentage), or notes the LRV for a specific color;

b. Examples of colors have a LRV of at least 55% include, but are not limited to, yellow, light gray, aluminum, tan, red iron oxide, cream or pale blue, light green, glossy gray, light blue, light pink, light cream, white, silver, beige, tin plate, and mirrored finish;

c. A manhole cover that is color coded for product identification is exempt from this subsection; and

13. 14. Complies with other requirements outlined in the Authority to Construct permit.

E. After review and approval of the Authority to Construct application, the Division shall issue the Authority to Construct permit and mail or e-mail the permit to the address indicated on the application.

1. A copy of the Authority to Construct permit shall be maintained at the facility during construction so that it is accessible for Division review.

2. Construction of a stage I vapor recovery system or component at a site not having an Authority to Construct permit, shall be stopped and no further installation work done until an Authority to Construct permit is obtained.

3. An Authority to Construct permit is not transferable.

F. The Division shall deny an Authority to Construct application for any of the following reasons:

1. Providing incomplete, false, or misleading information; or

2. Failing to meet the requirements stated in this Chapter.

G. If excavation is involved, the Division may visually inspect the stage I underground piping of a gasoline dispensing site before the piping is buried for compliance with the Authority to Construct permit. The owner or operator of a vapor recovery system or component shall give the Division notice by e-mail at least two business days before the underground piping is complete to schedule the inspection. The Division may require the owner or operator to excavate all piping not inspected before burial if the owner or operator does not give the required two business days' notice.

H. After construction is complete, a person who has a valid Authority to Construct permit may dispense gasoline for up to 90 days before final approval if an initial inspection is scheduled according to R3-7-1005.

I. An Authority to Construct permit expires one year from the date of issue or when a gasoline dispensing site is placed into service following installation or modification of an approved vapor recovery system, whichever is sooner.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R3-7-1004

Adopted by final rulemaking at 23 A.A.R. 2280, effective 10/2/2017. Amended by final rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 442, effective 3/5/2023.