34 Pa. Code § 14a.26 - Testing
(a) Before being
covered or placed in use, tanks and the piping connected thereto shall be
tested for tightness. Tanks shall be tested hydrostatically, by air pressure,
or by other methods approved by the fire marshal, at not less than 3 psig nor
more than 5 psig When the vertical length of the fill and vent pipes is such
that when filled with liquid the static head imposed upon the bottom of the
tank exceeds 10 psig, the tank and related piping shall be tested
hydrostatically to a pressure equal to the static head thus imposed. This test
shall be maintained for at least 30 minutes with no drop in pressure or for a
sufficient time to complete visual inspection of all joints and
connections.
(b) When seepage or
vapors in the vicinity of an underground tank, or an accumulation of water in
the tank, or if the proximity of the tank to an area of unconfined flammable or
combustible liquids or vapors indicate a tank as an obvious or likely source,
or where unexplainable losses exceed 3/4 of 1.0% of the average monthly
receipts, the fire marshal shall be notified and he may require the immediate
testing of the tanks. Such testing shall be by approved methods of "standpipe"
testing or an approved testing device capable of detecting leaks as small as
.05 gallons in one hour, adjusted for variables. Costs attendant to such tests
shall be the responsibility of the owners of the tanks. Test records shall be
kept for a period of at least 1 year.
(c) In those cases where daily inventory
records indicate unexplainable losses exceeding 3/4 of 1.0% of the average
monthly receipts, the following steps shall be taken in an expeditious manner
prior to tank testing.
(1) The inventory
record shall be rechecked for error.
(2) If no error is apparent, an independent
calculation of apparent loss shall be made starting from a point in time where
the records indicate a no loss condition.
(3) If paragraph (2) confirms an apparent
loss, the readily accessible physical facilities on the premises shall be
carefully inspected for evidence of leakage.
(4) If paragraph (3) does not disclose a
leak, the dispensing devices used for the particular product involved in the
apparent loss shall be checked for calibration.
(5) If paragraph (4) does not explain the
loss, and if the piping system can be tested without the need for excavation,
the piping system between the storage tank and dispensers shall be tested under
§
14a.58 (relating to testing).
If it is necessary to excavate to perform a piping test, such a test shall be conducted after a storage tank test has been performed under subsection (b).
(6) If
paragraph (5) does not disclose a leak, the storage tanks shall be tested for
tightness under subsection (b).
(7)
If any of the tests in paragraphs (1) to (6) or investigations indicate the
source of the loss, the owner shall take immediate action to correct the system
failure.
(d) If
paragraphs (1)-(7) do not confirm the apparent loss, the daily inventory shall
be continued with a daily independent verification. Additional surveillance of
the facility should be engaged to insure against unauthorized removal of the
product.
(e) Air pressure tests of
tanks or piping containing flammable or combustible liquids are
prohibited.
Notes
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