Statutes, codes, and regulations
Alabama Administrative Code
Title 335 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTWATER DIVISION - WATER QUALITY PROGRAM
Chapter 335-6-15 - TECHNICAL STANDARDS, CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
Section 335-6-15-.48 - UST Systems With Field-Constructed Tanks And UST Systems With Airport Hydrant Fuel Distribution Systems

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-6-15-.48

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Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
Section 335-6-15-.48 - UST Systems With Field-Constructed Tanks And UST Systems With Airport Hydrant Fuel Distribution Systems
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this rule, owners and operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems must comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(a) For UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems installed before December 8, 2017, the requirements are effective according to the following schedule:

Requirement

Effective Date

Notification (rule 335-6-15-.05)

December 8, 2018

Upgrading (rule 335-6-15-.07 and this rule)

October 13, 2018

General Operating Requirements (rules 335-6-15-.09 through 335-6-15-.13 and this rule)

October 13, 2018

Release Detection (rules 335-6-15-.14 through 335-6-15-.19 and this rule)

October 13, 2018

Release Reporting, Response, and Investigation (rules 335-6-15-.20 through 335-6-15-.32)

December 8, 2017

Closure (rules 335-6-15-.34 through 335-6-15-.37)

December 8, 2017

Financial Responsibility (rules 335-6-15-.43 through 335-6-15-.44 and this rule)

October 13, 2018

Operator Training (rule 335-6-15-.46)

October 13, 2018

(b) For UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems installed on or after December 8, 2017, all the requirements of this chapter apply at installation.
(c) In addition to codes of practice developed by nationally recognized associations or independent testing laboratories allowed in rule 335-6-15-.06, owners and operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems may also use military construction criteria when designing, constructing, and installing UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems.
(2) Owners and operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems must comply with the following additions, exceptions, and alternatives.
(a) Exception to piping secondary containment requirements. Owners and operators may use single walled underground piping when installing underground piping associated with UST systems with field-constructed tanks with a nominal capacity greater than 50,000 gallons, and underground piping associated with UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems. Underground piping associated with UST systems with field-constructed tanks less than or equal to a nominal capacity of 50,000 gallons and not part of an UST system with airport hydrant fuel distribution system must meet the secondary containment requirements in rule 335-6-15-.06(b) at installation.
(b) Upgrade requirements for UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems where installation commenced before December 8, 2017. These UST systems must meet the following upgrade requirements no later than October 13, 2018, or be permanently closed in accordance with rules 335-6-15-.34 through 335-6-15-.37 of this chapter:
1. Corrosion protection. UST system components in contact with the ground that routinely contain regulated substances must meet one of the following:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (2)(a) of this rule, the UST system performance standards for new underground storage tanks in rule 335-6-15-.06(a) and for new underground piping in rule 335-6-15-.06(b); or
(ii) Be constructed of metal and cathodically protected according to a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory and meet the following:
(I) The cathodic protection requirements in rule 335-6-15-.06(a)2.(ii), (iii), and (iv) for underground storage tanks, and rule 335-6-15-.06(b)2.(ii), (iii), and (iv) for underground piping,
(II) Underground storage tanks greater than 10 years old without cathodic protection must be assessed to ensure the underground storage tank is structurally sound and free of corrosion holes prior to adding cathodic protection in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory. The assessment must be by internal inspection or another method determined by the Department to adequately assess the underground storage tank for structural soundness and corrosion holes.
2. Spill and overfill prevention. To prevent spilling and overfilling associated with product transfer to the UST system, all UST systems with field-constructed tanks and all UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems must comply with the spill and overfill prevention equipment requirements specified in rule 335-6-15-.06(c).
(c) Walkthrough inspections. In addition to the walkthrough inspection requirements in rule 335-6-15-.09(2), owners and operators must inspect the following additional areas for UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems at least once every 30 days if confined space entry according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (see 29 CFR part 1910) is not required or at least annually if confined space entry is required, and keep documentation of the walkthrough inspection in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.13(b)11:
1. Hydrant pits - visually check for any damage; remove any liquid or debris; and check for any leaks, and
2. Hydrant piping vaults - check for any hydrant piping leaks.
(d) Methods of release detection for UST systems with field-constructed tanks. Owners and operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks with a capacity less than or equal to 50,000 gallons must meet the release detection requirements in rules 335-6-15-.14 through 335-6-15-.19. Owners and operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks with a capacity greater than 50,000 gallons must meet either the requirements in rules 335-6-15-.14 through 335-6-15-.19 (except rule 335-6-15-.17(e) and (f) must be combined with inventory control as stated in subparagraph (2)(d)5. of this rule) or use one or a combination of the following alternative methods of release detection:
1. Conduct an annual tank tightness test in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(c) except that the test equipment must be able to detect a 0.5 gallon per hour leak rate;
2. Use an automatic tank gauging system to perform release detection performed at least every 30 days in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(d) except that the test equipment must be able to detect a leak rate less than or equal to one gallon per hour. This method must be combined with a tank tightness test performed at least every three years in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(c) except that the test equipment must be able to detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate;
3. Use an automatic tank gauging system to perform release detection performed at least every 30 days in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(d) except that the test equipment must be able to detect a leak rate less than or equal to two gallons per hour. This method must be combined with a tank tightness test performed at least every two years in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(c) except that the test equipment must be able to detect a 0.2 gallon per hour leak rate;
4. Perform vapor monitoring at least every two years in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(e) for a tracer compound placed in the underground storage tank system capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour leak rate;
5. Perform inventory control at least every 30 days conducted in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 4140.25; ATA Airport Fuel Facility Operations and Maintenance Guidance Manual; or equivalent procedures that can detect a leak equal to or less than 0.5 percent of flow-through; and
(i) Perform a tank tightness test at least every two years in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(c) except that the test equipment must be able to detect a 0.5 gallon per hour leak rate; or
(ii) Perform vapor monitoring or groundwater monitoring at least every 30 days conducted in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(e) or (f), respectively, for the stored regulated substance.
6. Use another method approved by the Department if the owner and operator can demonstrate that the method can detect a release as effectively as any of the methods allowed in subparagraphs (2)(d)1. through 5. of this rule. In comparing methods, the Department shall consider the size of release that the method can detect and the frequency and reliability of detection.
(e) Methods of release detection for underground piping. Owners and operators of underground piping associated with UST systems with field-constructed tanks less than or equal to 50,000 gallons must meet the release detection requirements in rules 335-6-15-.14 through 335-6-15-.19. Owners and operators of underground piping associated with UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems greater than 50,000 gallons must follow either the requirements in rules 335-6-15-.14 through 335-6-15-.19 (except rule 335-6-15-.17(e) and (f) must be combined with inventory control as stated in subparagraph (2)(e)3. of this rule) or use one or a combination of the following alternative methods of release detection:
1. Perform a semiannual or annual line tightness test in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.18(b) except that the test equipment must be able to perform a test at or above the underground piping operating pressure in accordance with the table below:

Maximum Leak Detection Rate Per Test Section Volume

Test Section Volume (Gallons)

Semiannual Test - Leak Detection Rate Not To Exceed (Gallons Per Hour)

Annual Test -Leak Detection Rate Not To Exceed (Gallons Per Hour)

< 50,000

1.0

0.5

>= 50,000 to < 75,000

1.5

0.75

>=75,000 to < 100,000

2.0

1.0

>= 100,000

3.0

1.5

And underground piping segment volumes greater than or equal to 100,000 gallons not capable of meeting the maximum 3.0 gallon per hour leak rate for the semiannual test may be tested at a leak rate up to 6.0 gallons per hour according to the following schedule:

Phase In For Underground Piping Segments >= 100,000 Gallons In Volume

First test

Not later than October 12, 2018 (may use up to 6.0 gph leak rate)

Second test

Between October 12, 2018 and October 12, 2021 (may use up to 6.0 gph leak rate)

Third test

Between October 12, 2021 and October 12, 2022 (must use 3.0 gph for leak rate)

Subsequent tests

After October 12, 2022

(begin using semiannual or annual line testing according to the Maximum Leak Detection Rate Per Test Section Volume table above)

2. Perform vapor monitoring at least every two years in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(e) for a tracer compound placed in the underground storage tank system capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour leak rate;
3. Perform inventory control at least every 30 days conducted in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 4140.25; ATA Airport Fuel Facility Operations and Maintenance Guidance Manual; or equivalent procedures that can detect a leak equal to or less than 0.5 percent of flow-through; and
(i) Perform a line tightness test at least every two years conducted in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.18(b) and subparagraph (2)(e)1. of this rule using the leak rates for the semiannual test; or
(ii) Perform vapor monitoring or groundwater monitoring at least every 30 days conducted in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.17(e) and (f), respectively, for the stored regulated substance;
4. Use another method approved by the Department if the owner and operator can demonstrate that the method can detect a release as effectively as any of the methods allowed in subparagraphs (2)(e)1. through 3. of this rule. In comparing methods, the Department shall consider the size of release that the method can detect and the frequency and reliability of detection.
(f) Recordkeeping for release detection. Owners and operators of UST systems with field-constructed tanks and UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution systems must maintain release detection records according to the recordkeeping requirements in rule 335-6-15-.19(b)3.
(g) Applicability of closure requirements to previously closed UST systems. When directed by the Department, the owner and operator of an UST system with field-constructed tanks or UST systems with airport hydrant fuel distribution system permanently closed before December 8, 2017 must assess the excavation zone and permanently close the UST system in accordance with rules 335-6-15-.34 through 335-6-15-.37 if releases from the UST system may, in the judgment of the Department, pose a current or potential threat to human health and the environment.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-6-15-.48

Effective April 5, 1989. Amended: Filed August 28, 2003; effective October 2, 2003. Amended (Rule number only): Filed March 21, 2008; effective April 25, 2008. Amended (Rule number only): Filed October 20, 2009; effective November 24, 2009. Amended (only changed rule number): Filed December 12, 2011; effective January 16, 2012.
Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVI, Issue No. 02, November 30, 2017, eff. 12/8/2017.
Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 01, October 31, 2018, eff. 12/7/2018.

Was previously Rule 335-6-15-.48, rule renumbered as pre certification filed August 28, 2003; effective October 2, 2003. Was previously Rule 335-6-15-.45, rule renumbered as per certification filed March 21, 2008. Rule .46 was renumbered to .47 as per certification filed October 20, 2009; effective November 24, 2009. Rule .47 was renumbered to .48 as per certification filed December 12, 2011; effective January 16, 2012.

Authors: Curt Johnson, Lee Davis

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-36-3.