Section 18 AAC 78.060 - Release detection requirements for USTs(a) The owner or operator of a UST shall provide a method, or combination of methods, of release detection that (1) can detect a release from any portion of the tank and the connected underground piping that routinely contains petroleum;(2) is installed and calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;(3) meets the performance requirements in 18 AAC 78.065, 18 AAC 78.070, or 18 AAC 78.705, with any performance claims and the manner of determination described in writing by the equipment manufacturer or installer;(4) is capable of detecting a leak as specified in 18 AAC 78.065(c), (d), (e), (i), or (j), 18 AAC 78.070(b), (c), or (d), or 18 AAC 78.705 with a probability of detection of 95 percent and a probability of false alarm of five percent; and(5) is operated and maintained, and electronic and mechanical components are tested for proper operation, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, a nationally recognized code of practice, or requirements determined by the department to be no less protective of human health and the environment than the requirements listed in (1) and (2) of this subsection: as follows, the owner or operator shall perform a test of the proper operation at least annually and, at a minimum, as applicable to the facility, shall cover the following components and criteria: (A) the owner or operator shall test the automatic tank gauge and other controllers, including a test of the alarm, verification of system configuration, and a test of the battery backup:(B) the owner or operator shall test the probes and sensors, including an inspection for residual buildup, shall ensure that floats move freely, shall ensure that the shaft is not damaged, shall ensure that cables are free of kinks and breaks, shall test alarm operability and communication with the controller, and shall remove probes from the tank to be properly inspected;(C) the owner or operator shall test the operation of the automatic line leak detector to meet criteria in 18 AAC 78.070(b) by simulating a leak;(D) the owner or operator shall test vacuum pumps and pressure gauges to ensure proper communication with sensors and the controller;(E) the owner or operator shall test hand-held electronic sampling equipment associated with groundwater and vapor monitoring to ensure proper operation; and(F) to meet the requirements of this paragraph, an owner or operator shall ensure that one of the following is used: (i) Petroleum Equipment Institute Publication RP1200-12, Recommended Practices (or the Testing and Verification of Spill. Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities, 2012, adopted by reference; or(ii) another procedure, code, or standard that is no less protective of human health and safety and the environment and approved by the department.(b) When a release detection method operated in accordance with the performance standards in 18 AAC 78.065, 18 AAC 78.070, or 18 AAC 78.700 - 18 AAC 78.705 indicates a release may have occurred, the owner or operator shall notify the department as required under 18 AAC 78.200 - 18 AAC 78.280.(d) The owner or operator of an existing UST who cannot apply a method of release detection meeting the requirements of this section shall permanently close the UST in accordance with 18 AAC 78.085. For previously deferred USTs described in 18 AAC 78.005 and 18 AAC 78.700 - 18 AAC 78.705, this subsection applies after (1) October 13, 2018, for a UST described in 18 AAC 78.005(b)(2);(2) October 13, 2015, for a UST described in 18 AAC 78.005(b)(3); and(3) October 13, 2018, for a UST described in 18 AAC 78.700(a).(e) Tanks must be monitored for releases as follows: (1) tanks installed on or before April 11, 2016 must be monitored for releases at least every 30 days using one of the methods listed in 18 AAC 78.065( e) - (j), except that (A) USTs that meet the performance standards in 18 AAC 78.025 or 18 AAC 78.030, and that meet the monthly inventory control requirements in 18 AAC 78.065(b) or the manual tank gauging requirements in 18 AAC 78.065(c), may use tank tightness testing in accordance with 18 AAC 78.065(d) at least every five years until October 13, 2025; and(B) tanks with a capacity of 550 gallons or less and tanks with a capacity of 551 to 1,000 gallons that meet the tank diameter criteria in 18 AAC 78.065(c) may use manual tank gauging in accordance with 18 AAC 78.065(c);(2) tanks installed on or after July 25, 2012 and before April 11, 2016 and within 1,000 feet of an existing community water system as defined under 18 AAC 80. 1990(a), an existing potable water system as defined under 18 AAC 80. 1990(a), or a sole source aquifer as defined under 18 AAC 75.990 must be monitored for releases at least every 30 days; and(3) tanks installed after April 11, 2016 must be monitored for releases at least every 30 days in accordance with 18 AAC 78.065(h).(f) Underground piping that routinely contains petroleum must be monitored for releases in a manner that meets one of the following requirements:(1) piping installed on or before April 11, 2016 must meet one of the following requirements: (A) underground piping that conveys petroleum under pressure must (i) be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with 18 AAC 78.070(b); and(ii) have an annual line tightness test conducted in accordance with 18 AAC 78.070(c) or have monthly monitoring conducted in accordance with 18 AAC 78.070(d); or (B) underground piping that conveys petroleum under suction must either have a line tightness test conducted at least every three years and in accordance with 18 AAC 78.070(c) or use a monthly monitoring method conducted in accordance with 18 AAC 78.070(d); release detection is not required for suction piping that is designed and constructed to meet the following standards: (i) the below-grade piping operates at less than atmospheric pressure;(ii) the below-grade piping is sloped so that the contents of the pipe will drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released;(iii) only one check valve is included in each suction line;(iv) the check valve is located directly below and as close as practical to the suction pump; and(v) a method is provided that allows compliance with (ii) - (iv) of this subparagraph to be readily determined;(2) piping installed on or after July 25, 2012 and before April 11, 20 16 and within 1,000 feet of an existing community water system as defined under 18 AAC 80. 1990(a), an existing potable water system as defined under 18 AAC 80. 1990(a), or a sole source aquifer as defined under 18 AAC 75 .990 must be monitored for releases at least every 30 days; and(3) piping installed or replaced after April 11, 2016 must meet one of the following requirements: (A) piping that conveys petroleum under pressure must be monitored for releases at least every 30 days in accordance with 18 AAC 78.065(h) and be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with 18 AAC 78.070(b); or(B) piping that conveys petroleum under suction must be monitored for releases at least every 30 days in accordance with 18 AAC 78.065(h); release detection is not required for suction piping that meets (1)(B)(i) - (v) of this subsection.Eff. 3/25/91, Register 118; am 11/3/95, Register 136; am 1/30/2003, Register 165; am 9/27/2018,Register 227, October 2018Authority:AS 46.03.020
AS 46.03.365
AS 46.03.395