Md. Code Regs. 26.10.05.02

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 26.10.05.02 - Requirements for UST Systems

A. An owner and an operator of a petroleum UST system or a hazardous substance UST system, unless otherwise provided in this regulation, shall provide release detection for USTs and piping as described in this regulation.

B. An owner and an operator of a UST system shall monitor the UST system for releases of a regulated substance by:

(1) Conducting inventory control in accordance with Regulation .04 of this chapter; and

(2) At least monthly, conducting one of the methods of release detection described in Regulation .05B-H of this chapter.

C. An owner and an operator of a UST system with a UST capacity of 550 gallons or less and that is not metered may use weekly manual tank gauging conducted in accordance with Regulation .05C of this chapter as a method of release detection.

D. Underground Piping.

(1) An owner and an operator of a UST system shall monitor underground piping that routinely contains petroleum vapor or a regulated substance in accordance with §D(2)-(4) of this regulation.

(2) Pressurized Piping.

(a) An owner and an operator of a UST system with underground piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure shall equip the underground piping with an automatic line leak detector that is tested annually in accordance with Regulation .01C of this chapter, and which will:

(i) Alert the operator to the presence of a leak or a spill, release, or discharge by restricting or shutting off the flow of a regulated substance through piping or triggering an alarm; and

(ii) Detect a leak or a spill, release, or discharge of a regulated substance of at least 3 gallons per hour at 10 pounds per square inch line pressure within 1 hour; and

(b) An owner and an operator of a UST system with underground piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure shall:

(i) At least annually, perform a precision tightness test on the piping for a minimum of 1 hour that is capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour release at 1.5 times the pipe operating pressure; or

(ii) At least monthly, perform one of the methods of release detection described in Regulation .05B and F-H of this chapter.

(3) Suction Piping.

(a) An owner and an operator of a UST system with underground piping that conveys regulated substances under suction shall:

(i) At least every 2 years, perform a precision tightness test on the piping for a minimum of 1 hour that is capable of detecting a 0.1 gallon per hour release at a pressure between 5 and 15 pounds per square inch; or

(ii) At least monthly, monitor for a spill, release, or discharge using one of the methods of release detection described in Regulation .05B and F-H of this chapter.

(b) An owner and an operator of a UST system with underground suction piping are not required to perform the release detection and precision tightness testing required in §D(3)(a) of this regulation on the piping when:

(i) The piping operates at less than atmospheric pressure;

(ii) The piping is sloped so that the contents of the pipe will drain back into the UST if the suction is released;

(iii) A single check valve is included in each suction line;

(iv) The check valve is located directly below and as close as practicable to the suction pump; and

(v) The owner and operator of the UST system provide a method of visual inspection to determine compliance with §D(3)(b)(ii)-(iv) of this regulation.

(4) An owner and an operator of a UST system with secondary containment piping shall test that piping:

(a) After completing installation of the piping but before operation of the UST system, for new, upgraded, or replaced piping;

(b) At least every 5 years, for piping installed on or after January 12, 2009; and

(c) In accordance with manufacturer's specifications or a method approved by the Department.

Md. Code Regs. 26.10.05.02

Regulation .02B amended effective June 29, 1998 (25:13 Md. R. 997)
Regulation .02C amended effective January 16, 2006 (33:1 Md. R. 39)
Regulation .02D amended effective January 12, 2009 (36:1 Md. R. 25); adopted effective 49:12 Md. R. 642, eff. 6/13/2022