250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-120-05-11.8

Current through December 26, 2024

Section 250-RICR-120-05-11.8 - Storage of Petroleum Liquids: External Floating Roof Vessels

11.8.1Prohibitions

A. No person shall place, store or hold gasoline in a storage tank having a capacity of forty thousand (40,000) gallons or greater that is equipped with an external floating roof unless the vessel has been fitted with:

1. A continuous secondary seal extending from the floating roof to the tank wall (rim-mounted secondary seal), or

2. A closure or other device which controls volatile organic compound emissions by attaining or exceeding the requirements of § 11.8.1(B) of this Part for a secondary seal required under this regulation and approved by the Director and EPA.

B. All seal closure devices must meet the following requirements:

1. There are no visible holes, tears or other openings in the seal(s) or seal fabric,

2. The seal(s) is intact and uniformly in place around the circumference of the floating roof between the floating roof and the tank wall, and

3. For tanks having vapor mounted primary seals, the accumulated area of gaps exceeding 0.32 cm (1/8 in.) in width between the secondary seal and the tank wall shall not exceed 21.2 cm² per meter of tank diameter (1.0 in.² per ft. of tank diameter), as determined by the method in § 11.8.3(C) of this Part.

C. All openings in the external floating roof, except for automatic bleeder vents, rim space vents and leg sleeves, must:

1. Be equipped with covers, seals or lids in the closed position except when the openings are in actual use, and

2. Provide projections below the liquid surface at all times.

D. Automatic bleeder vents must be closed at all times except when the roof is being floated off or being landed on the roof leg supports.

E. Rim vents shall be set to open when the roof is being floated off the leg supports or at the manufacturer's recommended setting.

F. Emergency roof drains shall be provided with slotted membrane fabric covers or equivalent covers which cover at least 90 percent (90%) of the area of the opening.

11.8.2Inspection and Reporting Requirements

A. The owner or operator of a petroleum liquid storage vessel with an external floating roof subject to this regulation shall:

1. Perform routine inspections semiannually in order to ensure compliance with § 11.8 of this Part and the inspection of the secondary seal gap,

2. Measure the secondary seal gap annually in accordance with §§ 11.8.3(C)(1) and (2) of this Part when the floating roof is equipped with a vapor-mounted primary seal or liquid-mounted primary seal, except that measurements in riveted tanks shall not be made when the roof is floating at a level that places the secondary seal in contact with a horizontal rivet seam,

3. Maintain records at the facility of the results of the inspections required in § 11.8.2(A)(1) of this Part for a period of three (3) years after an inspection,

4. Provide copies of all records in § 11.8.2(A)(3) of this Part to the Director, upon verbal or written request, at any reasonable time.

5. Maintain records at the facility which report monthly throughput quantities, types of petroleum liquids stored, average monthly storage temperature, and true vapor pressures of the stored liquid.

11.8.3Compliance Test Methods

A. The owner or operator of any volatile organic compound source required to comply with § 11.8 of this Part shall demonstrate compliance by the methods of this Section or an alternative method approved by the Director and EPA.

B. A person proposing to conduct a volatile organic compound emissions test shall notify the Director of the intent to test not less than fifteen (15) days before the proposed initiation of the tests so the Director may have the option to observe the test. The notification shall contain the information required by, and be in a format approved by, the Director.

C. Compliance with § 11.8.1(B)(3) of this Part shall be determined by:

1. Physically measuring the length and width of all gaps around the entire circumference of the secondary seal in each place where a 0.32 cm (1/8 in.) uniform diameter probe passes freely (without forcing or binding against the seal) between the seal and tank wall, and

2. Summing the area of the individual gaps.

250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-120-05-11.8

Amended effective 1/10/2019
Amended effective 2/18/2024
Amended effective 10/14/2024