All owners and operators of metal UST systems with corrosion protection must comply with the following requirements to ensure that releases due to corrosion are prevented until the UST system is permanently closed or undergoes change-in-service in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.34:

1. (a) All corrosion protection systems must be operated, maintained, inspected and tested to continuously provide and demonstrate corrosion protection of the metal components of that portion of the underground storage tank and underground piping that routinely contain regulated substances and are in contact with the ground, as well as the metal outer wall of double wall underground storage tanks and underground piping which are in contact with the ground. Operating UST systems for which impressed current cathodic protection has not been adequately operated and maintained to provide corrosion protection for a continuous period of 12 months must be either:

   1. 1. Internally inspected and found to be structurally sound in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or an independent testing laboratory, or
   2. 2. Permanently closed within 90 days from the end of this 12-month period in accordance with rules 335-6-15-.34 and 335-6-15-.35.

2. (b) All UST systems equipped with cathodic protection systems must be inspected and tested for proper operation by a qualified cathodic protection tester who maintains current certification in accordance with the requirements in rule 335-6-15-.02(h), in accordance with the following requirements:

   1. 1. Frequency. All cathodic protection systems must be inspected and tested within 30 days of installation and at least every three years thereafter; and
   2. 2. Inspection and Testing Criteria. The criteria that are used to determine that cathodic protection is adequate as required by subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this rule must be in accordance with the most current version of codes of practice established by NACE International and STI/SPFA (Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association).
3. (c) UST systems with impressed current cathodic protection systems must also be inspected every 60 days to ensure the equipment is operating properly.

4. (d) For UST systems using cathodic protection, records of the operation of the cathodic protection must be maintained in accordance with rule 335-6-15-.13 to demonstrate compliance with the performance standards in this section. These records must provide the following:

   1. 1. The results of the last three inspections or checks required in subparagraph (c) of this rule; and
   2. 2. The results of testing from the last two tests required in subparagraph (b) of this rule.

Author: Sonja Massey, Curt Johnson, Lee Davis, Vernon H. Crockett

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

History: Effective April 5, 1989. Amended: Filed October 20, 2009; effective November 24, 2009. Amended: Filed December 12, 2011; effective January 16, 2012. Amended: Filed October 24, 2017; effective December 8, 2017. Amended: Published February 28, 2022; effective April 14, 2022.