1. (1) Onsite sewage tank design. The following requirements must apply to all onsite sewage tanks manufactured for use in Florida unless specifically exempted by other provisions of these rules:

   1. (a) Onsite sewage tanks include: septic tanks, graywater tanks, laundry tanks, grease interceptors, pump tanks, aerobic treatment unit tanks, tanks containing treatment media and stationary holding tanks not described in paragraph 62-6.0101(7)(p), F.A.C. Tanks must be constructed of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene.

   2. (b) Design and testing of concrete treatment tanks:

      1. Structural design of tanks must be by calculation or by performance.

      2. Structural design must be verified by actual vacuum load or hydrostatic test in accordance with the Department’s policy for Test Requirements for Structural Proofing, February 28, 2022, herein adopted and incorporated by reference at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14367" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14367. Copies of this policy are available as provided in subsection (14) below. The vacuum test must be followed by a flow and water tightness test.

      3. Tanks must be watertight as defined in ASTM C1227-20, Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Septic Tanks, paragraph 9.2., (2020) herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at HYPERLINK "http://www.astm.org/" \t "_blank" www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. ASTM C1227-20, paragraph 9.2.2, must be modified to read as follows: Water tightness testing – Fill the tank with water to the invert of the outlet and let stand for 24 hours. Refill the tank. The tank is approved as water tight if the water level is held for one hour.

      4. Manufacturers may use calculations provided by the design engineer in lieu of proof testing for tanks using reinforcement bars for structural strength and having a wall thickness of 5 inches or greater. Design by calculation must be completed using the Strength Design Method outlined in Chapters 4, 5 and 6 of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) publication ACI 318-19, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary (2019), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This document has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at American Concrete Institute, 38800 Country Club Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3439, or at publisher’s website at www.concrete.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. For the design strength a strength reduction factor will be applied per ACI 318-19 Chapter 21.

   3. (c) Design and testing of fiberglass and polyethylene tanks:

      1. Vacuum testing must be conducted in accordance with the Department’s policy for Test Requirements for Structural Proofing, February 28, 2022, herein adopted and incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(1)(b)2., F.A.C. Copies of this policy are available as provided in subsection (14), below and at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14367" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14367. The vacuum test will be followed by a water-tightness test.

      2. Vacuum testing must demonstrate a distortion of volume of no more than 1% at a safety factor of 1.0 and 2% at a safety value of 1.4 followed by passing a water-tightness test to be considered satisfactory. To determine the vacuum at a 1.0 safety factor, divide the required total vacuum values by 1.4. There must be no distortion of the access hatch perimeters at the full vacuum load and the access hatch must be able to be removed and reinstalled at the conclusion of the test.

      3. Flow and water-tightness testing must be performed as follows: Fill the tank with water to the invert of the outlet. The tank is approved as water tight if the water level is held for one hour.

   4. (d) Testing must be performed by or witnessed by an engineer licensed in the state of Florida, or by an employee of the Department that has been authorized to perform or witness tank testing. Test results must be certified by the witnessing engineer or Department employee.
   5. (e) Tank lids for non-traffic residential installations must be designed for a dead load of 12 inch earth cover with a dry soil density of 100 pounds per cubic foot or a live load of two concentrated loads of 1,750 pounds at a 60 inch spacing or a concentrated load of 1,750 pounds located at the center of the lid, whichever provides the greater shear and moment stresses to the lid. The required strength must be per ACI 318-19, Chapter 5, incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(1)(b)4., F.A.C., effective 06-21-2022. Structural integrity proof test or calculations for the 12 inch overburden earth load and the 1,750 pound concentrated loading must be provided. Designs sealed by an engineer licensed in the state of Florida will be acceptable for design proof of tank lid designs.
   6. (f) Tanks and tank lids for traffic installations must be designed, signed and sealed by an engineer licensed in the state of Florida. Whenever vehicular traffic is anticipated to cross over the tank, traffic lids must be installed with manhole covers to finished grade. Traffic tanks and lids must be designed in accordance with ASTM C 890-21, Standard Practice for Minimum Structural Design Loading for Monolithic or Sectional Precast Concrete Water and Wastewater Structures (2021), herein adopted and incorporated by reference, for the appropriate loading. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. Application of paragraph 5.2.4 of ASTM C 890-21, will be at the discretion of the design engineer.

2. (2) Onsite sewage tank design requirements.

   1. (a) Septic tanks and graywater tanks must have multiple compartments, or single compartment tanks must be placed in series to achieve the required effective capacity. Grease interceptors, laundry tanks, pump tanks and aerobic treatment unit tanks must be either multi-compartment or single compartment tanks. All tank stiffening members such as ribs must be a homogeneous integral part of the structure. When slide-in type compartment walls are proposed, the structural testing for such tanks must be conducted without the slide-in wall in place. There must be a maximum of two horizontal seams between the topside of the bottom of the tank and the underside of the lid. There must be no vertical seams. Except as noted in this paragraph, the first chamber of a dual compartment septic or graywater tank or the first tank of single compartment tanks in series must have a minimum effective capacity of at least 2/3 of the total required effective capacity. The second single compartment tank or chamber of a multi-compartment tank must have a minimum effective capacity of at least 1/5 of the total required effective capacity. The combined effective capacities of the first and second chambers or the first and second single-compartment tanks must equal or exceed the total required effective capacity. Systems with daily flows in excess of 3,500 gallons per day may utilize two tanks to achieve the total required effective capacity, provided that the first tank provides no less than 1/2 of the total required effective capacity. The second tank must provide no less than 1/5 of the total required effective capacity and the total effective capacities of the two tanks combined must be no less than the total required effective capacity.
   2. (b) The liquid depth of compartments for septic tanks and grease interceptors must be at least 40 inches. The liquid depth of compartments for graywater tanks, laundry tanks and pump tanks must be at least 30 inches. Liquid depths greater than 84 inches must not be considered in determining the effective capacity.
   3. (c) A minimum free board or airspace of 15 percent by volume of the effective capacity of all blackwater, graywater and laundry tanks must be provided. The volume of risers above the liquid level line cast as an integral part of the tank may be included as free board or airspace.
   4. (d) The inlet invert of septic tanks, graywater tanks and laundry tanks must enter the tank 1 to 3 inches above the liquid level of the tank. A vented inlet tee, vented sweep or a baffle may be provided at the discretion of the manufacturer to divert the incoming sewage. The inlet device, if utilized, must have a minimum diameter of 4 inches and must not extend below the liquid surface more than 33 percent of the liquid depth.
   5. (e) In septic tanks, graywater tanks and laundry tanks, a minimum 4 inch diameter vented outlet tee, sweep or baffle must extend below the liquid level of the tank so that the invert level of the outlet device is a distance not less than 30 percent nor greater than 40 percent of the liquid depth. The outlet device must extend at least 4 inches above the liquid level. The submerged intake orifice of any outlet fixture not incorporating an approved outlet filter device must be provided with an approved solids deflection device to reduce, by a minimum of 90 percent, the intake area of the outlet fixture exposed to the vertical rise and fall of solid particles within the tank. Turning the intake orifice of an outlet tee or sweep 90 degrees from the vertical will satisfy the solids deflection device requirement.
   6. (f) The inlet and outlet devices must be located at opposite ends of the tank so as to be separated by the maximum distance practical and must be in accordance with ASTM C-923/C-923M-20, Standard Specification for Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced Concrete Manhole Structures, Pipes, and Laterals (2020), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. Inlets and outlets on the sides of any tank must be located no more than 12 inches from the end of the tank.
   7. (g) Compartment walls must be designed to withstand the stresses induced by pumping out either of the compartments. There must be no relief holes. However, the compartment walls may be inserted in grooves without grouting, fiberglassing or otherwise permanently attaching in place, unless such attachment is required for proving structural integrity of either the tank or compartment wall.
   8. (h) Sewage flow between the first and second chamber of a multi-chamber tank must interconnect utilizing either a minimum 4 inch diameter hole or equivalent size slot in the wall or with a minimum 4 inch diameter vented and inverted U-fitting or a tee. Receptacles in series must interconnect utilizing a minimum 4 inch diameter vented, inverted U-fitting or a tee. For septic, graywater and laundry tanks, the outlet device or slot must extend below the liquid level of the tank so that the invert level is located not less than 30 percent nor greater than 40 percent of the liquid depth.
   9. (i) Joints of tanks, including mid-seams, risers, and lids must be sealed using a bonding compound that meets ASTM C-990-09R19, Standard Specification for Joints for Concrete Pipe, Manholes, and Precast Box Sections using Preformed Flexible Joint Sealants (2019), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700 West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.

   10. (j) The tank legend is the Department’s designated approval number for the tank, and the effective capacity of the tank in gallons. The tank legend must be cast or stamped into the wall or permanently stenciled or decaled onto the wall at the inlet end, to begin within 6 inches of the top of the wall. Tank legend lettering must be a minimum of two inches high.

       1. Revisions. All tank legends must be inscribed or affixed at the place of manufacture and can only be revised outside the place of manufacture prior to construction approval by a manufacturer-authorized representative when one or more of the following conditions occur:

       a. The legend on the tank does not match the tank that it is affixed to, and the tank is manufactured according to specifications approved under an alternate legend;

       b. The legend is illegible, damaged or otherwise compromised; or

       c. The legend is improperly positioned on the tank.

       2. Manufacturers must inform the Department in writing that they allow tank legend revisions outside the place of manufacture prior to tank legend revisions taking place. The Department will maintain a list of the manufacturer’s pre-approval(s) on the Department’s website.

       3. The revised tank legend must be clearly marked and must be permanently affixed onto the tank wall in compliance with paragraph 62-6.013(2)(j), F.A.C. The legend or the portion of the legend that needs to be revised must be covered.

       4. When a tank legend is revised, the Department holds the manufacturer responsible for training, authorizing and ensuring that their authorized representatives comply with tank legend revision requirements in this rule. Upon request from the Department, the manufacturer must provide a list of trained representatives who are authorized to revise tank legends.

       5. For each tank legend revision, the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s representative must submit to the Department the following information within seven calendar days of the revision:

       a. Tank manufacturer name;

       b. Construction permit number;

       c. Installation site address;

       d. Name of authorized representative who revised the legend;

       e. Date of revision;

       f. Reason for revision per subparagraph 62-6.013(2)(j)1., F.A.C.;

       g. Verification the tank was not modified, and that the tank legend as revised is correct;

       h. Photograph of the tank legend before and after the revision which identifies information regarding the time and location of the photograph through electronic metadata or included in the notes of the report;

       i. The original tank legend and the revised tank legend;

       j. A signed and dated statement by the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s representative that states: “I verify that the condition requiring a tank revision outside the place of manufacture complies with subparagraph 62-6.013(2)(j)1., F.A.C., and that the documents and all attachments, to the best of my knowledge and belief, are true, accurate and complete.”

       6. The Department will request from the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s representative any additional information needed to confirm compliance with statutory and rule requirements regarding standards for tanks and the tank legend.

       7. A summary report of the manufacturer’s tank legend revisions under this subsection must be submitted from the manufacturer to the Department annually by December 31st of each year. The Department will review the summary report to confirm compliance with the standards for tanks and the tank legend. The summary report must include the following:

       a. A list of all authorized representatives who revised the Department’s designated approval number for the tank legend;

       b. The total number of tank legend revisions performed during the annual cycle;

       c. For each tank legend revision, indicate in what county the tank legend revision occurred and the date it occurred.

   11. (k) Each compartment must have access using manholes, with each manhole having a minimum area of 225 square inches. Manholes must be located so as to allow access to the inlet and outlet devices. A minimum 6-inch diameter opening must be placed at the inlet and outlet ends of the lid if a minimum 225 square inch access port is placed in the middle of the lid. A riser is a pipe or conduit surrounding an access manhole and facilitating access to the inside of an onsite sewage tank. Access manhole and riser must be closed by a riser access lid or manhole cover. Risers must be watertight. The access manhole over the inlet and outlet must extend to within 8 inches of finished grade. If a riser is used, and if the riser access lid opens directly to the tank interior, joints around the riser and tank must be sealed and made watertight as specified in paragraph 62-6.013(2)(i), F.A.C., to prohibit intrusion of ground water into the tank. For multi-compartment tanks or tanks in series, manholes must extend to within 8 inches of finished grade over the first compartment inlet and the last compartment outlet. An appropriate mechanism must be provided to make access manholes vandal, tamper, and child resistant. Acceptable protection of openings must consist of one or more of the following methods as specified by the manufacturer:

       1. A padlock.

       2. A twist lock cover requiring special tools for removal.

       3. Covers weighing 58 pounds or more, net weight.

       4. A hinge and hasp mechanism which uses stainless steel or other corrosion resistant fasteners to fasten the hinge and hasp to the lid and tank for fiberglass, metal or plastic lids.

   12. (l) Tank designs that specify a monolithic compartment wall from the bottom of the tank up to the invert of the pass-through orifice and a drop-in section for the upper portion of the wall must be approved for both single and multi-compartment use.
   13. (m) Tanks must have a one-piece lid or a lid with a maximum of three sections. All lids must be designed by Licensed Engineers in accordance with paragraphs 62-6.013(1)(e) and (f), F.A.C., and approved by the Department.

3. (3) Onsite sewage tank design approval. All onsite sewage tanks distributed in the state must be approved for use by the Department prior to being offered for sale or installed. Such approval must not be obtained until the manufacturer of a specific tank model has submitted the following:

   1. (a) Detailed design drawings of the tank and lid showing:

      1. Design calculations or proof testing results in accordance with subsection 62-6.013(1), F.A.C.

      2. Dimensions, including location and size of all inlets, outlets, access hatches, manholes and pass through orifices.

      3. Effective capacity in gallons.

      4. Freeboard or air space in gallons.

      5. Production materials. For concrete tanks include 28 day compressive strength, in pounds per square inch (psi).

      6. Reinforcing materials. For concrete tanks, include size and location of all rebar, if any; and fiber reinforcing material size and quantity (in pounds) per cubic yard, if any.

   2. (b) For concrete tanks – see subsection 62-6.013(5), F.A.C.
   3. (c) For fiberglass and polyethylene tanks – see subsection 62-6.013(6), F.A.C.
   4. (d) Certification that the tank has undergone flow testing to confirm the effective capacity, airspace, and water tightness. Flow testing must be conducted by an engineer licensed in the state of Florida or a Department employee. Test results must be certified by the engineer or Department employee.
   5. (e) Designs must be submitted to the Department, Onsite Sewage Program.

   6. (f) There must be two tank design classifications. The following criteria must be used for each category:

      1. Category 3 tanks must be designed for saturated soil with the saturation at finished grade. The design must provide for a maximum of 18 inches of saturated soil cover over the top of the tank. Soil density must be 100 pounds per cubic foot. The lateral earth pressure coefficient (K) must be no less than 0.33.

      2. Category 4 tanks must be designed for saturated soil with the saturation at finished grade. The design must provide for a maximum of 48 inches of saturated soil cover over the top of the tank. Soil density must be 100 pounds per cubic foot. The lateral earth pressure coefficient (K) must be no less than 0.33. Where a tank will be placed with greater than 48 inches of soil over the top of the tank, an engineer licensed in the state of Florida must design the tank for the specific conditions anticipated at the site.

   7. (g) A series of tanks may be approved by successful demonstration of the largest in a series of tanks. Approval for inclusion of the tanks to be considered in a series must be obtained from the Department prior to testing the tanks. A series is either where only one dimension, this being height, length, or width, is changed or where two dimensions change in the same proportion to offer a different capacity of tank.
   8. (h) The manufacturer must notify the Department in writing, stipulating the date, time and location of the test, no less than ten working days prior to the tank proof testing. The notice must include the tanks to be tested. Approval must not be granted until after successfully passing the required tests, and submitting the testing results.
   9. (i) The Department will issue an approval number to the manufacturer. Form DEP 4012, “Application for Septage Disposal Service Permit, Temporary System Service Permit, Septic Tank Manufacturing Approval,” adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-6.010(2), F.A.C., and available as provided in subsection (14) below, must be used to apply for manufacturing approval. The form can be obtained from the Department.

4. (4) Onsite sewage tank manufacturer’s yearly inspection – Yearly inspection of the manufacturer’s facility must consist of the following:

   1. (a) Verify that the manufacturer has the design mix recorded and in a readily accessible location for the plant operators.
   2. (b) Verify that the production process is recorded and that the operators are following the process.
   3. (c) Verify that the necessary tests are being conducted by a certified testing lab or by a technician certified by the ACI. The preparation of the test specimens must be performed by certified third party testing laboratory personnel; or manufacturers, or their employees, that have successfully passed the ACI certification program. Each manufacturer must submit a minimum of three cylinders per year. The specimens must be taken from a production mix.
   4. (d) Verify that the manufacturer has the proper number of tests for the year and that the results are recorded. Review the results for compliance with the design.
   5. (e) Examine the material stockpiles to ensure that the materials are free from deleterious materials.
   6. (f) Examine the measuring equipment to ensure that the equipment has been calibrated within the last year.
   7. (g) Examine conveyors to insure that material is transported as measured.

   8. (h) Inspect a minimum of five tanks in the manufacturers’ inventory. For different series, a minimum of one tank must be inspected from each series. Report the following unacceptable defects:

      1. Cracks in all interior and exterior surfaces of the tanks.

      2. Cold joint lines. This is an indication of non-monolithic pours. Examine both the interior and exterior of the tank for confirmation of a cold joint that extends across the thickness of the wall.

      3. Evidence of improper steel cover. Rebar and wire mesh must not be exposed.

      4. Watertight inlets and outlets must be provided per rule.

   9. (i) Where cold-joint lines that appear to extend through the wall, or cracks in any surface of the tank exist, conduct a watertightness test on a maximum of two tanks as follows: Fill the tank with water to the invert of the outlet. The tank is approved as watertight if the water level is held for one hour. For concrete tanks, if the test fails within the first 24 hours after filling, it may be repeated after 24 hours. The tanks must not be tested until they have cured for 28 days. If there are no indications of cold-joint lines that appear to extend through the wall, or cracking of tank surfaces, two tanks must be tested at random. Record all data and submit results to the Department.
   10. (j) Verify that the manufacturer is not relocating the tanks prior to the tank achieving 75% of the design compressive strength. Record how this is accomplished.
   11. (k) Conduct impact hammer tests-record data.
   12. (l) Examination of the manufacturer’s receipts for material used during the previous year. Tank manufacturers must retain all receipts from the previous year for material used in the manufacture of tanks and make them available for inspection.

5. (5) Concrete tanks must be built of precast or poured in place concrete in accordance with ACI 318-19, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(1)(b)4., F.A.C., effective 06-21-2022, or ASTM C-1227-20, Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Septic Tanks, incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(1)(b)3., F.A.C., effective 06-21-2022, except as revised herein.

   1. (a) For design and analysis of concrete septic tanks, the publication “Rectangular Concrete Tanks” revised 5th edition (1998), as published by the Portland Cement Association may be used at the designer’s discretion, herein incorporated by reference. When computing length to height and width to height ratios the designer may interpolate between tables for intermediate ratios and values or may use the table and values for the higher ratios.
   2. (b) Temperature and shrinkage crack control in concrete tanks must be accomplished by use of steel reinforcing in accordance with ACI 318-19 Chapter 11, incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(1)(b)4., F.A.C., effective 06-21-2022 or by use of fiber reinforcement. Minimum ratio of vertical and horizontal reinforcement area to gross concrete area must be 0.0010 for deformed bars or welded wire fabric. Fiber reinforcing materials may be used by the manufacturer to achieve crack control equivalent to the use of deformed bars or welded wire fabric. To be considered equivalent, acceptable fibers must at least meet or exceed ACI recommendations regarding materials, fiber sizing, and required fiber quantities. Any current or future revisions to the ACI recommendations may be used by the manufacturer, at their option. Materials other than materials recognized by ACI for crack control use will not be acceptable. Minimum reinforcement must be as outlined in the document entitled Reinforcement Required to Meet paragraph 62-6.013(5)(b), F.A.C., dated February 28, 2022, herein adopted and incorporated by reference. Copies of this document are available as provided in subsection (14), below and at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14805" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14805.
   3. (c) Concrete mixes must be in accordance with the Portland Cement Association (PCA) publication entitled PCA Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Seventeenth Edition (2021), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at the Portland Concrete Association, 5420 Old Orchard Road, Skokie Illinois 60077-1083 or at the publisher’s website at www.concrete.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.
   4. (d) Terminology relating to concrete and concrete aggregates must be in accordance with ASTM C-125-21a, Standard Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates (2021), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.
   5. (e) Concrete aggregates used in the manufacturing of all precast or poured-in-place concrete tanks for use in onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems must conform to ASTM C 33-/33M-18, Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates (2018), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.
   6. (f) Minimum concrete cover over structural steel reinforcing must be 3/4 inches. The minimum bend radius for structural reinforcing must be three times the reinforcing bar diameter.
   7. (g) Temperature and shrinkage crack control steel must not be exposed. Exposure of fiber reinforcing is acceptable.
   8. (h) Minimum 28-day compressive strength must be 4000 psi.
   9. (i) Three compressive test cylinders must be prepared, cured, and tested in accordance with ASTM C 31/C31M-21a, Standard Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field (2021), herein adopted and incorporated by reference, and ASTM C-39/C-39M-21, Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens (2021), herein adopted and incorporated by reference, at least one time every year, or whenever the manufacturer changes the design mix or the manufacturing process. These standards have been deemed copyright protected and are available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and are available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.
   10. (j) The bottoms of concrete tanks must be monolithic and must either be an integral part of the walls or must be sealed to the walls using water-stops cast into the wall and bottom. Tank bottoms must not contain openings for any purpose, for example, to facilitate the removal of rainwater.

   11. (k) Approval of new designs must not be granted until the following has been completed and submitted as part of the application:

       1. Establish a design mix and production process. Record the aggregate material, size and gradation; type and strength of cement; cement to aggregate ratios; water to cement ratio; and any other pertinent design data. Record the production process, for example; measuring equipment, batch sizes, mixing sequence, transportation techniques from mixer to mold, pouring techniques with consolidation of concrete methods detailed.

       2. Construct three tanks using the design mix.

       3. Test two sets of cylinders from the design mix at 7 days and 28 days.

       4. Structural proof test three tanks to the design strength in accordance with paragraph 62-6.013(1)(b), F.A.C., for tanks having an effective capacity of 1,350 gallons or less.

       5. Structural proof test one tank to the design strength in accordance with paragraph 62-6.013(1)(b), F.A.C., for tanks having an effective capacity greater than 1,350 gallons but not more than 1,500 gallons.

       6. Structural proof test one tank or provide tank strength calculations in accordance with paragraph 62-6.013(1)(b), F.A.C., for tanks having an effective capacity exceeding 1,500 gallons.

       7. Verify that the manufacturer is not removing tanks from the producer’s facility prior to the tank achieving 75% of the design compressive strength. Record how this is accomplished.

6. (6) The following structural requirements are applicable to fiberglass and polyethylene tanks:

   1. (a) Materials and sealants used in the tank manufacturing process must be capable of effectively resisting the corrosive influences of the liquid components of sewage, sewage gases and soil burial. Materials used must be formulated to withstand shock, vibration, normal household chemicals, deterioration from sunlight and other environmental factors.

   2. (b) Fiberglass tanks must be constructed so that all parts of the tank meet the following mechanical requirements. A test report from an independent testing laboratory is required to substantiate that individual tank designs and material formulations meet these requirements.

      1. Ultimate tensile strength – minimum 12,000 psi when tested in accordance with ASTM D-638-14, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics (2014), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.

      2. Flexural strength – minimum 19,000 psi when tested in accordance with ASTM D-790-17, Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials (2017), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at ASTM International, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428-2959, or at publisher’s website at www.astm.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below.

      3. Flexural modulus of elasticity – minimum 800,000 psi when tested in accordance with ASTM D-790-17 Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials, incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(6)(b)2., F.A.C., effective 06-21-2022.

      4. Not less than 30 percent of the total weight of the fiberglass tank must be fiberglass reinforcement.

      5. Internal surfaces must be coated with an appropriate gel coating or resin to provide a smooth, pore-free, watertight surface.

   3. (c) Polyethylene tanks must meet the requirements of International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z1000-2019 Paragraph 7.1 “Blow Molded and Single-Layer Rotationally-Molded Polyethylene Septic Tanks” and 7.2 “Multi-Layer Rotationally-Molded Polyethylene Septic Tanks” (2019) herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at IAPMO, 4755 East Philadelphia Street, Ontario, California 91761, or at publisher’s website at www.iapmo.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. Where the requirements of IAPMO/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z1000-2019, Paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 conflict with the standards in this section, the standards in this section must apply. A test report from an independent testing laboratory is required to substantiate that individual tank designs and material formulations meet these requirements.

   4. (d) Approval of new designs must not be granted until the following has been completed and submitted as part of the application:

      1. Establish a design mix and production process. Record the material specifications and other pertinent design data. Record the production process, for example; measuring equipment, batch sizes, mixing sequence, transportation techniques from mixer to mold, and spraying techniques.

      2. Construct three tanks using the design mix.

      3. Test two sets of test strips from the design mix.

      4. Structural proof test three tanks to the design strength per paragraph 62-6.013(1)(c), F.A.C., for tanks having an effective capacity of 1,350 gallons or less.

      5. Structural proof test one tank to the design strength in accordance with paragraph 62-6.013(1)(c), F.A.C., for tanks having an effective capacity greater than 1,350 gallons.

      6. Verify that the manufacturer is not planning to relocate the tanks prior to the tanks achieving 75% of the design compressive strength. Record how this is accomplished.

7. (7) Grease interceptors are not required for a residence. However, one or more grease interceptors are required where grease waste is produced in quantities that could otherwise cause line stoppage or hinder sewage disposal. The design of grease interceptors must be based on standards found in paragraph (a) below. In addition, the following general requirements found in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), apply when determining the proper use and installation of a grease interceptor used as a component of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system.

   1. (a) The inlet invert must discharge a minimum 2 1/2 inches above the liquid level line and the outlet pipe must have a tee with a minimum diameter of 4 inches that extends to within 8 inches of the bottom of the tank.
   2. (b) Interceptors must be located so as to provide easy access for routine inspection, cleaning and maintenance. Manholes must be provided over the inlet and outlet of each interceptor and be brought to finished grade.
   3. (c) Where a grease interceptor is required or used, only kitchen wastewater must first pass through the interceptor and then be discharged into the first compartment of a septic tank or other approved system.

   4. (d) Sizing of grease interceptors must be based on the equations below. The minimum volume of any grease interceptor must be 750 gallons and the maximum volume of an individual single grease interceptor chamber must be 1,250 gallons. When the required effective capacity of the grease interceptor is greater than 1,250 gallons, installation of multi-chambered grease interceptors or grease interceptors in series is required.

      1. Restaurants: (S) X (GS) X (HR/12) X (LF) = effective capacity of grease interceptor in gallons.

      S = number of seats in the dining area.

      GS = gallons of wastewater per seat; use 25 gallons for ordinary restaurant, use 10 gallons for single service article restaurants.

      HR = number of hours establishment is open.

      LF = loading factor: use 2.0 interstate highways, 1.5 other freeways, 1.25 recreational areas,

      1.0 main highways, and 0.75 other roads.

      2. Other type establishments with commercial kitchens: (M) X (GM) X (LF) = effective capacity of grease interceptor in gallons.

      M = meals prepared per day.

      GM = gallons of wastewater per meal: use 5 gallons.

      LF = loading factor: use 1.00 with dishwashing and 0.75 without dishwashing.

8. (8) Laundry tank or laundry waste interceptor – when a separate system is installed to accept effluent from a single home washing machine only, the laundry tank or laundry waste interceptor for such system must meet the following minimum standards:

   1. (a) The minimum effective capacity must be 225 gallons for establishments with an estimated sewage flow of up to 300 gallons per day and must be increased by 50 gallons for every 100 gallons of additional daily sewage flow.
   2. (b) The laundry waste interceptor must be provided with a vented inlet tee, vented sweep, or a baffle.
   3. (c) The laundry waste interceptor must not receive waste flow from kitchen fixtures or be used as a grease trap.

9. (9) Pump tanks and pumps – when used as part of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, the following requirements must apply to all pump tanks manufactured for use in Florida unless specifically exempted by other provisions of these rules:

   1. (a) Pump tanks must have a minimum total capacity measured from the bottom of the tank to the top of the tank in accordance with Table II. At least 80% of the required total capacity must be contained below the invert of the inlet. Pump levels must be set as low as practical to preserve as much reserve capacity as possible in the event of pump failure.
   2. (b) When the top of the pump tank is placed more than 8 inches below the finished grade, risers must be used to provide access within 8 inches of the finished grade. Where risers are used, risers must be attached to the tank in accordance with paragraph 62-6.013(2)(i), F.A.C. Any unused and open tank outlet must be sealed with a length of capped PVC pipe installed in accordance with paragraph 62-6.013(2)(f), F.A.C.

   3. (c) When a pump is used as part of a system, the following conditions must apply.

      1. Pumps used to distribute sewage effluent must be certified by the manufacturer to be suitable for such purpose or pumps must be designed in accordance with the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association’s Recommended Standards for Sump, Effluent and Sewage Pumps (2019 Revision) for the purpose intended, herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This standard has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association, P.O. Box 44071, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46244, or at publisher’s website at www.sspma.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. The use of a timer as part of any pump system is not allowed unless it is part of a design submitted by an engineer, or Master Septic Tank Contractor, and is approved by the Department.

      2. An audio and visual high water alarm must be provided in a conspicuous location visible by system users to warn of pump failures. If the alarm is located outdoors, the alarm must be waterproof and specified by the manufacturer for outdoor use.

      3. A pump must be placed in a separate compartment or tank, except when using a pump chamber insert. Except as noted below, any compartment or tank in which a pump is located must not be considered when determining total effective capacity of a septic tank.

      4. A pump chamber insert may, at the applicant’s discretion, be used to house a pump inside a septic tank. If a pump chamber insert is used, it must be approved for use by the Department. Approval must be based on the ability of the pump chamber insert to effectively filter solids from the effluent prior to intake by the pump. The efficiency of solids removal by the pump chamber insert must be at least equal to a currently approved outlet filter device. Pump chamber inserts that do not meet these criteria must not be approved and must not be used. The filter device used as part of the pump chamber insert must be considered to meet the requirement of using an outlet filter device for purposes of subsection 62-6.008(2), F.A.C. The tank or compartment used to house the pump chamber insert must be included in calculating the minimum effective capacity of the tank, subject to the following conditions:

      a. When placed in a compartmentalized tank or tanks in series, the pump chamber insert must be placed in the last chamber or tank. When placed in a single compartment tank, the pump chamber insert must be placed as close to the outlet side of the tank as possible. In no case must the insert be placed farther than 1/2 the distance to the inlet as measured from the outlet of the tank. The pump chamber insert and filter must be accessible for routine maintenance. The manufacturer must provide instructions on how to maintain the filter unit and the insert device.

      b. Pump levels must be set so that the high water alarm is activated when the liquid level of the tank will exceed the height of the inlet invert of the tank. The pump-on switch must be set to maintain the greatest possible effective capacity of the tank, and in no case must it be set higher than 1 inch below the inlet invert. Floats used for operation of the pump must be allowed outside the pump chamber insert.

      c. The intake openings of the pump chamber insert must not be located within 12 inches of the bottom of the tank, or within 12 inches of the liquid level line of the tank.

      d. The volume discharged by the pump must not exceed 1/4 of the average daily sewage flow in any dose.

      e. A pump chamber insert must not be used when the total absorption area for the system is greater than 1,000ꞌ square feet, or when automatic dosing is required.

      f. For new system installations, in addition to the requirements above, the total septic tank capacity must include the required minimum septic tank effective capacity, which must be contained below the pump-off switch level, plus the pumping tank capacity per Table II, plus the required 15% airspace.

      g. For repair installations, in addition to the requirements of subparagraphs a. through e. above, pump chamber inserts must not be used in an existing septic tank of less than 750 gallons effective capacity. In addition, the minimum tank liquid depth must be 36 inches below the pump-off switch level and the minimum effective capacity contained below the pump-off switch level must be within two tank sizes of that required in Rule 62-6.008, F.A.C., Table II. The total septic tank capacity must include the minimum effective capacity within two tank sizes of required tank size, plus dosing capacity, plus dosing reserve capacity equal to the dosing capacity, plus freeboard or air space capacity which is equal to 15% of the minimum effective capacity.

10. (10) Electrical conduit, effluent dosing pipe, aeration lines, and vent pipe requirements:

    1. (a) Electrical conduit is rigid or flexible tubing used to enclose and protect electrical wiring. All electrical wiring exiting a tank or riser must be enclosed in conduit. Electrical conduit must be sealed on both sides to prevent venting of gases or transfer of water into the tank.

    2. (b) Electrical conduit, effluent dosing pipe, aeration lines, and vent pipes must exit or enter the onsite sewage tank using one of the following methods:

       1. Through a tank outlet using plumbing fittings and reducers to produce a watertight seal,

       2. Through a hole drilled or cut through an attached riser or a notch cut into the bottom of the attached riser and above the top of the tank. All such penetrations must be sealed water-tight.

       3. Through a maximum four-inch access port installed in the tank lid or top of the tank, or the wall of the tank above the liquid level by the manufacturer as approved by the Department. After installation the port must be sealed watertight with a bonding compound per paragraph 62-6.013(2)(i), F.A.C., or a seal meeting the requirements for outlet devices per paragraph 62-6.013(2)(f), F.A.C. Unused ports must be made watertight.

       4. Through a 2 to 4 inch notch installed at the top of a tank immediately beneath the lid by the manufacturer as approved by the Department. After installation, the notch must be sealed watertight with a bonding compound per paragraph 62-6.013(2)(i), F.A.C.

    3. (c) Vents must not allow water to enter the tank under normal operating conditions.

11. (11) Transportation and installation.

    1. (a) Onsite sewage tanks must not be removed from the manufacturer’s facility until the compressive strength of the concrete has reached 75% of the design strength. Use of concrete industry published graphs or tables indicating compressive strength vs. concrete age for the design mix are satisfactory proof of strength.
    2. (b) Tanks must be installed level from end to end and side to side. As used in this context, level includes a slope from the inlet end to the outlet end or from side to side of the tank not exceeding one-half inch over the entire length or width of the tank. The tank must not be approved with any pitch upward from the inlet end to the outlet end of the tank.
    3. (c) If a pumping device has been placed in the building sewer, an inlet device must be used.
    4. (d) Cast in place tanks or tanks manufactured with water stops below the invert of the outlet, and tanks with seams below the invert of the outlet must be watertightness tested in accordance with ASTM C-1227-20, Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Septic Tanks, paragraph 9.2.2, after installation in the field. This standard is incorporated by reference in subparagraph 62-6.013(1)(b)3., F.A.C., effective 06-21-2022.
    5. (e) The excavation for the installation of a tank must be level and free of debris and rocks that could damage the tank or prevent proper leveling, backfilling or compaction. Backfill material must be free of rocks and debris. The installer must refer to the tank manufacturer’s installation instructions to prevent the tank from settling or floating or from being damaged or distorted.

12. (12) Repair of tanks – Repairs are allowed for tanks prior to shipment per ASTM, ACI, PCA standards and publications and National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA), Septic Tank Manufacturing Best Practices Manual (2010), herein adopted and incorporated by reference. This document has been deemed copyright protected and is available from the publisher at the National Precast Concrete Association, 1320 City Centre Drive, Suite 200, Carmel, Indiana 46032, or at publisher’s website at www.precast.org/, and is available for inspection as provided in subsection (14) below. Tanks damaged after they leave the manufacturer’s facility may be repaired for the following defects:

    1. (a) Chips that do not penetrate more than 1/3 of the wall thickness and cracks that occur above the invert of the outlet. For fiberglass, polyethylene, or polypropylene tanks, holes above the invert of the outlet with a maximum dimension of up to one inch for fiberglass and half an inch for polyethylene or polypropylene, using procedures established by the manufacturer to restore watertightness by a person authorized by the manufacturer.
    2. (b) Damaged or missing inlet and outlet seals may be replaced using the procedure of the document entitled “Repair of Tank Inlet and Outlet Seals”, effective 06-21-2022, herein adopted and incorporated by reference. Copies of this document are available as provided in subsection (14), below and at HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14368" http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14368.
    3. (c) Chips that occur below the invert of the outlet, provided that such chips do not penetrate more than 1/3 of the wall or bottom thickness.

13. (13) Removal of removable compartment walls from installed tanks. Removal of an existing tank compartment wall is permissible if all of the following conditions are met:

    1. (a) The existing multi-compartment tank is part of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system that has received final installation approval;
    2. (b) The removal is required to supplement the size of an existing tank in lieu of replacement requirements stated in subparagraph 62-6.001(4)(e)1. or paragraph 62-6.015(6)(f), F.A.C.;
    3. (c) The compartment wall is a slide-in type compartment wall installed in grooves, not permanently attached to the tank using grouting, fiberglassing or other bonding material, and has not been used to proof the structural integrity of the tank;
    4. (d) The configuration of the tank without the compartment wall is also an approved tank;
    5. (e) Removal of the compartment wall is applied for as part of the system construction application;
    6. (f) Removal does not affect the structural soundness nor functioning of the tank and installation;
    7. (g) The compartment wall is properly removed and disposed of outside the tank;
    8. (h) After removal of the compartment wall, a new tank certification is required. The procedure for tank certification is stated in paragraph 62-6.001(4)(b), F.A.C. Revision of the legend is not required.
14. (14) All materials incorporated herein may be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, Onsite Sewage Program at www.floridadep.gov or 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS #3596, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 or Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code and Register, R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250. Reference materials deemed copyright protected are available for inspection at the same address.

Rulemaking Authority 381.0065(3)(a), 381.0065(4)(e) FS. Law Implemented 381.0065 FS. History–New 12-22-82, Amended 2-5-85, Formerly 10D-6.55, Amended 3-17-92, 1-3-95, Formerly 10D-6.055, Amended 11-19-97, 2-3-98, 3-22-00, 4-21-02, 5-24-04, 11-26-06, 6-25-09, 4-28-10, Formerly 64E-6.013, Amended 6-21-22, 6-8-26.