1. (a) To properly operate and maintain spill prevention and release detection equipment part of underground storage tank systems, no later than December 22, 2019, owners and operators shall conduct walkthrough inspections at a minimum of every 30 days, with the exception of spill prevention equipment at underground storage tank systems receiving deliveries at intervals greater than every 30 days, which may be checked prior to each delivery. The walkthrough inspection shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

   1. (1) For spill prevention equipment:

      1. (i) Visually check for damage.
      2. (ii) Remove liquid or debris.
      3. (iii) Check for and remove obstructions in the fill pipe.
      4. (iv) Check the fill cap to make sure it is securely on the fill pipe.
      5. (v) For double-walled spill prevention equipment with interstitial monitoring, check for a leak in the interstitial area.

   2. (2) For release detection equipment:

      1. (i) Check to make sure the release detection equipment is operating with no alarms or other unusual operating conditions present.
      2. (ii) Ensure records of release detection testing are reviewed and current.

2. (b) To properly operate and maintain containment sumps and handheld release detection equipment part of underground storage tank systems, no later than December 22, 2019, owners and operators shall conduct walkthrough inspections at a minimum of every 12 months that include, at a minimum, all of the following:

   1. (1) For containment sumps:

      1. (i) Visually check for damage and the presence of liquid or debris.
      2. (ii) Remove liquid or debris.
      3. (iii) For double-walled sumps with interstitial monitoring, check for a leak in the interstitial area.
   2. (2) For handheld release detection equipment, check devices such as tank gauge sticks or groundwater bailers for operability and serviceability.

3. (c) Owners and operators of underground storage tank systems shall ensure operation and maintenance walkthrough inspections required under this section are performed in accordance with one of the following criteria, unless the Department determines that a more stringent requirement is necessary to avoid releases of regulated substances from underground storage tank systems:

   1. (1) Requirements developed by the manufacturer.
   2. (2) Code of practice developed by a Nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory.
   3. (3) Requirements determined by the Department to be no less protective of human health and the environment than the requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2).

Source

The provisions of this § 245.438 adopted December 21, 2018, effective December 22, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 7875.

Cross References

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 245.403 (relating to applicability); 25 Pa. Code § 245.435 (relating to reporting and recordkeeping); and 25 Pa. Code § 245.437 (relating to periodic testing).