TE BMP1 Above Ground Storage Tanks.pdf

Definition and Purpose:

Prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants to stormwater from areas housing above-ground storage tanks (AST).

To provide guidance on the correct maintenance practices, operations, and pollution prevention practices when managing ASTs.

The goal of regulating ASTs is to prevent spills and leaks by requiring facility owners to comply with various safeguard requirements. These include safeguards such as secondary containment, corrosion protection, overfill prevention, and leak detection.

Aboveground storage tank" or "AST" means any one or combination of tanks used to contain an accumulation of oil, fuel or other materials at atmospheric pressure, and the volume of which, is more than 90% above the surface of the ground.

Approach:

The General Permit authorizes certain new and existing discharges of stormwater to receiving waters in accordance with your facilities effluent limitations and includes the development and implementation of BMPs (Best Management Practices). In order to insure BMPs are being implemented, visual inspections and sampling of outfalls will be performed periodically and during the course of the SWPPP annual inspections.

Existing and New Facilities: When complaint investigations or routine stormwater audits for existing facilities indicate impacts to water resources due to poor management practices, ENRD can take action to address any problems identified. Infrastructure and equipment, in addition to BMP implementation, are evaluated during inspections. To minimize the potential for compliance issues and to reduce liability, it is highly recommended that the recommendations in this document be followed.

AST (Above-ground Storage Tank) – BMP FACTSHEET 1.0

U.S. ARMY GARRISON

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA

http://www.belvoir.army.mil/ http://www.belvoir.army.mil/ http://www.belvoir.army.mil/

AST facility operations and maintenance

Many of the problems associated with contamination of local waterways stem from the improper maintenance and management of ASTs. The proper management and preventative maintenance practices for AST’s and the facilities that house them, will keep equipment in good repair and will prevent harmful releases.

*These are the basic operation guidelines all

AST facilities must follow:

Aboveground oil storage tanks should be built and tested in accordance with industry and other specified standards

Fuel storage tanks must be vented so fumes can escape, reducing the potential for ruptures and collapses.

Certain fuels can be very corrosive.

Ensure that the equipment that comes in contact with corrosive contents (including tank itself) is made of a corrosion resistant material such as high density polyethylene, stainless steel, or glass fiber.

To reduce the chances for corrosion, tanks should be placed on a pad, foundation or supports rather than directly on the ground.

Tanks should be painted with a light color and be rust free.

Tanks should be labeled as to contents, size, last internal inspection, safe gauge height and year built. Make sure signs on tanks are visible and legible

Tanks must have overfill protection, this would include direct vision gauges, high liquid level alarms, flow restrictions or high liquid level shut-off devices.

All ASTs must have secondary containment.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pdinfo.powerdata.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Aboveground-Tank-POWERandDATA.info_.jpg?4359e6&imgrefurl=http://poweranddata.info/knowledge-center/regulations/&docid=jFehKCcsFkAdEM&tbnid=lfplo-iBx_veIM:&w=590&h=422&itg=1&bih=625&biw=1366&ved=0ahUKEwjEw-m12J3MAhUHkx4KHaUpBuYQMwiHAShjMGM&iact=mrc&uact=8 http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj8uLq62J3MAhUGlh4KHYGqA3EQjRwIBw&url=http://ehs.mst.edu/ehsmanual/spcc/spillpreventionandcountermeasureplan/&bvm=bv.119745492,d.dmo&psig=AFQjCNFyQatduNt4h7EhxPXjUHQa6X5ufg&ust=1461258009735182

Secondary containment: The purpose of secondary containment is to prevent petroleum products from flowing onto the ground or into the water in the event of a spill at an AST facility. Spill containment measures, including secondary containment are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at AST facilities as well as in areas of fuel transfer from tank trucks. Secondary containment:

Must be large, high and strong enough to hold the contents of the largest tank plus 10% for local precipitation.

Must be constructed or lined with material that will hold petroleum products and prevent them from seeping into the ground.

The liner should be covered with sand or gravel to prevent ripping and to provide protection from the weather.

Double walled aboveground storage tanks are not required to be located within a secondary containment area provided they have a high liquid level alarm, and a flow restrictor or automatic shut off device

Secondary containment structures must allow inspections of the tanks or containers, the timely detection of any leaks and recovery of any spillage, and the removal and proper disposal of any captured precipitation so that the minimum required capacity is maintained at all times.

ASTs stored indoors must be managed such that no releases can reach drains, groundwater or surface waters. If there is a floor drain, it must be plugged unless it is connected to a holding tank, or approved in a discharge permit that the facility has obtained from the DEQ. Your facility SWPPP should contain documentation of any permits held.

Proper AST facility maintenance practices include:

Good housekeeping: It is essential that the entire AST facility be kept clean, orderly and free of unnecessary items.

Address problems promptly: Make repairs to tanks and equipment as soon as problems are noted.

Scheduled Maintenance: Scheduled maintenance should be performed on ASTs along with fittings, valves and pumps. Any leaking or dripping should be addressed in a timely manner.

Detailed maintenance records should be kept to ensure proper upkeep on equipment and available for audits/inspections.

Spill Preparedness and Response: Spill response equipment (spill kits) should be accessible at all times and in good working condition. Make sure a copy of Ft. Belvoir’s spill response procedures is easily accessible. Any used items must be immediately replenished to kit.

Safety: Fire extinguishers must be kept pressurize and should be shaken every month. All other safety equipment must be in good working order.

Security: Any holes in fence, locks on gates and burned out light bulbs should http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjTguCD2Z3MAhWNuB4KHWNCAjMQjRwIBw&url=http://abovegroundfuelstoragetanks.com/fireguard-fuel-tanks/&bvm=bv.119745492,d.dmo&psig=AFQjCNFyQatduNt4h7EhxPXjUHQa6X5ufg&ust=1461258009735182 be repaired or replaced as soon as the deficiency is noted.

Additional Equipment

Aside from the major components of an Aboveground Storage Tank Facility, additional items and equipment are required. Following is a list of ancillary equipment:

Fencing: AST facilities must have fences and gates that can be locked. The purpose of the fence is to keep unauthorized people, vandals and animals out.

Lighting: AST facilities must have sufficient lighting to prevent vandalism and help detect spills at night.

Signs: “No-smoking” signs must be posted around the facility so they can be seen from every side of the tank farm. Also “Danger”, “Warning” or “Authorized Personnel Only” signs must be posted to warn unauthorized individuals from entering the facility.

Back-up Equipment: If emergency pumps and/or skimmers are kept at the site, start them up at least once a month.

Spills and Leaks –Prevention and Response

Spills and leaks can happen at Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) facilities for several reasons.

Common Causes of Spills at AST facilities include:

Operator error

• Tanks overfilled

• Valves left open

• Poor transfer procedures

• Lack of product monitoring

• Potential problems not recognized

• Poor maintenance practices

Poorly designed or improperly installed facilities

• Inadequate security – vehicular traffic, children or vandals restricted area

• Facility located in flood zone or avalanche zone or any other area where natural disasters are likely to happen

• Falling snow and ice from tanks onto piping

Storage Tank Problems

• Tank design and construction

• Inadequate foundation or tanks setting directly on the ground

• Tank bottom and seams rusted, shell pitted, weeping or leaking

• Improper venting http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi094yRpqLMAhVIGj4KHdaXAIQQjRwIBw&url=http://ehs.mst.edu/ehsmanual/spcc/spillpreventionandcountermeasureplan/&bvm=bv.119745492,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNFmaEhEEHoXJH7G1xi3JEKjxlvuFg&ust=1461416274593263

Secondary Containment Problems

No dikes or secondary containment around tank farm

Inadequate secondary containment – should be able to hold contents of largest tank plus 10% for local precipitation

Containment unable to hold spilled product

Holes or low areas in dikes

Water pooled in secondary containment area

Holes and rips in liners.

Spill response – In the event of a spill or leak follow the appropriate Spill response procedures posted at your facility or refer to appendix ___ in SWPPP

1. Survey the incident – from a safe distance identify the source of release and the material being released.

2. Call the Ft. Belvoir fire department if spills are greater than 5 gallons. If ANY amount of leaked materials has entered a storm drain or waterway call the Ft. Belvoir fire department at 703- 781-1800 and DPW Environmental Department at 703-806- 3694.

For questions and additional information contact DPW / ENRD at

703- 805-0048 or 703-806-3847 http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjiuNWBraLMAhUJNT4KHfjcC3kQjRwIBw&url=http://www.dawginc.com/spill-kits.html&bvm=bv.119745492,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNEgkYx-lFfRaWTda6EO20hP0UJAKw&ust=1461418151210240