| Underground storage tanks (UST's) had to be upgraded with some form of leak detection and, if a steel tank, corrosion protection by December 22, 1998, or the tank must be removed from the ground. |
| Consumptive Use fuel oil tanks - tanks used exclusively for area heating and hot water on the premises - are exempt from both leak detection and cathodic protection requirements, regardless of the size. |
| Diesel Generator tanks are exempt from leak detection requirements but not cathodic protection. |
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Forms of Leak Detection include: 1 . Installing an in-tank monitor which at the close of each month shall, continuously for a six hour period, monitor the tank to determine any loss of product. The in-tank monitor must be capable of detecting a loss of 0.20 gallons per hour or more over a six-hour period with the probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05. 2. Monitor the vapors in the soil through the use of a continuous monitor 3. Monitor the vapors in the soil through the use of a monthly monitoring device. 4. Double-walled tank with an interstitial monitor. |
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Corrosion Protection: Can only be added to UST's that have been determined to be structurally sound. If the tank is less than 10 years old - two tightness tests may be used to determine structural integrity. The first test must be conducted prior to installing cathodic protection. The second test must be performed between six and twelve months after adding cathodic protection. If the tank is over 10 years old - either an internal inspection should be made or an alternative method should be used as outlined in ASTM: ES 40-94 Emergency Standard Practice for Alternative Procedures for the Assessment of Buried Steel Tanks Prior to the Addition of Cathodic Protection (copies available at the State Fire Marshal's Office). |
| Questions regarding UST's should be directed to the Office of the State Fire Marshal at (978) 567-3300. |
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