Code of practice for storage tank systems containing petroleum and allied products: part 8


Part 8: operation and maintenance

Section 8.1: scope

8.1.1 This part applies to the operation and maintenance of a storage tank system.

Section 8.2: general requirements

8.2.1 Except as provided in this part, the operation and maintenance of a storage tank system shall be in conformance with the National Fire Code of Canada (NFCC).

Section 8.3: inventory control

8.3.1(1) Except as provided in sentence 8.3.1(2), the owner of a storage tank system shall ensure that inventory control and reconciliation is conducted in conformance with this section.

8.3.1(2) Subject to sentence 8.3.2(1), inventory control and reconciliation is not required where:

  1. a storage tank system has been temporarily withdrawn from service and the tanks have been emptied; or
  2. all components designed to contain liquids are secondarily contained and have an interstitial space monitored:
    1. manually on any day the storage system is available for use; or
    2. continuously using electronic sensing that provides a visual or auditory indication of the integrity of the interstice being compromised.

8.3.2(1) The owner of a motive fuel storage tank shall ensure that:

  1. the product level is measured and reconciled (See appendix B, note B.8.3.2(1)(a)) in conformance with sentence 8.3.2(2):
    1. each day that product is added or removed from an underground storage tank; or
    2. at least weekly where product is added to or removed from an aboveground storage tank system; and
  2. the water level shall be measured and included in all reconciliation computations in conformance with clause (a).

8.3.2(2) Storage tank inventory control measurements shall be reconciled by comparing product and water level measurements with dispenser meter readings, shipments, deliveries and internal transfers.

8.3.2(3) The computation of any gain or loss of product shall be recorded and included with a monthly summary of cumulative losses or gains of product.

8.3.3 Inventory control and reconciliation records shall be kept in a manner and format as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction.

8.3.4(1) For an underground storage tank, the authority having jurisdiction shall be notified immediately, in conformance with section 8.9, in the event of:

  1. any unexplained loss in excess of the greater of:
    1. 0.5% of the throughput in one month from the tanksystem, as indicated by the recording and reconciliation of inventory records over a month recording period done in conformance with article 8.3.2; or
    2. 0.5% of the storage tank system capacity;
  2. inventory reconciliation showing five or more consecutive days of unexplained product losses;
  3. inventory reconciliation showing 18 or more days of unexplained losses in one calendar month; or
  4. the level of water at the bottom of the tank exceeds 50 mm.

8.3.4(2) For an aboveground storage tank, the authority having jurisdiction shall be notified immediately, in conformance with section 8.9, in the event of:

  1. any unexplained loss in excess of the greater of:
    1. 1% of the throughput in one month from the storage tank system as indicated by the recording and reconciliation of inventory records done in conformance with article 8.3.2; or
    2. 1% of the storage tank system capacity.
  2. inventory reconciliation showing five or more consecutive weeks of unexplained product losses; or
  3. inventory reconciliation showing an unexplained loss in one calendar month.

Section 8.4: inspections and maintenance of storage tank systems

8.4.1(1) Routine in-service inspections shall be conducted in conformance with this section.

8.4.1(2) Visual inspection of a storage tank facility to ensure that there has not been a leak or deterioration of the facility that could result in a leak shall be conducted and documented either:

  1. each day the facility is in operation; or
  2. at a frequency specified by the authority having jurisdiction. (See appendix B, note B.8.4.1(2)(b))

8.4.1(3) Visual inspection of a storage tank facility to ensure that there has not been a leak or equipment failure shall be conducted weekly and documented for:

  1. foundations, tank walls, roof, and tank attachments;
  2. dyke capacity, condition of the dyke wall and floor, and water removal systems;
  3. pumps and product- handling equipment;
  4. tank gauging equipment;
  5. mechanical and automatic electronic leak detection equipment;
  6. dispenser sumps and spill containment devices; and
  7. overfill protection devices.

8.4.1(4) Inspection and performance testing in conformance with the manufacturer's requirements and procedures to ensure satisfactory equipment performance and operation of a storage tank facility shall be conducted annually and documented by a company or individual that is authorized by the authority having jurisdiction for:

  1. automatic tank gauges and monitoring systems;
  2. high-technology sensors;
  3. electronic or mechanical leak detectionequipment;
  4. corrosion protection equipment;
  5. pressurized piping emergency valves;
  6. emergency shut-down devices;
  7. containment sumps including dispenser, turbine and transition containment devices; and
  8. overfill protection devices.

8.4.1(5) In addition to sentence (4), a storage tank not in service at the time of the inspection shall be noted on the inspection report stating:

  1. date taken out-of-service; and
  2. whether the tanks:
    1. will be out-of-service for less than 180 days;
    2. will be out-of-service for a period exceeding 180 days; or
    3. are operated on a seasonal basis.

8.4.2 Where required by part 6, an aboveground storage tank system installed in conformance with American Petroleum Institute (API) Std 650-98, "Welded Steel Tanks for Oil Storage" shall be inspected in conformance with API Std 653-01, "Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction".

8.4.3 Any deficiencies in a storage tank system identified as a result of the inspections specified in this Section shall be documented and corrected to be in conformance with this code by a company or individual that is authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 8.5: product transfer operations

8.5.1 A person responsible for transferring petroleum or allied petroleum product to a storage tank system shall take all reasonable steps to prevent spills.

8.5.2(1) When a tank vehicle is being unloaded, the vehicle operator shall remain:

  1. in constant view of the fill pipe; and
  2. in constant attendance at the delivery control valve. (See appendix B, note B.8.5.2(1)(b))

8.5.3(1) Transfer of petroleum or allied petroleum product into and out of a storage tank system shall be in conformance with procedures outlined in:

  1. the NFCC;
  2. API Std 2610-94, "Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Terminal and Tank Facilities"; and
  3. Canadian Petroleum Products Institute (CPPI) (1992), "Professional Driver's Manual".

8.5.3(2) Standard procedures for normal operation, as well as for emergencies, shall be given to an operator and posted in printed form for convenient reference. An employee involved with the transfer of petroleum or allied petroleum product shall be trained in the correct operating procedures for all equipment and shut-down devices. (See appendix B, note B.8.5.3(2))

8.5.4 The owner of a storage tank system shall ensure that filler ports, monitoring wells, and vapour recovery connections are colourcoded in conformance with CPPI (1995), "Using the CPPI Colour-Symbol System to Mark Equipment and Vehicles for Product Identification".

8.5.5 A used oil storage tank shall be fitted with a suction tube and liquid- and vapour- tight coupling and shall not have suction hoses dropped or inserted into the used oil storage tank during the product removal process.

8.5.6 No person shall transfer used oil from a storage tank unless a connection is made to the coupling at the end of the storage tank suction tube.

8.5.7(1) Subject to sentence (2), no person shall transfer petroleum or allied petroleum product to an aboveground storage tank with a capacity of 5000 L or more unless a liquid- and vapour-tight fill connection is made to the storage tank.

8.5.7(2) No person shall transfer petroleum or allied petroleum product to an underground storage tank unless a liquid- and vapourtight fill connection is made to the underground storage tank.

8.5.8 No person shall cause an allied petroleum product to be transferred into a storage tank unless the product being transferred is compatible with the internal surface of the storage tank.

Section 8.6: cathodic protection monitoring

8.6.1(1) Except as provided in sentence (2), maintenance checks on the operation of a cathodic protection system shall be conducted in conformance with:

  1. Canada/Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (CAN/ULC)-S603.1-1992, "Galvanic Corrosion Protection Systems for Underground Steel Tanks" for sacrificial anode systems;
  2. NACE International (NACE) RP0169-2002, "Control of Corrosion on Underground or Submerged Metallic Piping Systems";
  3. NACE RP0285-2002, "Corrosion Control of Underground Storage Tank Systems by Cathodic Protection";
  4. NACE RP0193-2001, "External Cathodic Protection of On-Grade Carbon Steel Storage Tank Bottoms";
  5. NACE TM0101-2001, "Measurement Techniques Related to Criteria for Cathodic Protection on Underground or Submerged Metallic Tank Systems";
  6. CPPI/PACE report no. 87-1, "Impressed Current Method of Cathodic Protection of Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks" clause 5.55(c) and part 6.0 for impressed current systems; or
  7. API RP 651-97, "Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks".

8.6.1(2) Cathodic protection measurements for a storage tank system shall be conducted by a person with NACE Cathodic protection (CP) Level 1 (CP tester minimum certification) or otherwise as authorized by the authority having jurisdiction, at commissioning, within one year of commissioning, and annually thereafter.

Section 8.7: oil-water separators (see appendix B, note B.8.7)

8.7.1 An oil-water separator intended to collect and separate free oil from water shall be designed and installed in conformance with sentence 3.10.3(1).

8.7.2 An oil-water separator shall be equipped with a spill containment device at the point of oil removal in conformance with:

  1. ORD-C58.19-1992, "Spill Containment Devices for Underground Tanks"; or
  2. ORD-C142.19-1994, "Spill Containment Devices for Aboveground Tanks".

8.7.3 The operation, maintenance and inspection of an oil-water separator shall be in conformance with the requirements of the manufacturer's instructions or as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction.

8.7.4(1) Subject to sentence (2), the depth of the free oil layer and separated solids accumulation in an oil-water separator shall be checked and recorded monthly.

8.7.4(2) If a monthly inspection is not possible, an oil-water separator shall be electronically monitored.

8.7.4(3) The depth of the free oil layer and separated solids accumulation in an oil-water separator shall be measured as close to the baffle as possible.

8.7.4(4) An oil-water separator shall have the free oil layer removed:

  1. continuously by an automatic skimmer; or
  2. at a maximum depth of 50 mm.

8.7.4(5) After a spill or leak, the depth of the free oil layer and separated solids accumulation in an oil-water separator shall be checked and recorded.

8.7.5 No person shall discharge tank bottom water or gasoline, solvents, used oil, glycol, detergents, or sludges from outside the storage tank system directly to an oil-water separator. (See appendix B, note B.8.7.5)

8.7.6 The amount of solids entering an oil-water separator shall be minimized.

8.7.7(1) An oil-water separator shall have the separated solids removed:

  1. at a maximum depth of 150 mm; or
  2. at the maximum depth allowed by an automatic removal device.

8.7.8 Free oil, separated solids, and water from an oil-water separator shall be disposed of in a manner prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 8.8: transfer of ownership

8.8.1 The new owner of a storage tank system shall notify the authority having jurisdiction in writing within 30 days of the transfer of ownership and provide the information specified by the authority having jurisdiction.

8.8.2 When the ownership of a storage tank system is transferred, all as-built drawings and records, or copies thereof required by this code shall be transferred to the new owner of the storage tank system.

8.8.3 The owner of real property on which underground storage tank s are located shall inform the purchaser of the real property, in writing, of the existence of any underground storage tank s on the real property before the sale is closed. (See appendix B, note B.8.8.3)

Section 8.9: leak and spill response

8.9.1 The owner of each registered storage tank system shall prepare and maintain an emergency response contingency plan.

8.9.2(1) The owner or operator of a storage tank system shall immediately notify the authority having jurisdiction (See appendix D- Spill reporting) and provide the information requested when the owner or operator discovers, suspects, or is notified by any person of:

  1. any leak from a storage tank system;
  2. any spill or overfill that is 100 L or more; or
  3. any spill or overfill that could threaten fresh water supplies, groundwater, or the health and safety of the public.

8.9.3(1) The owner of a storage tank system where a leak or spill is known or suspected shall, in consultation with the authority having jurisdiction, take such actions as the authority having jurisdiction requires to verify, stop, clean up, and mitigate the impact of the leak or spill, including but not limited to:

  1. isolating leaking components of the storage tank system;
  2. arranging for immediate removal of the petroleum or allied petroleum product from the isolated leaking components of the storage tank system;
  3. inspecting the storage tank or piping and:
    1. arranging for a leak test in conformance with this code; or
    2. removing the suspected leaking storage tank or piping;
  4. taking all reasonable steps to establish the extent of the contamination (including vapours), contain the leaked or spilled petroleum or allied petroleum product, and prevent its further migration; and
  5. taking all reasonable steps to recover or remove escaped petroleum or allied petroleum product in conformance with sentence 9.4.2(2).

Section 8.10: precision leak detection test

8.10.1 In addition to the requirements of part 6, the owner of a storage tank system shall conduct a precision leak detection test when required by the authority having jurisdiction.

8.10.2(1) A precision leak detection test shall be conducted by a company or individual authorized by the authority having jurisdiction and shall be conducted by an individual that has been trained in the proper care and use of the test equipment and it's operating procedures.

8.10.2(2) When a precision leak detection test has been required by part 6 or the authority having jurisdiction, a precision leak test report shall be forwarded by the owner to the authority having jurisdiction within ten days of the test.

8.10.2(3) A precision leak detection test report shall contain as a minimum:

  1. storage tank and piping identification number and product type;
  2. owner's name and mailing address;
  3. facility address;
  4. test date;
  5. test results;
  6. test methods;
  7. test technician certification number provided by the test equipment manufacturer to verify satisfactory completion of applicable training and certification requirements; and
  8. name and address of testing company or technician.

8.10.4 Where a precision leak detection test or inspection indicates a leak, the company or individual performing the test shall immediately notify the owner or operator of the storage tank system and the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 8.11: records

8.11.1(1) The owner of a storage tank system shall maintain records for at least seven years of all:

  1. inventory control and reconciliation as required by section 8.3;
  2. inspections and maintenance as required by section 8.4;
  3. cathodic protection monitoring as required by section 8.6;
  4. precision leak detection tests as required by section 8.10;
  5. maintenance and repairs;
  6. monitoring well results;
  7. construction, alterations, or upgrades;
  8. as-built drawings; and
  9. excavation or nearby construction that could affect the integrity of the storage tank system.

8.11.1(2) Subject to sentence (3), the owner of a storage tank system shall maintain records required by this code on-site.

8.11.1(3) The authority having jurisdiction may allow computerized records to be stored off-site.

8.11.2(1) The owner of an oil-water separator shall maintain records of:

  1. the free oil layer in the separator;
  2. the separated solids level, measured at a point where the maximum buildup can be expected;
  3. the date and quantity of oil removed;
  4. the date and quantity of separated solids removed;
  5. the name of the contractor; and
  6. all inspections and maintenance.

Section 8.12: tank bottom water

8.12.1(1) Tank bottom water shall:

  1. not be drained onto the ground or into an oil-water separator (See appendix B, note B8.12.1(1)(a); and
  2. be segregated from rainwater and disposed of in conformance with the applicable provincial or territorial regulations, guidelines and policies.

Section 8.13: storage

8.13.1 In an aboveground storage tank system, the space created by secondary containment shall not be used for storage purposes.

Section 8.14: transfer of oil-contaminated water

8.14.1 Centrifugal-type pumps shall not be used to transfer oil-contaminated water from dykes or sumps to the oil-water separator.

Page details

Date modified: