Above
ground oil tank
- The picture below
shows signs of leakage.
The
method we use to
test underground
storage tanks for
leakage is 95%-97%
accurate. It is
called a Negative
Pressure/under fill
tank tightness test.
It requires only
5% fuel product
in the tank. The
test involves the
use of a digital
acoustic probe that
is lowered into
the tank. The probe
connects to a computer
and creates a digital
map and acoustical
profile of the tank’s
integrity. If the
test detects leaking,
it will indicate
if the leak is above
the product level
(in the empty portion
of the tank). If
this is the case,
it can typically
be determined if
the leak is at the
vent pipe or fill
pipe, which can
often be repaired.
The holes/leak may
also be in the tank
itself. If the test
detects vapor bubbling,
this means that
the leak is in fuel
filled portion of
the tank. The reports
are usually available
in 48-72 hours after
the test is completed.
The test usually
lasts approximately
1-2 ½ hours.
If
leakage/contamination
is detected, most
localities require
notification be
made to the fire
marshal, and to
the building department.
A building permit
may be required
for removal of the
tank. The tank would
be required to be
removed, and the
soil must remain
on the property,
protected by a covering,
until lab analysis
is completed, and
the proper authorities
have provided direction
for subsequent steps
to be taken.
It
is recommended that
if an underground
storage tank is
approaching 20 years
of age or older,
to replace the tank.
When a tank is removed,
the removal company
conducts on site
testing for petroleum
hydrocarbons.
If
tanks are abandoned,
notice to the Fire
Marshal and Building
Inspectors are required.
Proper abandonment
procedures must
be followed.
If
a homeowner’s insurance
policy includes
coverage for leaking
underground storage
tanks (LUST), it
does not guarantee
that upon renewal,
the new policy will
also include the
same coverage. Most
insurance companies
are phasing out
this type of coverage.
There also is no
guarantee that a
buyer’s insurance
company will provide
coverage.
If
a fuel company provides
an insurance policy,
the policy must
be scrutinized very
carefully. It may
cover only for tank
replacement, but
not for contamination
clean up.
Insurance
claims may be denied
if the adjuster
determines that
the tank deteriorated
before the policy
date. Insurance
does not usually
cover tank pipe
problems, which
are expensive to
repair.
Insurance will not
pay for claims for
leaks discovered
while converting
to gas or if discovered
while routinely
replacing the tank.
I.e. if a homeowner
decides to replace
the tank due to
age, and during
this process leakage
is discovered, insurance
will not cover the
claim.
The
testing procedure
should first be
conducted. If during
this process leakage
is discovered, it
probably will be
covered.
The
Connecticut Department
of Environmental
Protection Tank
Enforcement Section
strongly recommends
that any residential
bare steel tank
without cathode
protection, and
10-15 yeas of age,
should be removed
or abandoned in
place. If the tank
is abandoned, the
National Fire Code
30 applies. This
states that the
tank must have all
product removed,
the tank cleaned,
and soil testing
conducted to verify
that there are no
leaks. Then a state
approved inert material
is placed into the
abandoned tank as
a filler. The local
fire marshal should
be notified. UST’s
that are leaking
cannot be abandoned
in place, but must
be removed and the
contamination cleaned
up. The CT DEP states
that abandoning
a tank is more expensive
than just removal.
In addition, they
state that if the
Connecticut Tank
Enforcement Department
is aware of a residential
bare steel UST and
over 10 years old,
they can compel
the owner to remove
the tank. The department
expects to issue
an advisory In May
2004 that all residential
bare steel tanks
should be removed
if 10-15 years old.
All
procedures require
proper documentation
in order to limit
everyone’s potential
liability exposure.
