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 EPA proposes
mandatory secondary containment
EPA's long-awaited proposed revisions to the federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations were published on November 18 in the Federal Register. Importantly, EPA proposes mandatory secondary containment for all underground storage tanks. Among resulting rule changes affect monitoring methods, testing and release detection. STI standards are mentioned frequently in the proposed rules. STI's Regulatory Task Force is developing comments on behalf of the industry right now. Public comment will be accepted on or before February 16, 2012. |
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NEW! Steel water storage tank
e-learning modules
Introductory rate only $30 per module
Limited time offer 
These comprehensive online learning programs have been developed by experts in the industry:
- Steel water storage tank standards
- Tank construction
- Coatings and linings
After purchase, STI/SPFA steel water storage tank e-learning modules are available 24/7 for a full seven days. Earn professional development hours at your office, at home or while traveling on business.
The special introductory rate of $30 per module is a limited time offer, so download one or all of the modules today!
Click here for Steel Water Storage Tank E-Learning Modules
Steel water storage tanks are durable structures with unprecedented performance in overload situations. They offer design flexibility and unlimited life cycle cost advantages.
If you have any questions, please contact Marie Scimeca at STI/SPFA, 847-438-8265 ext. 239 or mscimeca@steeltank.com
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UL reconfirms: steel tanks OK for biofuels storage
In response to a question posed by US EPA, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recently announced that steel tanks listed to standards such as UL 58 and UL 142 are intended to store both petroleum fuels and biofuel blends.
UL based its statement on the combination of the materials used in manufacturing steel tanks, and established engineering principles of steel compatibility with flammable and combustible liquids.
Click here for UL's letter to EPA
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2011 standards updates
STI developed STI F091 "Standard for Tanks Storing DEF, Diesel Exhaust Fluid." Truck stops throughout the US are increasingly installing new equipment for dispensing DEF. Manufacturers, installers and tank owners/operators should take note of this new standard.
Click here for STI F091 DEF storage standard
Click here for DEF info links
NACE has published revisions to SP0285 (formerly RP0285), "External Corrosion Control of Underground Storage Tank Systems by Cathodic Protection." One key revision is that "instant off" readings are now the primary method to consider voltage (IR) drops for impressed current cathodic protection systems. Lorri Grainawi, STI/SPFA's director of technical services, chaired the SP0285 revision committee.
Click here for NACE SP0285 revision
STI has revised "R-111 Storage Tank Maintenance," to address the need for clean fuels. Today's fuels are more prone to moisture accumulation and potential biodegradation accelerated by water. The recommended practice covers both USTs and ASTs.
Click here for STI Storage Tank Maintenance (R-111) update
NFPA 30-2011 updates the "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code." Enforceable under OSHA and many state and local regulations, it is the best practice document widely used in industry and by insurers.
Click here for NFPA revised 30-2012
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Lightning strike explodes FRP UST
 In early September 2011, the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office investigated two fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) underground fuel storage tanks that had exploded due to a lightning strike.
The lightning had entered through a fax/phone line in the facility building, causing little damage there. However, the current traveled to the underground FRP diesel and gasoline tanks, causing an explosion that leaked 625-700 gallons of fuel to the ground water, according to the report.
Click here view full report and more photos of the damage
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Tank and Petroleum Mishaps 
Fall storms wreak havoc
on storage tanks
Hurricane Irene and a series of severe weather events across the country caused several serious tank problems in early fall of 2011:
- The hurricane ruptured a fuel tank in Rye, NY, displacing residents of a 99-unit apartment complex.
- Irene also damaged a dam, causing fuel to leak into a river near Tuxedo, NY. The tank is part of a diesel and home heating oil facility.
- The New Jersey Department of Environmenal Protection reported at least nine fuel tank ruptures as a result of the hurricane.
- In Scholarie, NY, one 60,000 and two 20,000 gallon tanks tipped over due to flooding.
- September flooding in Tucson, AZ, caused a Jiffy Lube waste pit to overflow, spilling oil into the streets.
Click here for more Tank Mishaps
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26 young deaths at petro storage tanks
The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) reports that 26 young people died and 25 more were injured between 1983-2010 at petroleum storage tank facilities. The deaths are attributed to explosions ignited when the victims light cigarettes while on top of the tanks.
These storage tanks are often in remote locations and are unsupervised, unfenced and lack warning signs. The accessibility of the tanks "offers a tempting venue" for young people to "gather and socialize," says the resport.
The CSB urges petroleum companies to "take swift action" by adopting safe tank designs already in use in the downstream sector, as well as securing storage tanks with fencing and warning signs.
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Wisconsin revises gen base tank venting
"Emergency Generator Sub-base Tank Vent Termination" is the subject of a Program Letter issued October 20, 2011, by the Environmental & Regulatory Services division, Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services. The letter revises venting for fuel storage for stationary combustion engines and gas turbines.
"We are experiencing a change in the design of emergency generator weather enclosures," notes Sheldon Schall, Chief of the Tank Regulation Section in Wisconsin. "Recent design trends in these enclosures do not have open louvers allowing natural air flow." Combined with sound dampening materials installed in newer gen-base tanks, these factors increase the potential for vapor ignition incidents, says Schall.
The revision resulted from STI/SPFA's Emergency Tank Venting webinar in September. More than 100 people listened and learned from tank experts Jeff Shapiro and Scott Stookey. Among them were representatives of the Tank Regulation Section in Wisconsin.
Click here for full text of Program Letter
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New ways to maintain your fuel
 "Maintaining your fuel--it ain't what it used to be" says Torre Miller, author of the article linked below.
Torre represents Diesel Fuel Doctor and wrote this article for our Tank Talk readers.
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UL establishes corporate entities  As of December 31, 2011, UL will house several of its activities in for-profit entities. Underwriters Laboratories remains the not-for-profit parent organization, responsible for safety research, standards development and consumer safety advocacy.
A new US company named "UL LLC" and a Swiss company named "UL AG" will assume testing and certification services currently handled by UL and ULIS BV. Manufacturers in the US will be serviced by UL LLC, and those elsewhere by UL AG.
UL emphasizes that certifications and service deliveries are not changing. The new UL LLC and UL AG entities will seamlessly adopt these activities.
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Mandatory generators at gas stations?
Millions of people lost power for days, sometimes weeks, after excessively heavy rains and flooding hit the Northeast last fall. And thousands of those people hit the highways, looking for gas stations that had working gas pumps. The resulting traffic jams caused problems for police and dangers for those desperate travelers.
Connecticut legislators are contemplating legislation that would require all gas stations and senior housing to have on-site generators. Gasoline is vital to emergency situations so people can power their own generators and get food and emergency supplies. --Courtesy NBC Connecticut Connecticut may follow in the steps of the State of Florida. In June 2006, Tank Talk reported Florida had mandated that gas stations install on-site generators, in response to a severe hurricane season. |
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John W. Jones remembered
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John W. Jones, Modern Welding |
John Walker Jones, Chairman of the Board and former President of Modern Welding Company, died November 9th, 2011. Funeral services were held in his home town of Owensboro, Kentucky.
John joined the sales team at Modern Welding in 1970. He was active and involved in STI activities for many years. We extend our sympathy to his family, friends and the staff at Modern Welding.
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Industry Calendar
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Recent and archived Issues of Tank Talk are also available on the subscription page.
Tank Talk Editor
Noël Zak, CAE
STI-SPFA
944 Donata Ct.
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
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