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Class III-B liquids and emergency venting of ASTs
by Scott Stookey, Senior Technical Staff, International Code Council, Austin, TX
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Scott Stookey |
Recently, ICC was asked to explain the requirements for emergency venting of atmospheric aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) storing Class III-B combustible liquids. This inquiry was based on the requirements in the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC).
Class III-B combustible liquids are those with a closed cup flash point temperature greater than 200°F. Class III-B combustible liquids comprise a broad family of common products including lubricants, cooking oils and heavy bunker fuels used in marine diesel engines.
This article explains the 2012 IFC and 2012 edition of NFPA 30, Flammable & Combustible Liquid Code emergency venting requirements for ASTs storing Class III-B liquids.
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Lightning explodes FRP tank in Kentucky
 After reading "Lightning strike explodes FRP UST" in the December issue of Tank Talk, Stephen Kent, UST Compliance Section Supervisor in Kentucky, sent information about a similar incident in his state.
On June 10, 2011, the UST compliance office sent an Emergency Response Team to a gas station in western Louisville. A tank pit had exploded following a severe thunderstorm. Team members said that lightning caused the tank pit to explode.
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Tank and Petroleum Mishaps
Tank filling errors cause diesel spills
Pueblo, CO: A spill of about 100 gallons of diesel fuel forced the closure of Runyon Lake in January. A delivery company overfilled the tanks, spilling fuel into the city's stormwater system...
Montreal, CAN: How do you pump 16,000 litres of diesel fuel into the wrong tank in a hospital parking lot, where it then seeps into the soil and the city's sewer system?...
Nome, AK: Crews in the St. Lawrence Island community of Savoonga are digging to reach contaminated snow after a fuel tank overflowed last Thursday and spilled thousands of gallons of diesel into a containment area...a new employee opened the wrong valve during a gasoline purchase and pumped diesel fuel into a full tank, resulting in the overflow...
Click here for more Tank Mishaps
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How much does your water tank really cost?
The water industry has a recurring need to assess the total cost of ownership when planning water infrastructure. Such assessment is essential for project selection and long-range planning. It also supports compliance with financial regulations (e.g. GASB Rule 34).
However, the complexity of factors required in lifetime value analysis can be daunting.
STI/SPFA's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) online tool is designed to provide reliable results to assess the lifetime cost/value of your water storage tank.
Click here to learn more about TCO
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EPA extends UST regs comment period
 EPA is extending the public comment period to April 16, 2012, on the proposal to revise the federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations. The proposed regulations were initially published November 18, 2011.
Requests were made for additional time to comment on the proposed rule in light of PEI's proposed standard RP1200, which covers operation and maintenance testing of UST systems.
Click here to comment on the EPA OUST proposed rules.
Click here to comment on PEI's proposed standard RP 1200.
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STI Inspector Training
More than 400,000 tanks have been fabricated and installed bearing the STI label, built under nearly 500 technology licenses established between STI and its fabricating Members.
To ensure compliance with STI standards, Member facilities are randomly inspected. STI contracts with experienced quality control experts to randomly inspect steel tank fabrication facilities. Inspectors verify that tanks are built properly to STI and third party listing organization standards, such as SwRI and UL.
On January 31, 2012, STI hosted an Inspector Training Meeting... |
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125,000 Watchdog tank tests!
 When EPA promulgated UST regulations in 1988, there were few standards for testing cathodic protection of underground steel storage tank systems.
At the time, STI's sti-P3 cathodic protected tanks were being installed at a rate of 30,000 per year. EPA regulations required that the
sti-P3 tank and other tank systems using galvanic anodes be tested every three years.
In response, that same year the Steel Tank Institute developed its Watchdog Program for sti-P3 tank owners to test their tanks over their warranted life. Nearly 25 years later, STI has performed more than 125,000 tests on sti-P3 tanks. Cathodic protection can extend the life of a steel structure indefinitely when it is applied and maintained.
Click here to read the complete story
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NEW CLASS! UST CP Troubleshooting
On April 12, in Saukville WI, industry experts answer your most compelling cathodic protection system questions in this day-long class:
- Learn troubleshooting techniques
- Understand advanced test methods for galvanic and impressed current CP systems
- Rectifiers, shunts, continuity, current requirement and more
- In-field cathodic protection testing included
- Bring your questions-our experts will answer them
Who should attend? STI certified cathodic protection testers, tank owners and UST Inspectors can benefit. This full-day workshop is only $295, and group discounts are available.
Click here for information and registration
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Online learning from STI/SPFA
Cost-effective and convenient, online education and training is a rich resource for education and training.
STI/SPFA offers these e-learning modules and archived webinars:
- Tank Venting Essentials: PreVENTing Catastrophe
- Steel Water Tank Standards
- Steel Water Tank Construction
- Steel Water Tank Coatings and Linings
- Steel Water Pipe Installation
Take advantage of these easy-access, low-cost presentations by industry experts.
Click here for e-learning modules
Click here for archived webinars
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Did you know?
ND tops CA in oil production:
1. Texas
2. Alaska
3. North Dakota
4. California
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Tank Talk is published periodically by STI/SPFA. For additional information or to enter a complimentary subscription for yourself or a colleague, please visit our website.
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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