Campus Safety and Security

Underground Storage Tank Management

Section: Campus Safety and Security Policies
Policy Name: Underground Storage Tank Management
Policy Owner: Executive Vice President
Responsible University Office: Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Origination Date: February 28, 1989
Revisions: April 1, 1996; January 12, 2006
Legacy Policy Number: 7-39
  1. PURPOSETo ensure the management of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) at the University is conducted in compliance with Federal and State Underground Storage Tank Regulations (7 Del. Code Chapter 74, 40CFR280), NFPA, BOCA, City of Newark and other applicable codes.
  2. DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THIS POLICY
    1. OWNER – Facilities Management Department
    2. OPERATOR – The University Department overseeing dispensing of product from the tank.
    3. “UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK” or “UST” means any one or combination of tanks (containment vessels), including underground pipes connected thereto, which is used to contain an accumulation of regulated substances, and the volume of which, including the volume of underground pipes connected thereto, is 10 percent or more beneath the surface of the ground. Such term does not include any:
      1. Septic tank;
      2. Pipeline facility (including gathering lines) regulated under:
        1. The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (49 U.S.C. App. 1671, et seq.), or
        2. The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979 (49 U.S. C. App. 2001, et seq.), or
        3. Which is an intrastate pipeline facility regulated under state laws comparable to the provisions of the law referred to in paragraph B(1) or (2) of this definition;
      3. Surface impoundment, pit, pond, or lagoon;
      4. Storm water or wastewater collection system;
      5. Flow through process tank;
      6. Liquid trap or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operations; or
      7. Storage tank situated in an underground area (such as a basement, cellar, mineworking, drift, shaft, or tunnel) if the storage tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor.
      8. The term “underground storage tank” or “UST” does not include any pipes connected to any tank which is described in Subsections A through G of this definition.
    4. “UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK SYSTEM” OR “UST SYSTEM” means an underground storage tank (containment vessel), connected underground piping and its associated ancillary equipment, and containment system, if any.
  3. SCOPEThis policy applies to all University underground storage tanks and underground storage tank systems containing motor fuels, heating oils, waste products, and other regulated products.
  4. POLICY
    1. General Requirements
      1. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall be responsible for program development and implementation.
      2. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall conduct audits of owners/operators activities.
      3. The Department of Facilities Operations and Maintenance shall be responsible for the routine maintenance of all underground storage tanks.
      4. Before initiating the modification, retrofitting, or installation of any underground storage tank, departments shall involve the Department of Occupational Health and Safety in the project development.
      5. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall maintain permanent files for all records required under the applicable regulations and University programs covered under this policy.
    2. New Tank Installations
      1. Facilities Operations and Maintenance and/or Facilities Planning and Construction shall investigate other options such as natural gas, electric or double walled above ground tanks whenever possible. Underground storage tanks shall only be installed when they are determined to be essential.
      2. All new installations shall incorporate all applicable requirements of the Federal and State Underground Storage Tank Regulations, NFPA, BOCA, City of Newark, and other applicable codes.
      3. Plans for all new installations shall be submitted to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety for review prior to construction.
      4. Notification of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control shall be made through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
    3. Existing Tanks
      1. Operators are responsible for conducting daily inventory readings for each gasoline tank. This information shall be recorded on a weekly inventory sheet provided by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Completed sheets shall be forwarded to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety before the end of the next week.
      2. Double-walled heating oil tanks and associated piping shall have the interstitial spaces monitored monthly by Facilities to check for leaks or infiltration of water. Automatic tank and line gauging systems, maintained in good working order, may also be used to monitor the interstitial spaces in lieu of the interstitial monitoring. Detailed records of monitoring must be documented and maintained by Facilities Operations and Maintenance.
      3. Operators shall notify the Department of Environmental Health and Safety concerning inventory discrepancies as outlined in the guidance document for completing inventory sheets.
      4. All tanks must be inspected and documented per the most recent version of the University’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC Plan).
      5. Facilities Management shall be responsible for maintaining the physical integrity of all underground storage tanks and underground storage tank systems.
      6. Retrofits required by State and Federal Underground Storage Tank Regulations shall be the responsibility of Facilities Management.
      7. Notification of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control concerning retrofits shall be made through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
      8. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall be notified one month prior to any proposed transfer of ownership of an underground storage tank or underground storage tank system.
    4. Abandonment/Closure of Underground Storage Tanks
      1. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall be responsible for coordinating the abandonment/closure of all underground storage tanks and/or underground storage tank systems.
      2. Notification of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regarding abandonment/closure shall be made through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
    5. Spills/Releases
      1. Owners shall notify the Department of Environmental Health and Safety immediately upon knowledge of any release of product from an underground storage tank or underground storage tank system.
      2. Notification of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regarding spills/releases shall be made through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
      3. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall be responsible for the coordination of all soil remediation activities following the release of a product from an underground storage tank or underground storage tank system.
    6. Financial Assurance

      Financial Assurance provisions required by regulation for potential remediation from spills/releases shall be the responsibility of the Director of Risk Management.

    7. Exceptions

      Exceptions to this policy shall only be made by the Director, Department of Environmental Health and Safety.