Section 176.655  Periodic Operation and Maintenance Walkthrough Inspections and Plan; Class A, B and C Operator Responsibilities

a)         At a manned facility, a Class A, Class B or Class C Operator must be onsite at all times.  For unmanned facilities, emergency contact information for Class A, B and C Operators, including names and telephone numbers, shall be conspicuously posted at the facility unless a toll-free number for 24 hour dispatch to the facility has been prominently displayed at the facility.  At both manned and unmanned facilities, the Class C Operator is responsible for responding to alarms or other indications of emergencies caused by spills or releases from USTs and shall be familiar with the written emergency response instructions and procedures for the facility.

b)         Periodic Operation and Maintenance Walkthrough Inspections.  Each Class A or Class B Operator shall perform walkthrough inspections of each storage tank system for which the Operator is designated and shall record the results of each inspection on a checklist to be maintained with the facility records. At a minimum, walkthrough inspections shall be conducted at least once every 30 days and once per year, with the results recorded on a checklist that details the inspection of the following:

1)         At least once every 30 days:

A)        Release detection methods, including monitoring systems and all associated sensors shall be maintained by:

i)          checking to ensure that the entire system is fully operational;

ii)         checking for potential releases and that there are no alarms or any other unusual operating conditions present; and

iii)        checking and collecting 30-day Pass reports for ATGs and 30-day Normal reports for sensors and checking that all other required records are reviewed and current;

B)        Integrity of spill and overfill prevention and spill containment equipment and manholes shall be maintained by:

i)          Visually checking for damage, including cracks, holes or bulges;

ii)         removing all liquid and debris;

iii)        checking for a release of regulated substances in all areas of the containments, including the interstitial areas of any double-walled spill prevention equipment with interstitial monitoring;

iv)        testing the overfill alarm for operation, if present;

v)         checking for and removing any obstructions lodged in the fill pipe;

vi)        checking to make sure the fill cap is securely on the fill pipe; and

vii)       checking for all potential sources of water entry;

C)        Visually checking dispensers, hoses, breakaways and hardware for leaks and damage;

D)        Verifying that any impressed current cathodic protection system being utilized is operational, checking and recording that the power is on and that the voltage, amps and hour meter have the appropriate readings required under Section 175.510(f), with a log entry that shows date of inspection, initials of inspector, hour, volt and amp readings, and power on verification;

2)         At least once per year:

A)        All containment sumps shall be maintained by:

i)          checking for visual damage to the sumps, covers and lids;

ii)         checking for the presence of regulated substances or any indication that a release may have occurred; and

iii)        checking that these sumps and the interstitial areas for any double-walled sumps with interstitial monitoring are free of water, product and debris;

B)        All UST equipment including emergency stops shall be checked for the presence or absence of visible damage to any UST component;

C)        Documentation that the emergency stops have been tested by the owner/operator or a contractor for interconnection and pump shutdown shall be submitted and the testing shall comply with the following:

i)          Checking that activation of any single emergency stop results in the shutoff of all switches and pumps; and

ii)         Making sure that this is done annually with the OSFM certification form completed (the OSFM form titled "Certification of Operational Testing of Emergency Stops" is available at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/About/ Divisions/Petroleum-Chemical-Safety/Pages/Applications-and-Forms.aspx);

D)        Documentation that the shear valves have been visually inspected by the owner/operator or a contractor shall be submitted and the inspection shall comply with the following:

i)          checking that the shear valves are located ½ inch above or below grade, with grade being the surface upon which the dispenser is mounted;

ii)         checking that the shear valves are securely mounted using a listed rigid anchor device;

iii)        checking that the link arm operates when tripped, ensuring the poppet valve closes easily; and

iv)        Making sure that this is done annually with the OSFM certification form completed (the OSFM form titled "Certification of Annual Inspection of All Dispenser Shear Valves" is available at the website cited in subsection (b)(2)(C));  

E)        All required signs are fully visible and all communication systems in place and operational;

F)         All other daily, 30-day, monthly and annual inspections, testing, reporting and records are maintained as required under 41 Ill. Adm. Code 174, 175 and 176; and

G)        If applicable, the tank gauge stick or groundwater bailers shall be checked for operability and serviceability (manual tank gauging or groundwater monitoring).

c)         Inspection of containment sumps required by subsection (b)(2) shall be performed:

1)         By an OSFM-licensed contractor that has licensure in the installation/retrofitting or inspection and testing of UST equipment module; and

2)         Using an employee of an OSFM-licensed contractor for testing or inspection.  Under 41 Ill. Adm. Code 172.40(b)(4), this employee shall have a passing score on the required OSFM-approved exam for the installation/retrofitting module or the credentials and training as required by the manufacturer's recommended procedures and instructions.  The employing licensed contractor may certify the employee has the requisite credentials and training.

d)         The OSFM 30-day and annual walkthrough inspections checklist is available at the website cited in subsection (b)(2)(C).

e)         Operations and Maintenance Plan.  UST facility owners and operators shall also, in conjunction with their designated Class A and B Operators, adopt and implement a written operations and maintenance plan signed by both the owner and either a Class A or Class B Operator designated for the UST facility.  The plan shall be kept at the facility for the life of the UST and shall be updated to reflect changes in the UST facility equipment and operations as they occur.  The operations and maintenance plan shall be as specific as possible for each facility.  At a minimum, the operations and maintenance plan shall include the following:

1)         A detailed plan showing what inspections, operations, testing, maintenance and recordkeeping shall be done on a daily, 30-day, monthly, and annual basis in accordance with OSFM rules.

2)         A description of the manner in which UST facility owners and operators properly dispose of regulated substances spilled at the facility, including any water or soil removed from any part of the UST when there is any indication it might be or has been contaminated with a regulated substance.

3)         The emergency procedures and instructions required under Section 176.645.

f)         The UST facility owner and operator and certified operators shall ensure that all inspections and testing, as outlined in the operations and maintenance plan and required by this Subpart, are properly performed.  They shall also ensure that the work is performed by licensed contractors if required by 41 Ill. Adm. Code 174, 175 or 176.

g)         The certified operators shall provide the UST facility owner and operator with a copy of each inspection checklist and alert the owner and operator to any condition that requires follow-up actions.  The certified operator doing this shall date and initial the 30-day and annual walkthrough inspection checklist, indicating that this information has been provided to the UST facility owner and operator and a description of the actions taken to correct an issue. The UST owner and operator shall promptly address and correct each compliance and maintenance item noted as being deficient on the checklist.

h)         A Class A, B or C Operator shall not represent himself or herself as certified unless the person has a current valid certificate of training from an approved trainer.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 12876, effective August 7, 2024)