Section 724.291  Assessment of Existing Tank System Integrity

a)         For each existing tank system that does not have secondary containment meeting the requirements of Section 724.293, the owner or operator must determine either that the tank system is not leaking or that it is fit for use.  Except as provided in subsection (c), the owner or operator must obtain and keep on file at the facility a written assessment reviewed and certified by a qualified Professional Engineer, in accordance with 35 Ill. Adm. Code 702.126(d), that attests to the tank system's integrity.

b)         This assessment must determine whether the tank system is adequately designed and has sufficient structural strength and compatibility with the wastes to be stored or treated, to ensure that it will not collapse, rupture, or fail.  At a minimum, this assessment must consider the following:

1)         Design standards, if available, according to which the tank and ancillary equipment were constructed;

2)         Hazardous characteristics of the wastes that have been and will be handled;

3)         Existing corrosion protection measures;

4)         Documented age of the tank system, if available (otherwise an estimate of the age); and

5)         Results of a leak test, internal inspection, or other tank integrity examination so that the following is true:

A)        For non-enterable underground tanks, the assessment must include a leak test that is capable of taking into account the effects of temperature variations, tank end deflection, vapor pockets, and high water table effects, and

B)        For other than non-enterable underground tanks and for ancillary equipment, this assessment must include either a leak test, as described above, or other integrity examination that is certified by a qualified Professional Engineer, in accordance with 35 Ill. Adm. Code 702.126(d), that address cracks, leaks, corrosion, and erosion.

BOARD NOTE:  The practices described in the American Petroleum Institute (API) Publication, "Guide for Inspection of Refinery Equipment", Chapter XIII, "Atmospheric and Low-Pressure Storage Tanks", incorporated by reference in 35 Ill. Adm. Code 720.111(a), may be used, where applicable, as guidelines in conducting other than a leak test.

c)         Tank systems that store or treat materials that become hazardous wastes, must conduct this assessment within 12 months after the date that the waste becomes a hazardous waste.

d)         If, as a result of the assessment conducted in accordance with subsection (a), a tank system is found to be leaking or unfit for use, the owner or operator must comply with the requirements of Section 724.296.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 22614, effective November 19, 2018)