Pei RP100 05 PDF
Pei RP100 05 PDF
Pei RP100 05 PDF
Recommended Practices
for Installation of
Underground . Liquid
Storage Systems
~ PEI ~
<'fUM EQUIPMENT INS'"
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FOREWORD
These Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems have been prepared
as an industry service by the Petroleum Equipment Institute. This recommended practice is truly an indus-
try document, as PEL members, environmental regulators, oil company engineers, oil marketing trade asso-
ciations, etc., have had an opportunity to review and comment on the previous publication under the same
name. The text represents the consensus views of the PEL Tank Installation Committee, comprised of the fol-
lowing members:
Leland M. Freeman, Chairman Maurice J. Hubbard
Petroleum Solutions, Inc. lMP Solutions
Victoria, Texas Fort Myers, Florida
Serving as consultant to the committee was Marcel Moreau, P.O.E. , Marcel Moreau Associates,
77 Ocean Ave. , Portland, Maine 04103.
The PEL Tank Installation Committee acknowledges the contributions to past editions of this
document by the following people: O. L. Everett, John P. Hartmann, Frank Johnson, J. H. Prentiss,
Jr., Patrick M. Ryan, Jerry A. Thomas, Howard Upton, and George H. Watkins.
This document supersedes and replaces the previous recommended practice entitled, Recom-
mended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems, PEIIRPlOO-2000.
All questions and other communications relating to this document should be sent only to PEL
Headquarters, addressed to the attention of the PEL Tank Installation Committee.
Every effort has been made by the PEl Tank Installation Committee to ensure the accuracy and reliability of
the information contained in this document. However, the Committee, its consultant, and the Petroleum Equip-
ment Institute make no representation, warranty or guarantee in connection with the publication of these rec-
ommended practices. The Institute hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage
resulting from the use of these recommended practices; for the violation of any federal, state or municipal
regulation with which these practices may be in conflict; or for the infringement of any patent resulting from
their use.
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
CONTENTS
Foreword .............................................................................................. ....... ........................................ .iii
SECTIONS
Page
1. Introduction
1.1 Background .......... ... ............. .... .............................. ...... ... .................... .. ......... ...... ............... ... .......................... .......... 1
1.2 Purpose .................... ............... .. ...... .... ........... ....... .. ...... ..... ........ .. .... ... .. ............................... ........ ........... .................... 1
1.3 Scope .......... .......................... ............................. ............................ .... .................................. ... .. ........... ....... .. ........ ...... 1
1.4 Sources .... ........... .. ............................................ ..................... ................................ ............................. ........................ 1
l.5 Use of Other PEl Recommended Practices .......................................... .. ...... .. .............. .. .......... .. ...... .. ....... .. .... .... ...... 1
1.6 Importance of Competent Installers ............. ..... ... ........................... .... ............. .............. .......... .. ....... ...... ................... 1
1.7 Written Plans ..... .... .......... ,... ................................................... ......... ........................... ............................. ................... 2
1.8 Unexpected Conditions .......... ....... ................'.... ....... ....... ... ................... ........ ... .. ...... ........ .. ........ ............ .... ........... .. ... 2
1.9 Regulations ...................... .. ..... ....... ......................................................................................... ........ .... ......... ... .. ...... .... 2
2. Material Handling
2.1 Care in Handling Tanks ................. ...................................... ......... .. ........................... ............... ..... ...... ............ ........... 2
2.2 Unloading, Lifting, and Lowering ... .. ... ....... .. ........................ ....... ... ... .. ................................ ........ .. ........... ....... .. .. ..... 2
2.3 Tank Storage ........... ....... ............................ ............. .... .... .. .......................................... ... .... ..................... .. ........... .. ..... 3
2.4 Piping and Equipment Storage ...................... ..................... .... ...................... ..... ..................... ..... .... .... .. ..... .... ..... ....... 3
4. Excavating
4.1 Excavating .................................. .. ........ ............... ... ......... .. .. ....... .. ....... ... .. .. ..... ................ ..... .................... .. ...... .. .. ... ... 6
4.2 Location of Excavation ................ .......................... ........ .... ............. ...... .... .. .. ........ ..... .... ................. ................ .... ....... 7
4.3 Excavation Depth, Bedding, and Backfill ... ..... .......... ...................... ...................... .. ...... ........ .. ........... .... ........ .. .... ..... 7
4.4 Cover in Areas Subject to Traffic .............. .... ........ ...... ..................................... ..... ...... .. ...... ........................... .. .......... 7
4.5 Cover in Areas Not Subject to Traffic ........................................................................................................................ 7
4.6 Maximum Burial Depth .. .................................... .................... ...... .... ............................. .. ...... ...................... .......... .... 7
4.7 Handling of Excavated Materials ........... .. ............... .... .. .. .................... ................. .. .. ..... ........ .. .. ... ....... .... ............ ....... 7
4.8 Work Area Safety ......... ....................... ...... .............. .. ...... ... ............. ....... ................ ............................................... .... .8
4.9 Excavation of Used Tanks .. ................................................... ............ .... ........ ... ... ... .... ... .................. ............ ............... 8
5. Backfilling
5.1 General ......... ....... ..... .. .. ......... .. .. .... .... ................. ........ ............. .................. ......... .... .... .... ......... ...... .... .. ....................... 8
5.2 Ballasting .... .................. ........................................................... .............. .................. ........... ........ .. ... ........................... 8
5.3 Water Management ... ... ......................................................................... .. ..... .... .......................................................... 9
5.4 Backfill Material for Steel, Composite (Fiberglass-Clad Steel) and Jacketed Tanks ................................................ 9
5.5 Placement of Steel, Composite and Jacketed Tank Backfill .......................... .... ............ ............................................ 9
5.6 Backfill Material for Fiberglass Tanks ....................... .............................. ....... ................ ......................... .................. 9
5.7 Placement of Fiberglass Tank Backfill ...................................................... .......... ...... .. ............................................. 10
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
5.8 Compaction ........... ................. ............ ............ .. ......... ........ .... ............ ............ .. ....... .............. .................................. .. 10
5.9 Measuring Tank Deflection ............................... .. .............. ....... .... ...... ... .. .......... ....... ............... ................................. 10
5.10 Filter Fabric ........ .. .... .... .............. .... .. ....... .. ....... ..................................... ....... .......................... ... ... .... .... ..... ... :........... 10
5.11 Supporting Equipment During Construction ..................... ...... ...... .... .......... ............ .. .. ... .. .................................. ..... 11
6. Anchoring
6.1 General ... ............. ....... ... ............. ..... ........... ... ....... ... .................. ....................... ....... .... ........ .......... .. .. ... ..... ............ ... 11
6.2 Excavating Requirements ............ .... .... ....... .. ........................................................ ..... ............... ........ .... ............. .... ... 12
6.3 Wet-Hole Conditions ........................ ....... .. ............. .......... .......... ...... ... ....... .. ..... ... .... .... ...... ...... .................... ............ 12
6.4 Types of Anchorage ... ......... ......... .......... ..................... ....... .......... .. .... .. .. ................... ... ......... ............ ... ..................... 12
6.5 Straps .................. .. ........... ........ .... .. ...... ........... .. ................. .... .... ... ......... ........ .. .. ...... .. .. ...... .... ............ .... ..... ... .. ......... 13
6.6 Electrical Isolation ............................... .... ..... .. .... .. .......... ......... ............. ....... ............ ...... .... ...................................... 13
6.7 Methods of Attachment ............................... .. .......... .... ...................... ........ .. ..... .... ....... .... ... .................. .. .. ..... ........... 13
8. Secondary Containment
8.1 Purpose .................... .......... .......... ..... ...... ............ .. .. ....................... ..... ............... .... .. .. .... ....... .. .... ....... .... ...... .. ........... 15
8.2 Double-Walled Tanks ....................... .. .. .... .. ... ..... ............ .. ...... .... ............. ...................... ................ .... .... ...... ..... ...... .. 16
8.3 Double-Walled Piping ...........~~ ................ ....... ... .. .. .. ........ ........ .... ............ ... .... .... ... .. ...... .. ........... ...... .... .... ......... .... .... 16
8.4 Tank-Top Sumps ...... ............ ... .:.................................................. .............................. .... ............ .... .... .... ............ ... ..... 16
8.5 Dispenser Sumps .................................. .... ......... ......................... ... ........ .............. ...... .................... ........................... 17
8.6 Sensing Devices ....... ...... ........... ...... ....... .. ...... ............................. .. .............. ........ ... ........................ .......................... 17
8.7 Other Technologies ............... .. .. ............... .. ................................... .......... ........ ... ...... ..... ............ ........ ......... .............. 17
8.8 Safety Considerations ................ ....... ..................................... ............................... .... .. .. ............................................ 17
9. Release Detection
9.1 Purpose ......................... ............ ... .... .. .... .. ....... .. .. ................ ........... ... ......................................... .... .... ....................... 17
9.2 Leak-Detection Methods for Tanks ....... ......... ........... .......... ....... ..... .. ....... .. ............ ... ..... ...... ......................... .... ..... .. 17
9.2.1 Automatic Tank Gauging ..... .. ................ ...... ................... .............. ... ... ..... ... ................. ........ ....... ................ 18
9.2.2 Groundwater Monitoring .............. ............... ............ ..... ...... ... ........ .... .... .......... .......... .. .. ... ....... .... ............... 18
9.2.3 Inventory Control Plus Tightness Testing .............. ...................... ....... .. .. .... ...... ........ .................................. 18
9.2.4 Interstitial Monitoring .... ...... .. ..... .. .. .................... ....... ..... ....... ...... ...... .. .. ..... ..................... ... ... .. .. .. .. ............. 19
9.2.5 Soil-Vapor Monitoring .. .............. .. .... ............ ........ .... ................................... .... ... ....... .......... ............. ...... .... 19
9.3 _Leak-Detection Methods for Piping .............. ......... .... ................................... ... ... ................... ......... .......... ............... 19
9.3.1 Automatic Line-Leak Detectors ..... ..... ... ...... ..... ............ ... ........... ..... .... ... ................................. .... .. .......... ... 19
9.3.2 Groun'dwater and Soil-Vapor Monitoring .... ..... .... .... ........ ..... ...................... .... ........................................... 19
9.3.3 Periodic Piping Tightness Testing .... ........... ............. ........... ......... ...... ... ...................................... ..... ....... .... 19
9.3.4 Interstitial Monitoring ........ ........... ... ........... ...... ........................ ..... .............. .. .... ... ...................... .. ........... ... 19
9.3.5 Containing Releases from Submersible-Pump Heads ...... .... ................ ..... ................................... .............. 20
9.3.6 Containing Releases from Dispensers ...... .... .................... ..... ....... .......... ....... ..... ...... .................................. 20
9.3.7 Satellite-Dispenser Piping .............................................. ................... ............................................ ........... ... 20
9.3.8 Under-Pump Check Valve ..................... ..................................... ................... ......... .......... ........... ... ............. 20
vi
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
vii
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
14. Testing
14.1 System Tests ........ .......... ... .. .......... .......... ... ............. .......... .... ............ ............ ................. ......... .................................. 31
14.2 Cathodic-Protection Systems .................. ..................... ........ ...... ..................... ............................... .......... .............. ..32
14.3 Test Results ............... ................. .. .......... ...................................... .... ...................... ... ... .................. ...... .................... 32
14.4 Other Testing ..... ... ............... .. ............. .. .. ............ .. .. ... .... .... ......... ....... .................. .... .. .... .... .... ......... ... .... ...... .. .... ....... 32
1
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
No amount of written instruction provided by manufac- Again, by way of example, an installation plan may call
turers or regulatory agencies will serve to make an incom- for replacement of only one of several tanks at a jobsite.
petent or under-supervised installer a competent As the excavation progresses, however, deterioration may
craftsman. Installation of storage systems designed to be discovered, making it advisable to replace other tanks
contain flammable and combustible liquids is a unique in the same field.
undertaking. The ability to recognize and react to unex-
pected or abnormal conditions encountered during a tank Experienced installation personnel can anticipate, detect,
installation requires experience, as well as skill. and adapt to these unexpected conditions.
In addition to proper system design and operation, the use 1 .9 Regulations. Storage systems discussed in this
of tank installers who have the experience and integrity to recommended practice are usually regulated by federal,
insist on doing the job correctly is the greatest protection state, or local agencies. While the general requirements of
against ultimate storage-system failure and liability expo- the regulations are similar, the specific requirements may
sure. Participation in training programs is essential to vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We have not
improving the skills of installers and.the quality of instal- attempted to describe or interpret specific regulations in
lations. this document.
A certification process should be developed and estab- Ensure that the equipment to be installed meets all applic-
lished for the installers of storage systems, monitoring able regulatory requirements before beginning an instal-
devices, cathodic protection, secondary containment, and lation. Consult the local authority having jurisdiction
related equipment. before storage-system plans are finalized or construction
is initiated. Approvals may also be required from build-
1.7 Written Plans. Written plans are required to ing-code officials, environmental agencies, zoning
obtain permits, solicit bids, and provide precise guidance boards, fire marshals, or similar authorities.
for installers. The plans should describe the property,
identify the size and location of the tanks, indicate the liq-
uids to be stored, and provide the location of the dis-
pensers and piping. Plans should ~\ also specify the
materials of construction, piping dimensions, location of 2. MATERIAL HANDLING
electrical-service components, and the dimensions and
locations of vents, observation wells, vapor-recovery sys- 2.1 Care in Handling Tanks. Although steel tanks and
tems, and gauges or monitoring systems. fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks are designed to
withstand normal handling, they can be damaged during
If hold-down pads or other anchoring devices are includ-
transportation or installation. Tanks must not be dropped,
ed in the tank-system design, their dimensions and con-
dragged, or handled with sharp objects and, except for
struction details should also be included in the written
minimal movement necessary for inspection and testing,
plans.
should not be rolled. If the tank is damaged, it must be
If appropriate, the plans should show cathodic-protection- repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's instruc-
component locations, tank-hole-lining specifications, tions.
manway positioning, electronic release-monitoring-device
2.2 Unloading, Lifting, and Lowering. The proper
configurati_on, and other components of the system.
way to move a tank is by lifting it, using the lifting lugs
Selection of compatible equipment and materials is nec- installed by the manufacturer. Tanks should be carefully
essary to help ensure long-term system operation and lifted and lowered using cables or chains of adequate
integrity. Installation checklists provide a convenient length. When two lifting lugs are used, the angle between
method of planning and documenting work. the lifting cable and vertical should be no more than 30
degrees. (See Figure 2-1.) Use a spreader bar where nec-
1.8 Unexpected Conditions. Even a well-planned essary. Maneuver tanks with guidelines attached to each
underground storage system may require revision during end of the tank. If tanks must be relocated on a jobsite
construction. For example, if soil tests are not available, during installation, lift rather than roll them. Before any
the installer may encounter an unexpectedly high water attempt is made to move tanks, establish that hoisting
table that will require anchoring of the tanks. Through equipment has sufficient capacity and reach to lift and
consultation with experienced installers, the owner can lower tanks without dragging or dropping.
anticipate the range of contingencies that might occur.
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
3. PREINSTALLATION
INSPECTION AND
TANK TESTING
3.1 Preinstallation Inspection. Visually inspect
tanks, equipment, and piping materials before installa-
tion. Confirm adherence to specifications, report any
FIGURE 2-1. Handling tanks. Cables and chains should detected damage that could result in leakage or premature
be attached to lifting lugs, and guidelines should be used corrosion to the owner, and, if applicable, repair damages
to control movement of the tank. Equipment used for han- in a manner approved by the manufacturer.
dling tanks must have sufficient capacity to lift and lower
the tank without dragging. NEVER PLACE CHAINS OR 3.2 Preinstallation Tank Testing. Remove, dope, and
CABLES AROUND THE SHELL OF THE TANK. reinstall factory-installed steel or cast-iron plugs, taking
care not to cross thread. Replace metal or plastic thread
protectors with liquid-tight steel or cast-iron plugs. Pres-
sure test single-walled tanks with 3 to 5 psig air pressure,
soaping all surfaces, seams, and fittings while inspecting
for bubbles.
3
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
Comments
Because manufacturers' field-test requirements
vary, methods employed should comply with a spe-
cific manufacturer's instructions.
Be aware that some tank manufacturers do not
tighten fittings to allow for temperature changes
during shipping and storage.
A
FIGURE 3-3. Field repairs. Field repairs are permitted by
some manufacturers, provided the person making the
repairs has been trained and qualified and does the work
in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
3. Pressurize the interstice with air from the inner A slight decrease in pressure in the inner tank may
tank. Use a third gauge for measuring pressure in occur when the interstice is pressurized. A pressure
the interstice. (See Figure 3-4.) drop of 0.3 psig or less is typical.
4. Soap the exterior of the tank and inspect for bub- The space between the inner and outer tank walls is
bles while continuing to monitor the gauges to variously referred to as the "annular space," "annu-
detect any pressure drop. lus," "interstitial space," and "interstice." "Inter-
stice" appears to be the most accurate term, and it
S. First release pressure in the interstice, then release
is used throughout this text. The primary contain-
pressure in the primary tank.
ment vessel is referred to as the "inner tank," and
the exterior of the tank as the "outer tank."
WARNING: Pressurization of the interstice
directly from an outside air source is dangerous
WARNING: Manufacturers' field-test re-
and is strictly prohibited. Never enter the inner
quirements vary. At a minimum, methods
tank while the interstice is under pressure.
employed should comply with specific manufac-
Release pressure in the tank and the interstice
turer's instructions.
before disconnecting any gauges or test fittings.
Quick coi)pler
Valve (typical)
Air source
6 psig pressure /
rel ief device
o to 15 Ibs.
6 psig pressure
relief device
FIGURE 3-4. Air testing double-walled tanks. Pressurizing the interstice with air pressure from the inner tank, after
disconnecting the outside air sou.rce, prevents over-pressurization. The manifold illustrated above is a useful method
for accomplishing this.
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
Comment
Alternative test procedures may not test primary-tank
openings, manways, and risers. These should be tested
at some point during the installation. Slope of excavation
wall determined by
condition of soil ,
3.6 Double-Walled Tank with Liquid-Filled Inter- depth of excavation ,
stice. Carefully inspect interior and exterior surfaces of and safety
considerations.
a tank shipped with a liquid-filled interstice for signs of See 29 CFR
leakage. Check the level of liquid in the interstice reser- Part 1926.652.
voir. If the manufacturer's recommended test procedure
for a liquid-filled interstice includes air testing of the
inner tank, monitor the reservoir for the presence of bub- . . . .. ..
correct tank movement caused by settlement or flotation. Steel tank manufacturers specify that when a bottom
If such an event occurs, consult the tank manufacturer. hold-down pad is used under a steel tank, the thickness of
bedding material between the tank and the pad can be
An excavation that has caved-in will require additional reduced to 6 inches.
backfill because the materials that have fallen into the
excavation typically cannot be used as backfill. WARNING: Placement of a tank directly on a
4.2 Location of Excavation. Excavation for under- hold-down pad, on a pad smaller than the total
ground tanks should be made with due care to avoid tank area, or on intermediate supports (saddles)
undermining foundations of existing structures. In the will cause uneven distribution of loads. This may
absence of local building codes or regulations, use the contribute to structural failure and is never per-
minimum distance to the base of adjacent structures or mitted.
property lines depicted in Figure 4-2. Additional dis-
tances may be required to ensure that downward forces 4.4 Cover in Areas Subject to Traffic. In areas that
from loads carried by the foundations and supports are are subject to vehicle traffic, cover may consist of at least
not transmitted to the tanks . 30 inches of compacted backfill and 6 inches of asphaltic
concrete, or 18 inches of compacted backfill and 6 to 8
inches of reinforced concrete. Paving over tanks in traffic
areas should extend at least 1 foot beyond the perimeter
of the tank.
Comment
At most facilities, fully loaded transports can be expect-
ed to pass over the tank area. While some authorities
require a minimum of 6 inches of reinforced concrete
paving, we recommend at least 8 inches.
4.5 Cover in Areas Not Subject to Traffic. Cover in
non-traffic areas should be at least 2-feet thick and con-
sist of a minimum of 1 foot of backfill covered by filter
fabric to prevent migration and a minimum of 1 foot of
earth. An acceptable alternative is 1 foot of backfill mate-
rial and at least 4 inches of reinforced concrete or 6 inch-
es of asphalt paving.
FIGURE 4-2. Clearance from existing structures. Care 4.6 Maximum Burial Depth. Maximum burial depths,
must be exercised to avoid undermining nearby struc- measured from the top of the tank, are established by tank
tures during construction or afterwards, permitting trans- manufacturers and independent testing laboratories.
fer offoundation loads onto the tank. The 45 factor
illustrated will accomplish this in most cases. Seven feet is the standard maximum burial depth for
fiberglass tanks . Consult with the fiberglass tank manu-
facturer if a deeper burial depth is required.
4.3 Excavation Depth, Bedding, and Backfill. The
total depth of the tank excavation is determined by the Five feet is the typical burial depth for teel tanks. The
tank diameter, bedding thickness, hold-down pad (if maximum burial depth for each steel tank is marked on
required), depth of cover, and slope and length of piping. the tank.
Much of the tank's support is derived from compacted
The planned burial depth should not exceed the manufac-
backfill material, which permits the downward forces
turer's recommendation.
present to be dissipated uniformly over a large area. To
provide a firm foundation, set the tank on a bed of back- 4.7 Handling of Excavated Materials. Excavated
fill material I-foot thick that extends 1 foot beyond the material that cannot be immediately removed from the site
ends and sides of the tank. At least 2 feet of backfill is should be safely stockpiled at least 2 feet away from the
required between adjacent tanks and between tanks and edge of the tank excavation. Unless approved for use as
excavation walls. backfill, keep excavated materials separate from approved
backfill materials and remove as soon as practical.
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
Comment
Excavation safety requirements are defIned in U.S .
Department of Labor 29 CFR part 1926, subpart P.
5. BACKFILLING
5.1 General. Careful placement and compaction of
approved backfill materials is essential to protect under-
ground tanks . Common deficiencies that adversely affect
the structural integrity and coatings of tanks include:
use of incolTect backfill material
inadequate or improper placement or compaction
of backfill materials
rocks or debris left in the excavation
All dimensions in inches. voids under the lower quadrant of the tank
FIGURE 4-4. Depth of cover in areas not subject to failure to prevent migration of backfill materials.
traffic. In areas that are not subject to traffic, cover
5.2 Ballasting. After backfill is placed to the level of
requirements may be reduced, but this reduced depth of
the top of the tank, add either the product to be stored or
cover may not prevent flotation if groundwater or sur-
water as ballast until the piping is in place and backfilling
face water enters the excavation.
and paving are complete. If product is used for ballast, do
not fill the tank above 95 percent of tank capacity. If
4.8 Work Area Safety. Keep work areas clear of water is used for ballast, the tank may be filled complete-
stockpiled materials. In areas with unstable soil, if per- ly. When product is used for ballast, safeguard against
sonnel are required to enter the excavation, slope or shore
8
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
1/4
--Zl--
suitably graded and properly placed backfill material to a
depth of at least 1 foot. If a hold-down pad is required,
- ~--
backfill material depth may be reduced to 6 inches .
FIGURE 5-2. Approved backfill material. Tank manufac-
Carefully place backfill materials along the bottom quad- turers have approved several types of backfill materials,
rant of the tank to ensure that the tank is securely and including sand, pea graw;l, and crushed rock. The latter
evenly snpported. Carefully place backfill around and two are relatively self-compacting, reducing the need for
over the tank to prevent damage to the tank or coating. manual or mechanical compaction.
Continue backfilling the excavation using tank backfill
material up to at least the top of the excavation or the site
the manufacturer's approval, sand may be used as a back-
subgrade. If material other than the tank backfill is used
fill material provided that the manufacturer's instructions
to reach final subgrade, separate the two backfill materi-
are followed. Refer to the manufacturer's installation
als with filter fabric.
instructions for backfill material specifications and back-
5.6 Backfill Material for Fiberglass Tanks. Backfill fill procedures. Verify that backfill material is free of
material should be a clean, well-granulated, free-flowing, debris, rock, ice, snow, or organic material that could
noncorrosive, inert material. Standard backfill materials damage the tank and interfere with proper compaction of
for fiberglass tanks are pea gravel and crushed rock. With backfill materials.
PEl Recommended Practices] 00-05
5.7 Placement of Fiberglass Tank Backfill. Cover dimensions. Deflection in the tank's vertical diameter
the bottom of the excavation or hold-down pad with a may be caused by improper bedding, voids in the backfill
minimum of 1 foot of suitably graded and compacted under the tank-bottom quadrant, or poor compaction of
backfill material. the backfill material at the tank sides. Excessive deflec-
tion indicates inadequate support or overtightening of
To ensure that the bottom quadrant of the tank is fully and anchor straps, which can cause structural damage or
evenly supported, carefully place backfill materials along result in penetration of the tank bottom by suction stubs
bottom, sides, and end caps of the tanks by hand shovel- or submersible pumps.
ing and tamping. Carefully place backfIll around and over
the tank to protect the tank from damage. Continue back- The amount of deflection of an installed tank should be
filling the excavation using tank backfill material up to at measured to confirm the quality of backfilling and com-
least the top of the excavation or the site subgrade. If mate- paction. Individual tank manufacturers establish the max-
rial other than the tank backfill is used to reach final sub- imum acceptable deflection. If the measured deflection of
grade, separate the two backfill materials with filter fabric. an installed tank exceeds the limits established, consult
the tank manufacturer.
5.8 Compaction. Compact bedding and backfill mate-
rials to ensure adequate support of the tank and to prevent 5.10 Filter Fabric. Filter fabrics are geotextiles de-
movement or settlement. When sand is used, some man- signed to prevent movement of backfill materials while
ufacturers require a specified minimum-compaction den- permitting water to pass through. They are intended for
sity. Place sand backfill into the excavation in 12- to direct burial and, if properly selected, resist deterioration
18-inch lifts and compact after each lift. Repeat this caused by both soil and the products commonly stored in
process up to a level that is at least 60 percent of the ver- underground tanks. However, the composition, construc-
tical height of the tank. Some manufacturers require com- tion, and mechanical properties of fabrics vary widely.
paction to subgrade. If mechanical compaction is Care in the selection of a suitable fabric is essential.
employed, take care to protect the tank from damage.
Install filter fabric between the backfill and adjacent
Pea gravel and crushed rock are relatively self-compact- unstable soils, bogs, swampy areas, or landfills to prevent
ing. However, to prevent voids and achieve
"\
the degree of the backfill from migrating and thus diminishing the sup-
compaction required, all backfill materials should be port of the tank or paving. If dissimilar backfill materials,
carefully and properly placed under the lower quadrant of such as sand and pea gravel, are used in the same excava-
the tank. tion, separate them with filter fabric to prevent the finer
sand particles from migrating into voids between the pea
5.9 Measuring Tank Deflection. Improper backfill- gravel particles.
ing of an installed underground tank can distort tank
FIGURE 5-3. Mechanical compaction. Take care in using FIGURE 5-4. Filter fabric . Use filter fabric to separate
mechanical compactors to prevent damage to the tank baclifill materials from surrounding soil to prevent migra-
shell or coat tion and loss of support.
10
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
6. ANCHORING
6.1 Gel)eral. Where installations are located in areas
subject to high water tables or flooding, provision should
be made to prevent tanks, either full or empty, from float-
ing during a rise in water level - up to the established
maximum flood stage. During installation, tank vents and
other openings that are not liquid tight should be extend-
ed above the maximum flood-stage water level until pip-
ing is complete.
FIGURE 6-1. Buoyant and restraining forces. The weight
Comments of backfill and pavement over the tank is often sufficient
The primary method of restraining tanks in areas to offset buoyancy and prevent flotation . Additional
subject to flooding is to increase the burial depth. In anchoring may be required when a high water table is
the absence of any tank-top sumps, normal backfill presentor flooding is anticipated.
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
If soil conditions and the depth of the water table are excavation. To be effective, deadmen anchors must
unknown at the time of installation, consider the be placed outside the tank diameter (see Figure 6-
possibility that anchoring may be required and 2) and extend the full length of the tank. For long
make contingency plans. Such plans should include tanks, two deadmen of equal length may be butted
having pumps, hoses, straps, cables, and other end-to-end as long as there is a minimum of two
anchoring materials available. anchor points per deadman section. Refer to the
In areas with impervious soil, the infiltration of sur- tank manufacturer's instructions for details on
face water into the tank excavation can fill the exca- deadman construction.
vation with water, resulting in very strong buoyancy
. ' 1" ' ....... .
I>
forces on the tank.
d
t
6.5 Straps. Tank straps are usually furnished by the FIGURE 6-4 . Methods of attachment. Tank anchor
tank manufacturer and should be installed according to the straps should be firmly secured to anchor points with
manufacturer's instmctions. Straps for steel tanks should anchor bolts, turnbuckles, or wire cable and clamps.
be either nonmetallic or flat steel. The use of wire ropes or Secure anchor points to reinforcing rods embedded in the
round bar is not acceptable. Metallic anchor straps should concrete. Straps should fit snugly before backfilling, but
be heavier than required initially to provide a corrosion overtightening can damage the tank shell or coating.
allowance during the expected life of the storage system. Coat exposed metallic hardware with dielectric material
to retard corrosion.
6.6 Electrical Isolation. Electrically isolate straps for
steel and composite tanks from the tank surface to ensure
the proper operation of cOlTosion-protection systems. 6.7 Methods of Attachment. Secure tank straps to
Straps may be nonmetallic, fully encapsulated, or isolat- anchor points with anchor bolts, turnbuckles, or wire
ed with material placed between the strap and the tank. cables and clamps. Refer to tank manufacturers' instruc-
Isolating materials must be non conductive, compatible tions for the appropriate type and sizing of hardware used
with the materials stored, and suitable for use under- to connect anchor straps to anchor points embedded in the
ground. Isolating material should be at least 1I8-inch concrete. Straps should fit snugly before backfilling. Take
thick, wider than the strap, and should extend 1 foot care to prevent damage from over tightening. Ensure that
below the widest part of the tank. Distribute isolating the straps and the tank surface are free of debris or burrs
material evenly, and test to ensure that components are that might damage the isolating material or tank coating.
electrically isolated after installation. If available, use Coat anchoring hardware with dielectric material.
materials provided by the tank manufacturer. Anchoring hardware should be heavier than required ini-
tially to provide a corrosion allowance during the expect-
WARNING: Roofing felt and expansion joint ed life of the storage system.
material may conduct electricity and are not
acceptable as isolating material.
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
14
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
15
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
release; and provide access for recovery of released prod- Tank-top sumps that are not supported directly by circu-
uct. Secondary-containment systems typically consist of lar collars attached to the tank must be supported by plac-
the following components: ing backfill beneath the bottom of the sump.
double-walled tanks Ensure that tank-top sumps are liquid tight, both to con-
double-walled piping tain spilled or leaked product and to prevent intrusion of
groundwater or surface water runoff. Install liquid-tight
tank-top sumps penetration fittings on all sump entries, including electri-
under-dispenser sumps cal conduit. Complete sump connections to the tank top
in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
sensing devices.
Select and carefully install sump covers designed for the
8 .2 Double-Walled Tanks. Double-walled tanks should anticipated conditions, such as above or below the water
be installed and tested in accordance with the manufac- table. Provide adequate clearance between the sump and
turer's recommendations . Double-walled tanks are fre- the manway installed in the concrete pad at grade. Clear-
quently furnished with man ways that pelmit access to ance is necessary to facilitate removal of the sump cover
piping, and they weigh significantly more than single- and to allow for drainage of runoff into the backfill. Sur-
walled tanks. Move them only by lifting with equipment round tank-top sumps with permeable backfill to allow
of sufficient capacity. Rolling is prohibited. Recommend- for rapid drainage of surface runoff that may penetrate the
ed practices for inspection, depth of burial, backfill, com- grade-level manway cover, or install a water-resistant
paction, cathodic protection, and testing apply equally to grade-level manway.
both double-walled .and single-walled tanks.
Test tank-top sumps after all joints have been assembled,
8.3 Double-Walled Piping. Install double-walled pip- any sealing materials have cured, and all penetration fit-
ing in accordance with manufacturer's installation tings have been installed, but before backfilling. Follow
instructions and good pipefitting practices. Requirements the sump manufacturer's or regulatory agency's testing
for trenching and testing are similar to those for conven- procedure. If no testing instructions are specified by the
tional piping. Test procedures are determined by the char- sump manufacturer or the regulatory agency, use the fol-
acteristics of the containment\ system and the lowing procedure:
recommendation of the manufacturer. The installation
should facilitate detection of leakage by inspection or Fill the sump with water to 6 inches above the high-
continuous monitoring. est joint or penetration fitting, whichever is higher.
Visually inspect all joints and fittings for drips or
8 .4 Tank-Top Sumps. Tank-top sumps, also referred
moisture indicating a leak.
to as "piping sumps," are liquid-tight containers designed
to contain leaks or spills that involve tank-top fittings and Repair any leaks observed and restore the water
equipment and to isolate metallic pipe fittings from the level in the sump.
corrosive underground environment. In addition, tank-top
Mark the water level using spray paint or other suit-
sumps frequently serve as the leak-detection point for
able marker.
double-walled piping systems. Any leakage from the pri-
mary piping flows by gravity inside the secondary piping Wait at least 4 hours and repeat the visual inspection
to the tank-top sump, where it can be observed easily or for leaks.
detected _with sensors.
If no leaks are visible and the water level has not
changed, the sump is considered tight.
WARNING: Should post-installation activities
severely damage double-walled piping, both the The test time may be considerably shortened by using
primary and the secondary pipe may leak. In specialized test equipment that precisely monitor the
this case, product may flow into the ground, water level in the sump. Follow the equipment manufac-
rather than flow back to the tank-top sump, and turer's test procedures.
the release may not be detected. For this reason,
install a line-leak detector (see Section 9.3.1) Vacuum or pressure-based test procedures may be used
when interstitial monitoring is used for leak instead of this hydrostatic procedure if approved by the
detection on double-walled pipe. manufacturer of the sump. Follow the vacuum or pres-
sure-test procedure specified by the testing equipment
manufacturer.
16
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
Tank-Top Sump
.::::::.:.::::::::::::::.:'.:: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:i~~:i'~-t;~~:7
Liqu id --,1---+1 Liqu id
Sensor Penetration
Sensor
Fitting (typical)
Tank
FIGURE 81. Secondary containment of piping. To achieve full secondary containment, double-walled piping is usual-
ly connected to a dispenser sump and a tank-top sump. Piping is usually sloped towards the tank so that leaked prod-
uct will flow to the tank-top sump where it can be readily detected. Mount sensors securely in sumps.
8.5 Dispenser Sumps. Dispenser sumps are designed of the tank or constructing a tank of prefabricated fiber-
to contain leaks and spills from dispensers and pumps and glass panels. These technologies should only be installed
to isolate metallic pipe fittings from the corrosive under- by specially trained personnel.
ground environment. Shallow dispenser sumps are often
refen"ed to as dispenser "pans." All dispenser sump 8.8 Safety Considerations. Flammable or com-
entries, including electrical conduit, ~hould be fitted with bustible liquids and vapors may be present in tank top and
liquid-tight penetration fittings to prevent the escape of dispenser sumps in high enough concentrations to present
released liquids or the intrusion of water. Dispenser a hazard. Personnel who work in and around sumps
sumps should be designed and installed so that surface should be properly trained in identifying the health and
water entry is minimized. safety hazards posed by sumps and provided with appro-
priate equipment.
Test dispenser sumps after all joints have been assembled,
any sealing materials have cured, and all peneu"ation fit-
tings have been installed, but before backfilling. Follow
the sump manufacturer's or regulatory agency's testing
procedure. If no testing instructions are specified by sump 9. RELEASE DETECTION
manufacturer or the regulatory agency, use the same pro-
cedure described for tank-top sumps in Section 8.4. 9.1 Purpose. The purpose of release detection is to
provide early warning of the loss of integrity of any por-
8.6 Sensing Devices. Although secondary-contain-
tion of the underground storage system that routinely
ment systems may be monitored visually, sensing devices
contains product. This section describes installation prac-
that monitor for the presence of product or liquids are
tices associated with commonly used release-detection
typically installed in tank-top sumps. Installing sensors in
methods.
dispenser sumps can provide a timely and more reliable
warning of dispenser leaks. Sensors may indicate only the 9.2 Leak-Detection Methods for Tanks. Acceptable
presence of a liquid or may disctiminate between product leak-detection methods for tanks include:
and water. Mount sensors securely and place them at the
bottom of the sump. Carefully follow the manufacturer's automatic tank gauging
instructions for installation of sensing devices. groundwater monitoring
8.7 Other Technologies. Technologies are also avail- inventory control combined with periodic tightness
able to add secondary containment to existing single- testing
walled tanks. These include applying a lining to the inside
manual tank gauging
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
interstitial monitoring
soil-vapor monitoring
statistical inventory reconciliation.
Comment
To improve the effectiveness of inventory control,
manual tank gauging, and statistical inventory recon-
ciliation, the tank owner should utilize a tank chart and
gauge stick calibrated in eighths of an inch.
9.3 Leak-Detection Methods for Piping. Acceptable 9.3.2 Groundwater and Soil-Vapor Monitoring.
leak-detection methods for piping include: Follow installation practices listed in Sections 9.2.2
and 9.2.5 when these methods are applied to piping
automatic line-leak detector (pressurized-piping release detection.
systems only)
9.3.3 Periodic Piping Tightness Testing.
groundwater monitoring
Install piping with a uniform slope to avoid creating
periodic piping tightness testing vapor pockets that can interfere with the proper
interstitial monitoring operation of tightness-testing equipment and line-
leak detectors.
soil-vapor monitoring
9.3.4 Interstitial Monitoring.
statistical inventory reconciliation
1. Install piping so that any released liquid will
under-pump check valve (suction systems only).
flow to a sump, where it can be visually
Installation practices associated with most methods of observed or detected by sensors.
leak detection are described in the following sections. 2. Mount sensors according to the manufactur-
er's instructions. Place sensors at the bottom
9.3.1 Automatic Line-Leak Detectors. An
of the sump. Sensors should be easily acces-
automatic line-leak detector is defined as a device
sible so they can be tested periodically for
that can detect a leak of 3.0 gallons per hour at a line
proper operation.
pressure of 10 pounds per square inch within a
period of one hour. Mechanically based line-leak 3. After installation testing is completed, ensure
detectors, as well as electronically based devices, that test fittings do not interfere with the flow
may be used to meet this requirement. Line-leak of any released product from the interstitial
detectors are designed for use with pressurized-pip- space of the piping into the sump.
ing systems.
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
tions. Handle piping carefully to avoid damage to piping trench excavation walls. In traffic areas, ensure that the
materials during assembly, backfilling, and testing. Keep trench is sufficiently deep to permit 6 inches of bedding
pipe and fitting interiors and threads free from dirt, mois- and at least 18 inches of compacted backfill material and
ture, and debris. pavement.
Exercise care to measure and cut pipe accurately to avoid As a general rule, carefully grade and compact bedding
failure that can occur when pipe fittings are installed for product piping to ensure a minimum slope of 1I8-inch
under stress. per foot. Piping may slope toward the tank, a dispenser
sump, or a collection sump.
10.4 Piping Layout and Trenches. Where practical,
run piping in a single trench between the tank area and Vapor pockets created by unevenly sloped lines may
the dispensing islands, and between the tank area and the adversely affect leak-detection systems and/or the effi-
vent risers. Minimize piping runs across tank tops. Piping ciency or operation of product piping. Thoroughly purge
should follow the shortest practical route. Avoid traps in pressurized product piping of air before it is placed into
the piping and crossing piping runs whenever possible. If service.
crossing of lines is unavoidable, provide adequate clear-
ance to prevent contact. Consult the manufacturer's 10.5 Piping Backfill and Compaction. Use clean sand
instructions for the minimum clearance required for the or pea gravel (3/4-inch maximum size) or crushed rock
type of piping being installed. (l/2-inch maximum size) for piping backfill material.
Before backfilling, remove any rocks, debris, or other for-
Make piping trenches wide enough and deep enough to eign 'material from the piping trench. Also remove any
accommodate both the piping and the backfill material chocks or bracing used to support or align piping during
required to provide protection from damage that might be construction.
caused by settlement, abrasion, vibration, expansion, con-
traction, and contact with foreign materials . (See Figure Place backfill carefully around piping to maintain separa-
10-1.) Provide at least 6 inches clearance between piping tion distances from adjacent piping and the trench walls .
and electrical conduit, utilities, other system components, If mechanical compaction is required, exercise special
and any nearby structures. Separate piJ<ing runs by a dis- care when compacting over nonmetallic piping and flexi-
tance of at least twice the nominal pipe diameter. Allow ble connectors.
at least 6 inches distance between the piping and the Clearly mark trenches and protect them during construc-
tion to prevent damage to piping from traffic, excavation,
grade stakes, or other construction work.
FIGURE 10-2. Piping dimensions. Dimensions shown are generally accepted limits. Slope all lines to facilitate future
testing.
liquid-tight, metal-to-metal seal to prevent leaks. 4. Protect metallic-product piping that is in contact
Dull dies may extrude or tear threads, making a with the ground with a properly designed and
tight seal impossible. installed cathodic-protection system. Electrically
isolate dispensers, submerged pumps, check
3. When assembling tapered thread (NPT) joints, use
valves, tanks, or other metallic components that are
a pipe sealant (dope or cement) that is compatible
not intended to be protected by the cathodic-pro-
with the piping materials and the product being
tection system provided for the piping.
handled. Wrap ribbon dope with the threads to
avoid bunching during tightening. Follow the man- S. Repair damage to coating caused by handling,
ufacturer's preparation and application instruc- threading, or tightening. Use a material approved
tions, giving proper attention to temperature and for the purpose and in accordance with the manu-
moisture condition limitations. facturer's application instructions.
4. Take care to avoid cross threading, especially when
WARNING: Couplings furnished to protect
mating fittings made of different materials such as
metallic-pipe threads during handling are not
steel fittings to fiberglass adapters or steel pipe to
generally suitable material for use under-
dielectric tank bushings. Do not remove dielectric
ground.
bushings.
connect fiberglass to metallic pipe, take care not to with the manufacturer's installation instructions. Recom-
over tighten and split the fiberglass fitting. mended practices include the following considerations.
3. Coat or wrap metallic pipe and fittings used to con- l. Position tank-top sumps at each tank and dispenser
nect nonmetallic piping to components, and, if sumps beneath each dispenser. If the sump bottom
buried, cathodically protect them to prevent corro- relies on backfill for support, carefully place
sion. approved backfill material beneath the sump base.
10.10 Flexible Piping. Install all flexible-piping sys- 2. To avoid leaks into the environment and possible
tems in strict accordance with the manufacturer's installa- groundwater or rainwater infiltration into sumps,
tion instructions. Recommended practices include the make all sump penetrations liquid tight. Use the
following considerations. size of hole saw recommended by the manufactur-
er to cut appropriate holes for pipe-penetration fit-
1. Do not interchange piping and couplings from dif- tings. Pipe-penetration fittings should minimize
ferent manufacturers. stress on sump-penetration seals.
2. Heed the manufacturer's warnings concerning 3. Slope trenches 1I8-inch per foot so that leaked
installation of flexible-piping materials at low tem- product will drain into sumps. Depending on the
peratures. distance between dispenser sumps and tank sumps,
3. Ensure that both primary and secondary piping an intermediate sump may be needed to maintain a
consist of continuous lengths between containment 1I8-inch slope per foot between connecting sumps.
sumps. Carefully measure piping lengths to avoid
10.12 Vent Piping. The vent piping for all tanks
stretching or kinking. Make all piping connections
should be adequately sized. Use an extractor fitting at the
within the confines of containment sumps.
tank connection to facilitate future testing. Slope piping
4. Be aware that flexible-piping systems may require no less than 1I8-inch per foot back to the tank. Grade the
different trenching configurations than rigid piping. bedding for the vent piping carefully to avoid sags or
(See Figure 10-3.) Do not exceed the recommend- traps in the line where liquid could collect. Construct
ed bending radius specified by the manufacturer for aboveground vent risers using appropriately sized steel
the specific pipe diameter being\nstalled. pipe.
10.11 Containment Sumps. Tank-top and dispenser- Locate vent outlets away from building openings, above
containment sumps may be used with metallic, fiberglass, adjacent rooflines and canopies, and high enough above
or flexible piping. Install all sumps in strict accordance grade so that discharged vapors will not produce fire or
Concrete
Concrete paving
paving
Product
;:~ . . . . . "Z~~~~'; """1 linesl
'--_ _ _---' recovery :
piping ;
(if req'd) : U:k~~jj--' Vapor recovery piping ~........
(if req'd)
FIGURE 1.0-3. Piping layout. Proper piping layout minimizes crossing of lines and intelference with electrical conduit
and other system components.
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
Shea r
section
Tank
1.2.5 Electrical Isolation. It is essential that tanks and 1.2.7 Impressed-Current Systems. Impressed-current
piping equipped with galvanic cathodic protection be cathodic-protection systems can influence other nearby
electrically isolated from other metal structures. Dielec- metallic structures that are not a part of the protected sys-
tric bushings and fittings, which are used to separate tem. Proper design by a competent corrosion engineer is
buried piping from aboveground piping and tanks from required to ensure effectiveness of the corrosion protec-
piping, must be compatible with the liquid stored and the tion on the intended storage system and to prevent
operating pressure of the tank system. adverse effects on adjacent aboveground tanks, utilities,
and other metallic structures. Impressed-current cathodic-
Comments protection systems must be designed by corrosion engi-
Take care to maintain electrical isolation to prevent neers who have expertise in this area. The following are
loss of protection. For example, if cathodically pro- generic installation guidelines for impressed-current sys-
tected vent risers are attached directly to a metal tems.
building, the piping will likely be electrically con-
1. Inspect high-silicon iron, graphite, or platinum
nected to other building components, such as buried
anodes for broken lead wires, damaged insulation,
electrical conduit and reinforcing rod in the building
or other defects.
foundation. As a result, the cathodic-protection sys-
tem, which is designed to protect only the piping, is 2. Install anodes as indicated in the plans, and backfill
now also trying to protect all buried metallic com- them carefully to prevent voids.
ponents of the building. In most cases, this will
3. Connect the rectifier negative terminal to the struc-
severely compromise the effectiveness of the
ture and the positive terminal to the anodes.
cathodic-protection system.
Exercise care when installing leak-detection probes 4. Establish the electrical continuity of all compo-
that contain metallic components. If metallic com- nents to be protected.
ponents are present in the probes, there must be no 5. Install rectifiers on a dedicated electrical circuit.
contact between the components and adjacent metal
surfaces of the tank and piping. Maintain electrical
isolation of the metallic components in the probes.
Do not electrically isolate components of Concrete
impressed-current systems.
. . . . . . . . . . Locate Anodes . . . .
Install direct burial wiling at least 24 inches deep to pre- ................. r:: l' . .... .
' . 3 to 5 feet
-: -: -: -: -: . :- :- : -: :-: from Pipe :-::-:-
vent damage during construction\ and subsequent opera- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ..
tion of the facility. Before making connections,
thoroughly prepare the wires and structure surfaces to
verify that they are clean, dry, and free of foreign matter.
Make connections by therrnite welding, or by using pres-
sure-type grounding clamps or other devices designed for
this purpose. Avoid buried splices. When necessary, insu-
late buried splices using materials that are specifically
designed for this purpose. Coat structure/wire connec-
tions with insulating material that is compatible with
structure coatings and wire insulation. Test the continuity
of the wiring and structures before backfilling.
12.11 Protecting Piping. Steel piping must be coated, the chance of loss of protection in the event of damage to
preferably with a factory-applied, wrapped, dielectric the lead wire or other malfunction of a single anode.
material designed for the purpose. Use a site-specific
cathodic-protection system design for all installations. In 12.12 Field-Applied Coatings. After completing fab-
the absence of a specific plan, protection may be provid- rication and air testing, clean and coat all exposed metal
ed for most piping systems by installing at least two mag- surfaces. Repair damage to the coating from tools, han-
nesium anodes vertically, 3 to 5 feet from the center of the dling, and threading by wrapping or coating the damaged
pipe trench with the top of the anode below the level of surface with a material intended for this purpose. Careful
the piping. preparation of the surfaces is essential to ensure good
cohesion and prevent flaws. Bonding and anode-wire
Protected piping must be electrically continuous; bond connections must also be coated.
unconnected pipe with #12 TW or THHN stranded or
solid wire. Isolate piping from dispensers, structures, and 12.13 Other Components. Provide protection for
the tanle Do not ground the piping to other piping sys- gauges, monitoring devices, and other systems that are
tems, electrical conduit, or stlUctures. subject to corrosion and that, if they fail, could cause a
release or impair the operation of monitOling systems.
If a site-specific plan is not available, Table 12-1 may be Additional anodes and bonding may be required.
used to determine the lengths of well-coated piping that
may be protected in mildly corro ive soil for a period of Comments
20 to 30 years. The following conditions can .reasonably Gauging and monitoring devices that are mounted
be expected and apply to Table 12-1: inside the tank, or in the interstice of a double-
walled tank, are typically installed in tank openings
piping has less than 5 percent exposed surface
that are equipped with dielectric bushings. These
soil resistivity is 5,000 ohm centimeters devices are not, therefore, electrically connected to
the tank: nor protected by the tank's cathodic-pro-
current density is 1.5 milliamp per square foot of
tection system.
exposed steel.
Indicate the location of devices protected by a
Length of Pipe length of Pipe cathodic-protection system on facility plans and
Protected by Protected by Two "as-built" drawings. Also indicate the method and
Nominal Pipe Two 17-Pound 32-Pound location of connections and the location of test sta-
Diameter Magnesium Magnesium
(inches) tions.
Anodes (feet) Anodes (feet)
2 " pipe 1,000 ft. 1 ,200 ft. 12.14 Inspection and Testing. Carefully inspect
cathodic-protection system components and connections
3 " pipe 680 ft. 800 ft.
before backfilling. Test the electrical continuity between
4" pipe 530 ft . 620 ft. the tank and associated piping. No continuity should exist
Theoretical
across dielectric bushings, flanges, or unions. Verify that
anode life: 23 years 37 years
continuity i present between stlUctures that are bonded
together.
TABLE 12-1. Length of well-coated metallic pipe that
can be cathodically protected with standard magnesium A competent technician should test the effectiveness of
anodes. cathodic protection. Cathodically protected systems are
typically tested by measuring the voltage between the
tank and a copper-copper ulfate reference electrode that
Table 12-1 assumes that there are several parallellUns of is in contact with moist native soil. A negative voltage of
piping in a single trench. If the length of piping to be pro- at least 0.85 volts is the commonly used criterion for eval-
tected is a single long lUn, the number of anodes specified uating galvanic cathodic protection. Criteria for deter-
in Table 12-1 may need to be increased, or high-potential mining the effectiveness of cathodic protection are
magnesium anodes may be necessary to provide adequate described in NACE RP0285-2002. Refer to Appendix C
protection. Anodes should be equally spaced along the for more information concerning this document.
piping to ensure that the protective current is evenly dis-
tributed. If measurements indicate inadequate protection, a facility
may be placed in operation, but the measurements should
While, in some cases, a single anode might provide suffi- be repeated in 90 days. If corrosion protection is still not
cient protection, redundancy is recommended to reduce
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
adequate, the cathodic-protection system should be Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA
repaired or modified. During this time, the facility may 30, National Fire Protection Association
remain operational.
Automotive and Marine Service Station Code.
To test electrical continuity or isolation of buried compo- NFPA 30A, National Fire Protection Association
nents, measure and record the voltage readings between Uniform Fire Code, Uniform Fire Code Association
the copper-copper sulphate reference electrode and the
tank, piping, or other structure, keeping the reference International Fire Code, International Code Council.
electrode in a fixed position during all of the measure- Refer to Appendix C for more information concerning
ments. Continuity is indicated by voltage differences of 1 these documents.
millivolt or less between structures. Isolation is indicated
by voltage differences of more than 10 millivolts. Read- Equipment manufacturers may have electrical require-
ings between 1 and 10 millivolts are inconclusive. Refer ments that are more stringent than applicable electrical
to NACE TM0101-2001 for a further description of this codes. Refer to the manufacturer's electrical requirements
and other procedures that can be used to evaluate electri- before beginning electrical installation.
cal continuity. Refer to Appendix C for more information
concerning this document. Separate electrical conduit and piping by at least 6 inch-
es to avoid interference or damage caused by abrasion.
Whenever possible, route electrical conduit away from
piping.
30
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
Single-walled tank Inspection and 5 psig air/ soap test Automatic tank Verify set up parameters (e .g., t ank
Sec. 3.2 (3 psig for 12 ft diameter or greater gauges size, construction, tilt) and calibra-
tanks) according to manufacturer's tion.
instructions . Overfill prevention Verify that device is set at the prop-
Double-wa lled tank Inspect ion and 5 psig air/ soap test or devices er height and ensure proper opera-
Sec. 3 .3, 3 .5-7 according to manufacturer's recom- tion.
mendations . Spi ll-containment Check the operation of the liquid
Piping Careful inspection. .\ manholes drain (if present) and the clearance
Sec. 10.3 between the fill-pipe cap and the
manway cover. Remove liquids,
TABLE 1.4-1.. Test Procedures that may be applied to stor- trash, instal lation aids , etc.
age-system components prior to placing them in the exca-
vation. Impact va lves Ensure that the valve is securely
anchored and that the valve mecha-
After Assembly But Before Backfilling nism operates freely. Check the
level of the shear section relative
Component Test Procedure
to the pump island surface.
New primary piping. 50 psig air/ soap test.
Mechanical line leak Test for ability to detect three gal-
Piping must be isolated
detectors Ion per hour leak according to man-
from tank.
ufacturer's instructions.
Sec. 11.1.1
Electronic line leak Verify set up parameters (e .g., pip-
Secondary piping 5 or 10 psig air/ soap test.
detectors ing length, diameter, type). Test for
Sec. 11.2.1
- ability to detect three gallon per
Tank-top sumps and Hydrostatic test or manufacturer's hour leak according to manufactur-
dispenser sumps recommendations. er's instructions.
Sec. 8.4-5
Cathodic protection Verify continuity/ isolation of system
Cathodic protection Continuity or isolation . components. Measure structure to
Sec. 12.14 soi l potential and rectifier output (if
present) . (Sec. 12.14)
Tank deflection Measure tank diameter before and
Sec. 5 .9 after installing anchor straps. TABLE 1.4-3. Test procedures that may be applied to stor-
age-system components prior to placing the storage system
TABLE 1.4-2. Test procedures that may be applied to in service.
storage-system components after assembly but before
backfilling.
~
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
tables does not imply that a storage-system component operation. Responsibility for maintenance of the required
does not require testing. Follow the manufacturer's data, however, must remain with the owner/operator,
instructions and/or regulatory requirements in all cases. because no one else has an ongoing interest in the facili-
ty. The owner/operator should have the documents avail-
14.2 Cathodic-Protection Systems. Document the able for inspection, as required. Tank charts and
effectiveness of cathodic-protection systems by conduct- maintenance schedules should be kept at the tank loca-
ing structure-to-soil potential measurements and continu- tion.
ity measurements as a minimum. If measurements
indicate inadequate protection, the facility may be placed 15.3 Installation Checklists. Complete all relevant
in operation, but the measurements should be repeated in installation checklists produced by equipment manufac-
90 days. If corrosion protection is still not adequate, the turers to document compliance with specified installation
cathodic-protection system should be repaired or modi- practices. Provide the client with the checklist(s) and
fied, during which time the facility may remain opera- retain a copy for the installation contractor's records . If
tional. applicable, submit copies of the checklist(s) to the manu-
facturer(s) to document the installation or initiate warran-
14.3 Test Results. Provide documentation of storage- ty coverage.
system tightness, as well as the proper operation of sys-
tem components, to the storage-system owner/operator. 15.4 Scheduled Inspections and Maintenance.
Alternatively, the owner may engage other properly Quality components and proper installation will not
trained and certified personnel to conduct the testing. The ensure that equipment will function properly without reg-
owner/operator should keep a copy of all final test results ular inspection and maintenance. The owner/operator
and equipment operating instructions. shall establish and implement a wlitten program of sched-
uled inspections, maintenance, and periodic testing of the
14.4 Other Testing. Nothing in this recommended storage system and its components that is consistent with
practice is intended to limit nonprescribed testing per- regulatory requirements, industry practices, and equip-
formed by the installation contractor throughout the ment manufacturers' recommendations .
installation process or prior to system start up.
"
15.2 Component Documentation. Provide the owner The owner/operator should coordinate when, where, and
with installation and operating instructions for all compo- how the training will occur. The storage system owner
nents of the underground tank system, as well as recom- should retain a record of the persons attending the train-
mended test procedures, maintenance schedules, and tank ing and the topics discussed.
charts that indicate liquid volume in the tank as a function
of depth. The documents described are typically provided
by manufacturers of all major storage-system compo-
nents.
APPENDIX A
FLOATOUT AND ANCHORAGE CALCULATIONS
A.1 Purpose. The purpose of the floatout and anchor- Method #1. Calculate the total space occupied by the tank
age calculation is to determine the depth of burial from from data provided by the manufacturer.
the top of the tank to finished grade necessary to prevent
an underground tank from floating when empty and fully Method #1 Cubic Feet Gallons
submerged. To do this, it is necessary that the total buoy- Cylindrical tank body 1,290.67 9,654
ant force be more than offset by the combined weight of Two curved ends 113.28 848
the overburden (i.e. , backfill material), paving over the Two manways 5.08 ~
tank, the weight of the empty tank, and associated equip- 1,409.03 10,540
ment. In this appendix, the calculation for an empty, 8- Method #2. Add the space occupied by the tank structure
foot nominal diameter, 1O,000-gallon nominal capacity, to the actual capacity of the tank, interstice, and manway.
double-walled, fiberglass-reinforced 'plastic (FRP) tank
with the water table at grade is presented. These calcula- Method #2 Cubic Feet Gallons
tions are applicable to a single tank installation only. Inner tank structure 15.18 114
Outer tank structure 15.75 118
A.2 Weight of Materials. The weight of material Ribs (28) 9.42 ~
decreases when submerged. For our purposes, we have Total tank structure 40.35 302
used the following submerged weights for common mate- Tank capacity 1,300.80 9,730
rials: Interstice capacity 82.89 620
Material Weight Manway volume 5.08 ~
1,429.12 10,690
Sand and pea gravel 60.0 pounds per cubic foot
Reinforced concrete 87.6 pounds per cubic foot The alternative result, 1,429.12 cubic feet (10,690 gal-
., lons), should be used since it is more conservative. The
Tank and manways 5,000 pounds
tank manufacturers should provide information on their
Submersible pump
tank dimensions and capacity, on request.
and riser 300 pounds
Water 7.48 ga]]ons per cubic foot A.S Reinforced-Concrete Pad at Finished Grade.
Water 62.4 pounds per cubic foot The 8-inch thick reinforced-concrete pad extends 2 feet
beyond each end of the tank and extends 1 foot beyond
A.3 Reflected-Tank Area. The reflected-tank area is each side of the tank. The paving will be 10' x 35', 350
the surface on which the overburden bears. In the case of square feet, 233.33 cubic feet. (350 square feet x 8 inch-
cylindrical tanks, this is found by multiplying the actual es = 233.33 cubic feet.) Using the submerged weight of
tank diameter by its length. In the case of tanks with 87.6 pounds per cubic foot, the total weight of the paving
curved ends, the calculation is more complicated. The is 20,440 pounds.
value we have used (231.42 square feet) was provided by
the tank manufacturer: A.6 Depth of Burial to Top of Tank. The depth of the
overburden (backfill material) over the tank constitutes
Area of trapezoidal and the greatest force for counteracting flotation. The burial
circular-end segments 24.39 square feet depth must also be sufficient to allow piping to be sloped
Cylindrical body + 207.03 square feet to the tank at least 1I8-inch per foot. Assuming that a total
Total 231.42 square feet burial depth of 3' 6" is sufficient for this purpose, we can
make a trial calculation to determine if this combination
A.4 Tank Displacement. The buoyant force to be over- of paving and burial depth will prevent floatout.
come is the total tank displacement, including the dis-
placement of the structure and attached tank-top sumps. A.7 Volume and Weight of Overburden. To determine
The following calculations illustrate two methods of cal- the depth of the overburden, it is necessary to deduct the
culating displacement. The method providing the larger thickness of the reinforced-concrete paving from the
value is more conservative and should be used. depth of burial to the top of the tank, (3' 6" - 8" = 2' 10" =
2.833 feet). We have assumed that pea gravel and sand
33
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
4
_ . _ _ "
1 "" - - -- -- - - - - L+4ft
t ~--~~~~~~~~~~~~~====~~~~
n
T1' ad
1
~-------------------- L--------------------~
D = Tank diameter
L = Tank length
t = Thickness of reinforced concrete
h = Thickness of overburden
d = Depth of burial - top of tank to
bottom of reinforced concrete
FIGURE A-l. Dimensions requiredfor hold-down calculations. The weight of overburden (shaded area) provides a
great deal of the force available to offset buoyancy.
have the same weight submerged, 60 pounds per cubic = 2.267 (866.02) - 756.41
foot. The volume of the overburden can be calculated as = 1963.27 - 756.41
follows: = 1206.86 cubic fe et of overburden
[(h -=- 3) (Bl + B2 + -YBIB2)] - [(V -=- 2) + M] Total weight of overburden
= 1206.86 cubic feet x weight of backfill material
Where: (60 pounds per cubic foot)
D = Tank diameter, 7' 11 1/4" (7.938 feet) = 72,412 pounds
d = Depth of overburden, 2' 10" (2.833 feet)
h = (D -=- 2) + d = (7 .938 -=- 2) + 2.833 A.S Adequacy of Restraining Forces. The adequacy
= 3.969 + 2.833 = 6.802 feet of restraining forces is determined as follows:
B 1 = Area of the concrete slab at grade,
350 square feet (See A.5) Total restraining forces, in pounds
B2 = Reflected-tank area, Weight of overburden 72,412
231.42 square feet (See A3) Concrete paving at grade (See A5) 20,440
V = Tank displacement, 10,690 gallons Tank and manway weight, from manufacturer 5,000
(1429.12 cubic feet) (See A4) Submersible pump and riser,
M = Void in overburden (4' x 4' tank-top sump), from manufacturer ~
Where:
d = depth of overburden = 3'10" = -3.833 feet
h = (D -7- 2) + d = (7.938 -7- 2) + 3.833
= 3.969 + 3.833 = 7.802 feet
All other factors remain the same as A.7 .
APPENDIX B
BACKGROUND: CATHODIC PROTECTION
B.1 Galvanic Corrosion. Galvanic corrosion is the B.3 Rate of Corrosion. The rate of corrosion is deter-
deterioration of a metal by direct or electTochemical reac- mined by many factors: the relative size and potential of
tion with its environment. Corrosion occurs when two the anode and cathode, the resistivity of the soil, the pres-
dissimilar-metal objects are placed in direct or electrical ence of organic chemicals and salts, stresses present in
contact with each other. Four elements are required for the structure, and the amount of current from the external
corrosion to occur: an electrolyte, anode, cathode, and power source. The smaller the anodic area in relation to
return circuit. In underground steel-tank installations, the the cathode, the faster the anodic area will corrode. This
moist soil serves as the electrolyte. Anodes and cathodes is why corrosion is accelerated at breaks (holidays) in
develop on the tank and piping, or between the tank sys- protective coatings, where cathodic protection is not pro-
tem and more noble metals. The return circuit is provid- vided. The corrosion current is concentrated on the small,
ed by the conductivity of the metal structure. The exposed anodic area. Corrosion is also accelerated where
dissimilar-metal factor could be a difference in the metal- metal is installed under stress. Highly stressed areas
lurgical characteristics of the same structure or the pres- become anodic relative to unstressed parts of the struc-
ence of a different metal. Current flows from the metal of ture.
higher electromotive activity (anode) toward the metal of
lower electromotive activity (cathode), producing corro- B.4 Coatings. The primary method of corrosion pro-
sion at the anode. The greater the degree of electromotive tection is to separate the underground structure to be pro-
force between the two metals, the more rapid the corro- tected from the soil. Various coating systems are used for
sion. this purpose. Requirements for cleaning the surfaces to be
coated typically include removal of oil, varnish applied at
Corrosion cells may be formed when metal is in contact the mill, dirt, moisture, and other foreign material. To
with different soils. For example, corrosion can result minimize defects, coating materials should be applied as
from placing metallic piping directly on native soil at the meticulously as possible. Field coating should be limited
bottom of a trench. This is due to differences in oxygen to exposed threads, fittings, and areas damaged by han-
or ion concentrations between the undisturbed soil and dling and fabrication.
the new backfill.
Selection of a proper coating material, preparation of the
Corrosion can also occur when a new steel tank is added surface to be coated, and care in application are essential.
to existing tanks in the same excavation. The differences Coatings must maintain high dielectric properties over
in potential between the new and old structures may the life of the system, have low moisture absorption and
establish a circuit, where the new tank is the anode and transfer rates, and be chemically resistant to the stored
the old tanks are the cathodes. Accelerated corrosion of liquids.
the new tank will result.
B.5 Cathodic Protection. Underground storage tank
Bacterial and basic metallurgical changes may also cause systems subject to external corrosion should be provided
corrosion cells. Bacteria may cause changes in the soil, with a properly engineered and installed cathodic-protec-
which develop into strong corrosion cells. Corrosion may tion system. Cathodic protection is the process of revers-
also occur within the molecular structure of the metal. ing the electrical potential of the metallic structure to
make it cathodic (protected) in relation to its surround-
B.2 Stray-Current Corrosion. Corrosion is also caused ings. A coated, dielectric ally isolated structure is fre-
by stray direct currents from such sources as welding quently considered protected if it has a potential of -.85
machines, power transmission lines, nearby cathodically volts in relation to a copper-copper sulfate reference elec-
protected pipe lines, utilities, structures, and electrified trode in contact with the electrolyte and located as close
railroads. Corrosion results from direct currents flowing as possible to the protected tank or piping. There are other
underground, from the external power source, along the criteria for ascertaining the level of protection.
path of least resistance, and back to the power source.
Underground structures in the path of the currents can B.6 Impressed-Current Systems. Impressed-current
experience rapid deterioration. Protection often requires a systems use rectified alternating current from the electri-
detailed corrosion survey and a specifically designed cal utility to energize anodes. The tank system is con-
cathodic-protection system. nected to the negative terminal; graphite, high-silicon
36
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
iron, or platinum anodes are connected to the positive ter- resistance, stabilizes the anode's potential, and improves
minal. The number of anodes and output voltage are indi- efficiency, enabling each anode to produce more current.
vidually designed for each installation. Components are Anode backfill requirements are different for impressed-
located according to a specified design. Overprotection or current versus galvanic cathodic-protection systems.
improper installation can have a detrimental effect on the
structure or coating. Dry, inert, and electrically neutral backfill material, when
placed around tanks, will become contaminated from
B.7 Galvanic Anodes. Magnesium or zinc anodes, migration of chemicals and organic materials from the
bonded to the structure to be protected, provide protection surrounding soils. It will take on the electrical characteris-
to structures by galvanic action. Anodes generally have an tics of the native soil in a short time, usually within a year.
effective life for each installation. The most commonly
used anodes are packaged in low-resistivity backfill with B.9 Magnesium Anode Selection. ASTM Standard
copper wire attached for field installation. The size AZ63 - Type I anodes are used underground in moderate-
(weight) and number of anodes is determined by the anode ly resistant soils. Prepackaged anodes have the following
potential, the surface area to be protected, and the desired characteristics:
system life. Although anode selection is dependent on Net weight 17 pounds 32 pounds
local conditions, some generalizations may be made. Nominal size 4" x 4" x 17" 5" x 5"x 20.5"
Packaged weight 45 pounds 68 pounds
Longer anodes and anodes made of higher-poten-
Packaged dimensions 7 .5" x 24" 8.5" x 28"
tial metal produce higher current output.
The more efficient the anode, and the lower the cur- ASTM Standard High Potential (Mg-Mn alloy) anodes
rent output, the longer the anode life. contain additional manganese, which increases driving
potential from 1.55 to 1.73 volts, and are frequently used
High soil resistivity requires higher current output for longer distances and in high-resistivity soil.
to achieve the same level of protection, indicating a
need for more anodes or the use of high-potential Anode Data Magnesium Zinc
anodes. Theoretical cunent capacity,
amp hours per pound 1,000 372
Low soil resistance allows greater current flow
Current efficiency 50% 90%
from the anode. If the increased current is not
required to protect the structure, it is wasted. Over- Actual consumption rate,
protection is virtually impossible with galvanic pounds per amp year 17 24.8
anodes. Solution potential to a copper-
copper sulfate cell -1.55 -1.1
Where zinc anodes are used, they should be ASTM (Same) for high-potential
B418-95, Type II. Other types of zinc anodes are - 1.73
magnesium
designed for use in salt water and are inappropriate
for use underground in fresh water. B.10 Calculation of Anode Life. In calculating anode
life, a "utilization factor" is included. This factor is based
The surface area to be protected depends on the
dielectric efficiency of the coating. For well-coated on the assumption that an anode has reached the end of its
steel, use less than 5 percent of the total surface useful life, even though a small amount of metal may
area . The recommended minimum anode life remain unexpended. The utilization factor used for mag-
should correspond to the estimated life of the tank nesium and zinc is 85 percent. Consumption rates are
system, usually 20 to 30 years. based on 50 percent efficiency for magnesium and 90 per-
cent for zinc. Rates used are 17 pounds per amp year for
B.8 An ode Backfill Material. Galvanic (sacrificial) magnesium and 24.8 pounds for zinc. The greatest influ-
anodes used in the protection of underground liquid stor- ences on current output are the resistivity of the soil, dri-
age tank systems are frequently prepackaged with low- ving voltage, and the size of the anode, especially its
resistivity (50 ohm cm) backfill material Typical contents length.
are:
Anode life =
Hydrated gypsum 75%
CAmp-hours
Bentonite 20%
per Ib x Anode weight x Efficiency x Utilization factor
Sodium sulfate 5%
Hours per yr.)
Low-resistance backfill material reduces anode-to-earth Current (amps)
37
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
Problem A: What is the life of a 32-pound magnesium ASTM AZ63, Type I ASTM 8418-95, Type II
anode producing 0.1 amps at 50% efficiency? Magnesium Anode Zinc Anode
Corrosive soil,
1,000 amp hours per pound -:- (24 hours per day x 365 2,000 ohm em soil
days per year) 2" pipe 1,000+ 1,000+ 140 450 410
3 " pipe 830 1,000+ 90 310 280
= 0.114 amp years per pound. 4 " pipe 630 750 70 240 240
Anode life , years 10 16 17 28 50+
[0.114 x 32 x .5 x .85] = 15.5 years
Mildly corrosive soil,
0.1 5,000 ohm em soil
2 " pipe 350 530 630 50 180 160
Because the tank system is designed to last at least 30 3 " pipe 230 360 420 40 120 110
4" pipe 170 280 330 30 90 80
years, one anode does not provide sufficient protection. Anode life, yea rs 19 23 37 43 50+ 50+
Adding a second anode is recommended anyway, because
Slightly corrosive soil,
one could fail due to a broken wire or other cause. 15,000 ohm em soil2
2" pipe 100 180 200 20 50 50
Anode life = 3" pipe 70 120 140 10 30 40
4 " pipe 50 100 110 10 20 30
[0.114 x (32 x 1.9) x .5 x .85] = 29.5 years Anode life, years 3 50+ 50+ 50+ 50+ 50+ 50+
0.1
TABLE B-1. The number offeet of well-coated steel pipe
The additional factor (multiplying one anode times 1.9) that can be protected with a single zinc or magnesium
takes interference into consideration. (See B.12.) galvanic anode when installed in soil with specific
resistivity. Although one anode may be sufficient, a mini-
Problem B: What is the life of a 30-pound zinc anode mum of two anodes per installation is recommended to
producing 0.1 amps? prevent loss of protection in the event an anode connection
to the piping is broken.
Anode life =
372 amp hours per pound -:- (24 hours per day x 365 days B.12 Adjusting Factors for Anodes Installed in Paral-
per year) lel. Interference between anodes installed in parallel in
= 0.0424 amp years per pound. close proximity reduces the output per anode. Recom-
mended adjusting factors are as follows:
[0.0424 x 30 x .9 x .85] = 9.7 years
0.1 Anode spacing in feet
Number
B.11 Number of Feet of Well-Coated Steel Pipe That of Anodes 5 ft. 10 ft. 15 ft. 20 ft.
Can Be Protected with One Galvanic Anode. l The fol- 2 1.8 1.9 1.9 1.9
lowing table is based on having the piping fully isolated 3 2.4 2.7 2.8 2.8
from the tank and from associated structures and equip- 4 3.0 3.5 3.6 3.7
ment; installed in evenly compacted, homogeneous back- 5 3.6 4.2 4.4 4.6
fill material; and having no stray currents or other 6 4.1 4.9 5.2 5.4
influencing factors present. Figures reflect a safety factor
of 20-30 percent (i.e., the number of linear feet of pipe Example: One 32-pound magnesium anode will protect
has been reduced by this amount). Calculations are based 630 feet of well-coated, 2-inch pipe in mildly corrosive
on well-coated pipe with less than 5 percent exposed steel (5,000 ohm cm) soil. The adjustment factor is required to
evenly distributed along the pipe, and current density of determine the additional protection achieved by adding a
1.5ma-2.0ma per square foot of exposed steel, without second anode 20 feet from the first. Calculation:
consideration of the effects of polarization. Two-inch pipe protected by one
32-pound anode 630 feet
IWe recommend a minimum of two anodes per installation to prevent
loss of protection in the event an anode wire or connection is broken.
Times adjusting factor from table x 1.9
2 In slightly corrosive soils, use of high-potential magnesium anodes Two-inch pipe protected by two
increases the number of feet of pipe that can be protected by 32-pound anodes separated by 20 feet 1,197 feet
approximately 50 percent, while decreasing the theoretical life only Rounded to 1,200 feet
slightly, less than 5 percent.
3 We limited calculations to 50-year life, since this exceeds the esti-
mated economic life expectancy of most tank installations.
38
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems
APPENDIX C
PUBLICATION REFERENCE
NOTE: Links to download or purchase many of these references can be found at www.pei.org/ RP1.00
AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, 1220 L Street NACE International, 1440 South Creek Drive,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20005 . (202) 682-8000. Houston, Texas 77084-4906. (281) 228-6200.
American Petroleum Institute, RP 1604, Closure of NACE International, Standard TM0101 -01 ,
Underground Petroleum Storage Tanks, Third Edition, Measurement Techniques Related to Criteria for
March 1996; Reaffirmed November 2001. Cathodic Protection of Underground or Submerged
American Petroleum Institute, RP 1615, Installation Metallic Tank Systems, 2001.
of Underground Petroleum Storage Systems, Fifth NACE International, Standard RPOI69-02, Control
Edition, March 1996; Reaffirmed Noyember 2001. of External Corrosion on Underground or Submerged
American Petroleum Institute, RP 1621, Bulk Liquid Metallic Piping Systems, Revised 1992; Reaffinned
Stock Control at Retail Outlets, Fifth Edition, May 2002.
1993. NACE International, Standard RP0285-02,
American Petroleum Institute, RP 1626, Storing and Corrosion Control of Underground Storage Tank
Handling Ethanol and Gasoline-Ethanol Blends at Systems by Cathodic Protection, Revised April 2002.
Distribution Terminals and Service Stations, First
Edition, April 1985; Reaffirmed January 2000. National Fire Protection Association,
American Petroleum Institute, RP 1632, Cathodic 1 Batterymarch Park, PO. Box 9101, Quincy,
Protection of Unde rground Petroleum Storage Tanks Massachusetts 02169-7471. (617) 770-3000.
and Piping Systems, Third Edition, May 1996; National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 30,
ReaffIrmed June 2002. Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 2003.
American Petroleum Institute, RP f 637, Using the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 30A,
API Color-Symbol System To Mark Equipment and Automotive and Marine Service Station Code, 2003.
Vehicles For Product Identification at Service Stations National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70,
and Distribution Terminals, Second Edition, September National Electrical Code, 2005.
1995; Reaffirmed January 2000. National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 77,
Recommended Practice on Static Electricity, 2000.
American Society for Testing and Materials, 100
Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania Petroleum Equipment Institute, PO. Box 2380,
19428-2959. (610) 832-9500. Fax (610) 832-9555 . Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 -2380. (918) 494-9696.
American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM Petroleum Equipment Institute, Petroleum
Standard C33, Specifications for Concrete Aggregates, Equipment LEXICON, Terms Used in Petroleum
1999. Marketing Operations, 1995.
Petroleum Equipment Institute, RP200,
Fiberglass Tank & Pipe Institute, 11150 South Recommended Practices for Installation of Aboveground
Wilcrest Drive, Suite 101, Houston, Texas 77099-4343. Storage Systems for Motor Vehicle Fueling, 2003.
(281) 568-4100. Petroleum Equipment Institute, RP300,
Fiberglass Tank & Pipe Institute, FPTPl, Fiberglass Recommended Practices for Installation and Testing of
Piping System s Installation Check List for Underground Vapor Recovery Systems at Vehicle Fueling Sites, 2004.
Petroleum Pipe, March 1995 Petroleum Equipment Institute, RP400,
Recommended Procedure for Testing Electrical
International Code Council, Inc., 5203 Leesburg Continuity of Fuel-Dispensing Hanging Hardware,
Pike, Suite 600, Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3401. 2002.
(888) 422-7233. Petroleum Equipment Institute, RP500,
International Code Council, International Fire Recommended Practices for Inspection and
Code, December 2003 . Maintenance of Motor Fuel Dispensing Equipment,
2005.
39
PEl Recommended Practices 100-05
Steel Tank Institute, 570 Oakwood Road, Lake Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 1316, Glass-
Zurich, Illinois 60047. (847) 438-8265 . Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Underground Storage Tanks for
Steel Tank Institute, Steel Tank Institute Petroleum Products, Alcohols, and Alcohol-Gasoline
Specification for sti-P3 System of External Corrosion Mixtures, Second Edition, 1994.
Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks. Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 1746, External
Steel Tank Institute, R821 -02, Installation Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground
Instructions for sti-P3 Underground Steel Storage Tanks, Storage Tanks , Second Edition, 1993.
December 2003.
Steel Tank Institute, F841 -01, Standardfor Dual Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, 7
Wall Underground Steel Storage Tanks, 2001. Underwriters Road, Toronto, Ontario M1R 3B4 Canada.
Steel Tank Institute, R891-91, Recommended (416) 757-3611.
Practice for Hold Down Strap Isolation, February 1991. Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/ORD-
Steel Tank Institute, RPO 11 -0 1. Recommended C58.9, Secondary Containment Liners for Underground
Practice for Anchoring of Steel Underground Storage and Aboveground Flammable and Combustible Liquid
Tanks, 2001. Tanks , 1997.
Steel Tank Institute, R892-91, Recommended Underwdters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/ORD-
Practice for Corrosion Protection of Underground C58 .10, Underground Jacketed Steel Tanks, 1992.
Piping Networks Associated with Liquid Storage and Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/ORD-
Dispensing Systems, 1991. C58.19, Spill Containment Devices for Underground
Steel Tank Institute, R913-02, Installation Tanks, 1992.
Instructions For ACT-I 00 FRP Composite Steel Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/ORD-
Underground Storage Tanks, December 2003. C107.19, Secondary Containment of Underground
Steel Tank Institute, R923-02, FRP Jacketed Steel Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 1992.
Underground Storage Tank Installation Instructions, Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/ORD-
December 2003 . C107 .21, Under Dispenser Sumps, 1992.
Steel Tank Institute, R971 -02, Installation Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/S603,
Instructions for Urethane Coated C~mposite Steel Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable
Underground Storage Tanks, December 2003. and Combustible Liquids, 2000.
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/S603.1,
Underwriters Laboratories Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Standard for External Corrosion Protection Systems for
Northbrook, Illinois 60062-2096. (847) 272-8800. Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and
Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 58, Steel Combustible Liquids, 2003.
Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/S616-
Liquids, Ninth Edition, 1996. M1981, Standard for the Testing of Liquid Protective
Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 87, Power- Coating Materials as Required by ULC-S603.1, for use
Operated Dispensing Devices for Petroleum Products, in Connection with the Corrosion Protection of
Eleventh Edition, 2001 . Underground Tanks, 1992.
Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 567, Pipe Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada, ULC/S618,
Connectors for Petroleum Products and LP Gas, Ninth Standard for Magnesium and Zinc Anodes and
Edition, 2003. Copper/Copper Sulfate Reference Electrodes, 2000.
Und~rwriters Laboratories, Standard 842, Valves for
Flammable Fluids, Eighth Edition, 1997. Uniform Fire Code Association, 1260 Lake Blvd,
Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 860, Pipe Suite 250, Davis, California 95616. (530) 757-1456.
Unions for Flammable and Combustible Fluids and Fax (530) 757 -1293.
Fire-Protection Service, Seventh Edition, 1995. Western Fire Chiefs Association, Uniform Fire
Underwriters Laboratories, UL Standard 971, Code , March 1997.
Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable
Liquids, Second Edition, 2005 .
Underwriters Laboratories, Standard 1238, Control
Equipment for Use With Flammable Liquid Dispensing
Devices, Third Edition, 2001.
Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems