(a) General installation procedures. Any new underground storage tank (UST) system installed on or after September 29, 1989, shall be installed in compliance with the provisions of this section.
  (1) Standards. All tanks, piping, and associated equipment shall be installed in accordance with at least one of the following standards, as applicable:
    (A) Petroleum Equipment Institute Publication RP-100, "Recommended Practices for Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems;"
    (B) American Petroleum Institute Publication 1615, "Installation of Underground Petroleum Storage Systems;"
    (C) National Fire Protection Association Standard 30, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code" and Standard 30A, "Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages;" or
    (D) any other code or standard of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory that has been reviewed and determined by the agency to be no less protective of human health and safety and the environment than the standards described in subparagraphs (A) - (C) of this paragraph, in accordance with the procedures in §334.43 of this title (relating to Variances and Alternative Procedures).
  (2) Installation personnel. All tanks, piping, and associated equipment shall be installed by personnel possessing the appropriate skills, experience, competence, and, if applicable, any required certification or license to complete the installation in accordance with recognized industry practices and this chapter, and in a manner designed to minimize the possibility of UST system failures and the releases of regulated substances.
  (3) Damages.
    (A) All reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent improper handling and damaging of the tanks and piping during the unloading and installation processes.
    (B) Tanks and piping shall be physically inspected by the installer prior to installation.
    (C) Any damage shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications; otherwise, damaged tanks and/or piping shall be replaced.
  (4) Excavation.
    (A) The tank excavation zone and piping trenches shall provide adequate vertical and horizontal space for the tanks, piping, and associated equipment, for the proper placement and compaction of bedding and backfill materials (particularly under the lower quadrant of the tank's circumference), and for adequate cover and paving to accommodate anticipated traffic loads.
    (B) Tank excavation shall be performed in a manner that will avoid the undermining of foundations and other existing structures, and shall be constructed not less than three feet from the base of adjacent structures (unless specifically approved by a licensed professional engineer) and not less than three feet from any underground utility easements and property lines.
  (5) Bedding and backfill.
    (A) The bedding and backfill shall consist of clean, washed, suitably graded, and noncorrosive sand, crushed rock, or pea gravel.
    (B) The bedding and backfill material shall be selected and placed in accordance with the tank and piping manufacturer's specifications, and shall be placed and compacted in uniform lifts, as appropriate, to assure proper support and protection of the tank and piping after installation.
    (C) Minimum bedding and backfill requirements shall be in accordance with the applicable industry standard for the construction, as prescribed in this subsection.
    (D) The placement of tanks or piping directly on native soils, concrete pads or saddles, or any other underlayment except the bedding materials listed in this paragraph is specifically prohibited.
(b) Anchoring systems. Unless otherwise approved by the agency in accordance with §334.43 of this title, all USTs located in areas subject to high water tables or flooding shall be protected from any flotation or movement which could jeopardize the integrity of the UST system.
  (1) Methods to prevent tank flotation shall be in accordance with the tank manufacturer's specifications and shall be one (or a combination) of the following methods:
    (A) the provision of ample backfill and/or paving on top of the tank to offset the buoyancy forces;
    (B) the installation of a properly designed deadman anchoring system, where the concrete beams shall be placed outside the vertical extension of the tank diameter and where the length of the beams shall extend at least one foot beyond the ends of the tank; or
    (C) the installation of a properly designed concrete hold-down pad anchoring system beneath the tank, where the pad's width and length shall extend at least one foot beyond the tank sides and ends in all directions.
  (2) The installation of anchoring straps or cables shall be in accordance with the tank manufacturer's specifications. All parts of the straps, cables, and hardware shall be of corrosion-resistant material or, if metallic, shall be thoroughly coated or wrapped with a suitable dielectric material.
(c) Piping system installation.
  (1) The piping layout shall be designed in a manner that will minimize the crossing of other lines and conduits, and the crossing of tanks and other UST system components. Where such crossing is unavoidable, adequate clearance shall be provided to prevent contact.
  (2) Traps, sumps, or sags in the piping shall be avoided, and all piping shall slope at least 1/8 inch per foot in the direction of the tank.
  (3) All piping joints shall be accurately cut, deburred, cleaned, and sealed with appropriate piping sealant, bonding agent, or adhesive in accordance with the piping manufacturer's specifications so as to provide liquid-tight connections.
(d) Installation testing for new tanks and piping.
  (1) Air testing of new tanks shall be conducted in accordance with the tank manufacturer's specifications.
    (A) Air testing for single-wall tanks shall include the soaping of all surfaces, seams, and fittings, pressurizing and gauging with three to five pounds per square inch gauge (psig) air pressure for at least one hour, monitoring the gauge for pressure drops, and inspecting for bubbles.
    (B) Air testing for double-wall tanks shall be in accordance with subsection (f)(2)(B) of this section.
    (C) Gauges used in air testing procedures shall have a maximum range not exceeding 15 psig. All tanks undergoing air pressure testing shall be equipped with a pressure relief device capable of relieving the total output of the compressed air source at a pressure of not more than six psig.
  (2) Air testing of new piping, fittings, and valves shall be conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. New piping shall be tested before being covered and placed into use. Air testing of piping shall include the soaping of all joints, pressurizing with compressed air to 150% of the maximum piping operating pressure, or a minimum of 50 psig, for at least one hour, and inspecting for bubbles. Air testing for secondary containment piping shall be in accordance with subsection (f)(3)(B) of this section.
  (3) In addition to the air tests, a tank tightness test and a piping tightness test meeting the requirements of §334.50(b)(2)(A)(ii)(I) and (d)(1)(A) of this title (relating to Release Detection) shall be performed after the backfill has been placed but prior to bringing the new UST system into operation.
  (4) Additional tests required. In addition to the air tests and tightness tests required in this subsection, the following additional installation tests shall be required, as applicable.
    (A) For fiberglass-reinforced plastic tanks, the tank diameter shall be accurately measured prior to and after installation to ascertain the amount of vertical deflection, as specified in the tank manufacturer's installation procedures. Except when specifically authorized in writing by an authorized representative of the tank manufacturer, tanks shall not be placed into operation if the measured vertical deflection exceeds the manufacturer's maximum allowable deflection ratings.
    (B) For steel tanks and other underground UST system components which are equipped with factory-installed or field-installed cathodic corrosion protection systems, the cathodic protection systems shall be tested for operability and adequacy of protection by a qualified corrosion technician or qualified corrosion specialist after the UST system installation is completed but prior to placing the system into operation.
      (i) If the test indicates that the cathodic protection system is inoperable or inadequate, a qualified corrosion specialist shall review the test results and thoroughly inspect the UST system to ascertain the extent of corrosion protection.
Cont'd...