Installation of Fuel Storage Tanks

Why We Have This Policy

The installation of fuel storage tanks poses a significant risk to the campus and its surrounding environment, with potential for harmful leaks and spills, significant cost and compliance liability, and a high maintenance burden. Testing and monitoring requirements are more stringent for underground storage tanks (USTs) than for aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), and USTs present additional, ongoing costs due to the frequency and types of monitoring, training, and recordkeeping mandated by law.

Also, USTs have the potential to cause leaks and spills that may go unseen due to installation below grade. ASTs allow for visual leak detection by staff, technicians, and even passersby. With increased visual observation, spills and leaks will be more quickly and easily detected, minimizing the risk of a spill to surface waters.

Procedures

All permitting and installation of fuel storage tanks will go through a review process by Capital Projects and Environment, Health & Safety to ensure that the storage tank is sited above ground and meets the necessary regulatory requirements.If a UST is deemed necessary due to space limitations or other restrictions, a proposal for the UST installation must be approved in writing by the Vice Chancellor-Administration & Finance.

Remote fuel transfer to an emergency generator, even using an AST, adds complexity and risk, increasing spill potential. Therefore, fuel storage tanks will be installed above ground. If used to fuel an emergency generator, the fuel storage will be integral with the engine generator. 

Responsibilities

Capital Projects:

• Enforces the UST prohibition policy through design guidance and review
• Approves the installation and design of ASTs.
• Ensures design comments and other compliance requirements are effectively incorporated into installed tank systems.

Environment, Health & Safety:

• Monitors regulatory compliance, provides design review, maintains compliance-related documentation, and acts as regulatory agency liaison for fuel storage tanks.
• Provides formal design approval and site construction inspection for compliance with applicable fire and life safety requirements through the Designated Campus Fire Marshal Program.

 Vice Chancellor, Administration and Finance:

• Approves exceptions to this policy, in writing.

Glossary

• Aboveground Storage Tank (AST): any one or combination of tanks, including pipes used to contain an accumulation of oil at atmospheric pressure, and the volume of which, include the volume of the pipes, is more than ninety percent above the surface of the ground.
• Integral Fuel Storage: a system where the engine generator and fuel form one complete unit; also referred to as engine generators with a “belly” tank.
• Underground Storage Tank (UST): any one or combination of tanks, including pipes connected thereto, used for the storage of hazardous substances and substantially or totally beneath the surface of the ground.
  • “substantially”: at least 10% of the UST system volume, including piping, below ground
  • Examples of USTs located in containment structures beneath the surface of the ground or not enclosed in earthen materials include those in: below-grade service bays (e.g. motor vehicle oil change facilities); basements that provide fuel for back-up generators or vehicle fueling; and structures that provide secondary containment.

• Underground Storage Tank (UST) System: an underground storage tank, connected piping, ancillary equipment, and containment system. 

Related Documents

California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 23, Chapter 16 (“Underground Storage Tank Regulations”) 

California Health and Safety Code Chapter 6.7 (“Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances”) 

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 40, Section 112 (“Oil Pollution Prevention”)