| Product | Flash Point oF |
| No. 2 Fuel Oil | 126 - 204 |
| Diesel Fuel | 100 - 130 |
| Mineral Oil | 300 - 450 |
The tank should then be excavated from the site. Closure of a tank in place is typically not allowed at SU except in extreme circumstances (i.e. tank removal will effect utilities, structural stability, etc.). Following tank excavation, the tank must be analyzed for structural integrity, sized, and rendered free of petroleum vapor (if applicable). The tank should then be properly cleaned by a contractor knowledgeable in safe tank cleaning procedures. Once the cleaning is complete, the tank and all associated decontamination / cleaning liquids must be properly disposed of at an EHO approved facility. The contractor must provide certification that the tank was properly cleaned.
All piping associated with the tank (i.e. fill pipes, vent pipes, supply and return pipes, etc.) should be removed whenever possible. Removed piping must be emptied, cleaned and properly disposed or recycled. All petroleum contaminated materials removed from the piping or generated during the cleaning process must be properly disposed of at an EHO approved disposal facility. If, due to extreme circumstances, the piping must be left in place, it must be emptied, cleaned, securely capped, and documented.
Remember, all waste / recycling sites must be approved by EHO prior to use for disposal of University generated wastes (See Sampling below for TSDF information).
Once the tank has been removed, a visual assessment of the surrounding soils and ground water (if present) must be performed to evaluate if contamination has occurred. Typically a photo-ionization detector (PID, HNu, or other similar meter) can be used to field screen the soil at the excavation site for the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOC's / petroleum vapors). The results of all field screening tests must be documented (i.e. Site Assessment Form). If contaminated soil is present using the field screen, the soil will be excavated until there is no longer detectable limits on the PID. If excavating becomes inhibited and the soil is still contaminated, the EHO will collaborate with the NYS DEC regarding further remedial measures. All contaminated soil removed from the tank excavation site must be place on an impermeable surface (i.e. polyethylene sheeting) and covered with impermeable material to avoid recontamination of the surrounding soil. Uncontaminated soil can be separated.
If groundwater is contaminated, the water must be removed from the excavation site and disposed of at an EHO approved disposal site. If contamination exists in the water table, the EHO will coordinate with the NYS DEC and establish the extent of contamination and future remediation plans.
Once the PID indicates no / minimal residual contamination is present, endpoint samples must be collected as directed by the on-site EHO representative. This will typically include composite sample of all 4 sides of the excavation site and the site bottom. The samples must be analyzed by a certified, third party laboratory and they must meet NYS DEC STARS Memo #1 guidance levels. The excavation site will need to remain open and secured (SU ODC, Physical Plant, or Safety) until the analytical results are obtained (typically 24 hours). Approval to backfill will be given by the EHO or the NYS DEC.
All contaminated soils must remain on site until arrangements have been made for proper disposal at an EHO approved Transfer, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF). All TSDF's must be approved by the EHO prior to shipping of any University generated wastes.
A closure report will be generated by the EHO or designated contractor. The EHO will submit the closure report and the site assessment report to the NYS DEC. The NYS DEC will evaluate the report and determine if further remediation activities are needed, if the site can be officially closed, or if any other activities need to be addressed per their request.
All piping associated with the tank (i.e. fill pipes, vent pipes, supply and return pipes, etc.) should be removed whenever possible. Removed piping must be emptied, cleaned and disposed of with the tank. All petroleum contaminated materials removed from the piping or generated during the cleaning process must be properly disposed of at an EHO approved disposal facility. If, due to extreme circumstances, the piping must be left in place, it must be emptied, cleaned and securely capped. The project manager must document the rationale for leaving pipe in place.
A closure report for all ASTs will be generated by the EHO or designated contractor. The EHO will submit the closure report and the site assessment report to the NYS DEC. The NYS DEC will evaluate the report and determine if the site can be officially closed or if any other activities need to be addressed per their request.
See Section II for Registration Requirements for new and substantially modified PBS systems.
See Section VIII for proper spill procedures that may occur during a PBS modification.
The EHO must be notified of the intent to place, use, or install any temporary tanks prior to placement on University owned or operated property. No tank may be placed without prior EHO review and approval. The EHO will verify if the temporary tank requires NYS DEC registration and as necessary will submit applicable documentation to the NYS DEC. A temporary tank must be registered with the NYS DEC when it is at a facility with an aggregate bulk petroleum storage capacity exceeding 1,100 gallons. If the addition of a temporary tank causes a facility to exceed a 1,100 gallons aggregate bulk petroleum storage capacity, all of the tanks at that facility (permanent and temporary) will require registration in accordance with the NYS DEC regulations (6 NYCRR §612).
While in service, a registered temporary tank must have the ancillary equipment required for a NYS DEC registered tank (See Section IV and Section V). The EHO will conduct and document an initial inspection of all registered temporary tanks. In addition, a trained SU tank inspector appointed by the department responsible for use of the tank, will perform routine monthly inspections on temporary tanks used, placed, or operational for a thirty (30) day period or greater (See Section VI). Unregistered temporary tanks must also have the ancillary equipment required for NYS DEC registered tanks wherever feasible.
All temporary tanks with a capacity of 55 gallons or greater, that are used or stored in areas which require oil SPCC Plans (i.e. Main Campus and Ainsley Drive facilities), must meet all applicable SPCC Plan requirements and have a product transfer / delivery procedure reviewed and approved by the EHO.
The NYS DEC classifies a petroleum bulk storage tank as portable when it is designed to be moveable and has no connections affixing the tank to one location. Truck bed tanks and skid tanks are two examples of portable tanks. Portable petroleum storage tanks and containers do not need to be registered with the NYS DEC but must still be properly handled while at the University. Portable tanks and containers with a capacity of 55 gallons or greater that are used or stored in areas with an oil SPCC Plan (i.e. Main Campus and Ainsley Drive facilities) must be provided with adequate secondary containment. As a recommended practice, portable tanks less than (fifty-five) 55 gallons or larger tanks in areas without an oil SPCC Plan should also be provided with an adequate form of secondary containment where feasible. All portable tanks must be transported in compliance with all Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements.
The SU Spill Response protocol must be followed for any petroleum spill at the University (See Section VIII). If there is a petroleum spill of any quantity associated with portable tanks, containers, or temporary tanks, the EHO must be contacted immediately.
SU Safety should be contacted at X-5474 for additional Fire and Safety matters concerning temporary tanks and portable containers.
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