Check state and localregulations. State or localregulations may differ from thefederal requirements, so findout which requirements apply toyour UST. Check with yourimplementing agency.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Automatic Tank GaugingSystem

As an owner or operator of an undergroundstorage tank, you have invested a lot ofmoney in your automatic tank gaugingsystem to detect leaks—but are you gettingyour money’s worth?

If you don’t operate your automatic tankgauging system (ATGS) effectively, you maybe letting stored product leak into theenvironment. If so, you may face costlycleanups and liability actions. Also, you canbe cited and fined for not meeting the federalrequirements for properly operating andmaintaining an ATGS to detect leaks fromunderground storage tanks (USTs).

Note that a simple ATGS will detect leaksonly from tanks. To detect leaks frompiping, you will need an ATGS that instructions. Make sure you read thesupports connection to line leak directions in the manual that came withdetectors.

The checklist that follows can help you avoidsome common problems and make sureyour ATGS is working as required:

# Know your ATGS. Insist that your ATGSinstaller trains you and provides clearinstructions in the proper operation andmaintenance of the ATGS.

# Make sure your ATGS is constantly“on” and plugged into a power source.This may sound obvious, but inspectorshave written many citations when theydiscovered that the ATGS was “off” andnot monitoring for leaks.

# Respond to alarms. Ignoring an alarm # Keep records. Federal regulationsdefeats the purpose for having the require you to keep the following records:ATGS. Don’t ignore the "FAIL" alarm.Large leaks have gone undetected whenoperators ignored an alarm or turnedtheir ATGS off.

# Run your ATGS in its “test mode” atleast once a month. You must test whentank is relatively full. Since an ATGSdoes not detect leaks above the productlevel, test when the tank is as full as ittypically gets (try testing soon afterdelivery, but after product settles). Also,you should test frequently. The morefrequently you test, the greater thelikelihood you will detect leaks as quicklyas possible. The earlier you detect aleak, the easier and less costly thecleanup.

# Have your ATGS maintained andcalibrated according to manufacturers'

your ATGS. Use the manufacturer orinstaller representative’s phone number vigilance of part-time or under-trainedto get answers to any questions you have employees. If necessary, have ATGSabout using the ATGS correctly. Don’t alarms go to a central, 24-hour contact orhesitate to contact the manufacturer or use other mechanisms that put ATGSinstaller for help. monitoring in the most responsible

# Report problems. You must report testresults indicating a leak to yourimplementing agency (usually your stateenvironmental agency), generally within 24 hours. You do not need to report if theATGS is found to be defective, isrepaired immediately, recalibrated orreplaced, and subsequent monitoringshows tank is tight. You mustimmediately investigate and confirm allsuspected leaks. When in doubt, report.

Keep for at least one year:

C Monthly test results.C Documentation of all calibration,

maintenance, and repair.

Keep for at least five years:

C Any written performance claim foryour ATGS. This will usually be anevaluation document signed by athird-party evaluator showing how asample ATGS performed under testconditions.

C Manufacturer-supplied schedules forcalibration and maintenance.

Keep records either at the UST site or ata readily available alternative site, andprovide them for inspection upon request.

# Put ATGS monitoring in the mostresponsible hands. Do not rely on the

hands.

Protect your ATGS investmentby making sure your ATGSinstaller:

C Trains you in proper operationof the ATGS.

C Demonstrates that the ATGShas been correctly installedand programmed for the tank it monitors.

C Gives you an operationmanual, schedules anddocumentation for calibration/maintenance, third-party evaluation, andphone numbers for technicalsupport.

C Schedules maintenance withyou as required bymanufacturers' instructions.

Please note: You may need to continuedoing monthly inventory control as youuse your ATGS. If your ATGS was installedafter December 22, 1990 and does not meetperformance standards for minimum leakdetection rates, you must continue toperform proper inventory control. Check thethird-party evaluation of your ATGS to see ifit meets the performance standard requiringATGS to detect a leak of 0.2 gallons perhour with 95% probability of detection and5% probability of false alarm. If you are notsure, check with your implementingagency. System

Need More Information?

EPA can provide free, plain-Englishpublications that concisely describe allaspects of federal UST requirements.

To order free publications, determine if yourtanks need to meet federal USTrequirements, get more information aboutUST requirements, or identify stateregulatory authorities, please call EPA’s toll-free Hotline at 800-424-9346. Remember,requirements and deadlines may be differentin some states, so check with your stateUST program office.

You can also find UST publications, links tostate regulatory authorities, and other UST information at EPA’s Office ofUnderground Storage Tanks Web site athttp://www.epa.gov/OUST/

Remember, it’s in your bestinterest that your ATGS worksand detects leaks as soon aspossible—

before leaks become big Most Out Ofcleanup and liabilityproblems.

United States EPA 510-F-98-011Environmental Protection March 1998Agency www.epa.gov

Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5401G)

Getting The

Your AutomaticTank Gauging

Printed on Recycled Paper