Code of practice for storage tank systems containing petroleum and allied products: part 9


Part 9: withdrawal from service of storage tank systems

Section 9.1: scope

9.1.1 This part applies to procedures to be followed when a storage tank system is removed, relocated, abandoned, disposed of, refurbished, or temporarily taken out-of-service.

Section 9.2: general requirements

9.2.1 Except as provided in this part, the withdrawal from service and removal of a storage tank system shall be in conformance with the National Fire Code of Canada (NFCC) and with any other requirements of the authority having jurisdiction.

9.2.2(1) A storage tank system shall be removed by a company or individual that is authorized by the authority having jurisdiction.

9.2.2(2) A company or individual removing a storage tank system shall ensure that the system is removed in conformance with the requirements of this part.

Section 9.3: temporary withdrawal from service

9.3.1 If a cathodic protection system is provided, it shall be maintained and operated while the storage tank system is temporarily withdrawn from service (See appendix B, note B.9.3.1).

9.3.2(1) A shop-fabricated aboveground storage tank system shall pass an annual inspection in conformance with sentence 8.4.1(4) before the storage tank system is returned to service.

9.3.2(2) A field-erected aboveground storage tank that has been out-of-service for more than one year shall, before being returned to service:

  1. pass an internal inspection conducted by an individual authorized by the authority having jurisdiction in conformance with American Petroleum Institute (API) Std 653-01, "Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction"; or
  2. pass a precision leak detection test.

9.3.2(3) For a field-erected aboveground storage tank that has been returned to service as specified in sentence (2), the next internal inspection shall be the earlier of:

  1. within ten years of the most recent internal inspection; or
  2. at the date specified by API Std 653-01, "Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction".

9.3.3(1) Except for a storage tank system that has been registered with the authority having jurisdiction as operating on a seasonal basis, when a storage tank system is to be out-of-service for more than 180 days, the owner or operator shall notify the authority having jurisdiction in writing, within seven days after the storage tank system goes out-ofservice, providing:

  1. the name and mailing address of the owner;
  2. the name and mailing address of the operator;
  3. the location of the storage tank system;
  4. a description of the nature and quantity of the contents; and
  5. the registration number of the storage tank.

Section 9.4: removal from service

9.4.1 The owner of a storage tank system shall notify the authority having jurisdiction within 30 days of a decision to remove a storage tank system and provide the information requested by the authority having jurisdiction.

9.4.2(1) When a storage tank system has been permanently removed from service, the owner of a storage tank system shall ensure that:

  1. petroleum and allied petroleum products are removed and vapours purged from the storage tank, piping, dispensing, and transfer equipment; and
  2. the storage tank, piping, dispensing, and transfer equipment are removed.

9.4.2(2) If the site is contaminated with petroleum or allied petroleum products, the site shall be remediated to the criteria defined by:

  1. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) PN 1299, "Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines";
  2. CCME Canada-wide Standards (CWS) for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC), "Canada-wide Standards for Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil"; or
  3. other criteria prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 9.5: abandonment in-place

9.5.1 An aboveground storage tank system shall not be abandoned in-place.

9.5.2(1) In accordance with articles 4.2.7 and 5.5.2, an underground storage tank system installed after the effective date of the code shall not be abandoned in-place

9.5.2(2) Subject to sentence 9.5.3(1), and article 9.5.4, an existing underground storage tank system shall not be abandoned in-place.

9.5.3(1) An owner of an existing underground storage tank system may apply to the authority having jurisdiction for approval to abandon a storage tank system in-place by:

  1. describing fully in the application, the circumstances relating to the storage tank system location that would justify abandoning the storage tank system in-place;
  2. satisfying the authority having jurisdiction that the soil under and around the storage tank system has not been contaminated with a petroleum or allied petroleumproduct (see appendix, note B9.5.3(1)); and
  3. providing confirmation that the owner of the property is aware and in agreement with the plan and procedures to abandon the storage tank system in-place.

9.5.4 When the authority having jurisdiction considers it impractical to remove an underground storage tank system, approval in writing may be granted to the owner to abandon the system in-place (See appendix B, note B.9.5.4).

9.5.5(1) When the authority having jurisdiction has granted approval in writing to an owner to abandon an underground storage tank system in-place, the abandonment procedures shall ensure that:

  1. any liquid or sludge in the underground storage tank system is removed and disposed of by an acceptable method;
  2. the underground storage tank system is purged of vapours to less than 10% of the lower flammable limit and that the presence of vapours is checked with a combustible gas meter;
  3. sufficient holes are cut along the top of the underground storage tank to enable the complete filling of the storage tank with an inert material acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction (See appendix B, note B9.5.5(1));
  4. the underground storage tank is completely filled with an inert material acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction(See appendix B, note B9.5.5(1));
  5. a record of the size, description, and location of the underground storage tank is;
    1. permanently appended to the deed of the property;
    2. submitted to the authority having jurisdiction; and
  6. associated piping not abandoned in place is removed from service in conformance with the NFCC.

Section 9.6: disposal of storage tank systems

9.6.1(1) When a storage tank system is to be disposed of:

  1. liquid petroleum or allied petroleum productshall be removed from the storage tank system;
  2. sludge in the storage tanks shall be removed and disposed of in a manner prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction;
  3. the storage tank shall be purged of vapours to less than 10% of the lower flammable limit and the presence of vapours shall be checked with a combustible gas meter;
  4. sufficient openings shall be cut in the storage tankto render it unfit for further use;
  5. the storage tank shall be transported in conformance with the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and in a manner prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction to an approved disposal facility; and
  6. an affidavit of destruction shall be provided by the approved disposal facility and shall be forwarded by the owner or by an authorized company or individual to the authority having jurisdiction.

Section 9.7: reuse of storage tanks

9.7.1(1) A cathodically protected steel underground storage tank may be reused for the storage of petroleum or allied petroleum products after being:

  1. refurbished in accordance with Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC)-S603(A)-2001, "Refurbishing of Underground Steel Tanks"; or
  2. inspected and relabeled in accordance with the Special Acceptance Program of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada.

9.7.2(1) A fibreglass-reinforced plastic underground storage tank may be reused for the storage of petroleum or allied petroleum products after being:

  1. refurbished in accordance with ULC-S615(A)-1987, "Refurbishing of Reinforced Plastic Underground Tanks"; or
  2. inspected and relabeled in accordance with the special acceptance program of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada.

9.7.2(2) A shop-fabricated aboveground storage tank may be reused for the storage of petroleum or allied petroleum products:

  1. for a vertical aboveground storage tank, after being refurbished in accordance with ULC-S630(A)-2001, "Shop Refurbishing of Aboveground Vertical Shop Fabricated Steel Tanks";
  2. for a horizontal aboveground storage tank, after being refurbished in accordance with ULC-S601(A)-2001, "Shop Refurbishing of Aboveground Horizontal Shop Fabricated Steel Tanks"; or
  3. after being inspected and relabeled in accordance with the special acceptance program of Underwriters Laboratories of Canada.

9.7.3 A field-erected aboveground storage tank may only be reused for the storage of petroleum or allied petroleum products after being refurbished in accordance with API Std 653-01, "Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction."

9.7.4 An underground storage tank removed from service shall not be reused as an aboveground storage tank.

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