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User’s guide for online federal identification registry for storage tank systems: chapter 5

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5. New Identification (users with administrative or read-write permission)

To start the identification, specify the number of tanks in your system and the group it belongs to. A tank system may have more than one tank when it is connected to another (or more than one other) tank by common piping. Each storage tank system requires its own Environment Canada identification number.

To save information, click “Continue” or “Save and continue” at the bottom of each page of the Identification Process.

You may find it easier to collect all the required information using the ID form before entering it into FIRSTS, as mentioned earlier.

5.1. Storage Tank System Description

Internal number for your tank system (optional field)
If your organization has its own internal system for identifying storage tank systems, the option is provided to include this information as a means of cross-referencing an owner’s internally used tank identification method with the storage tank system identification number generated by Environment Canada.

Tank system description (optional field)
Provide a meaningful description of the storage tank system. This is the description shown in the summary of storage tank systems on the “Identification Management” page, so an easily identifiable description is recommended.

***Warning: For the purpose of the Regulations, each compartment (split tank) should be identified as a separate storage tank system unless the compartment is interconnected (i.e., shares the same product) with another tank or tank compartment. Compartments often store different products, have separate fill points and do not share piping, making each compartment a stand-alone storage tank system for the purpose of the Regulations. Note that sharing a common dispenser does not mean that the compartments are “interconnected”.

Select the months this tank system is in service
Some storage tank systems are in service only part of the year, such as during the summer months. If a storage tank system is operated seasonally, specify which months it is in service. Storage tank systems operated seasonally are subject to the same requirements as systems operated year-round.

Tank description (optional field)
Provide a meaningful description of the tank that is easily identifiable. To add a new tank to a storage tank system, click “Add new tank”.

Year of installation
Specify the year in which the tank was installed.

Tank capacity
The nominal tank capacity is the volume of product that a tank is rated to contain. It can typically be found on the certification label attached to the tank. Express the capacity in litres.

Product stored
Choose the product stored in the tank from the list provided.

Type of tank
Identify whether the tank is aboveground or underground.

Type of piping
Identify whether the piping associated with the storage tank system is aboveground or underground. Select “both” if both types of piping are present or none if there is no piping.

Product transfer area
Describe how the product transfer area is designed to contain spills. “Transfer area” means the area around the connection points between a delivery truck, railcar, aircraft or vessel and a storage tank system in which the tanks have an aggregate capacity of more than 2500 litres. A product transfer area is required under the Regulations. The transfer area is not the same as the type of secondary containment.

Diameter of piping
Specify the diameter(s) of piping that is (are) present in the storage tank system. When entering more than one diameter in FIRSTS, separate the numbers by semi-colons, then select the units. For example, if a tank has both 3” and 4” piping along with appropriate fittings and valves, enter “3; 4” into the field and select “inches” as the units. Please type “ NA” in this section if there is no piping associated with the system.

5.2. Contacts

Tank owner
Identify the tank owner contact by using the drop-down menu, or change a contact by clicking “Change Contact”. Choose a contact from the drop-down menu and click “Select contact”, or add a new contact by clicking “Add new”.

Tank operator
Identify the tank operator by using the drop-down menu, or change a contact by clicking “Change Contact”. Choose the organization from the drop-down menu and click “Select organization”, or add a new organization by clicking “Add new”. Once the organization is selected, choose a contact from the drop-down menu that appears and click “Select contact”, or add a new contact by clicking “Add new”.

The same person can be identified as the tank owner contact and the tank operator contact.

Land owner (optional field) (drop-down menu is new)
Select the appropriate option for the owner of the land on which the storage tank system is located.
  • federal entity under Financial Administration Act
  • undertakings (port, airport, railway)
  • Aboriginal land
  • Third party on federal land
  • Third party on Aboriginal land

5.3. System Location

Tank system location
You can either select option 1, complete street address with the option of coordinates, or option 2, coordinates and province only if no street address exists. Select the option you wish to use and complete the information. Mandatory fields are indicated by an asterisk (*) after the field name.

Enter the latitude and longitude coordinates using the degree and decimal minutes format (not degrees only and not degrees, minutes, seconds). The degrees and decimal minutes format is DDD° MM.MMM'. For example, 33° 18.385' N 122° 36.875' W.

System record location
Indicate where the records for this tank system are located. You only need to mark the check box if the address is the same as the tank system location.

Emergency plan location
Indicate where the emergency plan(s) for this tank system are located. Mark the check box if the address is the same as the tank system location. Click “Additional emergency plan locations” to enter a different address.

5.4. Standard Number

Select the ULC or API standard number for each tank in your system. Acceptable standards can be found in section 14 of the Regulations for installation after June 12, 2008.

It is possible that, for an underground storage tank installed prior to June 12, 2013, the standard number is not accessible; choose “Unknown - underground tank”. Some older tanks may not have a standard number listed on them; select the appropriate “unknown” choice. To identify bladders, select “Collapsible fabric storage tank”. If a tank was designed to a standard other than those listed, select “Other” and specify it in the text box.

5.5. Material of Construction

Indicate the material(s) of construction of the tank and the associated piping. Select all piping materials that apply. If your tank system has more than one tank, then you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank. To identify a bladder, choose “Polymer fabric”. If there are tanks or piping of a material other than those listed, choose “Other” and specify it in the text box.

5.6. Secondary Containment

Indicate the type of secondary containment for the tanks and piping of the storage tank system. Select all options that apply. If your tank system has more than one tank, you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank. If the type of secondary containment is not listed, choose “Other” and specify it in the text box. Bladders are often installed with a specialized fabric dike; choose “Dike with Impermeable Liner”.

5.7. Corrosion Protection

Indicate the type of corrosion protection for the tanks and piping of the storage tank system. Select all options that apply. If your tank system has more than one tank, you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank. If the type of corrosion protection used is not listed, choose “Other” and specify it in the text box.

5.8. Type of Pump (for oil-water separator)

Many storage tank systems do not have an oil-water separator. In this situation, please select “no oil-water separator” from the list of options. However, if the system has an oil-water separator, indicate whether it is a centrifugal or non-centrifugal pump that transfers liquids to the separator. Some bladders are equipped with devices that allow water to drain from inside the secondary containment area. These devices are not considered to be oil-water separators for the purpose of the Regulations. If your tank system has more than one tank, you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank.

5.9. Leak Detection

Indicate the type of leak detection associated with tanks and associated piping. Select all options that apply. If your tank system has more than one tank, you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank. If another type of leak detection is used, choose “Other” and specify it in the text box. Also indicate the leak detection for any sump associated with the storage tank system.

5.10. Spill Containment

Indicate the type of spill containment device present for each tank. If your tank system has more than one tank, you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank. If the spill containment device meets the requirements of ULC-S663 Spill Containment Devices for Aboveground Tanks or ORD-C-58.19 Spill Containment Devices for Underground Tanks, select the appropriate option. If the type of spill containment used is not listed, choose “Other” and specify it in the text box.

5.11. Overfill Prevention

Indicate the type of overfill prevention present on each tank. Select all options that apply. If your tank system has more than one tank, you will be prompted to enter information individually for each tank. If the overfill prevention device meets the requirements of API RP 2350 Overfill Protection for Storage Tanks in Petroleum Facilities or ULC-S661 Overfill Protection Devices for Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks, select the appropriate option. A method may also be used, such as the presence of a trained operator at all times during filling. If the type or method of overfill prevention used is not listed, choose “Other” and specify it in the text box.

5.12. Miscellaneous

This is an optional section to identify the use, the manufacturer and the year of manufacture of the tank(s). Also, if applicable, enter the certification number of the system installer and remover. It is an optional section for your convenience and is an excellent tool to manage all documentation at once.

5.13. Submit Identification to Obtain an Identification Number

Once all sections of the Identification Process are complete (a check mark appears next to each step on the right-side menu), you can submit your storage tank system identification to obtain an identification number by clicking “Submit Identification” below the Identification Process list. The Regulations require that the owner certify that the information submitted at the time of storage tank system identification is accurate and complete. Once the information has been double-checked, click in the box at the bottom of the page to indicate that you certify the information given is accurate.
Unless all mandatory information is provided, the identification is incomplete and cannot be submitted.

The number must be displayed in a readily visible location on or near the storage tank system. Since June 12, 2010, the product cannot be delivered unless the person delivering the product sees the number on or near the storage tank system.

The issuance of an identification number by Environment Canada does not mean that a storage tank system is in compliance with the Regulations. Compliance verification is conducted by Environment Canada’s enforcement officers in accordance with the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

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