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USEPA SPCC Rule <br />In 2002, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) issued its Final Revised <br />SPCC Rule regarding the storage and handling of oils, both petroleum and non -petroleum <br />(40 CFR Part 112). This Rule requires that facilities covered under the EPA's SPCC regulations <br />develop a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan that is certified by a <br />licensed Professional Engineer. The purpose of the SPCC regulation is to prevent the discharge <br />of oil into the U.S. navigable waters. <br />■ Facilities affected - This Rule impacts a multitude of facilities that have oil in containers <br />of many constructions and sizes. Facilities affected are those with total aboveground (i.e., <br />not completely buried) oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons. Containers of oil, <br />petroleum and non -petroleum, of 55 or more gallons are to be included when determining <br />the total oil storage capacity at a facility. (Refer to further requirements on the type of <br />tank installations, such as partially buried tanks, found in § 112.1 of 40 CFR Part 112.) <br />■ Integ-rity testing — In §112.8(c)(6) [petroleum oils] and §1 12.12(c)(6) [non -petroleum <br />oils], the Rule states, <br />"Test each aboveground container for integrity on a regular schedule, and whenever you make <br />material repairs. The frequency of and type of testing must take into account container size and <br />design (such as floating roof, skid -mounted, elevated, or partially buried). You must combine <br />visual inspection with another testing technique such as hydrostatic testing, radiographic testing, <br />ultrasonic testing, acoustic emissions testing, or another system of non-destructive shell testing. <br />You must keep comparison records and you must also inspect the container's supports and <br />foundations. In addition, you must frequently inspect the outside of the container for signs of <br />deterioration, discharges, or accumulation of oil inside diked areas. Records of inspections and <br />tests kept under usual and customary business practices will suffice for purposes of this <br />paragraph." <br />Note that the original SPCC Rule did not mandate integrity testing, but rather stated that <br />tanks should undergo periodic integrity testing. This means that a large number of <br />facilities may not have had a tank inspection program, but are now required to do so. <br />12 <br />