Section 18.78.030. Requirements to upgrade a UST system.

	(a)  A person who upgrades a UST shall meet the  
		(1) requirements of this section;  
		(2) spill and overfill control requirements of 18 AAC 78.040; and  
		(3) applicable requirements of 18 AAC 78.060 - 18 AAC 78.070.  
	(b)  A UST that requires upgrading may be upgraded only by a person certified under this chapter and must be installed using nationally recognized codes of practice specified in 18 AAC 78.025(e). All parts of the UST system must be certified, listed, or approved under 18 AAC 78.025(c) for use with the fuel stored within the system.  
	(c)  Metal piping that routinely contains petroleum and that is in contact with the ground must be cathodically protected using nationally-recognized codes of practice specified in 18 AAC 78.025(f)(6) and must meet the requirements of 18 AAC 78.025(e)(3)(B) - (D).  
	(d)  Steel tanks must be upgraded to meet one of the following requirements, using a nationally-recognized code of practice as specified in 18 AAC 78.025 and 18 AAC 78.055:  
		(1) a tank may be upgraded by internal lining if  
			(A) the lining is installed as required by 18 AAC 78.055(c);  
			(B) the internal lining or lining system used is specifically designed for that purpose, is compatible with the product stored, and meets applicable national standards specified in 18 AAC 78.055(c);  
			(C) a certified copy of the internal lining or lining system specifications and installation instructions, safety precautions, and other documentation is provided to the department by the manufacturer, including  
				(i) approvals by independent testing laboratories and other independent evaluation results that indicate compliance with the approved standards;  
				(ii) approvals by other government agencies;  
				(iii) chemical compatibility data for common fuels; and  
				(iv) copies of guarantees or warranties; and  
			(D) within 10 years after lining, and every five years after that, the lined tank is internally inspected and found to be structurally sound, with the lining still performing in accordance with the original design specifications; or  
		(2) a tank may be upgraded by cathodic protection if the  
			(A) cathodic protection system complies with 18 AAC 78.025(e)(3)(B) - (D); and  
			(B) integrity of the tank is ensured by using one of the following methods:  
				(i) the tank is internally inspected and assessed to ensure that the tank is structurally sound and free of corrosion holes before installing the cathodic protection system;  
				(ii) the tank has been installed for less than 10 years and is monitored monthly for releases using a method specified in 18 AAC 78.065(e) - (j);  
				(iii) the tank has been installed for less than 10 years and is assessed for corrosion holes by conducting two tightness tests that meet the requirements of 18 AAC 78.065(d); the first test must be conducted before installing the cathodic protection system, and the second test must be conducted between three and six months after the first operation of the cathodic protection system;  
				(iv) the tank is assessed for corrosion holes by a method that is found by the department to prevent releases in a way that is no less protective of human health and safety and the environment than (i) - (iii) of this subparagraph;  
		(3) a tank may be upgraded by internal lining combined with cathodic protection if  
			(A) the lining is installed as required by 18 AAC 78.055(c); and  
			(B) the cathodic protection system complies with 18 AAC 78.025(e)(3)(B) - (D); or  
		(4) a STI-P3 steel tank may be upgraded to cathodic protection if the  
			(A) tank can be verified by the Steel Tank Institute to have been constructed in accordance with Steel Tank Institute Specification STI-P3, STI-P3 Specification and Manual for External Corrosion Protection of Underground Steel Storage Tanks, adopted by reference in 18 AAC 78.025(f); and  
			(B) upgrade is performed by a person certified under this chapter in UST installation.  
	(e)  The department may inspect or require inspection of an upgrade to determine compliance with this section. If the department requires an inspection, it must be conducted by an independent third party certified under this chapter.  
	(f)  If an upgrade consists of the removal and installation of a UST, or the removal and installation within a three-year period of more than 50 percent of the piping associated with a single UST, the department will consider the upgrade to be a replacement subject to the requirements of 18 AAC 78.025(i) - (k).  

Authorities

46.03.020;46.03.365;46.03.375

Notes

Reference

18 AAC 78.022
18 AAC 78.065
18 AAC 78.080
18 AAC 78.100

Authority

AS 46.03.020 AS 46.03.365 AS 46.03.375

History

Eff. 3/25/91, Register 118; am 11/3/95, Register 136; am 1/22/99, Register 149; am 6/25/99, Register 150; am 1/30/2003, Register 165; am 7/25/2012, Register 203