Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations (SOR/2008-197)

12 The owner or operator of a storage tank system must not store petroleum products or allied petroleum products in a tank of the system unless a fill pipe and vent line have been installed in that tank and all of the tank’s other openings have been sealed or connected to piping.

13 A person must not use a secondary containment area for storage purposes.

Compliance with Requirements

• 14 (1) The owner or operator of a storage tank system that installs the system or any component of the system on or after June 12, 2008 must ensure that the system or the component conforms to the applicable requirements set out in the following provisions of the CCME Code of Practice:

  • (a) Part 3, subject to the following:

    • (i) excluding Section 3.2, Clause 3.3.1(1)(c), Article 3.3.2, Clause 3.4.1(1)(c), Article 3.4.3, Clauses 3.5.1(1)(a) and 3.6.1(1)(l), Section 3.7, Clause 3.9.2(2)(a), Articles 3.9.4 and 3.10.1, and

    • (ii) in Subclause 3.9.2(1)(a)(ii), the reference to “Aboveground Secondary Containment Tanks” must be read as a reference to “Secondary Containments for Aboveground Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks”;

  • (b) Part 4, except Articles 4.2.1 to 4.2.3, Clauses 4.2.4(1)(e) and 4.2.4(2)(h), Articles 4.2.5 and 4.2.6, Sentences 4.2.8(1), 4.2.8(2), 4.2.9(1), 4.3.1(1), 4.3.6(1), 4.3.6(2), 4.3.7(1), 4.3.7(2) and 4.3.8(1), Section 4.4 and Clauses 4.5.1(1)(a), (c) and (d) and Sentences 4.5.2(1) to 4.5.2(4) and 4.5.3(2);

  • (c) Part 5, subject to the following:

    • (i) excluding Sentence 5.2.1(1), Articles 5.2.4 to 5.2.6, Clause 5.4.2(1)(b), Sentence 5.4.3(1) and Section 5.5, and

    • (ii) in Clauses 5.4.4(1)(a) to (c), the references to standards must be read as references to ULC/ORD-C971, Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, or to CAN/ULC-S660, Standard for Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the system or component is manufactured; and

  • (d) Section 8.6 and Article 8.7.2.

• (2) The owner or operator of a storage tank system that has aboveground tanks that installs those tanks on or after June 12, 2008 must ensure that those tanks are equipped with a spill containment device that bears a certification mark certifying conformity with ULC/ORD-C142.19, Spill Containment Devices for Aboveground Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks, or with CAN/ULC-S663, Standard for Spill Containment Devices for Flammable and Combustible Liquid Aboveground Storage Tanks, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured, unless

  • (a) the tank is filled remotely and its remote fill is equipped with a spill containment device that bears a certification mark certifying conformity with ULC/ORD-C142.19, Spill Containment Devices for Aboveground Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks, or with CAN/ULC-S663, Standard for Spill Containment Devices for Flammable and Combustible Liquid Aboveground Storage Tanks, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured; or

  • (b) the tank bears a certification mark certifying conformity with one of the following standards:

    • (i) CAN/ULC-S652:2016, Standard For Tank Assemblies for the Collection, Storage and Removal Of Used Oil,

    • (ii) CAN/ULC-S653:2016, Standard for Aboveground Horizontal Steel Contained Tank Assemblies for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,

    • (iii) ULC/ORD-C142.5, Concrete Encased Steel Aboveground Tank Assemblies for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, or CAN/ULC-S677, Standard for Fire Tested Aboveground Tank Assemblies for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured,

    • (iv) ULC/ORD-C142.18, Rectangular Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, or CAN/ULC-S601, Standard for Shop Fabricated Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured,

    • (v) ULC/ORD-C142.21, Aboveground Used Oil Systems, or

    • (vi) ULC/ORD-C142.22, Contained Vertical Steel Aboveground Tank Assemblies for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, or CAN/ULC-S601, Standard for Shop Fabricated Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured.

• (3) The owner or operator of a storage tank system that has underground tanks that installs those tanks on or after June 12, 2008 must ensure that those tanks bear a certification mark certifying conformity with one of the following standards:

  • (a) for underground steel tanks

    • (i) if used for storing used oil, CAN/ULC-S652:2016, Standard For Tank Assemblies for the Collection, Storage and Removal Of Used Oil, and

    • (ii) if used for storing other petroleum products or allied petroleum products

      • (A) CAN/ULC-S603-14, Standard for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, excluding Section 5 and clause 8.3.3.1, or

      • (B) CAN/ULC-S603.1:2017, Standard for External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids;

  • (b) for underground reinforced plastic tanks

    • (i) if used for storing used oil, CAN/ULC-S652:2016, Standard For Tank Assemblies for the Collection, Storage and Removal Of Used Oil, and

    • (ii) if used for storing other petroleum products or allied petroleum products, CAN/ULC-S615-14, Standard for Fibre Reinforced Plastic Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids; and

  • (c) for underground tanks that are double containment linings, ULC/ORD-C58.4, Double Containment Fibre Reinforced Plastic Linings for Flammable and Combustible Liquid Storage Tanks, or CAN/ULC-S669, Standard for Internal Retrofit Systems for Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured.

• (4) The owner or operator of a storage tank system that has steel underground tanks that installs those tanks on or after June 12, 2008 must ensure that those tanks are protected from corrosion as follows:

  • (a) those tanks must bear a certification mark certifying conformity with CAN/ULC-S603.1:2017, External Corrosion Protection Systems for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids; or

  • (b) those tanks must have a cathodic protection system designed by a corrosion expert.

• (5) The owner or operator of a storage tank system that installs piping on or after June 12, 2008 must ensure that

  • (a) the piping does not have buried or concealed mechanical joints; and

  • (b) any piping other than copper piping bears a certification mark certifying conformity with

    • (i) one of the standards referred to in Clauses 5.2.1(1)(a) to (c) or (g) of the CCME Code of Practice, or

    • (ii) ULC/ORD-C971, Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, or CAN/ULC-S660, Standard for Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured.

• (6) Any reference to a standard in this section is a reference to the version of that standard that is in effect at the time the storage tank system’s component is erected or manufactured, as applicable.

• (7) The owner or operator of a storage tank system must comply with the applicable requirements before any petroleum products or allied petroleum products are first transferred into that system.

• 15 (1) The owner or operator of a storage tank system must ensure that petroleum product and allied petroleum product transfer areas are designed to contain any releases in liquid form in the environment that occur during the transfer process.

• (2) Subsection (1) applies to storage tank systems installed before June 12, 2008 four years after June 12, 2008.

Leak Detection

16 The owner or operator of a storage tank system installed before June 12, 2008 that has single-walled underground tanks must test those tanks using a tank precision leak detection test in accordance with section 21 within two years after June 12, 2008 and after that test they must

• (a) immediately

  • (i) use automatic tank gauging in accordance with section 18, or

  • (ii) use continuous in-tank leak detection in accordance with section 20; or

• (b) annually perform a tank precision leak detection test in accordance with section 21.

• 17 (1) The owner or operator of a storage tank system installed before June 12, 2008 that has single-walled underground piping must test that piping using a piping precision leak detection test in accordance with section 24 within two years after June 12, 2008 and after that test they must

  • (a) immediately

    • (i) use continuous external underground pipe leak monitoring,

    • (ii) use automatic tank gauging in accordance with section 18, or

    • (iii) use continuous in-tank leak detection in accordance with section 20; or

  • (b) annually perform a piping precision leak detection test in accordance with section 24.

• (2) The continuous external underground pipe leak monitoring must

  • (a) be carried out using a sensor cable system designed for installation adjacent to the piping and within the same pipe trench;

  • (b) be capable of detecting a leak rate of at least 0.38 L/h within 96 hours after the onset of the leak at the lowest expected soil temperature at the site where the sensor cable system is installed;

  • (c) be capable of locating the leak with an accuracy of ± 1 m;

  • (d) be capable of continuously monitoring sensor cable system integrity; and

  • (e) have an alarm located at a place of work where it can be readily heard and seen.

18 Any reference to a standard in this section is a reference to the version of that standard that is in effect at the time of the certification. Equipment used for automatic tank gauging referred to in subparagraphs 16(a)(i) and 17(1)(a)(ii) must have an alarm located at a place of work where it can be readily heard and seen and must bear a certification mark certifying conformity with

• (a) ULC/ORD-C58.12, Leak Detection Devices (Volumetric Type) for Underground Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks, or CAN/ULC-S675.1, Standard for Volumetric Leak Detection Devices for Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquid, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured; or

• (b) ULC/ORD-C58.14, Nonvolumetric Leak Detection Devices for Underground Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks, or CAN/ULC-S675.2, Standard for Nonvolumetric Precision Leak Detection Devices for Underground and Aboveground Storage Tanks and Piping for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, whichever is in effect at the time the storage tank system is manufactured.

• 19 (1) The owner or operator of a storage tank system installed before June 12, 2008 that has horizontal aboveground tanks without secondary containment must visually inspect the walls of those tanks within two years after June 12, 2008 to determine if the tank is leaking and after that inspection they must

  • (a) visually inspect the walls of those tanks at least once per month and perform an inventory reconciliation in accordance with subsection (2);

  • (b) immediately

    • (i) use continuous in-tank leak detection in accordance with section 20, or

    • (ii) use continuous external horizontal aboveground tank leak monitoring; or

  • (c) annually perform a tank precision leak detection test in accordance with section 21.

• (2) The inventory reconciliation must include

  • (a) the measurement of the level of water and the combined level of water and petroleum product or allied petroleum product in every storage tank of the storage tank system at least every seven days unless the storage tank system is located at a fuel dispensing station, in which case the levels must be measured each day the station is in operation; and

  • (b) a comparison of the measurements with readings of any meters that measure the volume of liquid transferred and the calculation of any gain or loss of liquid each time the measurements are taken.

• (3) The continuous external horizontal aboveground tank leak monitoring must

  • (a) be carried out using a sensor cable system designed for installation beneath the horizontal aboveground tank and surrounding its perimeter dripline in order that any leak will be detected before any liquid moves beyond the tank’s perimeter;

  • (b) be capable of detecting a leak rate of at least 0.38 L/h within 30 days after the onset of the leak at the lowest expected air temperature at the site where the sensor cable system is installed;

  • (c) be capable of locating the leak with an accuracy of ± 1 m;

  • (d) be capable of continuously monitoring sensor cable system integrity; and

  • (e) have an alarm located at a place of work where it can be readily heard and seen.

20 Continuous in-tank leak detection referred to in subparagraphs 16(a)(ii), 17(1)(a)(iii), 19(1)(b)(i) and 22(1)(a)(i) must conform to the requirements set out in Article 6.2.6 of the CCME Code of Practice and have an alarm located at a place of work where it can be readily heard and seen.

21 The tank precision leak detection test referred to in section 16 and paragraphs 19(1)(c), 26(a) and 43(b) must

• (a) be capable of measuring the level of water in the tank to within 3 mm with a probability of 0.95 or greater;

• (b) if a volumetric method is used, be capable of measuring the level of liquid in the tank to within 3 mm with a probability of 0.99 or greater;

• (c) be capable of detecting a leak rate of at least 0.38 L/h within a 24 hour period with a probability of detection of 0.95 or greater and a probability of false alarm of 0.05 or less, accounting for variables such as vapour pockets, thermal expansion and contraction, evaporation and condensation, temperature stratification, groundwater level and tank deformation; and

• (d) be performed, using a documented and validated method, by an individual trained in the maintenance and use of the test equipment.

• 22 (1) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the owner or operator of a storage tank system installed before June 12, 2008 that has vertical aboveground tanks without secondary containment must, within two years after June 12, 2008, inspect those tanks or the floor of those tanks, and after that inspection they must

  • (a) immediately

    • (i) use continuous in-tank leak detection in accordance with section 20, or

    • (ii) use continuous external vertical aboveground tank leak monitoring for each of those tanks; or

  • (b) once every ten years, inspect those tanks or the floor of those tanks.

• (2) The inspection of the vertical aboveground tanks must be performed in accordance with the version of API Standard 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction that is in effect at the time of the inspection.

• (3) The inspection of the floor of the vertical aboveground tank must be performed

  • (a) using one of the following testing methods, namely, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, videographic or vacuum; and

  • (b) using a documented and validated method by an individual trained in the maintenance and use of the test equipment.

• (4) The continuous external vertical aboveground tank leak monitoring must

  • (a) be a sensor cable system designed for installation beneath the floor plate of the vertical aboveground tank in order to detect any leak into the soil beneath the tank floor and immediately surrounding the tank’s perimeter;

  • (b) be capable of detecting a leak rate of at least 0.38 L/h within 30 days after the onset of the leak at the lowest expected soil temperature at the site where the sensor cable system is installed;

  • (c) be capable of locating the leak with an accuracy of ± 1 m;

  • (d) be capable of continuously monitoring sensor cable system integrity; and

  • (e) have an alarm located at a place of work where it can be readily heard and seen.

• (5) If, within eight years before June 12, 2008, the owner or operator has inspected the vertical aboveground tanks without secondary containment in accordance with the version of API Standard 653, Tank Inspection, Repair, Alteration, and Reconstruction that existed at the time of the inspection, they must perform a new inspection in accordance with subsection (2) at least every ten years after the day on which that inspection was performed.

• (6) If, within eight years before June 12, 2008, the owner or operator has inspected the floor of the vertical aboveground tanks without secondary containment as set out in subsection (3), they must perform a new inspection in accordance with that subsection at least every ten years after the day on which that inspection was performed.