Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations (SOR/2025-88)

Marginal note:Exposed seams

63 The operator must ensure that each seam in an internal floating roof that is exposed to vapour or liquid

• (a) is free of vapour leaks and liquid leaks; and

• (b) has an estimated life expectancy equal to the estimated life expectancy of the roof.

Marginal note:Continuous vapour-tight enclosure

• 64 (1) The operator must ensure that each internal floating roof is equipped with one or more rim seals that form a continuous vapour-tight enclosure around the entire perimeter of the floating roof, except where the rim seals are in contact with the tank wall, in which case the seal gaps must meet the requirements set out in subsection 65(2).

• Marginal note:Rim seals — types

  (2) The following rim seal configurations are permitted:

  • (a) a primary seal and one or more secondary seals of any kind; and

  • (b) a primary seal that is either

    • (i) a foam seal or liquid-filled seal that rests in continuous contact with the surface of the liquid, or

    • (ii) a mechanical shoe seal, measuring at least 30 cm in height, composed of a curved metal sheet designed to be in continuous contact with the tank wall for a distance extending at least 10 cm above and 10 cm below the surface of the liquid.

Marginal note:Gap between seal and wall of tank

• 65 (1) Any space that is between the rim seal of the internal floating roof and the wall of the tank and through which a uniform cylindrical probe with a diameter of 0.3 cm can pass freely is considered to be a seal gap which must be measured under the control conditions and in accordance with the procedure described in Schedule 4.

• Marginal note:Size

  (2) Subject to subsection (3), the operator must ensure that the seal gaps in each seal are less than the following dimensions:

  • (a) if the seal is the primary seal,

    • (i) 4 cm wide at every point between the seal and the wall of the tank, and

    • (ii) a cumulative total of 200 cm² per metre of the tank’s diameter; and

  • (b) if the seal is a secondary seal,

    • (i) 1.3 cm wide at every point between the seal and the wall of the tank, and

    • (ii) a cumulative total of 20 cm² per metre of the tank’s diameter.

• Marginal note:More than one secondary seal

  (3) If the internal floating roof is equipped with more than one secondary seal, the operator must ensure that at least one of the secondary seals meets the size requirements set out in subparagraphs (2)(b)(i) and (ii).

Marginal note:Openings

• 66 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the operator must ensure that each opening in the deck of an internal floating roof is sealed at all times such that they are free of vapour leaks and liquid leaks.

• Marginal note:Opening — moving component

  (2) The operator must ensure that each opening in the deck of the internal floating roof that allows a component of the tank to move relative to the floating roof when the liquid level in the tank changes is equipped with

  • (a) a flexible sleeve that encloses the component; or

  • (b) a gasket that is in contact with the entire perimeter of the component and, if there is an internal space in the component that allows for the passage of vapour, an internal float.

• Marginal note:Exceptions

  (3) The operator may unseal an opening when necessary to prevent excess pressure or vacuum in the tank during exceptional circumstances outside of the tank's normal operating conditions or when necessary for tank maintenance, inspection or repair.

Marginal note:Rims

67 The operator must ensure that each internal floating roof is equipped, around its periphery and around all of its openings, with rims that are free of vapour leaks and liquid leaks and that extend

• (a) at least 15 cm above the liquid, except for the rims around drains; and

• (b) at least 10 cm below the liquid, except for the rims around vents or vacuum breakers.

Marginal note:Materials

68 The operator must ensure that each component of an internal floating roof is made of materials that

• (a) are impermeable to vapours;

• (b) are chemically compatible with the liquid in the operating environment such that they do not suffer damage that reduces the emissions control efficacy of the component during its estimated life expectancy; and

• (c) are physically compatible with weather conditions at the facility such that they do not suffer damage that reduces the emissions control efficacy of the component during its estimated life expectancy.

External Floating Roofs

Marginal note:Installation

69 The operator of a facility must ensure that each external floating roof at the facility and all of its components, including seals and fittings, are installed in accordance with its design specifications.

Marginal note:Float on surface of the liquid

• 70 (1) The operator must ensure that each external floating roof floats at all times on the surface of the liquid and moves freely with changes in the liquid level.

• Marginal note:Maximum 30 days

  (2) Despite subsection (1), an external floating roof may rest on a support structure or otherwise be suspended for a total duration not exceeding 30 days in a calendar year.

Marginal note:Multiple floatation compartments

• 71 (1) The operator must ensure that each external floating roof is a single-deck pontoon type roof or double-deck type roof that is capable of remaining afloat on the surface of the liquid with

  • (a) one pontoon or compartment punctured and flooded with liquid, if the diameter of the roof is 6 m or less;

  • (b) the deck and two adjacent pontoons punctured and flooded with liquid, if the roof is a single-deck pontoon type roof and has a diameter greater than 6 m; or

  • (c) two adjacent compartments punctured and flooded with liquid, if the roof is a double-deck type roof and has a diameter greater than 6 m.

• Marginal note:Rain

  (2) The operator must ensure that each external floating roof is capable of remaining afloat on the surface of the liquid after receiving 25 cm of rain over the surface of its deck in a 24-hour period with the primary drains disabled, unless the external floating roof is a double-deck type roof equipped with functional emergency drains that are designed to reduce the accumulation of water on the roof to a volume that the roof may safely support.

• Marginal note:Ice or snow

  (3) The operator must ensure that each external floating roof is designed and maintained to remain afloat on the surface of the liquid under an accumulation of ice or snow that is reasonably expected at the geographic location of the facility.

Marginal note:Exposed seams

72 The operator must ensure that each seam in an external floating roof that is exposed to vapour or liquid

• (a) is free of vapour leaks and liquid leaks; and

• (b) has an estimated life expectancy equal to the estimated life expectancy of the roof.

Marginal note:Continuous vapour-tight enclosure

• 73 (1) The operator must ensure that each external floating roof is equipped with a primary seal and a secondary seal that form a continuous vapour-tight enclosure around the entire perimeter of the floating roof, except where the seals are in contact with the tank wall, in which case the seal gaps must meet the requirements set out in subsection 74(2).

• Marginal note:Primary seal — types

  (2) The operator must ensure that each primary seal is of one of the following types:

  • (a) a foam seal or liquid-filled seal that rests in continuous contact with the surface of the liquid; or

  • (b) a mechanical shoe seal composed of a curved metal sheet designed to be in continuous contact with the tank wall for a distance extending at least 60 cm above and 10 cm below the surface of the liquid.

• Marginal note:Secondary seal — type

  (3) The operator must ensure that each secondary seal is of a type that is mounted on the rim of the external floating roof.

• Marginal note:Peripheral structure

  (4) A peripheral structure that covers a primary or secondary seal for the primary purpose of providing it shelter from rain, snow or ultraviolet radiation is not considered to be a secondary seal.

Marginal note:Gap between seal and wall of tank

• 74 (1) Any space that is between the rim seal of the external floating roof and the wall of the tank is considered to be a seal gap, which must be measured under the control conditions and in accordance with the procedure described in Schedule 4.

• Marginal note:Size

  (2) Subject to subsection (3), the operator must ensure that the seal gaps in each seal are less than the following dimensions:

  • (a) if the seal is the primary seal,

    • (i) 4 cm wide at every point between the seal and the wall of the tank, and

    • (ii) a cumulative total of 200 cm² per metre of the tank’s diameter; and

  • (b) if the seal is a secondary seal,

    • (i) 1.3 cm wide at every point between the seal and the wall of the tank, and

    • (ii) a cumulative total of 20 cm² per metre of the tank’s diameter.

• Marginal note:More than one secondary seal

  (3) If the external floating roof is equipped with more than one secondary seal, the operator must ensure that at least one of the secondary seals meets the size requirements set out in subparagraphs (2)(b)(i) and (ii).

Marginal note:Openings

• 75 (1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), the operator must ensure that each opening in the deck of an external floating roof is sealed at all times such that it is free of vapour leaks and liquid leaks.

• Marginal note:Emergency drain

  (2) The operator must ensure that each opening in the deck of the external floating roof that is an emergency drain is equipped with a cover that encloses at least 90% of the area of the opening.

• Marginal note:Opening — passage of moving component

  (3) The operator must ensure that each opening in the deck of the external floating roof that allows a component of the tank to move relative to the floating roof when the liquid level in the tank changes is equipped with

  • (a) a flexible sleeve that encloses the component; or

  • (b) a gasket that is in contact with the entire perimeter of the component and, if there is an internal space in the component that allows for the passage of vapour, an internal float.

• Marginal note:Exceptions

  (4) The operator may unseal an opening when necessary to prevent excess pressure or vacuum in the tank during exceptional circumstances outside of the tank's normal operating conditions or when necessary for tank maintenance, inspection or repair.

Marginal note:Rims

76 The operator must ensure that each external floating roof is equipped, around its periphery and around all of its openings, with rims that are free of vapour leaks and liquid leaks and that extend at least 10 cm below the liquid, except for the rims around vents or vacuum breakers.

Marginal note:Materials

77 The operator must ensure that each component of an external floating roof is made of materials that

• (a) are impermeable to vapours;

• (b) are chemically compatible with the liquid in the operating environment such that they do not suffer damage that reduces the emissions control efficacy of the component during its estimated life expectancy; and

• (c) are physically compatible with weather conditions expected at the facility such that they do not suffer damage that reduces the emissions control efficacy of the component during its estimated life expectancy.

Pressure-Vacuum Vents

Marginal note:Requirements

78 The operator of a facility must ensure that each pressure-vacuum vent at the facility meets the following requirements:

• (a) it must close and form a seal that is free from vapour leaks and liquid leaks when there is no pressure differential between the inside of the tank and the atmosphere;

• (b) its pressure and vacuum relief settings must be set to the maximum pressure and vacuum that is allowable within the limits of the tank design pressure; and

• (c) it must be installed, operated and calibrated in accordance with its design specifications.

Marginal note:Ventilation

79 The operator must ensure that the tank opens to the atmosphere only through the pressure-vacuum vent, except during sampling or tank maintenance, inspection or repair.

Alternative Emissions Control Equipment

Marginal note:Application for permit

• 80 (1) The operator of a facility may apply to the Minister for a permit to use alternative emissions control equipment on tanks or loading racks at the facility rather than the emissions control equipment required under any of sections 38 to 40 and 42.

• Marginal note:Prohibited substitutions

  (2) However, the operator may not apply for a permit to use

  • (a) an internal floating roof or external floating roof in place of a vapour control system; or

  • (b) a pressure-vacuum vent in place of an internal floating roof, external floating roof or vapour control system.

• Marginal note:Contents of application

  (3) The permit application must contain the information referred to in Schedule 5 and may be submitted for more than one of the operator’s facilities.

• Marginal note:Clarifications or additional information

  (4) The Minister may, on receiving the permit application, require that the applicant provide any clarifications or additional information if they are necessary for the application to be considered.

Marginal note:Issuance

• 81 (1) The Minister may issue a permit referred to in subsection 80(1) if the Minister has determined that the information provided in the application demonstrates that the alternative emissions control equipment is, in all situations in which it would be used, at least as effective at controlling VOC emissions as the emissions control equipment that it would replace.

• Marginal note:Permit – information

  (2) The issued permit must set out the following information:

  • (a) the period of validity of the permit;

  • (b) the names of the facilities to which the permit relates;

  • (c) the identifiers of the tanks and loading racks that may be equipped with the alternative emissions control equipment;

  • (d) the situations in which the alternative emissions control equipment may be used; and

  • (e) the conditions to be met while using the alternative emissions control equipment.

• Marginal note:Permit – conditions

  (3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(e), the Minister may set out conditions in the permit respecting:

  • (a) the design and operation of the alternative emissions control equipment;

  • (b) monitoring and any applicable limits on monitored parameters;

  • (c) procedures and practices for the maintenance, inspection and repair of the alternative emissions control equipment;

  • (d) reporting and notification;

  • (e) record-keeping;

  • (f) procedures for updating administrative information; and

  • (g) any other matter, if the Minister considers it necessary for the purposes of these Regulations.