United States Solid Waste And EPA 510-B-93-005

Environmental Protection Emergency Response November 1993

Agency 5403W

Manual Tank Gauging

For Small Underground

Storage Tanks

 Printed on Recycled Paper
CONTENTS

Why You Should Read This Booklet ................................. 1

How Does Manual Tank Gauging Work? .............................. 2

Do You Have The Right Equipment? ................................. 4

Step 1 — Find The Right Testing Period .............................. 5

Step 2 — Measure The Tank’s Contents .............................. 5

Step 3 — Do Some Math .......................................... 6

Step 4 — Find The Right Test Standards .............................. 6

Step 5 — Compare Your Measurements

With Test Standards .................................... 7

Using Tank Charts Without 1/8-Inch Conversions ....................... 8
Why You Should Read This Booklet

Federal and state laws require underground storage tanks (USTs)

to have leak detection. A lot of attention has been focused on large

gasoline tanks, but it is also important to detect leaks from tanks

2,000 gallons or smaller, which often contain used oil.

If your USTs do not have leak detection, you can be cited for

violations and fined. Leak detection violations can also keep you

from getting legally required insurance coverage and reimbursement

for cleanup costs. Without leak detection, you constantly risk

discovering a leak only after it becomes a major financial burden for

yourself and an environmental problem for everyone.

Manual tank gauging is a unique leak detection method that

can be used only on tanks 2,000 gallons or smaller. If this

method is appropriate for any of your USTs, this booklet can help

you make sure you do manual tank gauging correctly.

If you need information on federal leak detection requirements and

the various methods of leak detection available to you, see "Straight

Talk On Tanks." Call EPA's toll-free Hotline at 800 424-9346 and

order this free publication by number: EPA 530/UST-90/012.
How Does Manual Tank Gauging Work?

This booklet helps you use manual tank gauging to meet federal

regulatory leak detection requirements by showing you how to do

three important tasks:

! Good sticking

! Good math

! Good recordkeeping

Without these three, you may fail to meet the leak detection

requirements. Steps 1 through 5 on the following pages show you

how to perform manual tank gauging correctly.

Basically, manual tank gauging involves taking the tank out of

service every week for 36 hours or more while you measure the

tank's contents to see if changes in the tank's volume indicate a

possible leak.

Manual tank gauging can be used only on tanks 2,000 gallons

or smaller. Be sure you read about several important restrictions

on the use of manual tank gauging that are described on the next

page.

To use MANUAL TANK GAUGING correctly,

follow Steps 1—5 starting on page 5.
Please note these important restrictions on the use of

manual tank gauging:

! Manual tank gauging can be used only on tanks 2,000 gallons or

smaller.

! Tanks 1,000 gallons or smaller can use this method alone.

! Tanks from 1,001 to 2,000 gallons can use manual tank gauging

only when it is combined with periodic tank tightness testing.

The combined method of manual tank gauging and tank tightness testing is a TEMPORARY leak detection method. You can

use the combined method only for 10 years after installing a new tank

that has corrosion protection and spill/overfill devices or for 10 years

after upgrading an old tank with corrosion protection and spill/overfill

devices. (However, tanks that are filled by transfers of no more than

25 gallons at one time are not required to have spill/overfill devices.)

During this 10-year period, tanks need tightness testing every 5 years.

After the 10-year period, you must use a monthly monitoring method,

such as groundwater monitoring or interstitial monitoring.

Tanks without corrosion protection and spill/overfill devices cannot

use this combined method after December 1998, when these tanks

must be upgraded or closed. Before December 1998, these tanks

need tightness testing every year. (See "Straight Talk On Tanks.")

! The use of manual tank gauging does not meet your tank

system's leak detection requirements for piping. Pressurized and

some suction piping must use other methods of leak detection, such

as interstitial monitoring. (See "Straight Talk On Tanks.")

If you don't pay careful attention to these restrictions,

you will fail to meet the leak detection requirements.
Find out if state or

local requirements

have limitations on 

the use of manual 

tank gauging or have

requirements different

than those presented

here. You can also 

use other standard

forms, if they show

the information that

state and federal

regulations require.

Do You Have The Right Equipment?

Gauge Stick Or Other Gauges

The gauge stick used to measure the depth of liquid in an underground

tank must be marked or notched to the c inch, starting with zero at the

bottom end. Check your stick to be sure the end has not been worn or

cut off and that the stick is not warped. The stick should be made of nonsparking material, such as wood, and varnished to minimize the creeping

of fuel above the actual fuel level in the tank. Instead of using a gauge

stick, you may use a mechanical or electronic tank level monitor.

Whatever measuring device you use must be capable of measuring the

level of product over the full range of the tank's height to the nearest c

inch.

Forms

The instructions in this booklet are keyed to the "MANUAL TANK GAUGING

RECORD" form. You will find a filled-in sample of this form on the last

page of this booklet. This sample is on a perforated page, so tear it out

and refer to it while you read through the directions that are keyed

alphabetically to it. Also, near the back of the booklet, you will find

blank "masters" you can copy repeatedly to provide forms for use in

your recordkeeping. If the "MANUAL TANK GAUGING RECORD" is filled out

according to the instructions in this booklet, you will be in compliance with

federal regulations for manual tank gauging.

Tank Chart

A tank chart is a table that converts the number of inches of liquid in the

tank into the number of gallons. You need a tank chart that exactly

matches your storage tank (tank manufacturers usually provide charts for

their tanks). If you have more than one tank, you will need a chart for

each tank unless the tanks are identical. The tank chart must show

conversion to gallons for each c inch stick reading. If your tank chart

does not convert each c inch reading into gallons, contact the tank

manufacturer, or, if you have a steel tank, the Steel Tank Association

(708 438-8265) to get an appropriate chart.

You always need to convert inches into gallons in order to fill out the

form correctly and to do the necessary math. To convert inches into

gallons, find your stick's reading to the nearest c inch on the tank chart,

then simply read across to the gallons column to find the number of

gallons. If you cannot get a tank chart showing conversion to gallons for

each c inch reading, you must do the additional math explained on page

8.
Use the sample 

"MANUAL TANK 

GAUGING RECORD" on 

the last page of the

booklet to see where you

put the 

information from 

letters "A" through 

"M" in the following

directions.

USE GOOD STICKING

PRACTICES: Slowly

lower the gauge stick,

let the stick gently

touch bottom, and

quickly bring it back

up. Read the depth of

the fuel indicated by

the wet mark on the

stick to the nearest

1/8 inch.

Step 1—Find The Right Testing Period

Once each week you must take your tank out of service for a testing period. The

length of the testing period depends on the size of your tank and whether you are

using manual tank gauging alone or in combination with tank tightness testing.

Circle your tank size and test duration in the table so you will

know which you are using. To identify the appropriate testing period,

use the sample form found on the last page of this booklet and locate

your tank on the table in the upper left corner of the sample form (see

the section labeled "A"). You know which testing period you need to

use every week by looking at the number in the "Minimum Duration Of

Test" column next to the box that matches a description of your tank.

With tanks of 551 to 1,000 gallons, you can choose a shorter test time

(36 hours) with tightness testing or a longer test time (44 or 58 hours,

depending on tank diameter) without tightness testing.

During the test period the tank must remain out of service so that nothing

is put into the tank and nothing is taken out of it.

Step 2—Measure The Tank's Contents

Every week, you must take liquid level measurements twice before and twice

after each out-of-service testing period.

Fill in the identifying information at the top of the "MANUAL TANK

GAUGING RECORD" form. You need a separate form for each tank using

manual tank gauging.

Take your first stick reading using "good sticking practices" noted in

the box on the right. Enter your reading in the column labeled "First

Initial Stick Reading."

Wipe the stick dry with a rag and take a second stick reading as you

did before. Enter the second reading in the column labeled

"Second Initial Stick Reading."

After the readings are taken, the tank opening should be closed so that no

liquid can be added or removed from the tank.

When the out-of-service testing period is over, take two more stick

readings in the same way you took the first two readings. Enter the

ending readings in the columns labeled "First and Second End

Stick Reading."
Step 3—Do Some Math

Every week at the end of the test period, you must record some math calculations.

Average the two initial stick readings to the nearest c inch. Enter the

result in the "Average Initial Reading" column.

The average stick reading of the tank's contents will be in inches. You

always need to convert inches into gallons in order to fill out the form

completely and to calculate the change in the tank volume. Find your

stick's reading on the tank chart to the nearest c inch, then read

across to the gallons column to find the number of gallons. Enter the

result in the "Initial Gallons" column.

Your tank chart should have direct conversions from c inch stick

readings to gallons. If you cannot get a tank chart with c inch

conversions, do the additional math explained on page 8.

Average the two end stick readings to the nearest c inch. Enter the

result in the "Average End Reading" column.

Convert the average stick reading from inches into gallons (as you did

in item "G" above) and enter the result in the "End Gallons" column.

 Subtract the "End Gallons" column from the "Initial Gallons" column.

Enter the result in the column labeled "Change In Tank Volume."

Step 4—Find The Right Test Standards

The weekly and monthly test standards depend on tank size and

whether you are using manual tank gauging alone or in combination

with tank tightness testing. To find your tank's weekly and monthly test

standards, locate your tank on the table in the upper left corner of the

sample MANUAL TANK GAUGING RECORD (see the section labeled "K").

You know which test standards apply to your tank by looking at the

gallon numbers in the "Weekly Standard" and "Monthly Standard"

columns next to your tank.

Circle the weekly and monthly test standards in the table that

apply to your tank so you will know which standards your tank

must meet.
Keep your manual

tank gauging records 

on file for at least 1

year. Also, keep a

record of the last

tank tightness test, if

you use the method

that combines

manual tank gauging

with periodic tank

tightness testing.

Step 5—Compare Your Measurements With

Test Standards

You must compare your calculation of "Change In Tank Volume" to the weekly

and monthly test standards for your tank.

Every week, compare your "Change In Tank Volume" number to the

weekly test standard. For the purpose of this comparison, consider all

numbers to be positive (for example, a -16 would become a +16). If

your "Change In Tank Volume" number is not larger than the weekly

test standard, circle YES in the "Tank Passes Test" column. If your

"Change In Tank Volume" number is larger than the weekly test

standard, circle NO. If you circle NO, you must also call your

regulatory agency to report a suspected leak as soon as possible.

Once a month, add up the 4 weekly "Change In Tank Volume"

numbers: this time pay careful attention to positive and negative

numbers to get an accurate total. For example, adding +4 and +3 and

-2 and -1 should equal +4. After you have the sum of the 4 weekly

tests, divide by 4 to get the monthly test average. Enter the result at

the bottom of the "Change In Tank Volume" column.

Compare your monthly test average to the monthly test standard for

your tank. For the purpose of this comparison, again consider all

numbers to be positive (for example, a -16 would become a +16). If

your "Change In Tank Volume" number is not larger than the monthly

test standard, circle YES in the "Tank Passes Test" column. If your

monthly average "Change In Tank Volume" is larger than the monthly

test standard, circle NO. If you circle NO, you must also call your

regulatory agency to report a suspected leak as soon as possible.
Using Tank Charts Without c Inch Conversions

If your tank chart does not list direct conversions from inches to gallons for every

c inch, then you must do the additional math described below every time you

stick your tank.

The easiest way to explain this procedure is with an example. Let's say you have

a stick reading of 23d inches and you need to figure how many gallons are in

your tank.

1. Look on your tank chart and find the inch measurements that are just

above and below your stick reading and write down the number of gallons

for these inch readings. Subtract the gallon readings to find the

difference between the two readings:

Chart reading at 24 inches: 325 gallons

Chart reading at 23 inches: 293 gallons

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Difference: 32 gallons

2. Dividing 32 by 8 will give you the number of gallons for each c inch,

which is 4 gallons. (Round off the number to the nearest whole number.)

Because your fraction is d, multiply 4 gallons by 3, which gives you 12

gallons as the volume represented by d inch.

CAUTION: The gallons represented by each c inch will vary from

top to bottom of the tank and must be calculated for each

conversion.

3. Take the number of gallons you have just calculated and add it to the inch

reading just below your actual stick reading:

Chart reading at 23 inches: 293 gallons

Gallons at d inch: + 12 gallons

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sum: 305 gallons

Thus, your stick reading of 23d inches converts to 305 gallons.

NOTE: If your tank chart is in half or quarter inches, you must still use this

procedure so that your gallon readings are accurate to c inch.

After all of this math, you can see why it pays to have the correct tank chart

that indicates gallons for each c inch.
MANUAL TANK GAUGING RECORD Month _______________ Year _________

Tank Identification _____________________________

Person Completing Form _______________________

Circle your tank size, test duration, and weekly/monthly standards in the table below: Facility Name_____________________________________

Tank Size Minimum Weekly Monthly Standard

Duration Standard (4-test average) Compare your weekly readings and the monthly average of the 4 weekly

Of Test (1 test) readings with the standards shown in the table on the left.

If the calculated change exceeds the weekly standard, the UST may be leaking.

Also, the monthly average of the 4 weekly test results must be compared to

the monthly standard in the same way.

If either the weekly or monthly standards have been exceeded, the UST may be

leaking. As soon as possible, call your implementing agency to report the

suspected leak and get further instructions.

up to 550 gallons 36 hours 10 gallons 5 gallons

551-1,000 gallons 44 hours 9 gallons 4 gallons

(when tank diameter is 64")

551-1,000 gallons 58 hours 12 gallons 6 gallons

(when tank diameter is 48")

551-1,000 gallons (also requires 36 hours 13 gallons 7 gallons

periodic tank tightness testing)

1,001-2,000 gallons (also requires 36 hours 26 gallons 13 gallons

periodic tank tightness testing)

Start Test First Second Average Initial End Test First Second Average End Change Tank

(month, day, Initial Initial Initial Gallons (month, day, and End End End Gallons In Tank Passes

and time) Stick Stick Reading (convert time) Stick Stick Reading (convert Volume Test

Reading Reading inches to Reading Read- inches to In Galgallons) ing gallons) lons (circle

[a] [b] NO)

+ or (—) YES or

[a—b]

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

KEEP THIS PIECE OF PAPER ON FILE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR

To see how close you are to the

monthly standard, divide the sum of

the 4 weekly readings by 4 and enter result here >

Y N
MANUAL TANK GAUGING RECORD Month _______________ Year _________

Tank Identification _____________________________

Person Completing Form _______________________

Circle your tank size, test duration, and weekly/monthly standards in the table below: Facility Name_____________________________________

Tank Size Minimum Weekly Monthly Standard

Duration Standard (4-test average) Compare your weekly readings and the monthly average of the 4 weekly

Of Test (1 test) readings with the standards shown in the table on the left.

If the calculated change exceeds the weekly standard, the UST may be leaking.

Also, the monthly average of the 4 weekly test results must be compared to

the monthly standard in the same way.

If either the weekly or monthly standards have been exceeded, the UST may be

leaking. As soon as possible, call your implementing agency to report the

suspected leak and get further instructions.

up to 550 gallons 36 hours 10 gallons 5 gallons

551-1,000 gallons 44 hours 9 gallons 4 gallons

(when tank diameter is 64")

551-1,000 gallons 58 hours 12 gallons 6 gallons

(when tank diameter is 48")

551-1,000 gallons (also requires 36 hours 13 gallons 7 gallons

periodic tank tightness testing)

1,001-2,000 gallons (also requires 36 hours 26 gallons 13 gallons

periodic tank tightness testing)

Start Test First Second Average Initial End Test First Second Average End Change Tank

(month, day, Initial Initial Initial Gallons (month, day, and End End End Gallons In Tank Passes

and time) Stick Stick Reading (convert time) Stick Stick Reading (convert Volume Test

Reading Reading inches to Reading Reading inches to In Gallons

gallons) gallons) + or (—) (circle

[a] [a—b] YES or NO)

[b]

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

KEEP THIS PIECE OF PAPER ON FILE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR

To see how close you are to the monthly Y N

standard, divide the sum of the 4 weekly

readings by 4 and enter result here >
MANUAL TANK GAUGING RECORD Month _______________ Year _________

Tank Identification _____________________________

Person Completing Form _______________________

Circle your tank size, test duration, and weekly/monthly standards in the table below: Facility Name_____________________________________

Tank Size Minimum Weekly Monthly Standard

Duration Standard (4-test average) Compare your weekly readings and the monthly average of the 4 weekly

Of Test (1 test) readings with the standards shown in the table on the left.

If the calculated change exceeds the weekly standard, the UST may be leaking.

Also, the monthly average of the 4 weekly test results must be compared to

the monthly standard in the same way.

If either the weekly or monthly standards have been exceeded, the UST may be

leaking. As soon as possible, call your implementing agency to report the

suspected leak and get further instructions.

up to 550 gallons 36 hours 10 gallons 5 gallons

551-1,000 gallons 44 hours 9 gallons 4 gallons

(when tank diameter is 64")

551-1,000 gallons 58 hours 12 gallons 6 gallons

(when tank diameter is 48")

551-1,000 gallons (also requires 36 hours 13 gallons 7 gallons

periodic tank tightness testing)

1,001-2,000 gallons (also requires 36 hours 26 gallons 13 gallons

periodic tank tightness testing)

Start Test First Second Average Initial End Test First Second Average End Change Tank

(month, day, Initial Initial Initial Gallons (month, day, and End End End Gallons In Tank Passes

and time) Stick Stick Reading (convert time) Stick Stick Reading (convert Volume Test

Reading Reading inches to Reading Reading inches to In Gallons

gallons) gallons) + or (—) (circle

[a] [a—b] YES or NO)

[b]

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

Date: Date: Y N

Time: AM/PM Time: AM/PM

KEEP THIS PIECE OF PAPER ON FILE FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR

To see how close you are to the monthly Y N

standard, divide the sum of the 4 weekly

readings by 4 and enter result here >

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