WALLACE STATE OFFICE BUILDING / 502 EAST 9th STREET / DES MOINES, IOWA 50319

515-281-5918 TDD 515-242-5967 FAX 515-281-6794 www.iowadnr.com

Underground Storage Tank System Checklist for Equipment Compatibility

with E-blend Fuels (greater than 10% ethanol by volume)

This checklist is to be completed by the owner/operator and an Iowa Licensed Installer. In place of an

Iowa Licensed Installer, an owner/operator may use a professional engineer’s judgement who has

knowledge, experience and training in materials science (API, RP 1626, p. 1.4) to determine the

suitability and compatibility of materials/equipment/components with E-blend fuels. In such a case, the

Professional Engineer would complete the checklist and sign it. The owner must complete those items

identified as the owner’s responsibility in the checklist.

Facility Name Registration No.

Address No. of Tanks

City, County, Zip Date of Inspection

Owner Name

E-blend stored E-85 Other

Iowa Licensed Inspector or Professional Engineer IA License No.

Company Name Address

City, Zip Phone

The UST system components below must be compatible with the E-blend fuel stored and dispensed (see

asterisks for thread sealant and adhesive). Review this checklist thoroughly for its requirements before

converting to E-blend fuel. Enter Model/Brand, Manufacturer and check either Yes or No in one or both

columns under UL Listed or Manufacturer Approved.

Table 1: Tanks and Product Piping

Component Model/Brand Manufacturer UL Listed Manufacturer

Approved

Tank* (capacity: ) Yes No Yes No 

Auto Shutoff Yes No Yes No 

Sub Pump, O-rings, Gaskets Yes No Yes No 

Tank Sump Yes No Yes No 

ATG Probe, float/sensor Yes No Yes No 

Ball Float Yes No Yes No 

Sump Sensor Yes No Yes No 

Pipe Yes No Yes No 

Thread Sealant** Yes No Yes No 

Adhesive** Yes No Yes No 

Flex Connectors Yes No Yes No 

LLD Yes No Yes No 

*Internally lined tanks are not suitable for conversion to storage of E-blend fuels. ** If compatibility is undetermined, analysis

may be used to determine compatibility. Deadline for determining compatibility is 1 July 2007. Third party precision line testing

required annually.
Dispensers and Dispenser Sumps

The DNR and Fire Marshal Division require dispensers to bear the UL Mark or listed by another

independent testing laboratory. Currently there are no E-blend compatible dispensers with a UL Mark.

In the fall of 2005, the DNR, the Fire Marshal Division and the ethanol industry worked out an agreement

wherein dispensers that comply with NFPA 30A for dispensing E10 may be used to dispense E85. The

agreement was intended to facilitate the dispensing of E85 in Iowa while providing for the safety of

customers and facilities. The agreement allowed for a two-year phase in of dispensing equipment, until

July 1st, 2007 when it was believed UL Marked dispensers would be available. During the 2006 session

of the Iowa General Assembly, the enactment of 2006 Iowa Acts, House File 2754 extended the date by

which listed equipment will be required for dispensing E-85 to July 1, 2009. All UST systems that store

and dispense E-blend fuel after July 1, 2009 must be fully compatible.

Owners and operators must check E-blend dispensers daily for leaks and equipment failure. Any

component of the dispenser that leaks or does not operate as designed due to exposure to E-blend must

be removed and replaced with compatible components. Notify the DNR immediately (515.281.8879 or

515.281.8779) of the failed component. Each daily check of the dispenser is to be recorded on the

DNR’s form: (http://www.iowadnr.com/land/ust/technicalresources/documents/ethanolinspect.doc).

The inspection record must be completed by the owner/operator or someone authorized by the

owner/operator and knowledgeable about the inspection requirements. The inspection record should be

kept on site where possible or available for submittal to the DNR within two working days.

If an owner/operator discontinues storing and dispensing E-blend fuel and switches back to gasoline

before buying E-blend compatible dispensers, daily visual inspections of the dispenser must continue for

six months after converting. Owner/operators must also continue to keep a record of the inspections on

the DNR’s daily inspection form.

Table 2: Dispensers and Dispenser Sump

Component Model/Brand Manufacturer UL Listed

Manufacturer

Approved

Dispenser Yes No Yes No 

Pipe sealant* Yes No Yes No 

Seals/Gaskets Yes No Yes No 

Suction Pump Yes No Yes No 

Hoses Yes No Yes No 

Nozzle/Swivel Yes No Yes No 

Break-away Yes No Yes No 

Filter Yes No Yes No 

Meter Yes No Yes No 

Dispenser/Sump

Pipe Yes No Yes No 

Pipe Sealant* Yes No Yes No 

Flex Connector Yes No Yes No 

Sump Yes No Yes No 

Emergency Valve** Yes No Yes No 

Sensor Yes No Yes No 

Check valve Yes No Yes No 

* If compatibility is undetermined, analysis may be used to determine compatibility. Deadline for determining compatibility is 1

July 2009. Third party precision line testing required annually. **Emergency/Shear Valve must be compatible with E-blend

fuels.
Before E-blend is Transferred to the Tank

Once equipment compatibility has been established, the items below must be completed

before E-blend fuel can be transferred to the tank. Items that are the responsibility of the

UST owner are indicated. The remaining items are the responsibility of the Iowa Licensed

Installer or Professional Engineer.

Inform the facility’s UST insurance carrier of plans to convert to an E-blend fuel. The

UST insurance carrier may have additional requirements other than what the DNR requires.

(Responsibility of Owner).

Obtain an amended certificate of insurance indicating UST coverage for the E-blend

stored and dispensed. (Responsibility of Owner).

Check for water in the tank. No level of water is acceptable for E-blend fuels due to

the phase separation problems. (Responsibility of Installer initially and the owner

thereafter.)

All visible fittings and connections at the top of the tank are tight (no vapors escape

and no water enters).

Sump and spill containment covers prevent water from entering. (Installer)

Water infiltration problems fixed if necessary.

The tank has been cleaned of all water and sediment.

Clean tank certificate obtained or comparable documentation (e.g., see API

Publication 2015, Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks and NFPA 326, Standard for the

Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair, 199 Edition).

(Responsibility of Owner)

Labeling: identify the fill port and paint access covers according to API RP 1637.

Make sure transport driver cannot make the mistake of delivering E-blend fuel to the wrong fill

pipe. Label dispenser.

First Delivery

Tank filled to 80 percent capacity (recommended by the Renewable Fuels Association

or RFA) and kept as full as possible for 7 to 10 days. (Responsibility of Owner)

Conduct a precision test of the tank system (0.1 gph leak rate) with ATG system within

seven days after tank is filled to make sure system is tight and leak detection equipment is

operating properly. Report any “Fail” results. (Responsibility of Owner)

Test for water (use alcohol compatible paste if you stick your tanks) at the beginning of

each shift for the first 48 hours after delivery (RFA). If there is water in the tank, remove it,

find out how it got there and fix it so it doesn’t occur again. (Responsibility of Owner)
Check for water daily with your stick or ATG system if product seems to pump slow,

check and replace filters. (Responsibility of Owner)

Informed and demonstrated to owner/operator on how to visually inspect the E-blend

dispenser for leaks and problems and on how to complete daily inspection record.

Ethanol Compatibility Checklist signed by the Iowa licensed installer or Professional

Engineer (e.g., with knowledge and training in materials science) and tank owner and

submitted to the DNR by the UST owner. Include a copy of the revised certificate of

insurance and the Clean Tank Certificate or comparable document with the checklist.

(Responsibility of Owner)

Ongoing Maintenance

Check regularly for water. No level is acceptable. (Responsibility of Owner)

Calibrate the dispenser liquid meter at the time of conversion and at two weeks after

conversion to verify meter accuracy. Particulate materials in the product may cause

excessive wear of the meter, which would require more frequent calibration (API RP 1626).

Conduct daily, visual inspections of the dispenser and dispenser sump (secondary

containment) beneath the dispenser (if one is installed) and all the other items in the

inspection record. The record should be kept on site where possible and available for

submittal to the DNR within two working days. (Responsibility of Owner)

Installer Certification

I have inspected the visible UST system components, and reviewed available installation

records of the UST site referenced on pages 1 and 2 of this checklist. I have found the

information listed on the above checklist regarding the equipment/components of this UST

site to be true and accurate. Yes No.

Signed _____________________________, Iowa Licensed Installer Professional

Engineer. Date _________________

Owner’s Signature: _________________________ Date: _________

Licensed Installers/Professional Engineers: Please comment on what equipment was

needed to make the fuel path compatible with the E-blend used or why the site is not

compatible for E-blend fuel

Ethanol Checklist 11.21.06 version