Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 695 - RULES FOR UNDERGROUND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE STORAGE FACILITIES › Appendix 096-695-H - Requirements for Closure of Underground Hazardous Substance Storage Facilities by Removal

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. All tanks shall
				be rendered safe for cleaning and removal by appropriate methods in accordance
				with appropriate industry standards and all applicable state and federal
				regulations.
2. The top of the tank
				shall be exposed.
3. All piping
				shall be drained and flushed into the tank or another suitable container such
				that no waste liquid or product is released to the environment.
4. All liquid which can be pumped out, shall
				be removed, and any liquids which cannot be used for their originally intended
				purpose shall be disposed of in accordance with the Department's Hazardous
				Waste Management Rules Chapters 850, 851, 853 and 857, and Hazardous Matter
				Rules, Chapters 800 and 801. UL approved explosion proof equipment shall be
				used to remove Class One liquids. Hoses to remove product shall be inserted to
				the low end of the tank which may still contain product.
5. The fill (drop) tube shall be removed.
				Fill, gauge, and product lines shall be disconnected and plugged. All tank
				openings which will not be used in the inerting procedure shall also be
				plugged. Only the vent line will remain connected and open until the inerting
				procedure is complete.
6. All tanks
				which contain class one liquids shall be inerted by a method approved by the
				Department prior to entering, cleaning or removal of the tank from the ground.
				The owner or operator is responsible for developing methods for inerting the
				tank.
7. All holes, including
				corrosion holes, shall be plugged or capped before the tank is moved from the
				site, except that one 1/8 inch vent hole shall be left to prevent the tank from
				being subjected to an excessive pressure differential caused by extreme
				temperature changes.
8. If
				transported, the tanks shall be scraped to remove all loose backfill material
				adhering to the tank.
9. All tanks
				removed from the ground, regardless of condition, shall be labeled with the
				following information:
Tank Has Contained (chemical name), a hazardous
				  substance
NOTE:
Federal regulations under the authority of
				  the U.S. Department of Transportation (
				  49 CFR Section
				  172.500 et seq.) also require that tanks
				  which have not been purged but are being transported must be properly placarded
				  on the ends and sides with a 'Flammable' placard with the appropriate UK Number
				  attached.
10. If
				transported, the tank shall be secured on a truck such that the 1/8 inch vent
				hole is located on the uppermost point on the tank.
11. All piping shall be removed from the
				ground whenever practicable. Piping that cannot be removed will be blown clear
				of residual product with an inert gas and securely plugged at all ends. All
				necessary precautions to prevent spillage or ignition in the entire area shall
				be taken.
12. All tanks must be
				cleaned in accordance with Section 13. Cleaning and temporary storage are not
				allowed in a sensitive geological area unless they are done at the site of
				removal.
13. The only acceptable
				means of disposal of underground hazardous substance storage tanks are: (a)
				sale to a junk or scrap dealer; (b)disposal by a licensed hazardous waste
				disposal facility; (c) disposal by a licensed underground oil storage tank
				disposal facility; or (d) other techniques for disposal of tanks, provided the
				expressed written approval of the Department of Environmental Protection and
				the State Fire Marshal's office has been obtained.
14. Tanks will be stored with all bung holes
				open and positioned at a 45 degree angle down from horizontal to prevent rain
				from entering the tank and to allow vapors to escape; or, if escaping vapors
				represent a safety or health hazard, the tank may be stored in a vertical
				position with all bung holes cloyed except for a one eighth (1/8) inch vent
				hole to relieve excess pressure due to temperature changes.
15. Alternative methods to those specified in
				this appendix may be used with written permission from the Department and local
				public safety officials if they will provide equal or better protection of
				public health, safety, welfare, or the environment.