Standard Guide for Investigation of Equipment Problems and Releases for Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Systems

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide is intended to assist in the development of protocols for the investigation of a malfunction or failure of storage tank systems and the implementation of said protocols. This guide outlines steps that may be necessary and include, but are not limited to initial evaluation of the UST system to determine the malfunction(s); preparation of samples of failed equipment for laboratory analysis; and document the investigation. The guide provides a series of investigation options on which the user may design failure investigation protocols. The guide describes common investigation techniques in the order in which they might be employed in an investigation.
A user may elect to utilize this guide for a number of reasons, which include, but are not limited to:  
To differentiate new releases from new discovery of old releases;
To establish malfunction and failure rates of various storage tank equipment components;
To determine expected life spans of various storage tank equipment components;
To identify opportunities for improving the performance and reliability of storage tank equipment;
To focus inspection and maintenance efforts on those portions of the tank system that are most prone to malfunction and failure;
To identify those components of the storage tank system that require more frequent maintenance;
To reduce remediation and equipment replacement costs;
To prevent petroleum releases;
To identify those conditions that may cause or contribute to the deterioration or cause the malfunction and failure of various components of the UST system; and  
To comply with environmental regulations that require the investigation of release detection alarms and the source of releases.
This guide may be used to establish a framework, which pulls together the common approaches to investigation. The framework will allow the user to establish an investigation protocol to meet their specific requirements. Specific user requirements will vary depending up...
SCOPE
1.1 Overview—This guide is an organized collection of information and series of options for industry, regulators, consultants and the public, intended to assist with the development of investigation protocols for underground storage tank facilities in the United States. While the guide does not recommend a specific course of action, it establishes an investigation framework, and it provides a series of techniques that may be employed to: identify equipment problems; in some cases prepare samples of failed equipment for laboratory analysis; and document the investigation. The guide includes information on methods of investigation, documentation, taking samples of problem equipment; preservation of equipment samples; chain of custody; storage; shipping; working with equipment manufacturers; and notification of regulators and listing laboratories. The goal in using the guide is to identify the appropriate level of investigation and to gather and preserve information in an organized manner, which could be used in the future to improve system design or performance. While this guide may act as a starting point for users with limited experience in failure investigation, the user is encouraged to consult with failure analysis experts for specific investigation procedures that may be needed for certain equipment and the investigation should be conducted by a qualified professional. As users develop their specific investigation protocols, they may find that the investigations can be streamlined for certain types of facilities.
1.2 Limitations of This Guide:
1.2.1 Given the variability of the different investigators that may wish to use this guide and the different types of facilities and failures that will be investigated, it is not possible to address all the relevant standards that might apply to a particular investigation. This guide uses generalized language and examples to guide the user. If it is not clear to the user...

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Publication Date
31-Jul-2010
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ASTM E2733-10 - Standard Guide for Investigation of Equipment Problems and Releases for Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Systems
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2733 − 10
StandardGuide for
Investigation of Equipment Problems and Releases for
1
Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2733; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This guide provides a framework for the development of procedures and directions for the
investigation of equipment problems associated with petroleum underground storage tank (UST)
systems and releases. It gives the user practical suggestions of how to investigate equipment and
installation problems, document findings, and in some cases prepare samples of failed equipment for
laboratory analysis. Use of this guide may result in the identification of equipment and installation
problems that can be corrected in future tank system designs and equipment maintenance programs to
prevent releases to the environment.
1. Scope protocols, they may find that the investigations can be stream-
lined for certain types of facilities.
1.1 Overview—This guide is an organized collection of
information and series of options for industry, regulators,
1.2 Limitations of This Guide:
consultants and the public, intended to assist with the devel-
1.2.1 Given the variability of the different investigators that
opmentofinvestigationprotocolsforundergroundstoragetank
may wish to use this guide and the different types of facilities
facilities in the United States. While the guide does not
and failures that will be investigated, it is not possible to
recommend a specific course of action, it establishes an
address all the relevant standards that might apply to a
investigation framework, and it provides a series of techniques
particular investigation. This guide uses generalized language
that may be employed to: identify equipment problems; in
and examples to guide the user. If it is not clear to the user how
some cases prepare samples of failed equipment for laboratory
to apply standards to their specific circumstances, it is recom-
analysis; and document the investigation. The guide includes
mended that users seek assistance from qualified professionals.
information on methods of investigation, documentation, tak-
1.2.2 This guide does not address safety issues associated
ing samples of problem equipment; preservation of equipment
with the investigation, taking samples and storing equipment.
samples; chain of custody; storage; shipping; working with
users are cautioned to exercise proper care in handling equip-
equipment manufacturers; and notification of regulators and
ment that was in contact with flammable and combustible
listing laboratories. The goal in using the guide is to identify
liquids and vapors. Some of the activities described in this
the appropriate level of investigation and to gather and
guide may be subject to OSHA (Occupational Safety and
preserve information in an organized manner, which could be
Health Administration) regulations or may only be conducted
used in the future to improve system design or performance.
by individuals with appropriate HAZWOPER (Hazardous
While this guide may act as a starting point for users with
Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training certifi-
limited experience in failure investigation, the user is encour-
cations recognized by federal and state regulatory authorities,
aged to consult with failure analysis experts for specific
such as HAZWOPER training.
investigation procedures that may be needed for certain equip-
ment and the investigation should be conducted by a qualified
1.2.3 This guide does not address laboratory investigations
professional. As users develop their specific investigation
of material properties and detailed failure analysis.
1.2.4 This guide does not cover underground storage tank
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental systems storing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil-
1.2.5 This guide does not replace state-required closure
ity of Subcommittee E50.04 on Corrective Action.
assessments and investigations. Requirements vary from state
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2010. Published September 2010. DOI:
10.1520/E2733–10. to state and often include specific sampling requirements.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E2733 − 10
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 4. Significance and Use
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in
...

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