ASTM E2733-23
(Guide)Standard Guide for Investigation of the Source and Cause of Releases from Underground Storage Tank Systems
Standard Guide for Investigation of the Source and Cause of Releases from Underground Storage Tank Systems
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide may be used in the investigation of underground storage tank systems for equipment problems in a wide variety of applications. Use of this guide is voluntary. It is intended to assist users who want to investigate equipment failures, malfunctions, and other potential causes of suspected releases.
4.2 The following groups of users may find the guide particularly helpful:
4.2.1 Storage tank system designers and manufacturers;
4.2.2 Storage tank installers, testers, and inspectors;
4.2.3 Storage tank maintenance contractors;
4.2.4 Storage tank removal contractors;
4.2.5 Federal, state, tribal or local regulators, including departments of health, departments of environmental protection, and fire departments;
4.2.6 Petroleum release remediation professionals;
4.2.7 Insurance adjusters;
4.2.8 Storage tank owners and operators;
4.2.9 Consultants, auditors, and compliance assistance personnel.
4.3 This guide is intended to assist in the development of protocols for determination of source and cause of a release and the investigation of a malfunction or failure of any component of a UST system 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 if there has been a component failure preparation of samples of failed or compromised equipment for laboratory analysis; visual; and analytical evaluation of release indications; and documentation of the investigation. The guide provides a series of investigation options from 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.
4.4 A user may elect to utilize this guide for a number of reasons, which include, but are not limited to:
4.4.1 To differentiate new releases from new discovery of old releases;
4.4.2 To establish malfunction ...
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 collect and preserve failed equipment for forensic evaluation or laboratory analysis; identify the source of a release; and document the investigation. The guide includes information on methods of investigation, documentation, collecting and preserving 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 i...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2733 − 23
Standard Guide for
Investigation of the Source and Cause of Releases from
1
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 underground storage tank (UST) equipment problems and the source and cause of
releases. Source and cause investigations are similar to origin and cause investigations in property
insurance claims. It gives the user practical suggestions of how to investigate equipment and
installation problems, document findings, collect and preserve failed equipment for forensic evaluation
or laboratory analysis if necessary, and implement visual and analytical processes to document the
source of a release. 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. Use of this guide may assist regulatory agencies to determine and
document the source and cause of releases from UST systems.
1. Scope certain equipment and the investigation should be conducted
by a qualified professional. As users develop their specific
1.1 Overview—This guide is an organized collection of
investigation protocols, they may find that the investigations
information and series of options for industry, regulators,
can be streamlined for certain types of facilities.
consultants and the public, intended to assist with the devel-
opment of investigation protocols for underground storage tank
1.2 Limitations of This Guide:
facilities in the United States. While the guide does not
1.2.1 Given the variability of the different investigators that
recommend a specific course of action, it establishes an
may wish to use this guide and the different types of facilities
investigation framework, and it provides a series of techniques
and failures that will be investigated, it is not possible to
that may be employed to: identify equipment problems; in
address all the relevant standards that might apply to a
some cases collect and preserve failed equipment for forensic
particular investigation. This guide uses generalized language
evaluation or laboratory analysis; identify the source of a
and examples to guide the user. If it is not clear to the user how
release; and document the investigation. The guide includes
to apply standards to their specific circumstances, it is recom-
information on methods of investigation, documentation, col-
mended that users seek assistance from qualified professionals.
lecting and preserving samples; chain of custody; storage;
1.2.2 This guide does not address safety issues associated
shipping; working with equipment manufacturers; and notifi-
with the investigation, taking samples and storing equipment.
cation of regulators and listing laboratories. The goal in using
the guide is to identify the appropriate level of investigation Users are cautioned to exercise proper care in handling
and to gather and preserve information, in an organized equipment that was in contact with flammable and combustible
manner, which could be used in the future to improve system
liquids and vapors. Some of the activities described in this
design or performance. While this guide may act as a starting
guide may be subject to OSHA (Occupational Safety and
point for users with limited experience in failure investigation,
Health Administration) regulations or may only be conducted
the user is encouraged to consult with failure analysis experts
by individuals with appropriate HAZWOPER (Hazardous
for specific investigation procedures that may be needed for
Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training certifi-
cations recognized by federal and state regulatory authorities,
such as HAZWOPER training.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental
1.2.3 This guide does not address laboratory investigations
Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibil-
ity of Subcommittee E50.01 on Storage Tanks.
of material properties and detailed failure analysis.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published October 2023. Originally
1.2.4 This guide does not cover underground storage tank
approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved 2015 a
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2733 − 10 (Reapproved 2015) E2733 − 23
Standard Guide for
Investigation of Equipment Problems and Releases for
Petroleum the Source and Cause of Releases from
1
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. underground storage tank (UST) equipment problems and the source and cause
of releases. Source and cause investigations are similar to origin and cause investigations in property
insurance claims. It gives the user practical suggestions of how to investigate equipment and
installation problems, document findings, and in some cases prepare samples of collect and preserve
failed equipment for laboratory analysis. forensic evaluation or laboratory analysis if necessary, and
implement visual and analytical processes to document the source of a release. 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. Use of
this guide may assist regulatory agencies to determine and document the source and cause of releases
from UST systems.
1. 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 ofcollect and preserve
failed equipment for laboratory analysis; forensic evaluation or laboratory analysis; identify the source of a release; and document
the investigation. The guide includes information on methods of investigation, documentation, taking samples of problem
equipment; preservation of equipment collecting and preserving 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
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E50.01 on Storage Tanks.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015Sept. 1, 2023. Published May 2015October 2023. Originally approved in 2010. Last previous edition approved 2015 as
E2733–10(2015). DOI: 10.1520/E2733–10R15.10.1520/E2733–23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E2733 − 23
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 how to apply standards to their
specific circumstances, it is recommended that users seek assistance from qualified professionals.
1.2.2 This guide does not address safety issues associated with the in
...
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