ECA’s Managing Principal (Brett Smith, PE) is licensed in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, where he provides myriad commercial / retail / oil clients with leading-edge assistance in complying with the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule (40CFR112). In addition to preparing SPCC Plans, Mr. Smith has been inspecting aboveground liquid storage tanks since 2003 and holds an Aboveground Tank Inspector SP001 certificate required by the Steel Tank Institute (STI).
The Regulatory Environment
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule, 40CFR112, requires in Section 40CFR112.8(c)(6) that tank owners must “Test each aboveground container (tank) for integrity on a regular schedule …” and “You must combine visual inspection with another testing technique such as … ultrasonic testing … or another system of non-destructive shell testing.”
The EPA requires tank owners to perform tank integrity inspections by way of “accepted industry standards”, namely STI’s SP001 Standard (JAN 2018) and the API-653 Standard created by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Briefly, all shop-built and field erected steel tanks (up to 30-ft diameter and 50-ft tall) are addressed by SP001, while larger tanks are addressed by API-653.
How We Can Help
We’ll help you stay in compliance with the EPA, by having our SP001 certified inspectors and UTT professionals perform tank inspections mandated by Section 40CFR112.8(c)(6) of the SPCC Plan (see SP001 Tank Inspections under the Projects tab).
We perform the SP001 Standard, which applies to tanks that store stable / flammable / combustible liquids at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The type and frequency of the tank inspection is directly attributable to the TANK CLASSIFICATION. Before any tank inspection project is initiated, we determine (at no charge) whether your tanks are Category 1, 2 or 3, to avoid wasting your money on needless inspection work.
Our FREE initial consultations often determine that the prospective tank inspection job isn’t even necessary!
Some typical SPCC projects performed by ECA are listed below:
Client: Bonneville Power Administration
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of Category 1 mineral oil storage tanks, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified and cost-conscious recommendations were provided for all tanks.
Client: University of Idaho
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Moscow, Idaho
DESCRIPTION: Performed inspections of double-walled fuel storage tanks at three on-campus locations. Inspected tanks, following STI's SP001 (3rd Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Certified tanks that met SP001 inspectioncriteria and submitted cost-conscious, yet effective, recommendations regarding tanks meeting SP001certification criteria. Intelligent troubleshooting identified solutions that prevented costly tank replacements.
Client: Spring Environmental (Goodrich Corporation)
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections in 2011
LOCATION: Spokane, Washington
DESCRIPTION: In 2011, ECA staff inspected a single vertical Category 1 liquid waste storage tank following STI's SP001 (4th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tank wall thickness exceeded nominal wall thickness requirements.
Client: Spring Environmental (Goodrich Corporation)
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections in 2015
LOCATION: Spokane, Washington
DESCRIPTION: In 2015, ECA staff inspected four horizontal Category 1 spent-oil storage tanks following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tank wall thickness exceeded nominal wall thickness requirements.
Client: Ponderay Newsprint Company
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Usk, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff inspected a single vertical Category 1 liquid waste storage tank following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tank wall thickness exceeded nominal wall thickness requirements.
Client: Granite Construction, Inc.
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Reno and Sparks, Nevada
DESCRIPTION: ECA inspected ten horizontal Category 1 thermoplastic (liquid asphalt cement ~200°F) storage tanks, three fuel storage tanks and three standby fuel storage tanks at the company's Sparks and Lockwood facilities, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks.
Client: Tyson Foods, Inc.
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Wallula, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA inspected a total of 21 aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), namely 13 insulated and three uninsulated vertical tallow oil ASTs; three uninsulated horizontal fuel and lube oil ASTs and two uninsulated double-wall horizontal fuel ASTs, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks.
Client: Framatome NP (aka AREVA NP)
PROJECT: Closure Certification of Cross-linked Polyethylene Aboveground Storage Tank
LOCATION: Richland, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA inspected a 2,000-gallon double-tank system, constructed of cross-linked Polyethylene, that had been utilized to store dangerous liquid waste. We certified the tank closure, in accordance with Washington Department of Ecology guidelines, whereby the Closure Report was well received, as evidenced by minimal regulatory revision requests.
Client: Grant County PUD
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Wanapum and Priest Rapids Dams, Columbia River, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of horizontal Category 1 fuel storage tanks located within Oil Storage Rooms for two hydroelectric facilities along the Columbia River, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met SP001 inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks.
Client: Oestreich Distributing
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Ritzville, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of three vertical Category 1 fuel storage tanks located within a Tank Farm for a bulk fuel storage facility, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met SP001inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks.
Client: Wilbur-Ellis
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of Category 1 fuel storage tanks, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified and cost-conscious recommendations were provided for all tanks.
Client: Spring Environmental (Stimson Lumber)
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Idaho
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of Category 1 fuel storage tanks, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified and cost-conscious recommendations were provided for all tanks.
Client: CHS Inc.
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Moses Lake, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of vertical Category 1 fuel storage tanks at the Bulk Plant and Ag Facility following STI's SP001 (4th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met SP001 inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks. Intelligent troubleshooting identified solutions that prevented costly modifications and repairs while achieving compliance with SP001 criteria.
Client: Grannis Petroleum Products, Inc.
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of vertical Category 1 fuel storage tanks located within a Tank Farm for a bulk fuel storage facility, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met SP001 inspectioncriteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks.
Client: Banner Furnace and Fuel
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Spokane, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of six Category 1 fuel storage tanks, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding deficient tanks.
Client: Busch Distributors
PROJECT: STI Standard SP001 Aboveground Storage Tank Inspections
LOCATION: Oakesdale, Washington
DESCRIPTION: ECA staff performed inspections of seven Category 1 fuel storage tanks, following STI's SP001 (5th Ed) tank integrity inspection Standard. Ultrasonic testing measurements were performed with industry standard QA/QC regarding thickness calibrations and instrument functionality. Tanks that met Steel Tank Institute inspection criteria were certified, whereas cost-conscious recommendations were provided regarding one deficient tank.
