5.1 Periodic testing of spill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping is required by US EPA regulation § 40 CFR §280.35.
5.2 The spill prevention equipment and containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping must be tested at least once every three years to ensure the equipment is liquid tight by using vacuum, pressure, or liquid testing according to § 40 CFR §280.35. Under this practice, an annual test is required.
5.3 The phrase liquid tight is an ambiguous expression with the acceptable leak rate dependent upon the nature of the liquid and the purpose of the evaluated material. This practice defines liquid tight.
5.3.1 There is no minimum containment capacity or leak rate criteria for spill prevention equipment or containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping.
5.4 Spill prevention equipment and containment sumps are designed to contain a regulated substance that is released from the primary fuel path of a UST system including leaks that occur when the delivery hose is disconnected from the fill pipe, until the regulated substance is detected and removed. There is no established maximum leak rate, capacity requirement or holding time.
5.5 Spill prevention equipment and containment sumps must be properly installed pursuant to § 40 CFR §280.20 in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Properly installed spill prevention equipment and containment sumps will perform as designed unless one or more components have become compromised. Indications of component compromise that could impact the capability of a sump to remain liquid tight are visually observable.
5.6 This practice is used to perform a liquid test of sumps to determine if the sumps are liquid tight, capable of containing a regulated substance leaked from the primary fuel path of the UST system until the regulated substance is detected and removed.
5.7 Liquid testing by visual examination is the process of using the naked eye, alone or in conjunction with various aids such as portable lighting, camera, or mirrors, as the sensing mechanism from which a determination is made about the condition of the sump being inspected.
5.8 This practice is only applicable to spill prevention equipment and containment sumps after installation testing is complete. Properly installed spill prevention equipment and containment sumps will remain liquid tight unless one or more components become compromised.
5.9 The periodic operation and maintenance walkthrough inspections required by §40 CFR §280.36 will not comply with this practice unless conducted by a professional inspector and all requirements of Section 7 are addressed.
5.10 This practice is not applicable where components are not observable.
5.11 This practice does not supersede requirements developed by the manufacturer of items tested, if any requirements exist.