Aboveground storage tank (AST) systems in Colorado are
regulated to protect the people and environment of Colorado from the
potentially harmful effects of the regulated substances contained within AST
systems. The purpose of this article is to present to owner/operators of AST
systems a description of the minimum general standards for design,
construction, location, installation and operation of these systems to be in
compliance with these regulations and Colorado statutes. Further description of
these requirements can be found in guidance documents, policies and procedures
provided by the Director.
(a) The
provisions in these regulations apply to all regulated substance AST systems
unless specifically restricted to a specific system. It is the owner/operator's
responsibility to ensure compliance with all requirements.
(1) Aside from meeting these regulatory
requirements:
(i) All AST systems must meet
local fire district rules, zoning rules, and requirements of other authorities
having jurisdiction over AST systems.
(ii) C.R.S. §
8-20-231 requires that the design,
construction, location, installation, and operation of all liquid fuel product
tank systems greater than 60 gallons conform to the minimum standards
prescribed by the applicable sections of NFPA fire code. This includes the
testing and inspection requirements contained therein.
(2) For the purposes of these regulations, a
tank's capacity is determined by the aggregate capacity of all individual
primary tank compartments contained within the outer shell or structure of the
tank, whether there is a shared bulkhead or not. Each compartment of an AST
must meet the operational requirements contained herein individually (e.g.
venting, overfill prevention, release detection, etc.)
Example: A single concrete-encased UL 2085
AST whose construction consists of two individual 500 gallon UL 142 ASTs
wrapped in a polyethylene liner is considered as having a capacity of 1,000
gallons. Each compartment (tank) must be equipped to meet operational
requirements
(b)
Per C.R.S. §
8-20.5-101(2)(b),
the following ASTs or AST systems are excluded from these AST regulations:
(1) Notwithstanding requirements listed in
(a)(1) of this section, any AST whose capacity is greater than 39,999 gallons
or less than 660 gallons;
(2) Any
AST system that contains a de minimis concentration of regulated
substances;
(3) Any AST systems
containing radioactive material that are regulated under the Atomic Energy
Act;
(4) Any AST system that is
part of an emergency generator system at nuclear power generation
facilities;
(5) ASTs used to store
liquefied petroleum gases that are not liquid at standard temperature and
pressure;
(6) ASTs used to store
liquids whose fluidity is less than that of 300 penetration asphalt when tested
in accordance with ASTM Standard D5, "Test for Penetration for Bituminous
Materials".
(7) A wastewater
treatment tank system that is part of a wastewater treatment
facility;
(8) Equipment or
machinery that contains regulated substances for operational
purposes;
(9) Farm and residential
ASTs directly used for horticultural or floricultural operations.
(10) ASTs located at natural gas pipeline
facilities that are regulated under state or federal natural gas pipeline
acts;
(11) ASTs associated with
natural gas liquids separation, gathering, and production;
(12) ASTs associated with crude oil
production, storage, and gathering;
(13) ASTs at transportation-related
facilities regulated by the federal department of transportation;
(14) ASTs used to store heating oil for
consumptive use on the premises where stored;
(15) ASTs used to store flammable and
combustible liquids at mining facilities and construction and earthmoving
projects, including gravel pits, quarries, and borrow pits where, in the
opinion of the Director, tight control by the owner or contractor and isolation
from other structures make it unnecessary to meet the requirements of this
article and
(16) ASTs owned and
operated by the federal government of The United States of America.
Notes
7 CCR 1101-14-3-1
37
CR 18, September 25, 2014, effective
10/15/2014
39
CR 18, September 25, 2016, effective
1/1/2017
40
CR 05, March 10, 2017, effective
5/1/2017
40
CR 07, April 10, 2017, effective
5/1/2017
41
CR 07, April 10, 2018, effective
5/1/2018
42
CR 04, February 25, 2019, effective
3/17/2019
