15A NCAC 02D .0932. GASOLINE TRUCK TANKS AND VAPOR COLLECTION SYSTEMS

(a)  For the purposes of this Rule, the following definitions apply:

(1)           "Bottom filling" means the filling of a tank truck or stationary storage tank through an opening that is flush with the tank bottom.

(2)           "Bulk gasoline plant" means a gasoline storage and distribution facility that has an average daily throughput of less than 20,000 gallons of gasoline and which usually receives gasoline from bulk terminals by trailer transport, stores it in tanks, and subsequently dispenses it via account trucks to local farms, businesses, and service stations.

(3)           "Bulk gasoline terminal" means:

(A)          breakout tanks of an interstate oil pipeline facility; or

(B)          a gasoline storage facility that usually receives gasoline from refineries primarily by pipeline, ship, or barge; delivers gasoline to bulk gasoline plants or to commercial or retail accounts primarily by tank truck; and has an average daily throughput of more than 20,000 gallons of gasoline.

(4)           "Certified facility" means any facility that has been certified under Rule .0960 of this Section to perform leak tightness tests on truck tanks.

(5)           "Gasoline" means any petroleum distillate having a Reid vapor pressure of 4.0 psia or greater.

(6)           "Gasoline dispensing facility" means any site where gasoline is dispensed to motor vehicle gasoline tanks from stationary storage tanks.

(7)           "Gasoline service station" means any gasoline dispensing facility where gasoline is sold to the motoring public from stationary storage tanks.

(8)           "Truck tank" means the storage vessels of trucks or trailers used to transport gasoline from sources of supply to stationary storage tanks of bulk gasoline terminals, bulk gasoline plants, gasoline dispensing facilities and gasoline service stations.

(9)           "Truck tank vapor collection equipment" means any piping, hoses, and devices on the truck tank used to collect and route gasoline vapors in the tank to or from the bulk gasoline terminal, bulk gasoline plant, gasoline dispensing facility or gasoline service station vapor control system or vapor balance system.

(10)         "Vapor balance system" means a combination of pipes or hoses that create a closed system between the vapor spaces of an unloading tank and a receiving tank such that vapors displaced from the receiving tank are transferred to the tank being unloaded.

(11)         "Vapor collection system" means a vapor balance system or any other system used to collect and control emissions of volatile organic compounds.

(b)  This Rule applies to gasoline truck tanks that are equipped for vapor collection and to vapor control systems at bulk gasoline terminals, bulk gasoline plants, gasoline dispensing facilities, and gasoline service stations equipped with vapor balance or vapor control systems.

(c)  Gasoline Truck Tanks

(1)           Gasoline truck tanks and their vapor collection systems shall be tested annually by a certified facility. The test procedure that shall be used is described in Section .2600 of this Subchapter and is according to Rule .0912 of this Section.  The gasoline truck tank shall not be used if it sustains a pressure change greater than 3.0 inches of water in five minutes when pressurized to a gauge pressure of 18 inches of water or when evacuated to a gauge pressure of 6.0 inches of water.

(2)           Each gasoline truck tank that has been certified leak tight, according to Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph shall display a sticker near the Department of Transportation certification plate required by 49 CFR 178.340-10b.

(3)           There shall be no liquid leaks from any gasoline truck tank.

(4)           Any truck tank with a leak equal to or greater than 100 percent of the lower explosive limit, as detected by a combustible gas detector using the test procedure described in Rule .2615 of this Subchapter shall not be used beyond 15 days after the leak has been discovered, unless the leak has been repaired and the tank has been certified to be leak tight according to Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph.

(5)           The owner or operator of a gasoline truck tanks with a vapor collection system shall maintain records of all certification testing and repairs.  The records shall identify the gasoline truck tank, the date of the test or repair; and, if applicable, the type of repair and the date of retest.  The records of certification tests shall include:

(A)          the gasoline truck tank identification number;

(B)          the initial test pressure and the time of the reading;

(C)          the final test pressure and the time of the reading;

(D)          the initial test vacuum and the time of reading;

(E)           the final test vacuum and the time of the reading;

(F)           the date and location of the tests;

(G)          the NC sticker number issued; and

(H)          the final change in pressure of the internal vapor value test.

(6)           A copy of the most recent certification report shall be kept with the truck tank.  The owner or operator of the truck tank shall also file a copy of the most recent certification test with each bulk gasoline terminal that loads the truck tank.  The records shall be maintained for at least two years after the date of the testing or repair, and copies of such records shall be made available within a reasonable time to the Director upon written request.

(d)  Bulk Gasoline Terminals, Bulk Gasoline Plants Equipped With Vapor Balance or Vapor Control Systems

(1)           The vapor collection system and vapor control system shall be designed and operated to prevent gauge pressure in the truck tank from exceeding 18 inches of water and to prevent a vacuum of greater than six inches of water.

(2)           During loading and unloading operations there shall be:

(A)          no vapor leakage from the vapor collection system such that a reading equal to or greater than 100 percent of the lower explosive limit at one inch around the perimeter of each potential leak source as detected by a combustible gas detector using the test procedure described in Rule .2615 of this Subchapter;  and

(B)          no liquid leaks.

(3)           If a leak is discovered that exceeds the limit in Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph:

(A)          For bulk gasoline plants, the vapor collection system or vapor control system (and therefore the source) shall not be used beyond 15 days after the leak has been discovered, unless the leak has been repaired and the system has been retested and found to comply with Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph;

(B)          For bulk gasoline terminals, the vapor collection system or vapor control system shall be repaired following the procedures in Rule .0927 of this Section.

(4)           The owner or operator of a vapor collection system at a bulk gasoline plant or a bulk gasoline terminal shall test, according to Rule .0912 of this Section, the vapor collection system at least once per year. If after two complete annual checks no more than 10 leaks are found, the Director may allow less frequent monitoring.  If more than 20 leaks are found, the Director may require that the frequency of monitoring be increased.

(5)           The owner or operator of a vapor control systems at bulk gasoline terminals, bulk gasoline plants, gasoline dispensing facilities, and gasoline service stations equipped with vapor balance or vapor control systems shall maintain records of all certification testing and repairs.  The records shall identify the vapor collection system, or vapor control system; the date of the test or repair; and, if applicable, the type of repair and the date of retest.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143-215.3(a)(1); 143-215.107(a)(5);

Eff. July 1, 1980;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2008; June 1, 2008; January 1, 2007; April 1, 2003; August 1, 2002; July 1, 1994; December 1, 1989; January 1, 1985.