The STI/SPFA AST Inspection Standards Review Committee is soliciting public comment through October 27, 2017, on revisions to  SP001, Standard for the Inspection of Aboveground Storage Tanks and SP031, Standard for Repair of Shop-Fabricated Aboveground Tanks for Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

For more information, contact Dana Schmidt at dschmidt@steeltank.com. Comment deadline is October 27. Publication of the new editions of SP001 and SP031 is anticipated in early 2018.

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All storage tank systems, both underground (UST) and aboveground (AST), con­structed of any material, and storing nearly any product--gasoline, diesel, residential and commercial heating oils, aviation jet fuel--are susceptible to damage if water is allowed to accumulate. The potential for damage applies not only to the tank, but also to the entire storage system.

STI recently published a brochure, "Inspect your tanks, maintain your tanks, reduce your risk," containing information about keeping water out of AST systems. A similar brochure focused on UST systems was published in spring of 2016. In total, these brochures were sent to all registered owners of STI tanks since 1991.

"These documents are part of our continuing efforts to educate tank owners, operators, regulators, and consumers about the effects of water on fuel and in fuel storage tank systems," said Wayne Geyer, Executive Vice President of STI-SPFA.

Both brochures are free for reproduction and distribution at www.steeltank.com, on the tab "Fuel Storage Tank System  Maintenance." If you have difficulties with the download, contact the Editor.

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Thanks to a committee of dedicated industry experts, STI recently published a revised version of R051, Recommended Practice for Testing Cathodic Protection of sti-P3 tanks.

Changes to R051 include a sample form for the CP tester; new drawings and figures to better illustrate how to conduct a CP test; a new definitions section; and information on the care and maintenance of CP testing equipment.

R051 is based on application of sound engineering principles and the combined experience of the revision committee members. It's compiled of data from tank owners, manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and cathodic protection testers. 

CP testers and others looking for basic knowledge about how to test sti-P3 tanks will find it an easy-to-follow guide.  R051 and all other STI documents are available   from our website Store.

Coby Hayes, Chair JL Houston Co. Inc.	Mike Asma (Alternate) VA DEQ	Matthew J. Cutshall Sheetz, Inc.
Kevin Henderson K. Henderson Consulting, LLC	Mike Hill Mass Tank Inspection	Andrew J. Koenig Enerfab, Inc.
Steve Nagy Tait Environmental	Michael Phelps NC DENR	Bob Pickens AT&T Services, Inc.
Stephen Pollock VA DEQ	Michael Pomes US EPA	Brian Pottebaum R&A Risk Professionals/PMMIC
Rick Rogers UST Corrosion Management	Tim Sievert Advanced Corrosion Control	William Simpson PCA Engineering, Inc.
Eric M. Swaisgood Speedway LLC	Ed Ward SC Fuels

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With th e incr eased occurrence of microbial  contamination in fuel storage tanks since the advent of biofuels, "fuel polishing" is a rapidly-growing service business. Fuel polishing is the technical cleaning process used to remove or filter microbial contamination from oil and hydrocarbon fuel in storage.

"Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers' Report Card for America's Infrastructure depicts the condition and performance of American infrastructure in the familiar form of a school report  card--assigning letter grades based on the physical condition and needed investments for improvement..."

That's the introduction to ASCE's 2017 Infrastructure Report Card website. The report is comprehensive and dense with information, by state and by infrastructure sector.

See ASCE's 2017 Infrastructure Report Card...

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"Inspection of storage tanks in Antarctica is not something that can be done on a moment's notice. It requires preparation for some of the harshest weather on the planet..."

 

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Many state and federal regulators look to STI's standards and recommended practices for definitive storage tank criteria.  Recently, a state regulator called STI-SPFA to ask if he could include an article about STI's SP131 tank repair standard in a newsletter. "I've read all the tank repair standards and STI's SP131 is the most complete and current," he said 

By way of review, STI's SP131 standard covers the inspection, repair, and modification of an atmospheric-type, shop-fabricated, carbon and/or stainless steel underground storage tank. It applies to tanks storing stable liquids at atmospheric pressure.

SP131 covers tanks built to a nationally-recognized standard for underground storage tanks. It may be used for the repair of other tanks at the discretion of the tank owner. It applies to tanks that are installed and also to tanks that have been temporarily removed to achieve a repair.

Get the SP131 tank repair standard here...

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Here's another demonstration that steel storage tanks last virtually forever, if they're properly inspected and maintained. This sti-P3 tank was recently pulled and found to be in pristine condition after 27 years underground.   Clean outside...	...and inside Photos courtesy STI Member  Clawson Tank Co., Clarkston, Michigan
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This just in from inhabitat.com:  " The answer to our global plastic catastrophe may be in sight. Spanish researchers have discovered that the wax worm, a caterpillar known for munching on the wax within beehives, is able to  devour and biodegrade  polyethylene plastic, converting it into a form of alcohol found in antifreeze."

Read full story here...

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