(1) Owners and operators of new and existing UST systems shall provide a method, or combination of methods, of release detection that:

(a) can detect a release from any portion of the tank and the connected underground piping that routinely contains product;

(b) is installed, calibrated, operated, and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, including routine maintenance and service checks for operability or running condition; and

(c) meets the performance requirements in ARM 17.56.407 or 17.56.408, with any performance claims and their manner of determination described in writing by the equipment manufacturer or installer. In addition, methods used after December 22, 1990, except for methods permanently installed prior to that date, must be capable of detecting a leak rate or quantity specified for that method in ARM 17.56.407(1)(b) through (d) or 17.56.408(1)(a) and (b) with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05.

(2) When a release detection method operated in accordance with the performance standards in ARM 17.56.407 and 17.56.408 indicates a release may have occurred, owners and operators shall notify the department in accordance with subchapter 5.

(3) Owners and operators of all UST systems shall comply with the release detection requirements of this subchapter by December 22 of the year listed in the following table below:

SCHEDULE FOR PHASE-IN OF RELEASE DETECTION

Year Year when release detection is required

system was (by December 22 of the year indicated)

installed 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

Before 1965 RD P

or date unknown

1965-69 P/RD

1970-74 P RD

1975-79 P RD

1980-88 P RD

New tanks (after Dec. 22, 1988) immediately upon installation.

P = Must begin release detection for all pressurized piping in accordance with ARM 17.56.402(1)(b)(i) and 17.56.403(1)(b)(iv).

RD = Must begin release detection for tanks and suction piping in accordance with ARM 17.56.402(1)(a) and (b)(ii), and 17.56.403. 

(4) Farm or residential tanks of 1100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes, heating oil tanks, and emergency power generator tanks which were installed before 1965 or for which the date of installation is unknown, must comply with release detection requirements by December 22, 1990. Any of these types of tanks installed on or after January 1, 1965, must follow the schedule set forth in (3).

(5) Any existing UST system that cannot apply a method of release detection that complies with the requirements of this subchapter must complete the closure procedures in subchapter 7 by the date on which release detection is required for that UST system under (4).