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General Requirements for SPCC Plans (§ 112.7)
- Description of physical layout and a facility diagram marking location and contents of each oil storage container and any completely buried tanks, transfer stations and connecting pipes.
The facility diagram must identify the location of underground storage tanks regulated under 40 CFR 280 and 281, even though they do not need to be otherwise addressed in the SPCC Plan. The Facility Diagram should identify these storage facilities as “Exempt”. |
- Account of each storage container and it’s storage capacity
- Discharge prevention measures, including procedures for routine handling of products
- Discharge drainage controls, such as secondary containment
- Procedures for the case of discharges
- Contact list and phone numbers for facility response coordinator, National Response Center, cleanup contractors, and all appropriate federal, state, and local agencies who must be contacted in case of a discharge
- Reporting of discharge information and procedures
- Prediction of the direction, rate of flow, and total quantity of oil which could be discharged where experience indicates a potential for equipment failure
- Description of containment and/or diversionary structures or equipment to prevent discharged oil from reaching navigable waters; one of the following must be used at a minimum:
- for onshore facilities: dikes, berms, or retaining walls; curbing; culverting, gutters, or other drainage systems; weirs, booms, or other barriers; spill diversion ponds; retention ponds; sorbent materials
- for offshore facilities: curbing or drip pans; sumps and collection systems
- If determined, a demonstration that containment and/or diversionary structures or equipment are not practicable; → conduct periodic integrity and leak testing of bulk containers and associated valves and piping; provide oil spill contingency plan, and written commitment of manpower, equipment, and materials to quickly control and remove spilled oil
- Procedures for inspections and tests; inspection/test records
- Personnel training (operation, maintenance, discharge procedures, applicable laws and regulations, SPCC plan contents)
- Name of designated discharge prevention person
- Discharge prevention briefing (annual)
- Security Measures (fencing, secure valves, oil pump starter controls, loading/unloading pipe connections, facility lighting)
- Tank truck loading/unloading (if necessary, use quick drainage system; prevent vehicles from departure before disconnection, inspect tank trucks for discharges)
If the plan calls for additional procedures or equipment not yet fully operational, these items must be discussed in separate paragraphs, including details of installation and operational start-up.
SPCC Plan Requirements for Onshore Facilities (§ 112.8)
The owner/operator of an onshore facility (production facilities excluded) must:
- prevent discharge from diked storage areas into the stormwater or sewer system (use valves for the drainage of diked areas, use drainage systems and catchment basins for oil retainment in undiked areas)
- use only appropriate storage containers
- provide secondary containment for the entire capacity of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard for precipitation
- only allow drainage of uncontaminated rainwater from diked areas after inspection; otherwise always keep bypass valve closed; keep records
- protect completely buried metallic tanks installed after January 10, 1974, from corrosion by coatings or cathodic protection; leak test regularly
- do not use partially buried or bunkered metallic tanks for oil storage, unless the buried section is protected from corrosion
- perform regular integrity tests of aboveground container; inspect tank supports and foundations; keep records
- monitor for leakage through defective internal heating coils
- engineer container installations to avoid discharges (high liquid level alarm, high level pump cutoff, direct signal communication between container gauger and pumping station, or fast response system determining liquid levels of each bulk storage container (monitored by a person)); ensure proper operation
- promptly remove any oil discharges
- protect buried piping installed after August 16, 2002, with wrapping or coating and by cathodic protection; inspect exposed lines for deterioration
- cap or blank-flange terminal connections at transfer point and mark it as to origin when piping not in service for extended time
- properly design pipe supports
- regularly inspect all aboveground valves, piping, and appurtenances; conduct integrity testing of buried piping at installation, modification, relocation, or replacement
- ensure no vehicle will endanger aboveground piping
Reporting Requirements
Facilities that spill more than 1,000 gallons of oil into navigable waters or onto adjoining shorelines in a single incident, or have two reportable oil spills of more than 42 gallons within any 12-month period, must submit the following information to the appropriate EPA Regional Administrator within 60 days from the time the spill occurs:
- Facility name and location
- Facility owner or operator names
- Facility maximum storage or handling capacity and normal daily oil throughput
- Facility description, including maps, flow diagrams, and topographical maps
- The cause(s) of the spill, including a failure analysis of system or subsystem where the failure occurred
- The corrective actions and/or countermeasures taken (e.g., equipment repairs or replacement)
- Any other preventive measures taken
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40 CFR Part 112 - Full Text (.pdf)
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