InspectAPedia ^®

Step by Step Guide to Abandonment, Closure, or Removal of Heating Oil Tanks (less than 2,001 gallons) in New Jersey - 1991
OilTankAPedia ^©

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com

• A Guide to Oil Tanks: Abandonment, Closure, or Removal of Heating Oil Tanks (less than 2,001 gallons) in New Jersey

State of New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes and Standards
Construction Code Element
CN816
Trenton, NJ  08625-0816
609-530-8820

Date: December 31, 1991

Subject: Abandonment, Closure, or Removal of Heating Oil Tanks (less than 2,001 gallons) in New Jersey

Reference: N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14 Building Subcode - Section 619-0
           BOCA National Fire Prevention Code - Section F-2806.11
           ANSI/NFPA30
           API Recommend Practice 1604 (2nd Ed 12/87)


The Department has been asked to provide additional guidance to code
officials who issue permits for the abandonment, closure, or removal of
heating oil tanks less than 2,001 gallons in capacity, which are not covered
by the regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection. These
tanks may be above, under, partially underground, or under a structure.

In general, these tanks may be abandoned in place or removed and
transported to a place of disposal by licensed haulers. Section F-2806.11 of
the 1990 BOCA National Fire Prevention Code, referenced in section 619.0
of the Building Subcode (1990 BCCA National Building Code), indicates
that a permit is required to abandon tanks formerly used to store heating oil
(see Bulletin No. 8&3 for a clearer explanation of the use of the Fire
Prevention Code). Accordingly, when a tank is abandoned by either
removal or abandonment in place, a demolition permit should be issued.
The permit application should specify the method of removal or abandonment.
The construction official shall assign responsibility for field inspections
to an inspector licensed in the fire, building& or plumbing sub code.

In the case of abandonment, tanks should be cleaned, filled with a clean,
relatively inert material such as sand, gravel, plastic pellets or foam, and
secured by removing intake or fill lines and valves. This will prevent
accidents and spills which could be caused by delivery people or subsequent
owners or operators trying to fill an abandoned tank. Remaining
waste oil or other waste material removed from a tank to be abandoned
should be taken from the site by a licensed hauler.

The following steps for hazardous waste removal and abandonment are
typical of those which will be done by contractors removing or abandoning
tanks. These, or similar procedures, should be anticipated and delineated
on the permit. In general, code officials should be aware of: whether
permits are obtained, whether licensed haulers are used to dispose of tanks
and waste material, and whether a site is left clean and secured. Attention
should be paid to whether abandonment or removal of a tank under a
structure will affect the integrity of the structure. In areas with a high water
table, the buoyancy of tanks filled with pellets or foam may make them
unstable. In these cases appropriate methods of abandonment must
chosen.

NOTE: THIS BULLETIN SUPPLEMENTS BULLETIN 88-3.

Example A - Aboveground Tank - Removal
1. Remove oil from tmL
2. Cut oil tank in half by removing top.
3. Remove sludge after squeegeeing
4. Hand wipe inside of tank dean.
5. Remove tank (and fill and vent pipes if separate) and dispose at
   licensed facility.
6. Dispose of all waste oil sludge, water, etc, at licensed  facility.

Example B - Underground Tank - Removal
1. Remove oil from tank
2. Excavate tank
3. Cut hole in tank of adequate size to permit cleaning.
4. Enter and squeegee tank.
5. Remove sludge.
6. Hand wipe inside of tank dean.
7. Remove tank (and fill and vent pipes if separate).
8. Check tank for visible leaks or contaminated coil.
9. Backfill hole.
10. Dispose of tank at licensed facility.
11. Dispose of all waste oiL sludge, water, etc., at licensed facility.

Example C - Underground Tank - Petrofill Foam and Cement Slurry
1. Remove oil from tank
2. Pour in oil absorbent material such as "Quick-Dry" through oil fill hole.
3. Pump in petrofill foam or cement slurry through oil fill hole and fill
   tank completely.
4. Remove fill pipe and vent pipe.
5. Dispose of all waste oil sludge, etc. at licensed facility.

Example D - Underground Tank - Plastic Gravel
1. Remove oil from tank.
2. Excavate top of tank
3. Cut hole in tank of adequate size to permit cleaning.
4. Enter and squeegee tank.
S. Remove sludge.
6. Hand wipe inside of tank.
7. Blow in plastic gravel.
8. Replace tank cover and seal openings.
9. Remove fill and vent pipes and seal openings.
1O. Backfill hole.
11. Dispose of waste oil, sludge, water, etc, at licensed facility.

Example E - Underground Tank - Sand or Pea Gravel

1. Remove oil from tank.
2. Excavate top of tank.
3. Cut a hole in tank of adequate size to permit cleaning.
4. Enter and squeegee tank.
5. Remove sludge.
6. Hand wipe inside of tank.
7. fill tank with *and or pea gravel.
8. Replace tank cover or dispose of at a licensed facility .
9. Remove fill and vent pipes.
10. Backfill hole.
11. Dispose of waste oil, sludge, water, etc., at licensed facility.

              ########

More expert information on this topic

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks
• Visual Inspection Procedure to Find Buried Oil Tanks How to Find Buried Oil Tanks and "Nearly Hidden" and Leaky Oil Tanks - photos and text.
• Buried fuel tank - basic home owner or home buyer advice - Buried FUEL Tank - GAS or OIL advice for home buyers, inspection report language
• Visual Inspection of Oil Storage Tanks for evidence of leaks, damage, improper piping, etc.
• Visual Inspection Checklist for Oil Tanks, an Oil Company's simple checklist
• Home Inspection Report Language Library: Buried Oil Tanks, Basic home buyer advice - home inspection report language suggestions
• Home Inspection Report Language Library: Visible Defects in Oil Tank Installations, Tanks, and Heating Oil Piping
• Home Inspection Report Language Library: Gas Fuel Piping or Tank Faults Basic advice - home inspection report language suggestions
• Home Inspection Report Language Library: Oil Tanks text file list © Oil and Other Storage Tank Leaks, Testing, Abandonment, Inspection - UST home inspection report language files - Reference List
• Above Ground Tanks UL Standards, UL Tank Listing Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
• How to Abandon a Buried Oil Tank - Abandoning Commercial Underground Tanks Russ Brauksieck, ASHI Tech. Journal, Vol.3 No.1 Spring 1993, P. 40-41 [Reprint]
• Environmental Issues & Regulations for Oil Tanks, Registration, Abandonment, Leak Reporting
• Abandonment-Heating Oil Tanks less than 2,001 gallons - New Jersey Guidance
• Abandonment, Closure, or Removal of Heating Oil Tanks - New Jersey Guidance
• Underground Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids - Tank Removal, Abandonment or Placing Temporarily Out of Service - New Jersey Guidance
• Above ground oil tanks - New UL Listing Service and oil tank standards
• Leaky Heating Oil Tanks - Advice for Home Owners or Buyers: caused of leaks in oil tanks, oil tank testing alternatives, what to do about leaky tanks: D.J. Friedman, ASHI Tech. Journal, Vol.2 No.1, Winter, 1992 p. 42-43 Illus
• Legal Issues Regarding Buried Oil Storage Tanks K.S. Rea, Attorney, summary from ASHI Chapter Seminar.
• Primer on Petroleum Bulk Storage Tanks & Petroleum Contamination of Property Paul H. Ciminello, ASHI Tech. Journal, Vol.3 No.1 Spring 1993, p 35-39
• Petroleum Bulk Storage J. Sibblies, NY State DEC, Advice to Home Owners and Home Inspectors about Oil Storage Tanks - summary from ASHI Chapter Seminar.
• Septic Tank inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair
• Underground Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids - Tank Removal, Abandonment or Placing Temporarily Out of Service - New Jersey Guidance
• Indoor Environment Website Indoor Building Environmental Hazard Detection, Testing, Repair, & Prevention - Main Web Page
• Web Link Exchange: Contact Us to list your website or contact information for oil tank testing, tank corrosion research, oil industry experts

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Search InspectAPedia.com