ASTM E2733-23 PDF

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This guide may be used in the investigation of underground storage tank systems for equipment problems in a wide variety of applications. Use of this guide is voluntary. It is intended to assist users who want to investigate equipment failures, malfunctions, and other potential causes of suspected releases. 4.2 The following groups of users may find the guide particularly helpful: 4.2.1 Storage tank system designers and manufacturers; 4.2.2 Storage tank installers, testers, and inspectors; 4.2.3 Storage tank maintenance contractors; 4.2.4 Storage tank removal contractors; 4.2.5 Federal, state, tribal or local regulators, including departments of health, departments of environmental protection, and fire departments; 4.2.6 Petroleum release remediation professionals; 4.2.7 Insurance adjusters; 4.2.8 Storage tank owners and operators; 4.2.9 Consultants, auditors, and compliance assistance personnel. 4.3 This guide is intended to assist in the development of protocols for determination of source and cause of a release and the investigation of a malfunction or failure of any component of a UST system and the implementation of said protocols. This guide outlines steps that may be necessary and include, but are not limited to initial evaluation of the UST system to determine if there has been a component failure preparation of samples of failed or compromised equipment for laboratory analysis; visual; and analytical evaluation of release indications; and documentation of the investigation. The guide provides a series of investigation options from which the user may design failure investigation protocols. The guide describes common investigation techniques in the order in which they might be employed in an investigation. 4.4 A user may elect to utilize this guide for a number of reasons, which include, but are not limited to: 4.4.1 To differentiate new releases from new discovery of old releases; 4.4.2 To establish malfunction ... SCOPE 1.1 Overview—This guide is an organized collection of information and series of options for industry, regulators, consultants and the public, intended to assist with the development of investigation protocols for underground storage tank facilities in the United States. While the guide does not recommend a specific course of action, it establishes an investigation framework, and it provides a series of techniques that may be employed to: identify equipment problems; in some cases collect and preserve failed equipment for forensic evaluation or laboratory analysis; identify the source of a release; and document the investigation. The guide includes information on methods of investigation, documentation, collecting and preserving samples; chain of custody; storage; shipping; working with equipment manufacturers; and notification of regulators and listing laboratories. The goal in using the guide is to identify the appropriate level of investigation and to gather and preserve information, in an organized manner, which could be used in the future to improve system design or performance. While this guide may act as a starting point for users with limited experience in failure investigation, the user is encouraged to consult with failure analysis experts for specific investigation procedures that may be needed for certain equipment and the investigation should be conducted by a qualified professional. As users develop their specific investigation protocols, they may find that the investigations can be streamlined for certain types of facilities. 1.2 Limitations of This Guide: 1.2.1 Given the variability of the different investigators that may wish to use this guide and the different types of facilities and failures that will be investigated, it is not possible to address all the relevant standards that might apply to a particular investigation. This guide uses generalized language and examples to guide the user. If it i...