Dec 08, 2010

A new ASTM International standard provides a step-by-step procedure that can be used to determine the cause of petroleum releases from underground storage tanks as well as to provide clues that will help prevent such releases in the future. ASTM E2733, Standard Guide for Investigation of Equipment Problems and Releases for Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Systems, was developed by Subcommittee E50.04 on Corrective Action, under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action.

“We have made great strides in reducing the frequency and severity of petroleum releases from underground storage tank systems since the 1988 federal UST regulations became law,” says Thomas Schruben, an environmental risk management consultant and a partner in American Cost Recovery Management LLC. “Having better data will allow the owners, manufacturers, installers and regulators to make the appropriate changes to further reduce the incidence and severity of releases. ASTM E2733 provides a common framework to determine the investigation protocol to be used in a given situation.”

The aim of the standard is to determine why a release has occurred, then fix what caused the release so it doesn't happen in future similar situations, and, if necessary provide information so owner/operators can decide if retrofitting existing installations is warranted. Schruben also notes that the first step to getting better data is to perform more inspections that include enough detail and are uniform enough to allow data to be aggregated. ASTM E2733 will enable inspectors, maintenance contractors, removal contractors, owners and regulators to get on the same page regarding the investigation of underground storage tank releases and equipment problems.

To purchase ASTM standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation number, or contact ASTM Customer Relations (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/).  ASTM International welcomes and encourages participation in the development of its standards. For more information on becoming an ASTM member, visit www.astm.org/JOIN.

ASTM Committee E50 Next Meeting: April 12-14, 2011, April Committee Week, Anaheim, Calif.
Technical Contact: Thomas Schruben, American Cost Recovery Management LLC, Kensington, Md., Phone: 301-613-8858; environmentalguy@aol.com
ASTM Staff Contact: Daniel Smith, Phone: 610-832-972; dsmith@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #8729