Example questions

1
Example questions

• Storage Tank Program
• Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Division

2
INVENTORY CONTROL

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (a) - PAGE 17-26
• 40 CFR 280.43 (a) ON PAGE 27

3
An underground storage tank system is used to
dispense 65,500 gallons of gasoline per month.
The inventory control records for last month were
short by 560 gallons. What is the company
required to do under these circumstances?

• Recheck the figures, this is too far off to
  ignore.
• Nothing, inventory control passes for that month.
• Submit the records to a statistical inventory
  reconciliation provider
• Report a suspected release and conduct a tank
  tightness test and line pressure test.

4
At an aboveground storage tank facility, a
200,000 gallon tank is used to dispense 1,150,000
gallons per month of diesel. In conducting
inventory control, the operator finds that he is
over by 11,950 gallons for this month, but he was
short by 13,200 gallons last month. What is the
operator required to do?

• Report and investigate a suspected release
• Conduct an API 653 inspection of the tank.
• Remove all the product from the tank until it can
  be verified that the tank is not leaking.
• Check the inventory control records carefully and
  wait until the next month to report a release

5
A company uses automatic tank gauging and
inventory control as their leak detection method.
They have passing results for all of the tanks
for every calendar month. Last month, with a
throughput of 9308 gallons, they were over for
the month by 230.2 gallons. The previous month
they were also over by 249.2 gallons on a
throughput of 9455 gallons. What is the company
required to do in this situation?

• Nothing, the automatic tank gauge passed.
• Report and investigate a suspected release.
• Submit the inventory control records to an SIR
  provider.
• Immediately empty the tank until it can be
  determined if it leaked.

6
A station operator is conducting inventory
control on a gasoline tank that is used to
dispense premium gasoline at a rate of 11,340
gallons per month. Every month, on similar
volumes, the tank is short by around 240 gallons.
This is less than 1 of the throughput plus 130
gallons. When the operator looks at the graph of
the inventory control records they show a
consistent downward trend at a rate of 175
gallons per month loss. What is the operator
required to do?

•  
• Report a suspected release and investigate.
• Check the calibration of the automatic tank
  gauge.
• Check the calibration of the meters in the
  dispensers.
• Make sure that the inventory control records are
  closed at the same time each day and that there
  are no mathematical mistakes.

7
TANK TIGHTNESS TESTING

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (h) PAGE 17-28
• 49 CFR 280.43(c) PAGE 29

8
As part of a suspected release investigation, an
operator is required to run a tank tightness
test. What portions of the underground storage
tank system are required to be tested by this
method?

• Only the tank and the connected piping.
• The tank, the connected piping and all vent
  lines.
• That portion of the tank that routinely contains
  regulated substances.
• The tank, connected piping and all of the product
  lines inside the dispenser cabinet.

9
AUTOMATIC TANK GAUGING

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (c) PAGE 17-28
• 40 CFR 280.43 (d) PAGE 29

10
When an operator uses automatic tank gauging as
the primary tank leak detection method, what
other method is he or she also required to
perform?

• Tank tightness testing annually.
• Statistical inventory reconciliation.
• Inventory control or another method of equivalent
  performance.
• Nothing, automatic tank gauging does not require
  anything further.

11
An operator is evaluating a new automatic tank
gauge for purchase. Whatever tank gauge he or
she buys must be able to detect leaks of a
certain size. What leak rate must every
automatic tank gauge be able to detect?

• 5 gallons per day.
• .1 gallons per hour.
• .2 gallons per hour.
• 150 gallons per month.

12
When an operator is using automatic tank gauging
as the primary leak detection method, what must
the operator do when an entire calendar month
passes without a passing result from the tank
gauge?

• Report a suspected release and investigate.
• Have the tank gauge re-calibrated and all of the
  probes cleaned and checked.
• Re-check the inventory control records to make
  sure that the tank is not leaking.
• Wait until the second consecutive month and then
  report a suspected release if a passing result is
  not obtained.

13
Which of the following is not a method of
equivalent performance to inventory control when
automatic tank gauging is used as the primary
method?

• Tracer Surveys.
• Tank Tightness Testing.
• Groundwater Monitoring.
• Statistical Inventory Reconciliation

14
VAPOR MONITORING

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (d) PAGE 17-29
• 40 CFR 280.43 (e) PAGE 29

15
Vapor monitoring can be used to detect leaks from
underground storage tanks that are used to store
what types of regulated substances?

• All acids, strong caustics, and aqueous
  solutions.
• Only those substances that are not liquids at
  standard temperature and pressure.
• Those that have a specific gravity that is
  greater than the specific gravity of diesel.
• Only those substances that are sufficiently
  volatile to be detected by the monitoring
  devices.

16
GROUNDWATER MONITORING

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (e) PAGE 17-30
• 40 CFR 280.43(e) PAGE 30

17
When groundwater monitoring is used as a leak
detection method for an underground storage tank,
the operator must be able to detect

• Any trace of product on the groundwater, even a
  sheen on the surface.
• Dissolved products in groundwater down to the
  drinking water equivalent level.
• Floating products at least 1/8 thick on the
  groundwater.
• Sinking products that accumulate at the bottom of
  the well.

18
Groundwater monitoring wells cannot be used as a
leak detection method unless the groundwater is
within how many feet of the surface?

• 5 feet.
• 10 feet.
• 20 feet.
• 50 feet.

19
Groundwater monitoring wells can be used when any
of the following conditions have been met,
EXCEPT

• Monitoring wells are sealed from the surface to
  the top of the filter pack with bentonite.
• The stored substances are not soluble in water.
• The groundwater on the site is already
  contaminated with the regulated substances
  stored.
• Monitoring wells have intercepted the excavation
  zone for the tank.

20
STATISTICAL INVENTORY RECONCILIATION

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (g) PAGE 17-32
• OPERATING AND MAINTAINING UST SYSTEMS, PAGE 9

21
An operator received an Inconclusive result
from one of his storage tanks last month. What
must he do immediately?

• Report a confirmed release to the National
  Response Center.
• Nothing unless he receives two inconclusive
  results in a row.
• Before doing anything else, run a Tracer Survey
  on the tank system that had the inconclusive
  result.
• Investigate the inconclusive result by auditing
  the information submitted to the SIR company and
  re-submitting the audited information.

22
Last month, a facility received a report from the
SIR provider that showed a failing result for the
diesel tank. This failing result was received,
even though the underlying inventory control
records passed for the month. Of the following
items, what thing is the operator NOT required to
do?

• Re-submit the data to the SIR company.
• Report and investigate a suspected release.
• Place the failing tank in Temporarily Out of
  Use condition within 5 days.
• Audit the input records to the SIR company to
  insure that the failing result was not due to an
  error in data entry.

23
In choosing an SIR provider, an operator must
insure that the SIR providers method will

• correct for tank tilt.
• automatically exclude bad data.
• detect a leak of 150 gallons per month.
• allow for electronic submission of the data
  through the internet.

24
TRACER SURVEYS

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (h) PAGE 17-33
• 40 CFR 280.43 (h) Other methods PAGE 31

25
When an operator uses tracer surveys as the leak
detection method for the tanks, when must the
tanks be read?

• Anytime during the month.
• Before the 1st of every month.
• Before the 25th of each month.
• After the last day of the month.

26
Every tracer survey must be able to detect a leak
of what size?

• .10 gallons per hour.
• 150 gallons per month
• 1.0 gallons per minute
• 300 gallons per month.

27
What is the probability of detecting a release
using a tracer survey?

• 75
• 95
• 89.5
• 99.9

28
PASSIVE ACCOUSTIC SENSING AND OTHER METHODS

• Passive Accoustic Sensing is found in Chapter 17,
  Sec. 16 (i) on page 17-33.
• Other methods will be found in Chapter 17, Sec.
  16 (j) on page 17-34.
• Other methods will also be found in 40 CFR
  280.43(h).

29
MANUAL TANK GAUGING

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 15 PAGE 17-25
• 40 CFR 280.43(b) PAGE 28

30
A facility has a used oil tank that holds 1,000
gallons. If Manual Tank Gauging is the leak
detection method for the tanks, how often must
the tank be shut-in for measurement?

• Once a Day
• Once a Week
• Once a Month
• Once a quarter

31
INTERSTITIAL MONITORING

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 16 (f) PAGE 17-31
• 40 CFR 280.43(g) PAGE 30

32
An operator uses interstitial monitoring as the
leak detection method for the tanks at a
convenience store. What is the maximum time that
can elapse between each monitoring event using
this method?

• Once a week.
• Once a month.
• Once every thirty (30) days.
• You never have to look at this system as long as
  the alarm does not go off.

33
An operators interstitial monitoring system now
indicates that the inner wall of the tank has
failed. Manually checking the tank, the operator
finds that there is gasoline in the interstitial
space. Which of the following are NOT true?

• He has to report a suspected release and
  investigate.
• He has to take the tank out of service and repair
  or replace the tank.
• He has to have any replacement tank inspected by
  the department during installation.
• The operator can now consider this tank to be a
  single wall tank. He will have to change
  monitoring methods.

34
An operator is using interstitial monitoring as a
tank leak detection system. When the alarm goes
off on the tank monitoring system, what is the
operator required to do?

• Report a suspected release and investigate.
• Reset the system and see if it alarms again.
• Have a service company raise the level of the
  interstitial alarm.
• Ignore the alarm, it is probably just rainwater
  or a short circuit.

35
MECHANICAL LINE LEAK DETECTORS

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 14 (g) PAGE 17-23
• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 13 (e) PAGE 17-21
• 40 CFR 280.41 (b) PAGE 25

36
The pressurized lines leading to the dispensers
at a service station were tested March 17, 2006.
When is the next test of the mechanical line leak
detectors required?

• September 17, 2006
• March 17, 2007
• March 17, 2008
• March 17, 2009

37
The testing company just issued a report showing
that the mechanical line leak detectors on the
pressurized lines at an underground storage tank
facility failed. What is the operator of this
facility required to do?

• Declare a suspected release.
• Place the line back in service with the same leak
  detector.
• Have the mechanical line leak detectors replaced
  and the new leak detector tested.
• Have the technician remove the mechanical line
  leak detector and place a cast iron plug in its
  place until the leak detector can be sent in to
  be reconditioned.

38
A station is equipped with single wall,
pressurized lines and uses Automatic Tank Gauging
and Inventory Control for leak detection on the
underground storage tanks. What is also required
during the annual functional test of the
mechanical line leak detectors?

• Visually inspect the dispenser hoses for cracks.
• Pressure test the lines at 150 of operating
  pressure.
• Remove the line leak detector and clean the
  operating part of the valve.
• Purge the line, place the line on a vacuum and
  see if the line will hold a vacuum.

39
When a station equipped with single wall,
pressurized lines also uses Statistical Inventory
Reconciliation, what additional test is required
when the mechanical line leak detectors are
functionally tested?

• Nothing.
• Pressure test the lines at 150 of operating
  pressure.
• Pressure test the lines at standard temperature
  and pressure.
• Remove the impact valves beneath each dispenser
  and check the rubber seals for wear.

40
ELECTRONIC LINE LEAK DETECTORS

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 14 (b) PAGE 17-23
• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 13 (e) PAGE 17-21
• 40 CFR 280.41 (b) PAGE 25

41
A station equipped with double wall flexible
plastic pressurized lines does not have sump
sensors, but uses electronic line leak detectors
for leak detection on the lines. The electronic
line leak detectors were last tested March 31,
2007. When is the next test of the leak
detectors due?

• April 30, 2007
• September 30, 2007
• March 31, 2008
• Never, these are double wall lines.

42
A trucking company operates pressurized lines
with electronic line leak detectors. How often
are the electronic line leak detectors required
to be tested?

• Once every month.
• Once every six months.
• Once every three years.
• Annually, within one year of the previous test.

43
SUMP SENSORS

• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 14 (b) PAGE 17-23
• CHAPTER 17, SEC. 13 (e) PAGE 17-21
• 40 CFR 280.41 (b) PAGE 25

44
A station has double wall, pressurized lines.
Leak detection for the lines in accomplished
using sump sensors. During the installation, the
contractor must insure that everything on the
following list is done except

• There can be no high spots in the lines.
• All of the lines must slope toward the sumps.
• The sump sensors must be connected to a
  monitoring console.
• An alarm on the sump sensors must shut off the
  submersible pumps.

45
A station has double wall lines and sump sensors
are used for leak detection on the pressurized
lines. If the sump sensors alarm, the operator
must do all of the following except?

• Find some way to silence the alarm, and note this
  for the next operators annual inspection.
• Open the sumps and determine if the sump sensors
  alarmed because of water or product in the sumps.
• Remove all of the water, if any, from the sumps
  and have the sump sensors re-set on the bottom of
  the sump.
• If there is product in the sump, report a
  suspected release, have tests run to locate the
  leak, have the equipment repaired, and dispose of
  spilled product properly.

46
During the last Operators Annual Inspection on
April 21, 2008, the sump sensors were tested for
functionality. When is the next test of the sump
sensors due?

• January 1, 2009
• April 21, 2009
• October 21, 2008
• April 21, 2011

47
SUCTION LINES

• Chapter 17, Sec. 14 (b) (ii) Page 17-24
• 40 CFR 280.41(b)(2) Page 25

48
A small convenience store has a gasoline tank
that has the pump built into the dispenser
cabinet. The system has only one check valve
located directly under the pump in the dispenser
cabinet. How often are the lines required to be
pressure tested?

• Monthly.
• Once every three years.
• Annually within one year of the last test.
• Never, this is an exempt suction system.

49
A trucking company has underground storage tanks
to fuel their own vehicles. The pump is built
into the dispenser cabinet and the lines have two
check valves, one in the dispenser and one at the
bottom of the tank. What leak detection
requirements are there for these lines?

• The system must be constructed with double wall
  lines.
• The lines must be pressure tested once every
  three years.
• The system must be equipped with electronic line
  leak detectors.
• The system must be equipped with mechanical line
  leak detectors.

50
CATHODIC PROTECTION

• CHAPTER 17, SEC 11 PAGE 17-1718
• 40 CFR 280.31 PAGE 19

51

• SACRIFICIAL ANODE SYSTEMS

52
A filling station has steel STI-P3 tanks that
were just installed on June 1, 2008. When is the
first test of the sacrificial anodes due?

• December 1, 2008
• June 1, 2009
• December 1, 2009
• June 1, 2011

53
A steel underground storage tank was installed at
a radio repeater location on a remote mountain.
The tank was last tested by a cathodic protection
tester on August 17, 2004. When is the next test
of the sacrificial anodes due?

• August 17, 2005
• February 17, 2006
• August 17, 2007
• Never, this tank is not located at a commercial
  filling station.

54
A cathodic protection tester just reported that
one of the steel tanks at a facility did not pass
the sacrificial anode test. His report shows
-.65 volts on that tank, and also notes that the
tank is not protected. What are you required to
do?

• File the report and do nothing else.
• Have the cathodic protection tester install
  additional anodes.
• Wet the ground around the sacrificial anodes and
  retest the system.
• Report the failing result and hire a corrosion
  expert to evaluate the system and design the
  replacement system.

55
A station has steel tanks protected by
sacrificial anodes. How many of the required
tests are required to be kept on file by the
owner/operator?

• The last two tests
• The last three tests
• The last three years worth
• Every test since the tank was first installed.

56

• IMPRESSED CURRENT SYSTEMS

57
A station has bare steel tanks protected against
corrosion using an impressed current system. The
system was last tested by a cathodic protection
tester on April 1, 2002. When was the system
required to be tested again by a cathodic
protection tester?

• October 1, 2002
• April 1, 2003
• April 1, 2005
• Never, this is an impressed current system.

58
A station has steel tanks and lines protected
against corrosion using an impressed current
system. The operator is checking the rectifier
monthly. How many of the operators check
records are required to be on file?

• The last two
• The last three
• The last three years worth.
• Six months worth, regardless of how often it is
  checked.

59
PRACTICE TEST ON RELEASE DETECTION CATHODIC
PROTECTION
60
COMMUNICATION
61
BREAK UNTIL 1045(IF WE ARE ON SCHEDULE)