PEI invites comments on bulk storage installation procedures

The comment period for the Petroleum Equipment Institute’s Recommended Practices for Installation of Bulk Storage Plants is open till Jan. 15. The draft document was produced by the Petroleum Equipment Institute’s (PEI) Bulk Plant Installation Committee and provides a basic reference that consolidates information on proper construction of new petroleum bulk-storage systems. A printed copy of the draft will be mailed to all PEI members in the United States and Canada, along with a comment form.
The draft document notes: “Historically, bulk-storage plants were constructed to receive, store, and transfer petroleum products. Universal, uniform installation standards did not exist, resulting in a wide variety of bulk-plant installation practices. In recent years, factors such as the emphasis on environmental protection, state and federal regulations, and safety considerations have necessitated that the construction of bulk plants be planned very carefully.”
The draft version states that it is meant to serve as a basic reference that consolidates published and previously unpublished information from equipment manufacturers, contractors, installers, bulk-plant facility owners, and regulators describing recommended practices for the construction of new petroleum bulk-storage systems.
The draft version states that the intent “is to recommend practices that will:
• Maximize system efficiency
• Prevent surface and groundwater contamination
• Minimize environmental hazards
• Reduce safety hazards
• Avoid practices that will needlessly increase
installation costs.
The recommended practices apply to underground, aboveground, atmospheric, and shop-fabricated tanks, associated piping, diking, spill containment, and equipment intended for the bulk storage and transfer of petroleum, biofuels, and related products to and from wheeled delivery-vehicle tanks. These recommended practices apply to single- and double-walled horizontal
and vertical tanks, as well as insulated and fire-protected (resistant) tanks. Piping associated with these tanks may be aboveground, underground, or a combination of the two.
To review the complete draft, which runs to almost 60 pages, download a copy from the Web page pei.org/rp800. Comments can be submitted at that same page. The comments, suggestions and recommendations will be used to refine the document, which is scheduled to be published in 2008.
For additional information on PEI or its membership, contact Tena Wooldridge or visit the Web site at pei.org.