The Steel Tank Institute announces publication of SP131, Standard for Inspection, Repair and Modification of Shop-Fabricated Underground Tanks for Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
“SP131 was developed in response to requests from several state environmental agencies,” said Lorri Grainawi, Director of Technical Services for STI/SPFA. “These agencies are responsible for ensuring the safety of the public and the environment from spills of hazardous flammable and combustible liquids.” STI standards are the most widely recognized in the steel tank fabrication industry. Many state and federal regulations reference them directly in their rules.
Most existing steel underground storage tanks are constructed to STI standards, so it was logical for states to come to STI for development of SP131. “We invited a group of regulators, tank manufacturers, contractors, and other stakeholders to form a committee to develop SP131,” Grainawi said. “They spent over a year meeting, drafting, and re-drafting the document, ensuring it fairly addresses the needs and concerns of agencies, regulators, and the industry.”
In the Scope description, SP131 states that: “This standard covers the inspection, repair, and modification of an atmospheric-type, shop-fabricated, carbon and/or stainless steel underground storage tank. It applies to tanks storing stable liquids at atmospheric pressure. This standard covers tanks built to a nationally recognized standard for underground storage tanks….This standard applies to tanks that are installed and also to tanks that have been temporarily removed to achieve a repair…”
Copies of STI’s SP131 Standard for Inspection, Repair and Modification of Shop-Fabricated Underground Tanks for Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids are available for purchase from the STI/SPFA Store. Technical questions may be addressed to Lorri Grainawi, 847-550-3831.
