Testing Your Tank
Small underground petroleum tank integrity has become a major concern for residential property owners, real estate brokers, insurance companies and fuel providers. Preferred Tank Services offers the following, minimally intrusive tests to determine the status of the tank:
All testing in performed in accordance with state law, manafucturer guidelines and after proper markouts are acquired.
A report reviewing the assessment process and results will be mailed via the United States Postal Service. It can be delivered electronically at the request of the customer.
Integrity Test
The Integrity Test performed by Preferred Tank Servies utilizesthe Estabrook’s Leak Locator Plus™ technology to reliably discern failures of the tank itself, from piping or fittings in need of repair.
In accordance with manufacturer guidelines, a soil boring is advanced to a depth of 6-12” below the depth of tank bottom to determine presence of groundwater. During the installation of this soil boring, a soil sample is collected and field screened for the presence of fuel oil contamination. If requested, this sample can be submitted to an independant, NJDEP certified testing laboratory for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPHC) analysis.
During the integrity test, the vessel is subjected to a negative pressure (vacuum) in excess of the weight of the oil in the tank. After a stablization period, vacuum degradation is monitored. A highly sensitive microphone set within the vessel are used to identify ‘leak’ signatures. The tank and all the attached piping are subject to the integrity test. Also during the inspection, modifications can be made if leakage through the lines is suspected so as to be further able to identify the potential problem.
All test data is logged on site and validated by review of senior technician prior to report issuance.
STEPs
The Small Tank Environmental Profile (STEPs) assessment is designed to identify residential USTs which are suspected of discharge or which fall into a category of higher risk of failure. This is accomplished primarily by screening the area surrounding the tank for the presence of fuel oil in the soil and by measuring the amount of corrosion of the steel undergone.
Two-three (2-3) soil borings will be advanced to and screened to identify the presence of any contaminants in the soil. A sample will then be chosen for submittal to a state certified labratory for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPHC) analysis. Electronic draft results are provided to Preferred Tank Services in approximately five (5) business days. A finalized hard copy is provided two (2) weeks after submittal.
A corrosion evaluation will also be performed on the UST by measurings the electro-negative potential of the steel underground storage tank. Variances between measurment readings that exceed 10% can be a significant indication of localized areas of more advanced corrosion affecting the adjacent tank shell. It should also be noted that the presence of soil contamination as well as groundwater, if any, will impact these readings.
RETA
The Residential Enhanced Tank Assessment (RETA) combines the testing provided by a STEP's Test and Integrity Test to provide a thorough understanding of your tanks condition. The RETA is also the most cost effective of all our testing methods.
A RETA can be performed in the same time frame as a STEPs and Integrity Test. Test Results are generally available once the soil analysis is completed and provided to Preferred Tank by the issuing labratory.
