Introduction
This infosheet provides background to Worksheet #5 of the Environmental Farm Plan Workbook. It outlines options that you could adopt to address problem areas in your operation. These options are only applicable to fuel storages 5000 litres or less. In most cases you'll need more information before implementation: please refer to the resource materials listed in the infosheet, and consult OMAFRA Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Technical Advisors. All options are classed as Actions or Compensating Factors. Actions address the areas of concern identified, and will change the EFP rating to (3) or Best (4). Compensating Factors are alternatives that will adequately address the concerns, but will not change the rating in the EFP worksheets. At the request of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, consisting of Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, AGCare, and the Ontario Farm Animal Council, the following people contributed to the development of Worksheet #5 and reviewed Infosheet #5: Jim Myslik, OMAFRA (Chair) Michael Toombs, OMAFRA Raphael Sumabat, MCCR Brenton Gill, MCCR Tom Scott, MCCR Bob Stone, OMAFRA Peter Jeffery, OFA Technical Editing Committee: Brent Kennedy, OMAFRA Jim Myslik, OMAFRA Bob Stone, OMAFRA The following people contributed to the revision (2004) of Infosheet #5: Daniel Ward, OMAFRA (Co-Chair) Jim Myslik, OMAFRA (CO-Chair) Ann-Marie Barker, TSSA Peter Jeffery, OFA H. J. Smith, OMAFRA
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Technical Editing Committee: H. J. Smith, OMAFRA Jim Myslik, OMAFRA Bob Stone, OMAFRA OMAFRA = Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs TSSA = Technical Standards and Safety Authority MOE = Ontario Ministry of the Environment
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attention should be given to maintenance, management or water testing. The greater the separation distance, the greater the opportunity for the soil to filter the water before it reaches a well. The finer the texture of the soil, the slower the water moves through the soil, allowing more opportunity for filtering. There are legal implications. Minimum separation distances between fuel storage and the well are stated in the Liquid Fuels Handling Code and the Ontario Water Resources Act. Adherence to the legislation should have occurred at the time of well construction or fuel storage installation.
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it is able to contain 110% of the capacity of the fuel storage tank the dike bottom can be visually inspected for any leaks or spills all liquids are removed through the top (i.e., siphon or hand pump, etc.) and the sides are higher than the centre line of the fuel storage tank. Note: Fuel storage installed prior to September 1, 1993 may not have to be moved if the storage is in good condition and meets the remainder of the requirements of the Liquid Fuels Handling Code. However, the EFP rating does not change unless the fuel storage is moved. It is strongly recommended that the fuel storage tanks be moved an adequate distance away from the well. Any spill from a fuel storage tank that results in damage to ground water can have serious and costly legal repercussions. In order to meet the objectives of the Environmental Farm Plan, one of the three options must be selected. For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44
Issue: 5-5 Type of tank and external protection against corrosion - Above ground tanks
To avoid a spill or leak incident, it is extremely important to have an approved tank that will resist corrosion. The Liquid Fuels Handling Code requires the corrosion protection to be maintained. The Code states the type of tanks that are acceptable.
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Note: Tanks in place prior to September 1, 1993 can be considered acceptable but must be in good condition, i.e., no corrosion and designed for the purpose of fuel storage. The ULC identification is not a must for these tanks. If a commitment is made to maintain the corrosion protection, it can be accepted as a compensating factor. Any tanks replaced after this date, however, must be an approved tank (e.g., by ULC, CSA, cUL or an equivalent rating accepted by the Fuels Safety Program) - no exceptions. Option #2 - Action Use an approved fuel storage tank with corrosion protection, i.e., painted with rust inhibitor paint approved for application on steel: corrosion protection must be maintained fuel storage of materials other than steel are being developed and they must be approved by ULC, CSA or cUL. For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44
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**Heating oil tanks are permitted inside buildings provided the separation distance to a fuelfired appliance is met.
Remember that you take the responsibility should any damage result due to location of the storage tanks. Also, include in your future plans that when improvements are being made to the fuel storage, the distances will be met. This commitment is an acceptable compensating factor. **Note: For indoor heating oil tanks, clause 6.4.7 of CSA Standard B139 states: "a tank shall be located so that (b) the horizontal distance from the tank to any fuel-fired appliance, other than a combustible fuel-oil-driven internal combustion engine, shall not be less than 1.5m( 5ft), except when approved as part of an appliance " If two or more fuel tanks are placed within a dike, the separation distance between the tanks need only be separated enough to allow for visual inspection and maintenance. For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44
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tanks constructed and approved as self-contained tanks, i.e., manufactured with dike or a double wall tank, do not require additional diking dikes, if required, are to be installed as soon as possible
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if diked areas are open to the environment, accumulated water or product must be removed. Where the water is contaminated by fuel, the contaminated water must be taken to an acceptable treatment/disposal facility. Spills of fuel can be collected by means of special absorbency materials that absorb petroleum products roofs (weather shield) to keep rain out of the diked area are allowed. The entire structure must be built of non-combustible construction, e.g., steel. All sides must be left totally open for ventilation purposes. see monitoring options in #5-9 of this Infosheet. Option #2 - Action If a dike is not required, for maximum protection install a dike to contain leaks and spills: existing storage tanks (installed before September 1, 1993) with a capacity less than or equal to 5000 litres are not required to be diked by the Liquid Fuels Handling Code if they meet the 4 criteria on the left. The diked area should be constructed so that: it is liquid tight; it is able to contain 110% of the capacity of the fuel storage tank; the dike bottom can be visually inspected for any leaks or spills; all liquids are removed through the top (i.e., siphon or hand pump etc.); and the sides are higher than the centre line of the fuel storage tank
see monitoring options in #5-9 of this infosheet. Option #3 - Action If a dike is not required, install a spill containment area under the fuel storage tank(s) for leak detection and containment of small spills: existing storage tanks (installed before September 1, 1993) with a capacity less than or equal to 5000 litres are not required to be diked by the Liquid Fuels Handling Code provides leak detection and some level of spill containment as determined by the height of the sidewall or lip. Even though a storage tank may be exempt from the diking requirement of the legislation because of the date of installation, you should still give serious consideration to installing spill containment equivalent to a dike. Each situation is unique. a dike provides a much greater degree of spill protection see monitoring options in #5-9 & #5-10 of this infosheet to understand the impact of dikes and spill containment on monitoring requirements.
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For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44
Issue: 5-9 Monitoring - dike conforming to code is in place (above ground tanks)
The Liquid Fuels Handling Code requires all farmers to check their fuel storage on a regular basis to be able to prevent and identify any leaks. Some records of inspection should be kept for the life of the tank.
Issue: 5-10 Monitoring - No dikes conforming to the code in place (above ground tanks)
All farmers must check their fuel storage on a regular basis to be able to prevent and identify any leaks. Some form of records listing results of inspection should be kept for the life of the tank. (i.e. Field Pocket Guide, OMAFRA Publication #820). Note: Option #1 refers to a spill containment area. A minimum containment area is a concrete pad with a continuous two-inch (five-centimetre) lip around the perimeter. This containment area is not to be confused with a dike. The purpose of the containment area is for easier visual identification of a leak or spill and to provide a firm support for the tank. Tanks sitting directly on the ground often settle and touch the ground. Corrosion will likely occur and leaks may go undetected. The two-inch lip provides a small amount of containment for minor spills or leaks and gives a chance to clean them up. Much greater protection is provided with a dike.
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storage tank must be repaired or replaced. You are responsible to clear the containment area of any water and deal with any contaminants as indicated in #5-8 of this infosheet. Keep some record that inspection was completed: simply get in the habit of following the procedures. It is much easier to prevent a spill than to clean one up. Option #2 - Action If the fuel storage tank(s) are sitting on the ground or concrete pad without a two-inch (fivecentimetre) containment lip, the monitoring by the farmer should be done as required in the Liquid Fuels Handling Code and indicated in Question 10B of Worksheet #5. Records must be kept by the farmer for the life of the tanks: simply get in the habit of monitoring and recording the results all fuel storage tanks should be sitting on a solid firm base. Fuel storage tanks sitting directly on the ground without any other additional support i.e. concrete slabs, patio stones, etc. often settle into the ground over time and are subject to corrosion. Note: Pumps that are not of a quality that can be calibrated for accuracy on a regular basis should be considered to be "not metered" and fall into the twice-per-month monitoring requirement. Most farm fuel pumps are in this category. A metered pump is one that accurately measures volumes and is calibrated on a regular basis (e.g., pumps used at a service station). For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44
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Issue: 5-13 Type of tank and external protection against corrosion Underground tanks
Corrosion and leaks of underground tanks are not easily detected and special precautions are required. All underground fuel storages must be registered with the Fuels Safety Program, TSSA or be properly removed as required by the Fuels Safety Program, TSSA.
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1. the tank was properly emptied of fuel and washed 2. if the tank did not leak and the surrounding soil was not contaminated and 3. the tank was adequately filled with concrete.
However, abandoned tanks that were not properly decommissioned may be a safety hazard, resulting in a collapse of the surface above the tank. Filling with sand is no longer a recommended practice. For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44
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Issue: 5-19 Written emergency plan and cleanup equipment for spills
The Liquid Fuels Handling Code requires that an emergency plan is prepared and placed where it is readily available at the site. Readily available telephone numbers and instructions will greatly assist in dealing with a spill incident in an environmentally responsible manner.
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anyone on the farm who may use the fuel storage (spouse, hired labour, children, etc.) should know where the plan is and understand what is to be done if there is a spill. For More Information: Best Management Practices Book: Water Management, Order No. BMP 07, pp. 43-44 Who to talk to: TSSA, Fuels Safety Program (416) 734-3300 Note: The information contained within this infosheet was developed reflecting the legislation as laid out in Regulation 217/01 Liquid Fuels Handling Code and that of Regulation 903 the Water Resources Act.
For more information: Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300 Local: (519) 826-4047 E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
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