PEI Class 7 Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Spill bucket capacity

A spill bucket must be liquid-tight and hold at least 5 gallons at the fill pipe. It catches product spilled during delivery and must be tested for tightness at installation and on the state-required schedule.

Overfill ball-float valve

A drop-tube overfill device that floats and closes the fill path when product reaches about 90% of tank capacity. It must be inspected and tested per the manufacturer's instructions.

0.1 gph leak rate

The standard leak detection threshold for USTs and piping. ATG and tightness tests must detect a 0.1 gallon-per-hour leak with 95% probability of detection and 5% false alarm rate.

3.0 gph line test

An annual line leak detector test that verifies the detector can identify a 3.0 gallon-per-hour leak. It is one of the accepted line leak detection methods under 40 CFR 280.43.

Interstitial monitoring

Monitoring the space between the primary and secondary containment of a tank or pipe. A liquid sensor or vacuum/pressure monitor detects product in the annular space and triggers an alarm.

Inventory variance rule

Manual inventory control compares stick readings with dispensed volume. A variance greater than 1% of throughput plus 130 gallons triggers an investigation for a possible release.

SIR leak detection

Statistical Inventory Reconciliation analyzes inventory and dispensing data to detect a 0.1 gph leak. The method must be site-specific and validated by the vendor or state.

ATG quiet period

Automatic tank gauging tests must run when no product is being dispensed, so tank level changes reflect only leaks. Dispensing during a test invalidates the result.

Sump hydrostatic test

Fill the sump with water above the highest expected liquid level, mark the level, and observe for the specified hold time. A drop or visible leak indicates a failed sump.

Sump sensor placement

The liquid sensor must sit at the lowest point of the sump so it detects small accumulations. A sensor set too high misses leaks and defeats secondary containment monitoring.

Sump penetration boot

A flexible seal where piping or conduit enters a sump wall. It must be sealed liquid-tight; an unsealed boot lets product escape secondary containment and is a common finding.

Piping bend radius

The minimum radius a flexible pipe can bend without kinking. Exceeding it causes permeability failures and is a common inspection reject. Always follow the manufacturer's limit.

Line slope to tank

Pressurized supply lines should slope back to the tank or sump so product drains and line leak detection works. Vapor recovery lines slope toward the tank or riser.

Fusion pipe joint

A heat-fused joint for HDPE or FRP piping that is stronger than the pipe itself. Fusion requires the correct temperature, pressure, and cooling time per the manufacturer's spec.

Secondary-contained piping

Double-wall piping with an interstitial space that must be monitored. A liquid sensor in the sump or vacuum/pressure monitoring detects a leak in the primary pipe.

Cathodic protection reading

A structure-to-soil potential of at least -850 mV (Cu/CuSO4) indicates adequate cathodic protection for steel tanks and piping. Record readings at each test station.

Tank bedding and backfill

Place specified bedding and backfill in lifts, keep heavy equipment off the tank, and use hold-down straps in high-water areas. Backfill per the drawings and manufacturer's instructions.

Piping pressure test

Test piping at the manufacturer's pressure and hold time before backfill. Record gauge readings, ambient temperature, and duration; a failed test means repair and retest.

Tank tightness test

A test that detects a 0.1 gph leak, conducted after installation and before product is introduced. Results are recorded and retained for at least 3 years.

As-built records

Documentation of tank and piping locations, depths, materials, and test results. Keep as-builts for the life of the system plus the required retention period.

Confined space entry

Sump and tank entry requires a permit, atmospheric testing, an attendant, and a rescue plan under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146. Fuel vapors are heavier than air and collect at the bottom.

Gasoline LEL

The lower explosive limit for gasoline vapor is about 1.4% by volume in air. Meter the atmosphere before entry and bond/ground equipment before any transfer.

Release reporting timeline

A suspected release must be reported within 24 hours under 40 CFR 280.50. Spills and overfills with no free product and no contamination may be logged and investigated per 280.53.

Corrosion protection options

Coated-and-cathodically-protected steel, STI-P3 type tanks, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, or cathodic protection with sacrificial anodes or impressed current. Required on new and replaced USTs.

Vent line requirements

Vent lines must be unobstructed, slope back to the tank, and have a pressure/vacuum vent or vent cap. A blocked vent causes tank pressure and dispenser shutdowns.

Drop tube depth

The drop tube should reach within about 6 inches of the tank bottom. A short drop tube causes turbulence and static during delivery and can damage the tank.

Manway torque spec

Manway, gasket, and bung bolts must be torqued to the manufacturer's specification. Over-torquing cracks composite tanks; under-torquing causes leaks at the fitting.

Working tank capacity

Working capacity is about 90% of tank volume, the level at which overfill protection stops flow. Some systems set the overfill alarm at 95% of capacity.

STI-P3 tank

A steel tank with a dielectric coating, sacrificial anodes, and a test station. Anode readings and coating condition must be checked at each inspection to confirm protection.

Spill bucket drain valve

The valve that drains the spill bucket into the tank. It must be closed during delivery and opened only after the bucket is emptied; a stuck-open valve bypasses containment.

Sensor alarm response

A sensor alarm must be investigated and logged. Verify the alarm and normal conditions with the manufacturer's test method and record the date, tester, and result.

Stage II vapor recovery

A system that captures displaced vapors at the dispenser and returns them to the tank. Lines must be liquid-tight and tested; a liquid trap causes tank pressure and shutdowns.