310 CMR 80.03
Definitions
For the purposes of 310 CMR 80.00, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Abandoned means an UST system that is not in operation for a continuous period of at least one
year and is not temporarily out-of-service in accordance with 310 CMR 80.42 and is not in full
compliance with the applicable requirements of 310 CMR 80.00.
Airport Hydrant Fuel Distribution System (also called airport hydrant system) means an UST
system which supplies fuel to aircraft and operates under high pressure with large diameter
piping that typically terminates into one or more hydrants (fill stands). The airport hydrant
system begins where fuel enters one or more tanks from an external source such as a pipeline,
barge, rail car, or other fuel carrier.
Automatic Line Leak Detector means a mechanical or electronic device, but not a sump sensor,
designed to detect regulated substance or pressure losses in a pressurized product line of a
pressurized pumping system and that automatically restricts or shuts off flow in a pressurized
piping system. All automatic line leak detectors shall be able to detect a leak of three gallons per
hour at one pound per square inch line pressure within one hour with a 95% probability of
detection and a 5% probability of false alarm. At UST facilities that are staffed 24 hours per day,
seven days per week, 365 days per year, an automatic line leak detector may be a continuous
alarm that alerts staff when there is regulated substance or pressure loss in a pressurized product
line of a pressurized pumping system.
Business Day means a day of the week that the Department is open for business.
Cathodic Protection or Cathodic Protection System means a technique which inhibits the
corrosion of a UST system either through sacrificial or galvanic anode or impressed current.
Cathodic Protection Tester means a person who is certified as follows:
(a) Certified at least at level CP1 - Cathodic Protection Tester by NACE: The Corrosion
Society; or
(b) Certified as a Cathodic Protection Tester by the Steel Tank Institute (STI); or
(c) Certified in the UST Cathodic Protection category by the International Code Council
(ICC).
CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
Certified UST System Tightness Tester means a person certified by the manufacturer of the
testing equipment to test UST systems using only the testing equipment on which they are
certified.
Change-in-product means changing the type of product in a UST system from a regulated
substance to another regulated substance or to a non-regulated substance. Changing from one
grade of gasoline to a different grade of gasoline is not a change-in-product.
Commissioner means Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.
Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Compatible means that two or more substances maintain their respective physical and chemical
properties upon contact with one another under conditions encountered within or around an
underground storage tank system for the design life of that system.
Consumptive Use means storing fuel oil exclusively for area heating and/or the heating of
domestic water on the premises where stored. Waste oil used for heating is not considered
consumptive use.
Continuous Monitoring means the use of a device capable of automatic, uninterrupted and
unattended surveillance.
Corrosion Expert means a person who is accredited or certified as being qualified by NACE
International as a Cathodic Protection Specialist or Corrosion Specialist. The corrosion expert
shall follow applicable NACE International criteria.
Corrosion Protection means the use of a technology, material, or method of construction to
prevent any metallic component of a UST system from corroding (e.g., cathodic protection or
the use of fiberglass-reinforced plastic or other polymer resins when constructing tanks or
piping).
Department means Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Dispenser Sump means an impermeable, liquid-tight basin installed beneath a regulated
substance dispenser to contain leakage of regulated substance from the dispenser connections
and piping.
Double-walled means a container or pipe with two complete shells which provide primary and
secondary containment. The container shall have a continuous interstitial space between the
primary and secondary shell.
Emergency Spill or Overflow Containment UST System means a tank used solely to contain
accidental spills of a regulated substance which are unanticipated and unpredictable.
Emergency Engine means any stationary internal combustion engine which operates as an
emergency or standby mechanical or electrical power source. A load shaving unit, peaking
power production unit or a standby engine in an energy assistance program is not an emergency
or standby engine under Emergency Engine.
Empty or Emptied means when all regulated substance has been removed from a tank using
commonly employed practices so that no more than 2.5 centimeters (one inch) of residue, or
0.3% by weight of the total capacity of the tank, remains in the tank.
European Suction System means an underground suction piping system which is sloped back to
the tank and is equipped with only one check valve that is installed immediately below the pump
so that the contents of the piping will drain back into the tank if there is a breach in the piping
and the suction is released.
Farm means an operation engaged in Agriculture or Farming as defined in M.G.L. c. 128, § 1A.
Field-constructed Tank means an underground tank primarily fabricated and/or constructed on-
site.
Flow-through Process Tank means a tank that forms an integral part of a production process
through which there is a steady, variable, recurring, or intermittent flow of materials during the
operations of the process. Flow-through process tanks do not include tanks used for the storage
of materials prior to their introduction into the production process or for the storage of finished
products or by-products from the production process.
Fuel Oil means any hydrocarbon oil as specified by the American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM) Standard D396 90, Specification for Fuel Oil.
Hazardous Substances means regulated substances as defined in § 101(14) of CERCLA and
40 CFR Part 302. (Hazardous Substances does not include any substance regulated as a
hazardous waste under Subtitle C of RCRA and 40 CFR Part 261).
Hydraulic Lift Tank means a tank holding hydraulic fluid for a closed-loop mechanical system
that uses compressed air or hydraulic fluid to operate lifts, elevators, and other similar devices
or equipment.
Intermediate Sump means an impermeable, liquid-tight basin, installed below grade to allow
access to fittings and regulated substance piping or that is used to allow piping declines to tanks
or to provide access at key points in the piping system. Intermediate Sumps shall be designed
to cotain leakage of regulated substance and fluids and prevent a release into the environment.
Intermediate Sumps do not include sumps that have only a single-walled siphon bars with no
connections within the sump or only contain a European suction system, or sumps that do not
contain any regulated substance piping connections.
Interstitial Monitoring means the continuous surveillance of the space between the walls of a
double-walled tank or double-walled piping.
Interstitial Space means the space between the primary and secondary barriers of a secondarily
contained system (e.g., the space between the two walls of a double-wall tank).
Leakage means the escape of regulated substance from a UST system into a UST component not
intended to store regulated substance including, but not limited to, interstitial spaces, a turbine
sump, intermediate and dispenser sumps and containment areas.
Leak Detection means determining whether a release or leakage of a regulated substance has
occurred from the UST system.
Lining or Lined means a liquid-tight non-corrodible material that is bonded firmly to the interior
surface of a tank and that is compatible with any regulated substance stored in the tank.
Listed if referring to equipment or materials means a list published by a nationally recognized
organization, including, but not limited to American Petroleum Institute (API), Steel Tank
Institute (STI), Petroleum Engineering Institute (PEI), Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and
NACE: The Corrosion Society concerned with product evaluation, that maintains periodic
inspection of production of listed equipment or materials and whose listing states either that
equipment or materials meet appropriate standards or have been tested and found suitable for use
in a specific manner.
Manufacturer's Specifications mean information provided or prescribed by the manufacturer of
a UST system or UST component including, but not limited to, manuals, instructions, checklists,
testing requirements and maintenance requirements.
Monitoring Device means an instrument that checks and keeps data and issues alerts and alarms.
NACE means NACE International, a globally recognized authority on corrosion control
solutions.
Non-European Suction System means a piping system that conveys regulated substance under
suction with a check valve in or at the top of the tank located so that the regulated substance
stays in the line when the suction is released.
Operator means:
(a) In the case of a UST system in use on November 8, 1984, or brought into use after that
date, any person in control of, or having responsibility for, the daily operation of a UST
system used for the storage, use, or dispensing of regulated substances; or
(b) In the case of any UST system in use before November 8, 1984, but not in use at any
time on or after that date, any person who owns the land on or in which such tank is or was
located.
Owner means:
(a) In the case of a UST system in use on November 8, 1984, or brought into use after that
date, any person who owns a UST system used for the storage, use, or dispensing of
regulated substances; or
(b) In the case of any UST system in use before November 8, 1984, but not in use at any
time on or after that date, any person who owned such tank immediately before the
discontinuance of such use.
Person means any individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, corporation (including a
government corporation), partnership, association, the United States Government, state,
municipality, commission, political subdivision of a state, interstate body, consortium, joint
venture or commercial entity.
Pipe, Piping or Line means the hollow cylinder or the tubular conduit that is constructed of
non-earthen materials.
Pressurized Piping System means a pressurized line system in which regulated substances are
supplied to a point away from the tank by means of a pumping unit.
P.S.I. means pounds per square inch.
Prior to Commencing Operation means before the UST system or UST component is used for
its intended purpose after installation or repair, or after being temporarily out-of-service.
RCRA means the Solid Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., as revised by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, Pub. L. 94-580, 90 Stat. 2795 (1976).
Red Tag means a tag, device or mechanism affixed on the UST systems' fill pipes by the
Department that clearly identifies a tank as ineligible for regulated substance delivery.
Regulated Substance means:
(a) Any substance defined in § 101(14) of CERLA. Regulated substance also includes
waste oil, but does not include any other substance regulated as a hazardous waste under
M.G.L. c. 21C; and
(b) Petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof which is liquid at standard
conditions of temperature and pressure (60̊ F and 14.7 p.s.i. absolute).
Regulated Substance Deliverer means any person who delivers or deposits regulated substance
into a UST system. Regulated Substance Deliverer includes, but is not limited to, oil companies,
jobbers, petroleum transportation companies, or other product delivery entities.
Regulated Substance Piping means piping that conveys regulated substance.
Release means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching, or disposing from
a UST system or UST component into the ground water, surface water, surface soil or subsurface
soil.
Repair means any modification to the UST system or a UST component that is not routine
maintenance including, but not limited to, modifications to the UST system or a UST component
that has failed to function properly or has caused a release or leakage, and that restores the UST
system to proper operating condition.
Replace or Replacement means the removal of existing tank or piping or an existing UST
component and installation of another tank, piping or UST component. If part of the piping is
being replaced, "replace" or "replacement" means removal and installation of more than 50% of
the piping connected to a single UST system.
Residential means buildings or dwellings used primarily for human habitation, but not industrial
and commercial structures.
Routine Maintenance means the normal operational upkeep of an UST system or UST
component.
Secondary Containment means a release prevention system for a tank and/or piping where the
tank and/or piping have an inner and outer barrier with a space in-between these two barriers for
monitoring. Lining a tank or piping shall not constitute secondary containment.
Septic Tank means a watertight receptacle to receive sewage from a building sewer which is
designed and constructed to allow for the separation of scum and sludge and the partial digestion
of organic matter before discharge of the liquid portion to a soil absorption system or other
intermediate structure in the treatment sequence.
Shear, Crash or Impact Valve means a listed, rigidly-anchored valve incorporating a fusible link
or other thermally actuated device designed to close automatically in the event of a severe impact
or exposure to fire.
Siphon Line means regulated substance piping that connects two tanks and is used to draw
regulated substance from one tank into the other to maintain equal levels of regulated substance
in each tank.
Spill Bucket means a containment device at the fill port used to catch, accumulate and prevent
the release of regulated substance to the environment.
Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) means a process of evaluating the various sources of
errors present in daily inventory records and capable of detecting a release or leakage from the
UST system, including associated piping, of 0.20 gallons per hour with the probability of
detection of 0.95 and probability of false alarm of 0.05 as determined by an independent testing
laboratory using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standardized test procedures at
EPA 510-B-1-004, May 2019 or equivalent.
Storm Water or Wastewater Collection System means tank, piping, pumps, conduits, and any
other equipment necessary to collect and transport the flow of surface water run-off resulting
from precipitation, or domestic, commercial, or industrial wastewater to and from retention areas
or any areas where treatment is designated to occur. The collection of storm water and
wastewater does not include treatment except where incidental to conveyance.
Surface Impoundment means a natural topographic depression, man-made excavation, or diked
area formed primarily of earthen materials (although it may be lined with man-made materials)
that is not an injection well.
Tank means an underground structure that contains regulated substance. Tank shall not include
any of the following:
(a) Any septic tank;
(b) Any pipeline facility, including gathering lines, which is regulated under:
1. the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968;
2. the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979;
(c) Any surface impoundment, pit, pond, or lagoon;
(d) Any storm water or waste water collection system;
(e) Any flow through process tank;
(f) Any liquid trap or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and
gathering operations; or
(g) Any storage tank situated in an underground area, including without limitation, a
basement, cellar, or mineworking drift, shaft or tunnel, if the storage tank is situated upon
or above the surface of the floor, and all sides of the tank are accessible and visible.
Temporarily Out-of-service means the temporary closure of a UST system for not more than five
years that occurs when the UST system has been prepared for temporary closure and is
maintained during such temporary closure in accordance with 310 CMR 80.42(4) and the Owner
informs the Department of the temporary closure in accordance with 310 CMR 80.42(2).
Third-party Inspector means an individual certified to conduct third-party inspections in
accordance with 310 CMR 80.49(4).
Third-party Inspection Report means the report prepared by the Third-party Inspector after
completion of the third-party inspection in accordance with 310 CMR 80.49(2).
Turbine Sump means an impermeable, liquid-tight basin that contains a submersible pump
installed below grade to allow access to piping, pumps, fittings and valves or to collect leakage
of regulated substance to prevent its introduction into the environment.
UST Component means equipment serving the tank and piping (UST system) including, but not
limited to, pumps, sumps, electrical devices, consoles, cathodic protection system, leak detection
system, spill prevention equipment and overfill prevention equipment.
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Facility or Facility means the property on which one or more
UST systems, associated UST components, and related above-ground structures are located.
Underground Storage Tank (UST) System means any one or combination of tanks including,
without limitation, underground pipes connected thereto, and any containment system that is or
was used to contain regulated substance, or is temporarily out-of-service, and the volume of
which, including the volume of underground pipes connected thereto, is 10% or more beneath
the surface of the ground. Underground Storage Tank (UST) System shall not include any of the
following tanks or any pipes connected to any of the following:
(a) Any septic tank;
(b) Any pipeline facility, including gathering lines, which is regulated under 49 U.S.C.
c. 601; or
(c) Any surface impoundment, pit, pond, or lagoon; or
(d) Any storm water or waste-water collection system; or
(e) Any flow through process tank; or
(f) Any liquid trap or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and
gathering operations; or
(g) Any storage tank situated in an underground area including, without limitation, a
basement, cellar, or mineworking drift, shaft or tunnel, if the storage tank is situated upon
or above the surface of the floor, and all sides of the tank are accessible and visible.
UST Facility Compliance Date means the triennial date by which an Owner or Operator shall
ensure that a third-party inspection is completed and the third-party inspection report is
submitted to the Department, as further defined in 310 CMR 80.49.
Waste Oil means used or unused waste oil (or any mixture thereof) that is not otherwise
hazardous pursuant to 310 CMR 30.120 through 30.136, except that used waste oil with a flash
point greater than or equal to 100̊ F and less than 140̊ F (solely through use) remains subject to
regulation as used waste oil under 310 CMR 30.000: Hazardous Waste.