Underground Storage Tank Program

UST Inspection, Enforcement and Plan Check

• The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program administers and enforces Federal and State laws and regulations and local ordinances for the construction/installation, modification, upgrade, and removal of USTs in the City of Los Angeles

• Implemented by Inspectors from the Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau
  
  1) Annual inspection of Underground Storage Tanks, monitoring equipment and tank records
  
  2) Plan Check and inspection for tank installations, modifications and removals
  
  3) Oversight of “soils-only” contamination cases

REGULATORY BACKGROUND

The Fire Department regulates the construction, operation, repair and removals of underground storage tank (UST) systems. Recent State regulatory changes require additional testing and more frequent inspections at UST facilities.  These new regulations require close coordination between inspectors, contractors and the regulated community.  The Fire Department assumed responsibilities for UST Programs in 1983.

INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT

Annual facility inspections are mandated by State law and are performed by Fire Department Inspectors.  These inspectors coordinate with UST facilities to schedule inspections when appropriate technical staff is available to inspect monitoring systems and other tank components.

PLAN CHECK AND INSPECTION FOR TANK MODIFICATIONS

Plans for installation, modification and removal of USTs are reviewed by Inspectors at the City’s Construction Service Center at 201 N. Figueroa St. located on the 3^rd Floor.  Following approval of plans, periodic field inspections are scheduled to complete the construction project.

SITE ASSESSMENT

Soil sampling is conducted during many UST procedures and the results of those sampling activities may initiate the Site Assessment process.  Contaminated sites are tracked to ensure clean-up and remediation efforts are completed.  The Fire Department refers sites with groundwater contamination to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control District.

MORE INFORMATION

Unified Program Information – Information and downloadable forms for the Unified Program

Certificate of Financial Responsibility (PDF 116.99KB)

California Fire Code Section – Landowner Notification (PDF 72.60KB)

Hazardous Material Categories and Disclosure Amount (PDF116.99KB)

LAFD Requirement 41 – UST Tank Abandonment (PDF 251.03KB)

Unified Program Permit Package (Includes all sections DOC 2.70MB)

Unified Program Permit Package (Includes all sections ZIP 1.23MB)

Unified Program Permit Package – Intro (DOC 1.9MB)

Unified Program Permit Package – Intro (ZIP 1.10MB)

Unified Program Permit Package – Section 1 (DOC 191KB)

Unified Program Permit Package – Section 2 (DOC 219KB)

Unified Program Permit Package – Section 3 (DOC 278KB)

Unified Program Permit Package – Section 4 (DOC 647KB)

Underground Storage Tank Installation Checklist (PDF 167KB)

Site Assessment Information – Guidelines for Site Assessment documents and reports.

UST Site Assessment - Report General Guidelines

UST Site Assessment - Report Content Guide

UST Site Assessment - Workplan Content Guide

Division 5 Permit Application - Required for installation, add/to alter, and removal of Underground Storage Tanks.

Division 5 Permit Application for Underground Tanks and Associated Systems
 

LAFD Underground Tanks Request for Fire Prevention Records Guidelines - Please use this form to request any file search for UNDERGROUND TANKS ONLY. If no files are found we will fax this form back to you with a stamp “NO FILE FOUND”. If there is a file, you will be called to set up an appointment to come in and review the file(s). Please remember only five (5) requests per person/company, per day. PLEASE GIVE US 4 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS TO HONOR YOUR REQUEST.

Request for Fire Prevention Records (PDF 84KB)