Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Photo: man refueling car at gas stationNew Gas Station Rules

 

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Testing

Technicians/Contractors

 

GENERAL

Who is affected by the rule change?

Gas station owners and operators who pump 200,000 gallons a year or more and all gas station testers and installers in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.


Are the new rules in effect now?

Yes. The new rules took effect on September 1, 2011. 


How do the new rules affect gas station owners and operators?

  • Reduces station operator inspection requirements.
    • Nozzles and hoses must be checked on a regular basis for visible gasoline leaks, according to the operations-and-maintenance plans that station owners must maintain for their facilities, but daily logs are no longer required.
  • Eliminates station operator training requirements.
    • Station operators only need to ensure that their employees understand their responsibility for regular checks of nozzles and hoses for visibile gasoline leaks.
  • Increases equipment testing frequency.
    • This ensures that equipment performance issues will be identified more quickly, resulting in cost savings from reduced vapor and gas leaks, and enhanced employee and customer safety.
  • Requires hiring trained technicians who are certified to conduct equipment tests.
    • This ensures that testing and repairs are done by highly-skilled and qualified technicians, saving station owners and operators staff time and training costs and reducing equipment failures and related violations, which can result in penalties up to $2,000.
  • Clarifies which equipment modifications will trigger requirements for upgrades.

This is just a summary of key elements of the new rules.  All station owners and operators must still be familiar with the complete set of the new rules (PDF 0.1MB).

 

What is an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plan for gas stations?

Under the new gas station rules, gas stations are required to develop and maintain an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) plan according to the Agency’s Regulation I, Section 5.05(c) (PDF).

An O&M plan for gas stations can be as simple as a checklist showing when the periodic inspections for gasoline leaks from hoses and nozzles are completed and any corrective action (repair) taken. Here is an example of a checklist/log (PDF). Others have used a calendar. The checklist must be available upon request by an Agency inspector.

The O&M plan should also include a simple statement of how the station will complete the required compliance tests in a timely manner. Some stations set a regular testing schedule (e.g., every December) or schedule the test(s) when it is required to be done.

 

Will the Clean Air Agency still inspect gas stations?

Yes. We may inspect your station, but we are less likely to do so if we have your passing tests on file and your registration fees are paid on time.

 

Why am I being required to complete training and be certified?

This is not a requirement of the Clean Air Agency.  The Department of Ecology is requiring all operators complete Underground Storage Tank Operator training by August 8, 2012. For more information, visit Ecology.


TESTING

What are the additional tests?

  • All stations need to have a pressure-decay test every six months. 
  • Stations with vapor-balance systems need to have a complete set of tests every year instead of every other year.
  • A tank torque test must be included in the complete set of annual tests.
  • All new or replacement Stage One equipment installations will need a specified set of tests prior to operation.


How much will the additional tests cost?

Costs may vary. Contact a certified technician for test costs.


When do I schedule the additional tests?

You can contact a technician to help you determine when your station will need to complete the additional tests. You may also try our online Testing Schedule Calculator. Just enter your last test date to determine when to schedule the next compliance test(s).


Can I resume full operations at my station if any of the tests fail? 

No. If the defective equipment cannot be repaired by the close of the next business day following the failed compliance test, you must stop receiving and/or dispensing gasoline from the defective equipment until it is repaired and retested, and passes all required compliance tests.

 

How long will I need to keep test reports?

Test reports are required to be kept on site for two years from the test date.

 

Who is responsible for notifying the Clean Air Agency that the testing was completed?

The tester is required to submit a pass/fail test to the agency within two days after the test.  The station owner or operator is required to keep copies of test reports on-site for two years from the dates of the tests.


TECHNCIANS/CONTRACTORS

Why am I required to hire technicians who are certified?

Only technicians who have passed the certification exams are permitted to conduct equipment tests and do new equipment installations in the Puget Sound region. This ensures that testing and repairs are done by highly-skilled and qualified technicians, saving station owners and operators staff time and training costs and reducing equipment failures.

 

Where can I find a list of certified technicians who are registered with the Clean Air Agency?

Click here for a list of certified testers and installers.

 

What happens if a testing technician is not certified as required by the Clean Air Agency?

A tester who claims to be certified but is not may be fined by the Clean Air Agency. Ultimately, you, the gas station owner/operator, are responsible for hiring a certified technician. Always ask a technician for his or her certification card to ensure it is valid.