Since its inception in 1997, the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) has embraced its role of being the recognized authority for delivering public safety programs and services in the province of Ontario, Canada. As part of these activities, the TSSA created the Fuels Safety Program in early 2000, which governs and provides fuel-related safety services associated with the safe transportation, storage, handling and use of fuels. Several years later, the TSSA adopted the Liquid Fuels Handling Code 2007 (LFHC). The LFHC regulates the storage and handling of gasoline and associated products, while protecting the public, the environment and property from fuel-related hazards like spills, fires and explosions.
One of the most recent LFHC regulations to take center stage concerns the monitoring of containment sumps. This regulation mandates that as of June 1, 2013, all under-dispenser sumps and dispenser pans must be electronically monitored by tank-gauging systems. Specifically, the LFHC includes the following requirements for monitoring of sumps:
- "4.5.2.6 – All sumps where product can collect shall be electronically monitored as of June 1, 2013."
- "4.5.2.6 – An under-dispenser sump shall be leak tight and equipped with a liquid sensor that will signal the attendant and shut down the dispenser when any product or high level of liquid is present in the sump."
- "4.6.8 – The sensor in submersible-pump and dispenser sumps shall be located below the lowest side opening in the sump."
Adopted from the National Fire Code of Canada, these regulations will assist in the early detection and prevention of fuel leaks. The early detection and prevention of leaks plays an important role in avoiding environmental and safety hazards, while protecting valuable fuel product that equates to potential profits.
Every new regulation presents challenges. When it comes to being in compliance with LFHC regulations, leak-detection equipment manufacturers, like OPW Fuel Management Systems, have developed electronic tank-gauging monitoring systems that have been designed to provide complete tank monitoring, inventory management and environmental compliance testing. Many tank gauges can be programmed to perform daily, weekly, monthly or annually required leak tests. Once programmed, the system will automatically perform a static leak test without operator intervention. If a leak is found during testing, the tank gauge can then automatically fax or email alarms to the site operator. Tank gauges can also be programmed to instantly shut down any dispensers operating if liquids are detected within the containment sump.
To learn more about OPW, contact your local OPW Sales Representative or OPW Distributor.