Frequently Asked Questions

At Hugh’s Mechanical equipment we manage your compliance testing and inspection program and ensure the right tests and inspections are performed at the right time. We will personally call and schedule your compliance testing and inspections before your deadline, so you don’t have to worry.

Having an Automatic Tank Gauge (ATG) is a helpful step in meeting your compliance requirements, there is more to release detection than just having the equipment in place. You must continuously monitor and maintain your ATG and secure records from it to be in full compliance. It is up to you to make sure the ATG is programmed and the tests are running and passing the way they are supposed to. Performing third party ATG Inspections will insure your ATG is operating correctly and your meeting release detection requirements.

You must be able to determine at least every 30 days whether or not your tank and piping are leaking by using proper release detection methods. Your release detection method must be able to detect a release from any portion of the tank and connected underground piping that routinely contains product. Release detection must be installed, calibrated, operated, and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Yes, underground storage tanks are regulated separately from aboveground storage tanks. Your State may also have different regulations than your neighbors; check your regulations governing both underground and aboveground storage tanks using our resources page or contacting us

There are recommended practices, for adding supplemental anodes. First basic testing and troubleshooting should give you a fairly good idea of what’s going on at your site. Based on the test results, it may be possible to retrofit the tank with supplemental anodes. Keep in mind that you must follow all state and local regulations when doing this type of work.

Cathodic protection testing is not an indication of whether or not the tank is tight. Cathodic protection testing only measures whether or not the cp system meets the required minimum readings. Monthly monitoring, leak detection and tightness tests must be performed to verify that a tank is tight.

Stage II testing in Connecticut is required to be conducted every 3 years.

Please call or email us to answer all the specific details of compliance testing in your state or go to our resources page and click on your state for local regulations.

If possible, you should always remove your tank. With the tank out of the ground, it will give you peace of mind. With the tank on the property, it will always be seen as an environmental liability by others. In some instances you may have to leave the tank in the ground, due to structural or tank location problems. For more information on deciding to remove or fill your UST please contact Hugh’s Mechanical Equipment.

Hugh’s Mechanical Equipment works with companies of all sizes throughout New England. We have a relentless commitment to guarantee every customer the highest quality of technical field service possible.

No, our equipment will not harm your underground storage tank. Years ago, many companies used air pressure testing as a means to evaluate underground tank systems. This type of testing could potentially damage the tank and associated piping. Today, strict pressure testing is not an approved test method in most states.

No. All facilities having at least 1 active regulated UST must have at least one Class A, Class B, and Class C operator designated for that facility.

Federal law mandated this new requirement. The US Energy Policy Act (Energy Act) signed by President George W. Bush on August 8, 2005 requires all States that receive federal grant money for their UST programs to ensure that all operators of UST systems demonstrate competency on how to comply with UST rules so environmental releases can be prevented.

If you are a current UST operator, training must be completed before August 8, 2012. After August 8, 2012, Class A and Class B Operators must be trained within 30 days of assuming operation and maintenance responsibilities for the UST system. Class C Operators must be trained before assuming responsibility for responding to emergencies.

No. The Class A and/or B do not have to be on site at all times; however, there must be a Class C operator on site during all hours of operation unless the facility has been designated as an unmanned facility. However, in the case of an unmanned facility , a Class C Operator must be available at all times to respond immediately to calls from the facility and must be capable of reaching the facility within 60 minutes.

Stage I vapor recovery is used during the refueling of gasoline storage tanks to reduce hydrocarbon emissions or VOC’s into the environment. Vapors in the tank, which are displaced by the incoming gasoline, are routed through a hose into the cargo tanker, instead of being vented to the environment. There are two types of Stage I systems, Dual point and Coaxial.

A pressure vacuum vent cap, also known as a PV vent cap, is a pressure release device designed to minimize vapor loss while maintaining a safe pressure differential within the gasoline storage tank.

Stage 1 testing depends on the sites monthly throughput and whether they are already in compliance with Federal and State Stage I system Regulations. Sites with a monthly through put of 10,000 gallons or more are required comply with all stage 1 regulations and testing.

When PV vent caps are installed at dispensing facilities, the owner or operator shall pressure test and vacuum test the vent cap as part of the next stage 1 system test. In addition to PV vent cap testing, the new regulations also require pressure decay testing, drop tube length inspection and verification.