Process for Removal/Abandonment In Place

The Olympia Fire Department does require a permit for removal or abandonment of an underground oil tank.

Underground tanks shall be abandoned in accordance with the International Fire Code 2003 Edition, Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Section 3404.2.13 and 3404.2.14.

Reporting of Unauthorized Releases are covered in the International Fire Code 2003 Edition, Section 3403.3 and 3403.4.

The state standards are contained in the Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup Standards (Chapter 173-340 WAC). Home heating oil tanks are exempt from state and federal regulations, but there is no exemption from the cleanup regulations, nor is there an exemption from liability or responsibility for any future problems which might occur. The Fire Code does not exempt residential heating oil tanks from proper decommissioning (removal or abandonment in place). 

In all cases of removal of the tank or abandonment in place, the following shall apply:

1. A permit is required through the City of Olympia.
   
2. Plans shall be submitted at the Smith Building, 837 7th Avenue SE to include:
   
   • Three drawings of location of tank in respect to the house and property lines (dimensions required).
     
   • Location of residence - address.
     
   • A request to either remove or abandon the tank. All applications for abandonment will be inspected by the Fire Marshal's office to see if there will be structural damage by removal of the tank. (Only the Fire Marshal's office can determine if the tank can be abandoned in place).
   
   
3. Plans submitted are subject to approval with conditions.
   
4. A minumum of two soil samples taken from the bottom ends of the tank are required.
   
   
   • All project required test results to be forwarded to the Fire Marshal's office.
     
   • If the results of the test indicate that the soil samples are greater than 200 parts per million, a letter is to be forwarded to the Department of Ecology informing them of the results of the unauthorized release.
     
     The letter is to be sent to:
     
     Department of Ecology
     Southwest Regional Office
     Toxic Cleanup Program
     PO Box 4775
     Olympia, WA 98504-7775
   
   
5. All project test results are to be forwarded to the Olympia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office:
   
              Fire Marshal's Office
              Olympia Fire Department
              100 Eastside Street NE
              Olympia, WA 98506
   
6. Site inspection(s) will be required on all projects:
   
   Abandonment In Place

• If the request is for abandonment in place, an initial site inspection will be required prior to the start of any work.
  
• A second site inspection will be required to see if the tank has been properly cleaned. The tank cannot be slurry filled until the site inspection has taken place.
  
• Documentation of proper cleaning and disposal of tank contents required.
  
• Once the tank has been filled, inspection will be required prior to backfilling or covering.
  
• Submittal of proper documentation required prior to signing of permit card.

• Site inspection required when tank has been removed and prior to backfilling of hole.
  
• Documentation of proper disposal of tank required.
  
• Documentation of proper cleaning and disposal of tank contents required.
  
• Submittal of proper documentation required prior to signing of permit card.

The above mentioned permit process does not insure the occupant/owner that the site is a decontaminated site. It only insures that the site had the tank properly decomissioned which meets the International Fire Code requirements and that the reporting of the soil test results meet the Model Toxics Control Act.