Hopefully, your latest underground Oil Tank Inspection In New Jersey was not too long ago and, hopefully, you kept the record. Insurance companies; along with possible buyers for your property and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) take oil tank inspections seriously.
It was on America’s first official Earth Day in April 1970 that New Jersey became the third State to combine all its environmental activities into one agency – the NJDEP – which is responsible for all conservation matters along with anything relating to environmental protection. Whether pressurized or not; whether containing liquid or gas; all tanks are considered potential pressure vessels and potentially hazardous. Anything potentially hazardous comes under the purview of the NJDEP who require it to be regularly inspected and given clearance for use.
But, It’s Underground
Actually, that might be all that you know about it! Somewhere along your driveway; there will be a pipe manifold for the oil delivery truck to connect to and pump in a new supply of fuel oil; somewhere near your furnace; the pipes bringing in the oil from the storage tank will be visible. Somewhere outside; underneath your yard; lies the tank; if it’s not been accurately mapped (including the paths of the buried pipes) and correlated with the installation engineering drawings and plans; the first part of your Oil Tank Inspection In New Jersey will be to get everything accurately recorded and placed on file.
Even with this done, an ocular inspection of any part of the tank remains impossible and other aspects; like pressure and leak testing are hardly practical; so, what can be done? First off, it should be noted that any tank buried before 1980 would, almost certainly, have been constructed from bare steel with only rudimentary corrosion protection (hardly more than a dab of paint); this means that, 30+ years on, it is going to be somewhat corroded and, probably, seeping oil into the soil. Such a tank must be investigated – not so much a safety inspection, more a case of dig it up and remove it.
In the case of a newer, long-lasting tank; your underground Oil Tank Inspection In New Jersey should continue with the taking of soil samples from around the tank and buried pipe surrounds. On analysis, these samples will reveal whether or not any of you oil is seeping out into the ground – the main thing that the NJDEP is interested in.
For the most thorough and approved underground Oil Tank Inspection In New Jersey; contact Steve Rich & Associates Environmental Contractors. Call them Toll-Free on 1.877.7.DEPEND or check their website .
