Regulation Information  
            Aboveground Storage Tanks
            An aboveground storage tank (AST) is a tank whose entire surface 
            area is completely aboveground. Also, the entire surface area of the 
            tank (including the tank bottom) can be visually inspected (40 CFR 
            260.10).  
            
            Regulation of ASTs 
            Unlike USTs that are covered under an entire section of regulations, 
            in addition to select areas under the hazardous waste regulations, 
            ASTs, at the federal level, are regulated in a somewhat piecemeal 
            way. Consequently, it is necessary to look in several different 
            places for AST requirements.

            Concerning the storage of hazardous waste in ASTs, you must look in 
            the hazardous waste regulations (Parts 260 through 268) to determine 
            what is required. Parts 262, 264, and 265 of the Resource 
            Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Subtitle C, also impact ASTs 
            as these requirements apply to hazardous waste generators and 
            treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.

            If you store oil in an AST, you may be regulated under the Spill 
            Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations at 40 CFR 
            part 112. The SPCC regulations establish procedures to prevent the 
            discharge of oil into navigable waters.
            Some ASTs fall under OSHA requirements (29 CFR 1910.106) if they 
            contain flammable or combustible liquids. The rules apply to liquids 
            with flashpoints below 200° F. In this case, the objective of the 
            regulations is to protect workers from fires, rather than protecting 
            the environment from spills. 
 
            The majority of regulations affecting ASTs are found at the state 
            and local level. Check with your state and local agencies to see if 
            there are more stringent AST requirements that you need to know 
            about.