Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) regulates tank facilities that are subject to the federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule or tank facilities with an aggregate storage capacity of 1,320 gallons or more of petroleum in aboveground storage containers or tanks with a shell capacity equal to or greater than 55 gallons. APSA also regulates tank facilities with less than 1,320 gallons of petroleum if they have one or more stationary tanks in an underground area (TIUGA) with a shell capacity of 55 gallons or more of petroleum, and, in this case, only the TIUGAs are subject to APSA, although there are exceptions.

Under APSA, petroleum means crude oil, or a fraction thereof, that is liquid at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute pressure. Examples of petroleum under APSA include crude oil, gasoline, diesel, biofuel blends, motor oil, and used oil. Liquefied petroleum gas or propane, liquefied natural gas, hot mix asphalt, and asphalt cement do not meet the definition of petroleum under APSA. APSA does not regulate non-petroleum products.

Tank facilities with 10,000 gallons or more of total aboveground petroleum storage capacity are inspected at least once every three years by an UPA and have reporting and fee requirements, while tank facilities with an aboveground petroleum storage capacity of less than 10,000 gallons have reporting and fee requirements. With the exception to conditionally-exempt tank facilities, all tank facilities must prepare and implement an SPCC Plan that meets current federal SPCC rule requirements. Conditionally-exempt tank facilities are not required to prepare an SPCC Plan under APSA if they meet certain conditions, but conditionally-exempt tank facilities still have reporting and fee requirements.

Regulatory Authority

• California Health and Safety Code, Division 20, Chapter 6.67
• U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 112 (SPCC Rule)
• Office of State Fire Marshal
• Rulemaking Information Documents

Templates

• Tier I Qualified Facility SPCC Plan Template
• Tier II Qualified Facility SPCC Plan Template
• Example Tier I SPCC Plan

Resources

• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Program Guidance Document
• Tanks in Underground Areas Guidance Document
• Is My Facility Regulated Under APSA

CERS Submittal

• Preparing an APSA Submittal
• Tank Facility Statement

The Glendale Fire Department requires a permit for the installation of all Aboveground Storage Tanks in the City of Glendale. For more information, call the Fire Engineering Unit in the Permit Services Center at 818-548-3200.