California ICC UST Inspector Practice Exam

For tanks installed after July 1, 1987, what is the condition to be exempt from secondary containment of suction piping?

1. No valves or pumps below-grade in the suction line

2. Below-grade piping operates at atmospheric pressure

3. Below-grade piping is sloped to drain back

4. Check valve is located near the dispenser only

The correct answer is: Check valve is located near the dispenser only

The condition to be exempt from secondary containment of suction piping for tanks installed after July 1, 1987, hinges on the specific positioning of the check valve. When the check valve is located near the dispenser, it minimizes the potential for leaking product in the event of a failure in the suction line. This setup ensures that any liquid in the piping remains within the system when the dispenser is not in use, thereby reducing the risks associated with leaks and spills. Proper positioning of the check valve helps to manage pressure changes and prevents backflow, which aligns with regulations aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring safety. In contrast, other options do not sufficiently address containment risk management. For example, while no valves or pumps below-grade may seem like a safe measure, it doesn't address all possible failure points in the suction line. Operating below-grade piping at atmospheric pressure and sloping it to drain back also provide certain benefits, but they do not specifically mitigate the risk of leaks as effectively as having a check valve positioned near the dispenser. Each of these conditions offers varying degrees of protection, but the critical factor for exemption pertains directly to the placement of the check valve in relation to the dispenser.