65   Control equipment for small storage tanks

(1)  This clause applies to any small storage tank situated anywhere within the Sydney Metropolitan Area other than the local government area of Hawkesbury City.

(2)  The following control equipment is required to be fitted to a small storage tank to which this clause applies:

(a)  a vapour transfer system by which all vapour displaced by the transfer of volatile organic liquid into the storage tank is returned to the delivery tank being unloaded by means of a vapour return line,

(b)  a coupling on the vapour return line that makes a vapour-tight connection with the vapour return hose on the delivery tank and that closes automatically when disconnected,

(c)  in the case of a tank that is filled by the operation of gravity, an overfill protection system designed to stop the flow of volatile organic liquid into the storage tank before there is insufficient space in that tank to receive the contents of the tank vehicle’s transfer hose,

(d)  a coupling on the storage tank’s fill-pipe that makes a liquid-tight connection with the delivery tank’s liquid transfer hose,

(e)  in the case of a storage tank located above the ground, pressure vacuum valves on all atmospheric vents.

(3)  The vapour transfer system referred to in subclause (2) (a) may be used to serve more than one storage tank on the same premises.

(4)  A vapour return line referred to in subclause (2) (a) must be of vapour-tight construction and must have an internal diameter:

(a)  in the case of such part of the vapour return line as is upstream of the first fitting or change in direction from the tank:

(i)  not less than 50 per cent of the internal diameter of the fill-pipe, or

(ii)  in the case of a tank installed before 1 May 1982 and in which the vapour return line is taken from the atmospheric vent, as large as practicable having regard to the internal diameter of the existing vent connection, and

(b)  in the case of such part of the vapour return line as is downstream of the first fitting or change in direction from the tank, not less than 65 per cent of the internal diameter of the fill-pipe.

(5)  The pressure vacuum valves referred to in subclause (2) (e):

(a)  except as provided in paragraph (b), must be set to be closed when the pressure in the tank is between 15 kilopascals above, and 0.5 kilopascals below, ambient pressure, or

(b)  in the case of tanks installed before 1 May 1982, may be set to be closed when the pressure in the tank is between the design operating maximum pressure and the design operating maximum vacuum.

(6)  A hatch, manhole or other cover on or associated with a storage tank to which this clause applies must not be opened if, in so doing, vapour would be likely to be emitted to the atmosphere, except:

(a)  in an emergency, or

(b)  for the purpose of tank gauging or sampling through a dip hatch (when no liquid transfer hoses are connected to the tank or when any connected hoses are closed), or

(c)  for the purpose of reasonable maintenance.