California ICC UST Service Technician Practice Exam

Pressured product piping with secondary containment must undergo an annual pressure test capable of detecting what release rate?

1. 0.1 gph

2. 0.01 gph

3. 0.5 gph

4. 1.0 gph

The correct answer is: 0.1 gph

The correct answer is based on the regulatory requirements for the integrity testing of underground storage tanks (USTs) and their associated piping systems. An annual pressure test for pressured product piping with secondary containment is designed to identify any potential leaks at a very sensitive detection threshold. In this context, detecting a release at a rate of 0.1 gallons per hour (gph) is essential because it aligns with the regulations aimed at preventing environmental contamination and ensuring public safety. This low detection threshold indicates a high level of sensitivity in the testing method, which is necessary for properly monitoring the integrity of the containment systems. Secondary containment systems are specifically constructed to capture leaks or spills that may occur from the primary containment, such as tanks or piping. By setting an annual testing requirement at this minimum leak detection rate, the standards aim to ensure early detection of potential failures, thereby reducing the risk of environmental impact from leaked chemicals. Other options represent higher leak detection rates, which are less stringent and would not meet the regulatory requirements for the annual pressure testing of pressured product piping with secondary containment. These higher thresholds would allow for greater amounts of leakage before detection, which would be contrary to the purpose of these safety measures.