Storage Tank Management: A New Mandate and a New Opportunity

On 8 June 2020, responsibility for services related to flammable and combustible liquid storage tank systems transferred from the Petroleum Tank Management Association of Alberta (PTMAA) to the Safety Codes Council.

The new Storage Tank Management division of the Alberta Safety Codes Authority (ASCA) assumed responsibility for services related to permitting, inspections, and spill and incident reporting in unaccredited areas of the province. In addition, responsibility for contractor approval transferred to the Administrator of Certification.

Hundreds of thousands of Albertans live under the jurisdiction of ASCA. This area also includes hundreds of businesses across Alberta that depend on reliable and effective services related to storage tanks.

Following the issuance of STANDATA 19-FCI-015, the inventory control system utilized by PTMAA was discontinued effective August 31. ASCA – Storage Tank Management staff ensured that tank owners were able to make the transition to the new Annual Operating Permit without experiencing interruptions to their day-to-day operations.

A key priority in the transition process was engaging stakeholders involved in storage tank management in order to identify areas for improvement. These stakeholders, including tank owners and operators, product delivery companies, and municipal contacts, provided feedback through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Staff began the process of identifying improvement areas in order to lay the groundwork for an ambitious vision for the future of storage tank management in unaccredited areas of Alberta.