Effective July 7, 2023, Washington Administrative Code (WAC 173-180) introduced enhanced oil spill prevention and transfer requirements for Class 1 facilities.
These regulations mandate that:
- Storage tanks constructed before the rule’s effective date must implement seismic protection measures within 10 years or by the next scheduled internal API Standard 653 inspection, whichever is later.
- Transfer pipelines constructed before the rule’s effective date must implement seismic protection measures within 10 years or by the next scheduled internal API Standard 570 inspection, whichever is later.
Norwest Engineering can support your facility through these regulatory changes, including:
- Compliance Audits: Assessing operations to identify areas of compliance or improvement.
- Seismic Evaluations & Inspections: Ensuring infrastructure meets the latest standards.
- Engineering Upgrades: Implementing modifications to achieve compliance.
- Technical Documentation: From memos for the Department of Ecology to required engineering drawings.
I have prepared a breakdown of what these guidelines may mean for your Washington oil handling facility. You can view my notes of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC 173-180) here:
Click the image to open a PDF.
Norwest has already helped our Washington state clients ensure their facilities are in compliance. If your facility may be affected by these regulations and you’d like an experienced engineering firm to partner with you, reach out to our team at info@norwestengineering.com. If you’d like more information about our experience and capabilities, click the brochure below to open a PDF document to learn more.
