A SIR system capable of detecting a 0.2 gph leak meets federal monthly monitoring requirements for life of the tank and piping.

• A. A SIR that detects 0.2 gph meets monthly monitoring requirements for life of tank and piping
• B. A SIR that detects 0.2 gph meets monthly monitoring requirements only if certified
• C. SIR systems cannot meet monthly monitoring requirements
• D. SIR systems only monitor quarterly

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that monthly monitoring requirements are based on the system’s ability to detect leaks at a specific rate, not on certification alone or different monitoring frequencies. For underground storage tanks, a leak-detection method must be capable of spotting leaks at about 0.2 gallons per hour. If a SIR system can detect leaks at that rate, it provides the required monitoring capability for the life of the tank and piping, meaning it satisfies the monthly monitoring obligation for the entire service life. Certification status isn’t the determinant here, and monthly monitoring—not quarterly—is what's mandated. So a SIR system with 0.2 gph detection capability meets the federal monthly monitoring requirements for life of the tank and piping.