Regulatory Text: 
Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 33 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, Part III Air (LAC 33:III)

Chapter 21.  Control of Emission of Organic Compounds

Subchapter A.  General

Section 2103.  Storage of Volatile Organic Compounds.
As approved by EPA July 5, 2011 (76 FR 38977) effective August 4, 2011 (LAd34) LA021
Regulations.gov docket ID:  EPA-R06-OAR-2007-0924
Errors in Federal Register amendatory language on page 76 FR 38982:
   (1) The State approval date for revisions to Section 2103.D.4.b.-2103.D.4.d should be 
June 20, 1996, not August 20, 2002 -- The June 20, 1996, Louisiana Register is the only 
Louisiana Register in submittals EPA acted on in this action that contains revisions to 
paragraphs 2103.D.4.b. to 2103.D.4.d;
   (2) The State approval date for the revision to Section 2103.H.3 should be 
January 20, 1998, not February 20, 1998.

Paragraphs 2103.D.4.a and G.4 to G.6 approved by EPA January 28, 2016 (81 FR 04891) effective 
February 29, 2016 (LAd47), Regulations.gov docket EPA-R06-OAR-2012-0434 [LA039].

Unless otherwise indicated, paragraphs are as previously approved by EPA 05/05/94 (59 FR 23166) effective 06/06/94 (LAc60) and 07/25/96 (61 FR 38591) effective 08/26/96 (LAc64) and 10/22/96 (61 FR 54748) effective 12/23/96 (LAc71).

AQ186   §2103.A;LAd34;LA021.06;AQ186;LR25:0852(5/20/1999) 
   A. No person shall place, store, or hold in any stationary 
tank, reservoir, or other container of more than 250 gallons 
(950 liters) and up to 40,000 gallons (151,400 liters) nominal 
capacity any volatile organic compound, having a maximum 
true vapor pressure of 1.5 psia or greater at storage 
conditions, unless such tank, reservoir, or other container is 
designed and equipped with a submerged fill pipe or a vapor 
loss control system, as defined in Subsection E of this
Section, or is a pressure tank capable of maintaining 
working pressures sufficient at all times under normal 
operating conditions to prevent vapor or gas loss to the 
atmosphere.

AQ186   §2103.B;LAd34;LA021.06;AQ186;LR25:0852(5/20/1999)
   B. No person shall place, store, or hold in any stationary 
tank, reservoir, or other container of more than 40,000 
gallons (151,400 liters) nominal capacity any volatile 
organic compound having a maximum true vapor pressure of 
1.5 psia or greater at storage conditions unless such tank, 
reservoir, or other container is a pressure tank capable of 
maintaining working pressures sufficient at all times under 
normal operating conditions to prevent vapor or gas loss to 
the atmosphere or is designed and equipped with a 
submerged fill pipe and one or more of the vapor loss 
control devices described in Subsections C, D, and E of this 
Section.

AQ137   §2103.C to 2103.C.3;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0454(6/20/1996)
   C. Internal Floating Roof. An internal floating roof 
consists of a pontoon type roof, double deck type roof, or 
internal floating cover which will rest or float on the surface 
of the liquid contents and is equipped with a closure seal to 
close the space between the roof edge and tank wall. All tank 
gauging and sampling devices shall be gas tight except when 
gauging or sampling is taking place. If the organic 
compounds have a vapor pressure of 11.0 psia or greater 
under actual storage conditions, the requirements of 
Subsection F of this Section shall supersede the requirements 
of this Subsection. In the parishes of Ascension, Calcasieu, 
East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and 
West Baton Rouge, the following additional requirements 
apply:
      1. The closure seal shall consist of either:
         a. a liquid mounted seal consisting of a foam- or 
liquid-filled seal mounted in contact with the liquid between 
the wall of the storage vessel and the floating roof 
continuously around the circumference of the tank;
         b. a mechanical shoe seal (metallic-type shoe seal) 
consisting of a metal sheet held vertically against the wall of 
the storage vessel by springs or weighted levers and connected 
by braces to the floating roof. A flexible coated fabric 
(envelope) spans the annular space between the metal sheet 
and the floating roof; or
         c. two seals mounted one above the other so that each 
forms a continuous closure that completely covers the space 
between the wall of the storage vessel and the edge of the 
internal floating roof. The lower seal may be vapor-mounted, 
but both must be continuous.
      2. Each opening in the internal floating roof (except rim 
space vents and automatic bleeder vents) shall be provided 
with a projection below the liquid surface. In addition, each 
opening (except for leg sleeves, bleeder vents, rim space 
vents, column wells, ladder wells, sample wells, and stub 
drains) shall be provided with a cover equipped with a gasket. 
Automatic bleeder vents and rim space vents shall be gasketed 
and ladder wells shall be equipped with a sliding cover.
      3. If the internal floating roof does not meet the 
specifications of this rule, then the specifications shall be met 
at the earlier of either the next scheduled maintenance 
turnaround (when deinventorying and degassing occurs) or 
December 1, 2005. Any request for an extension beyond 
December 1, 2005, shall be examined on a case-by-case basis 
and must be approved by the administrative authority*.

AQ137   §2103.D; LAd34; LA021.03; AQ137; LR22:454 ( 6/20/1996)
   D. External Floating Roof. An external floating roof 
consist of a pontoon type roof, double deck type roof, or 
external floating cover which will rest or float on the surface 
of the liquid contents and is equipped with a primary closure 
seal to close the space between the roof edge and tank wall 
and a continuous secondary seal (a rim mounted secondary) 
extending from the floating roof to the tank wall. In the 
parishes of Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, 
Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge, the 
primary closure seal shall consist of a liquid mounted seal or 
a mechanical shoe seal, as defined in Subsection C.1.a and b 
of this Section. Installation of the primary and secondary 
seals in these parishes shall be within the same time 
requirements as stipulated in Subsection C.3 of this Section.

       1. A secondary seal is not required if:

AQ137   §2103.D.1.a;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0454(6/20/1996)
         a. the tank is a welded tank storing a VOC with a vapor 
pressure at storage conditions less than 4.0 psia and is also 
equipped with a liquid mounted seal, a mechanical shoe seal, 
or a seal deemed equivalent by the administrative authority*.

           b. the storage vessels are external floating roof tanks having nominal storage capacities of 420,000 gallons (1,589,900 liters) or less used to store produced crude oil or condensate prior to lease custody transfer.

AQ137   §2103.D.1.c;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0454(6/20/1996)
         c. a mechanical shoe seal is used in a welded tank 
which also has a secondary seal from the top of the shoe seal 
to the tank wall (i.e., a shoe-mounted secondary).

           d. an alternate seal or seals can be used in lieu of the primary and secondary seals required herein provided the resulting emission is not greater than that which would have resulted if the primary and secondary seals were installed.  The equivalency demonstration will be made to the satisfaction of the administrative authority*.

       2. The seal closure devices required in LAC 33:III.2103.D shall:

           a. have no visible holes, tears, or other openings in the seal(s) or seal(s) fabric.

           b. be intact and uniformly in place around the circumference of the floating roof and the tank wall.

           c. not have gap areas, of gaps exceeding 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) in width between the secondary seal and the tank wall, in excess of 1.0 in^2 per foot of tank diameter (6.5 cm^2 per 0.3m).

           d. not have gap areas, of gaps exceeding 1/8 in (0.32 cm) in width between the primary seal and the tank wall, in excess of 10.0 in^2 per foot of tank diameter (65 cm^2 per 0.3m).

           e.  the secondary seals shall be visually inspected at least semiannually.  The secondary seal gap measurements shall be made annually at any tank level provided the roof is off its legs.  The primary seal gap measurements shall be made every five years at any tank level provided the roof is off its legs.  Conditions not up to standards described in LAC 33:III.2103.D.2 shall be recorded along with date(s) that the standards are not met and the administrative authority shall be notified within seven days.  To avoid noncompliance with this Section, repairs necessary to be in compliance must be initiated within seven working days of recognition of defective conditions by ordering appropriate parts. Repairs shall be completed within three months of the ordering of the repair parts.  However, if it can be demonstrated that additional time for repair is needed, the administrative authority may extend this deadline.

AQ137   §2103.D.3;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0454(6/20/1996)
      3. Requirements for Covering Openings. All openings in 
the external floating roof, except for automatic bleeder vents, 
rim space vent, and leg sleeves, are to provide a projection 
below the liquid surface. Except for automatic bleeder vents, 
rim space vents, roof drains, and leg sleeves, each opening in 
the roof is to be equipped with a cover, seal, or lid that is to be 
maintained in a closed position at all times (i.e., no visible 
gap) except when the device is in actual use. Automatic 
bleeder vents must be closed at all times except when the roof 
is floated off or landed on the roof leg supports. Rim vents 
must be set to open when the roof is being floated off the roof 
leg supports or at the manufacturer's recommended setting. 
Any emergency roof drain must be equipped with a slotted 
membrane fabric cover or equivalent cover that covers at least 
90 percent of the opening. In the parishes of Ascension, 
Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Point 
Coupee, and West Baton Rouge, all covers, seals, lids, 
automatic bleeder vents, and rim space vents are to be 
gasketed.

AQ137   §2103.D.4;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0454(6/20/1996)
      4. Requirements for Guide Poles and Stilling Well 
Systems. Emissions from guide pole systems must be 
controlled for external floating roof storage tanks with a 
capacity greater than 40,000 gallons (approximately 151 m³) 
and which store a liquid having a total vapor pressure of 1.5 
psia or greater. The requirements of this Paragraph shall only 
apply in the parishes of Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton 
Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton 
Rouge.

§2103.D.4.a SIP effective to February 28, 2016.
OS065   §2103.D.4.a;LAd34;LA021.11;OS065;LR31:2439(10/20/2005)
         a. Controls for nonslotted guide poles and stilling 
wells shall include pole wiper and gasketing between the 
well and sliding cover. Controls for slotted guide poles shall 
include a float with wiper, pole wiper, and gasketing 
between the well and sliding cover. The description of the 
method of control and supporting calculations based upon 
the Addendum to American Petroleum Institute Publication 
Number 2517 Evaporative Loss from External Floating Roof 
Tanks, (dated May 1994) shall be submitted to the Office of 
Environmental Assessment, Air Quality Assessment 
Division, for approval prior to installation.

§2103.D.4.a, as submitted to EPA August 14, 2009 [LA039.03] and resubmitted to EPA 
October 2015 [LA039.05], MM002 LR 33:2085 (October 20, 2007).
Approved by EPA January 28, 2016 (81 FR 04891) effective February 29, 2016 (LAd47),
Regulations.gov docket EPA-R06-OAR-2012-0434 [LA039].
         a. Controls for nonslotted guide poles and stilling
wells shall include pole wiper and gasketing between the
well and sliding cover. Controls for slotted guide poles shall
include a float with wiper, pole wiper, and gasketing
between the well and sliding cover. The description of the
method of control and supporting calculations based upon
the Addendum to American Petroleum Institute Publication
Number 2517, Evaporative Loss from External Floating
Roof Tanks, (dated May 1994) shall be submitted to the
Office of Environmental Assessment for approval prior to
installation.

AQ137   §2103.D.4.b; LAd34; LA021.03; AQ137; LR22:0455(6/20/1996) 
         b. Alternate methods of controls are acceptable if 
demonstrated to be equivalent to the controls in Subsection 
D.4.a of this Section. The administrative authority* must 
approve alternate methods of control.

AQ137   §2103.D.4.c; LAd34; LA021.03; AQ137; LR22:0455(6/20/1996)
         c. Installation of controls required by Subsection D.4 
of this Section shall be required by November 15, 1996. 
Requests for extension of the November 15, 1996, compliance 
date will be considered on a case-by-case basis for situations 
which require the tank to be removed from service to install 
the controls and must be approved by the administrative 
authority*.

AQ137   §2103.D.4.d;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0455(6/20/1996)
         d. Control systems required by Subsection D.4 of this 
Section shall be inspected semiannually for rips, tears, visible 
gaps in the pole or float wiper, and/or missing sliding cover 
gaskets. Any rips, tears, visible gaps in the pole or float 
wiper, and/or missing sliding cover gaskets shall be repaired 
in accordance with this Paragraph in order to avoid 
noncompliance. Repairs must be initiated by ordering 
appropriate parts within seven working days after a defect 
listed in this Subparagraph is identified. Repairs shall be 
completed within three months of the ordering of the repair 
parts. However, if it can be demonstrated that additional time 
for repair is needed, the administrative authority may extend 
this deadline.

   E. Vapor Loss Control System.  A vapor loss control system consists of a gathering system capable of collecting the volatile organic compound vapors and a vapor disposal system capable of processing such organic vapors overall control efficiency of the vapor loss control system shall be a minimum of 95 percent.  All tank gauging and sampling devices shall be gas-tight except when gauging or sampling is taking place.

   F. No person shall place, store or hold in any stationary tank, reservoir or other container of more than 40,000 gallons (151,400 liters) nominal capacity any volatile organic compound having a true vapor pressure of 11 psia or greater at storage conditions unless such tank, reservoir or other container is a pressure tank capable of maintaining working pressures sufficient at all times under normal operating conditions to prevent vapor or gas loss to the atmosphere or is designed and equipped with a submerged fill pipe and vapor loss control system in accordance with LAC 33:III.2103.E.

   G.  Exemptions.  The provisions of this Section (i.e., LAC 33:III.2103) do not apply to:

AQ137   §2103.G.1;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0455(6/20/1996)
      1. existing and new storage tanks, located in any parish 
other than the parishes of Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton 
Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton 
Rouge, used for crude oil or condensate and having a nominal 
storage capacity of less than 420,000 gallons (1,589,900 
liters) unless such new tanks are subject to New Source 
Performance Standards;

AQ137   §2103.G.2;LAd34;LA021.03;AQ137;LR22:0455(6/20/1996) 
      2. tanks 420,000 gallons (1,589,900 liters) or greater, 
located in any parish other than the parishes of Ascension 
Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Point 
Coupee, and West Baton Rouge, used to store produced crude 
oil or condensate prior to lease custody transfer unless such 
tanks are subject to New Source Performance Standards.

AQ175   §2103.G.3;LAd34;LA021.05;AQ175;LR24:2242(12/20/1998) 
      3. existing and new storage tanks in the parishes of 
Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, 
Livingston, Pointe Coupee, and West Baton Rouge that are 
used for crude oil or condensate prior to lease custody transfer 
and that have a nominal storage capacity of less than 420,000 
gallons (1,589,900 liters) unless such new tanks are subject to 
New Source Performance Standards;

§2103.G.4 to G.5 SIP effective to February 28, 2016. 
AQ175   §2103.G.4;LAd34;LA021.05;AQ175;LR24:2242(12/20/1998)
      4. JP-4 fuels stored in horizontal underground tanks; and
AQ175   §2103.G.5;LAd34;LA021.05;AQ175;LR24:2242(12/20/1998)
      5. any storage tank that is used for less than two weeks 
in the calendar year is exempt from the requirements of 
Subsection C.1 of this Section, provided that the tank is empty 
and liquid-free when not in use.

§2103.G.4 to G.6, as submitted to EPA August 14, 2009 [LA039.03] and resubmitted 
to EPA October 2015 [LA039.05], AQ272 LR 33:0447 (March 20, 2007).
Approved by EPA January 28, 2016 (81 FR 04891) effective February 29, 2016 (LAd47),
Regulations.gov docket EPA-R06-OAR-2012-0434 [LA039].
      4. JP-4 fuels stored in horizontal underground tanks;
      5. with regard to the requirements of Paragraph C.1 of
this Section, any storage tank that is used for less than two
weeks in the calendar year, provided that the tank is empty
and liquid-free when not in use; and
      6. with regard to the submerged fill pipe provisions of
Subsection A of this Section, tanks, drums, or other
containers storing pyrophoric catalyst at the Vistalon
Production Facility of ExxonMobil Chemical Company’s
Baton Rouge Chemical Plant.

   H. Compliance Tests

       1. Floating Roofs.  The seal gap area shall be determined by measuring the length and width of the gaps around the entire circumference of the seal.  A 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) uniform diameter probe shall be used for measuring gaps.  Only gaps greater than or equal to 1/8 inch (0.32 cm) shall be used in computing the gap area. The area of the gaps shall be accumulated to determine compliance with LAC 33:III.2103.D.2.c and d.  Compliance with the other provisions specified in LAC 33:III.2103.D.2.a and b and D.4 may be determined by visual inspection.

       2. Add-On Control Devices.  The following test methods shall be used, where appropriate to measure control device compliance:

AQ145   §2103.H.2.a to H.2.d;LAd34;LA021.02;AQ145;LR22:1212p6(12/20/1996)
         a. Test Methods 1-4 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as incorporated 
by reference at LAC 33:III.3003) for determining flow rates, as necessary;
         b. Test Method 18 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as incorporated by 
reference at LAC 33:III.3003) for measuring gaseous organic compound 
emissions by gas chromatographic analysis;
         c. Test Method 21 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as incorporated by 
reference at LAC 33:III:3003) for determination of volatile organic compound leaks;
         d. Test Method 25 (40 CFR part 60, appendix A, as incorporated by reference 
at LAC III.3003) for determining total gaseous nonmethane organic emissions as carbon;

           e. Additional performance test procedures, or equivalent test methods, approved by the administrative authority*.

AQ149   §2103.H.3. to H.3.e;LAd34;LA021.05;AQ149;LR24:0020(1/20/1998)
      3. Vapor Pressure. The maximum true vapor pressure is 
determined based upon the highest expected calendar-month 
average of the storage temperature. The true vapor pressure 
shall be determined from one of the following methods:
         a. from available data on the Reid vapor pressure;
         b. by ASTM Test Method D323 for the measurement 
of Reid vapor pressure, and adjusted for actual storage 
temperature using the nomographs contained in API Bulletin 2517;
         c. from standard reference texts;
         d. determined by ASTM Test Method D2879; or
         e. by another method approved by the administrative 
authority*.

   I.  Monitoring/Recordkeeping/Reporting.  The owner/operator of any storage facility shall maintain records to verify compliance with or exemption from LAC 33:III.2103.  The records shall be maintained for at least two years and will include, but not be limited to, the following:

       1.  the results of inspections required by LAC 33:III.2103.D.2.e. and D.4 shall be recorded.

       2.  for vapor loss control systems (LAC 33:III.2103.E) the following information shall be recorded:

           a.  daily measurements of the exhaust gas temperature immediately downstream of a direct-flame incinerator;

           b.  daily measurements of the inlet and outlet temperature of a chiller, or catalytic incinerator;

           c.  results of monitoring outlet VOC concentration of carbon adsorption bed to detect breakthrough.

       3.  the date and reason for any maintenance and repair of the applicable control devices and the estimated quantity and duration of volatile organic compound emissions during such activities.

       4.  the results of any testing conducted in accordance with the provisions specified in LAC 33:III.2103.H.

       5.  records of the type(s) of VOC stored and the average monthly true vapor pressure of the stored liquid for any storage vessel with an external floating roof that is exempt from the requirements for a secondary seal and is used to store VOCs with a true vapor pressure greater than 1.0 psia.

AQ175   §2103.I.6;LAd34;LA021.05;AQ175;LR24:2242(12/20/1998)
      6. records of the type(s) of VOC stored and the length 
of time stored for any storage tank exempted under Subsection 
G.5 of this Section. Verbal notification to the administrator is 
required in advance, if possible, but no later than 24 hours
after the tank starts filling.

AQ219A   §2103.I.7 to I.7.b;LAd34;LA021.09;AQ219A;LR28:1763(8/20/2002)
      7. records of planned routine maintenance performed 
on the vapor loss control system, including the duration of 
each time the vapor loss control system does not meet the 
specifications of Paragraph E.1 or 2 of this Section, as 
applicable, due to the planned routine maintenance. Such 
records shall include the information specified as follows:
         a. the first time of day and date: the: requirements of 
Subsection E of this Section were not met, at the beginning 
of the planned routine maintenance; and
         b. the first time of day and date the requirements of 
Subsection E of this Section were met, at the conclusion of 
 the planned routine maintenance.