Independent 3rd-Party Inspections
Protecting Your Investment
​and the Environment

By Jennifer Engle, PMMIC Tank Insurance
Utilizing an effective independent inspection program through an on-site visual inspection is a sensible business decision. An independent 3rd party inspection will assist you with keeping your petroleum tank system in the best working condition by identifying current and potential problems before they develop into a release to the environment, saving you time and money.
 
Independent third-party inspection audits are an instrumental tool for your environmental risk management team.
 
Savings
  • Reduces release response expense.
    • Identifies compliance or maintenance deficiencies.
    • Reduces the frequency of system failures and releases to the environment.
    • Improve field operations by directing attention to the greatest risks.
Protection
  • Protects your investment
    • Management tool to make improvements to processes and internal controls.
    • Damaged components identified before failure occurs and allows repairs to be completed during none busy operational times rather then during your best revenue generating times/days.
Accuracy
  • Ensures compliance and operational information is accurate, reliable, and follows established standards and regulatory mandates.
  • Provides an objective view of the accuracy and completeness of regulatory testing and inspections as well as identify areas for improvement and can identify the potential of system components that might fail. Why an independent third party?
    • Eliminates incentive or bias to misstate compliance or operational status.
    • Ensures truthful and honest system evaluations.
    • Field staff and installation vendors react positively knowing there is oversight.
Compliance
  • Satisfies regulatory compliance requirements.
 
The average cleanup costs can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars when a release occurs or contamination has been found at a petroleum storage tank facility. To prevent releases that can be costly and time consuming for you and your staff, everyone needs a plan to prevent releases with a partner that you can trust.
 
Underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators should always be ready to respond to a release. Product releases are an unfortunate and costly occurrence for many in the petroleum marketing industry. If you suspect a release has occurred, you must be prepared to take immediate action. Follow the steps below to address the concerns as fast as possible.
1. Check Inventory & Leak Detection Records
Determine if you have any unexplained changes in inventory or leak test failures. Do not ignore failures or alarms! 
 2. Shut It Down
If you suspect that a particular tank system is losing product, immediately shut down the system and bag the dispensers. Contact a petroleum equipment company to determine if the system has been compromised.
3. Call
If you believe a release has occurred at your site, you should immediately contact the state regulatory agency and your insurance provider.
 
GACS has now partnered with PMMIC Tank Insurance to meet EPA and state requirements of Financial Responsibility for pollution liability insurance when you opt out of the GUST Fund.  PMMIC can evaluate your sites to determine the amount of savings that may be available to your business, when you choose them for your insurance in lieu of the per gallon GUST fund fee.
 
GACS members are writing PMMIC coverage and have vetted PMMIC Tank Insurance’s process, to provide members with the best available tank insurance option.  For more information or to obtain a quote, contact [email protected].
Georgia Association of Convenience Stores.  All Rights Reserved.
168 North Johnston Street, Suite 209  |  Dallas, Georgia 30132
Phone: (770) 736-9723 | [email protected] | sitemap