Chemical & Oil Storage Tanks

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Chemical & Oil Storage Tanks

Storing products and chemicals such as heating oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, acids, and bases in bulk storage containers or in tanks, whether underground or above ground, raises concerns over leaks, spills, and overfills.  Environment, Health & Safety (EHS), Environmental Protection and Permitting Program (EP3) manages all the above ground and underground tank systems at University of Michigan (U-M).  EP3:

  • Oversees environmental issues, such as leaks, spills, and overfills, associated with U-M tank systems
  • Reviews tank system installation information and facility site plans prior to being submitted to the State of Michigan
  • Communicates with the State of Michigan on behalf of U-M

Plan Review and Certification for Above-ground Storage Tanks

The State of Michigan must review and certify:

  • A facility that supplies flammable liquids or combustible liquids (FL/CL) which has an individual tank storage capacity of more than 1,100 gallons and contains a liquid with a flash point of less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • A flammable compressed gas or liquefied petroleum gas container filling location
  • A facility that supplies flammable compressed gas or any liquefied petroleum gas which has a tank with a water capacity of:
    • More than 2,000 gallons
    • Two or more tanks with an aggregate water capacity of more than 4,000 gallons

Inspection and Registration

All registered above ground storage tanks (AST) are inspected on a triennial basis by the State of Michigan. 

Supplemental Information


Plan Review and Certification for Underground Storage Tanks

The State of Michigan must review and certify any UST system that stores a hazardous substance.

Inspection and Registration

All underground storage tank (UST) systems must be registered annually.

Supplemental Information

Decommissioning Storage Tanks

For tanks that are no longer needed, or have been orphaned (found with no indication of ownership), contact EHS at (734) 647-1143 as soon as possible.  U-M only has a limited time to remove these tanks.  EP3 will manage the project to remove the tank.  However, departments may incur costs to register the tank, conduct an environmental assessment, and/or decommission the tank.

Noticeable Release of Tank Contents

Contact EHS immediately if a suspect or known release of tank contents is found. EHS EP3 will manage the remediation project.

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