FOREWORD

The American Petroleum Institute (API) commissioned the following assessment of currently available tankfield lining materials and methods for secondary containment within a diked area to meet the needs of its members operating in jurisdictions that require these liners.

API believes that a universal requirement for lining tankfields is an unnecessary expense and inefficient solution to concerns about possible environmental contamination from petroleum storage operations. The petroleum industry, operating through API, has developed and maintains engineering standards, recommended practices, inspection codes, and inspector certification programs that together provide petroleum storage management practices that minimize environmental risk from petroleum operations.

1. ANY SUMMARY OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS HEREIN IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AND NOT AS A BASIS FOR COMPLIANCE. Any questions regarding individual laws or regulations should be directed to your legal office or the appropriate government agency.

2. API publications and reports necessarily address problems and issues of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

3. API is neither undertaking to meet duties of employers, manufacturers or suppliers to warn and properly train and equip their employees, and others exposed, concerning health and safety risks and precautions, nor undertaking their obligations under local, state, or federal laws.

4. Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

5. This report may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the American Petroleum Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the material contained in it at the time in which it was written; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with the publication of this guideline and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any federal, state or municipal regulation with which this guideline may conflict, nor does the Institute undertake any duty to ensure its continued accuracy.