Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    On Oct. 11, 1997, DEP adopted regulations pertaining to periodic inspections of AST systems. AST inspections determine the tank system's integrity and suitability for continued use, including leak detection systems, structural integrity of the tanks and associated equipment, and release prevention measures.

    Periodic inspections are required on aboveground storage tanks that are:

    • Greater than 5,000 gallons capacity; and
    • Highly hazardous substance tanks greater than 1,100 gallons capacity.

    Inspection activities conducted to meet DEP’s inspection requirements must be performed by DEP-certified individuals holding appropriate AST inspector certification, IAM (manufactured tanks) or IAF (field-constructed tanks).

    Click the link below to access a list of DEP-certified storage tank companies. You may search by DEP Region, County, and Certification Category. To complete a required In-Service or Out-of-Service Inspection, choose an inspection company that employs aboveground inspectors (IAM or IAF).

    Certified Storage Tank Companies Search

    The table below describes the maximum inspection intervals for different ASTs. Inspection due dates are set by the DEP-certified inspector at each inspection based upon conditions at the time of the inspection:

    Inspection TypeTank DescriptionInitial InspectionSubsequent Inspections
    In-ServiceASTs > 5,000-gallon capacityWithin 5 years after installation5 years maximum
    Highly hazardous substance ASTs > 1,100-gallon capacityWithin 5 years after installation5 years maximum
    ASTs in Underground Vault > 5,000-gallon capacity6-12 months after installation3 years maximum
    Out-of-ServiceASTs > 21,000 gallon-capacityWithin 10 years after installation of a new tank or tank bottom20 years maximum
    LiningInternally lined ASTs > 21,000-gallon capacityWithin 10 years after lining installation10 years maximum

    NOTE: ASTs greater than 21,000-gallon capacity must be inspected at installation, reconstruction, or relocation, and when a major modification is performed on the AST system.

    Field-constructed ASTs (regardless of capacity) must be inspected at installation, reconstruction, or relocation, and when a major modification is performed on the AST system.

    For more information, contact the Division of Storage Tanks:

    Phone: 1-800-42-TANKS or 717-772-5599
    Email: tanks@pa.gov

    DEP, Bureau of Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields
    Division of Storage Tanks
    P.O. Box 8762
    Harrisburg, PA 17105-8762

    Inspection Forms