Sunday, January 17, 2010

ACI Definition of Hazmat

A hazardous material is defined as having one or more of the following characteristics: ignitable (NFPA 49), corrosive, reactive, or toxic. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-listed wastes are organized into three categories under RCRA: source specific wastes, generic wastes, and commercial chemical products. Source specific wastes include sludges and wastewaters from treatment and production processes in specific industries such as petroleum refining and wood preserving. The list of generic wastes includes wastes from common manufacturing and industrial processes such as solvents used in degreasing operations. The third list contains specific chemical products such as benzine, creosote, mercury, and various pesticides.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Applicability of SPCC Rules Summarized


The following sets forth the types of sources subject to the SPCC rule; the coverage has not changed substantially from the 2002 version of the SPCC rule:

The SPCC rule applies to owners or operators of non-transportation-related facilities that:
  • Drill, produce, store, process, refine, transfer, distribute, use, or consume oil or oil products; and
  • Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to U.S. navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.
Facilities are subject to the rule if they meet at least one of the following capacity thresholds:
  • Aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 U.S. gallons, or completely buried oil storage capacity greater than 42,000 U.S. gallons.
The following are exempt from the rule:
  • Containers with a storage capacity less than 55 U.S. gallons of oil;
  • Permanently closed containers;
  • Motive power containers;
  • Wastewater treatment facilities;
  • Hot-mix asphalt and hot-mix asphalt containers;
  • Residential heating oil containers at single family residences;
  • Pesticide application equipment and related mix containers;
  • Completely buried storage tanks subject to all the technical requirements of the underground storage tank regulations;
  • Intra-facility gathering lines subject to U.S. Department of Transportation’s pipeline regulations; and Underground oil storage tanks at nuclear power generation facilities.
This article was authored by Barbara D. Little, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

EPA SPCC Rule Deadline January 14th, 2010


On November 5, 2009, the EPA Administrator signed a notice amending certain requirements of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule in order to address additional areas of regulatory reform that have been raised by the regulated community. The November 2009 amendments revise the December 2008 amendments as a result of EPA's review of comments and consideration of all relevant facts. EPA is either taking no action or providing minor technical corrections on the majority of the December 2008 provisions. However, this action modifies the December 2008 rule by removing the provisions to: exclude farms and oil production facilities from the loading/unloading rack requirements; exempt produced water containers at an oil production facility; and provide alternative qualified facilities eligibility criteria for an oil production facility.
Additionally, because of the uncertainty surrounding the final amendments to the December 5, 2008, rule and the delay of the effective date, EPA will propose to extend the compliance date.
This rule is effective January 14, 2010.

Friday, November 20, 2009

The Final "We Contain More" Magazine for 2009 Just Published



JP Specialties is pleased to have published our final issue of "We Contain More" magazine for 2009. The quarterly publication covers information important to Engineers, Contractors, and Owners of environmental engineered concrete structures. Please click the link and download your copy today.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Expansion Board Cap Waterstop — A Short On-Line Introductory Presentation


We have just posted a short introduction to our integrated cap system, waterstop profiles (JPEB350, JPEB375, et al). Additional information is available from our Technical Sales staff. Expansion board cap waterstop profiles are designed to be installed over the expansion joint filler board, negating the need for form-splitting and post-applied sealant, while simultaneously providing a fluid-tight waterstop seal embedded in the concrete. Click here for an introduction.

Monday, October 12, 2009

ACI Draft Standard Available for Public Discussion

The American Concrete Institute has posted a draft standard of 350.1 — Specification for Tightness Testing of Environmental Containment Structures (ACI 350.1) and Commentary. Per ANSI-approved standardization procedures the Draft Standard is currently open for public discussion. Click on the title to review the draft.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

JP Specialties is a Proud Corporate Sponsor of "Rhythm on the Vine" Benefiting Shriners Hospital for Children

JP Specialties, Inc., the leading manufacturer of chemical resistant waterstop (Earth Shield®) and waterstop accessories is proud to sponsor "Rhythm on the Vine", benefiting Shriners Hospital for Children. Mark your calender (September 12th, 2009) and join us for a night of smooth jazz with Kenny G at the beautiful South Coast Winery in Temecula, CA.

South Coast Winery combines a working winery with luxurious sanctuary—peaceful walks through the vines, winery tours and tastings, gourmet food paired with award-winning wines, vineyard views from a villa terrace with the highest standards of service. A slightly romanticized version of the vintner lifestyle. Located 50 miles north of San Diego and 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is in the heart of Temecula's Wine Country, part of the Inland Empire Region of Southern California.

Driving Directions: From I-15 exit Rancho California Road and travel east approximately 10 miles, through Temecula Wine Country. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is located at the corner of Rancho California & Anza Roads.

Friday, July 03, 2009

All Earth Shield Waterstop Profiles Are Now Available With Factory Installed Brass Eyelets


New for 2009, all ribbed Earth Shield Waterstop profiles are available with factory installed brass eyelets. The eyelets provide for a convenient and durable tie-off point for wire tying the waterstop to the steel reinforcement prior to the concrete pour. JP Specialties installs the brass eyelets at 12" centers, between the last two ribs, to provide maximum resistance and rigidity to the poured concrete weight.

Note to specifier: To add factory installed brass eyelets to your Earth Shield specification, simply precede the specified part number with "EY." Example: If you are specifying JP636 and want the optional eyelets, call out part number EYJP636.

Thursday, July 02, 2009

New Earth Shield Waterstop Featured In Concrete International Magazine


Earth Shield's newest retrofit profile (part no. JP621L) is featured in the July 2009 issue of Concrete International magazine. A direct link to the Special Products & Practices Showcase article can be found here. We appreciate the editorial staff at CI for introducing their readership to our newest innovative product.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

"We Contain More" Magazine, Volume 1, Number 2, Now On-line


The newest issue of "We Contain More" is now posted on-line. This issue covers the differences between TPEs and TPVs, and previews a new product for secondary containment, concrete cold joints. Featured project is Ruwais Refinery in the UAE. As always, we appreciate your readership, and consider it our responsibility to the industry to educate and inform.