California Designated Operator Practice Exam

What is a requirement for the secondary containment system of new underground tanks?

1. It must be open to the surface

2. It must encompass the entire primary system

3. It can be made of any material

4. It should allow free drainage into the environment

The correct answer is: It must encompass the entire primary system

The requirement for the secondary containment system of new underground tanks is that it must encompass the entire primary system. This is crucial for environmental protection and safety. A secondary containment system serves as an additional barrier to prevent leaks or spills from the primary tank from reaching the surrounding environment. By enclosing the entire primary system, any potential leak can be captured and contained, minimizing the risk of soil and groundwater contamination. The design of such a system must be robust and specifically engineered to handle potential failures of the primary tank. This ensures that any hazardous materials remain secure within the containment area until they can be addressed appropriately, rather than allowing them to escape into the surrounding environment. The other choices do not meet the necessary safety requirements and standards set for secondary containment systems. Open containment could allow leaks to escape, using any material could undermine structural integrity and durability, and allowing free drainage into the environment contradicts the fundamental purpose of secondary containment, which is to contain rather than release potential contaminants.