UL 971

 

State Responses to UL 971 Survey

Survey for State Regulators

 

Underwriters Laboratories standard 971 deals with underground piping for flammable liquids that is not made of metal. The specification from October 1995 has been revised and will become effective beginning July 1, 2005.

PEI has surveyed the UST State Program Managers to see how their state intends to handle "new" and "old" UL 971 listed pipe. We asked each state: Will your state allow piping listed to the 1995 standard to be installed after the new UL 971 requirements become effective (July 1, 2005)?

As the states respond to our survey the results will be posted here for tank owners, regulators, and equipment manufacturers, distributors and installers to view.

 

States Responding as of 11/21/2008 4:35:00 AM
click for detail
 Alabama
 Alaska
 Arizona
 California
 Colorado
 Delaware
 Florida
 Georgia
 Illinois
 Indiana
 Iowa
 Kansas
 Kentucky
 Louisiana
 Maine
 Maryland
 Michigan
 Minnesota
 Mississippi
 Missouri
 Montana
 Nebraska
 New Hampshire
 New Jersey
 New Mexico
 New York
 North Dakota
 Ohio
 Oklahoma
 Oregon
 Pennsylvania
 Rhode Island
 South Carolina
 South Dakota
 Texas
 Utah
 Vermont
 Virginia
 Washington
 Wisconsin
 Wyoming

 

The following is an excerpt from the March 9, 2005 TulsaLetter
featuring an interview with Dan Ryan, conducted by Robert Renkes of PEI:

There has been a great deal of confusion about the status and impact of UL 971, Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable Liquids. Daniel Ryan, Standards Technical Panels (STP) chair for UL 971, graciously consented to answer our questions on the subject of UL 971 in a March 7 interview. We hope his responses will be helpful to you and your customers.

Renkes: Let's start with understanding what you do at UL in general, and how you are specifically involved with UL 971.
Dan Ryan: UL publishes over 800 standards for safety, and most of those standards are now maintained by Standards Technical Panels (STPs). STPs are comprised of a balance of members from the stakeholder interest groups associated with a given standard. As a Standards Technical Panel Chair, my job is to lead panels through the consensus process in their consideration of proposed revisions to UL's standards. STP 971 is one of the panels I chair. The panel has responsibility for UL 971, Standard for Nonmetallic Underground Piping for Flammable Liquids.

Renkes: Most of us in the industry are familiar with the UL 971 standard dated October 30, 1995. For those who aren't, can you briefly describe what the document covers?
Dan Ryan: UL 971 contains requirements for nonmetallic underground piping for flammable liquids. More specifically, the requirements cover primary carrier, secondary containment, integral primary/secondary containment, normal vent and vapor recovery, nonmetallic pipe, fittings, and systems (products) intended for use underground in the distribution of petroleum-based flammable and combustible liquids, alcohols, and alcohol-blended fuels as identified in the standard. The piping covered by UL 971 is intended to be installed and used in accordance with the Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA 30) and the Standard for Automotive and Marine Service Station Code (NFPA 30A).

Renkes: Now as I understand it, based on some issues identified by a UL advisory panel back in 2002, new and revised requirements to UL 971 were developed and issued on January 2, 2004, for compliance by July 2004 (product markings and instructions) and July 2005 (performance requirements). First of all, why was a new standard written?
Dan Ryan: UL 971 revisions were developed based on input UL received during an advisory meeting in December 2002 and in response to proposals that were circulated in the report of that meeting. The revisions were published in response to improper piping system installations, inadequate piping system maintenance practices, and failure to properly respond to leak detection alarms.

Renkes: What does that July 2005 date mean to companies that manufacture, store, distribute, install and use UL 971 piping?
Dan Ryan: Products manufactured on or after July 1, 2005 must comply with the new requirements (i.e., the requirements that become effective on July 1, 2005) to be considered UL listed. The July 1, 2005 effective date applies only to new production.

Renkes: If pipe manufactured to the 1995 standard is made prior to July 2005, can equipment distributors still say they are selling UL-listed pipe even though they may be selling it to an end-user customer months or maybe even years later?
Dan Ryan: Yes, equipment distributors can correctly state that such pipe is UL listed. The UL mark on a product serves as the manufacturers declaration that the product complied with the UL requirements that were in effect at the time the product was produced. Regulatory authorities make the determination about acceptance of these products.

Renkes: Are there systems currently being tested at UL that will be listed as being made in accordance with the July 2005 standard by July 2005? How does the petroleum marketing equipment industry find out who is listed and who isn't?
Dan Ryan: UL anticipates that there will be pipe listed to the new requirements prior to the July 2005 effective date. A complete listing of UL certifications is available through UL's website at www.ul.com. Select the "certifications" menu item from the UL home page. The website will provide information on all currently certified products. Only those products that are certified to the new requirements will be identified as being certified after the effective date.

Renkes: Are there any products that have already been certified by UL to the new performance requirements (i.e., the requirements that become effective July 1, 2005)?
Dan Ryan: No, not as of today's date (March 7, 2005).

Renkes: In a related question, how soon after testing is completed will UL be able to authorize a manufacturer to list the product?
Dan Ryan: This can vary based on complexity of the investigation and other factors. Generally, it takes from a few days to a couple of weeks for the documentation package to be completed and the certification to be issued.

Renkes: Does this July 2005 edition of UL 971 require a so-called "closed system," i.e., a system without rubber test boots?
Dan Ryan: No, open systems are still permitted under the UL 971 standard. Individual states or other jurisdictions may require specific types of systems.

Renkes: We have heard rumors to the effect that the July 2005 implementation date will be moved back. Any truth to that?
Dan Ryan: UL has no plans to move back the effective date.

Renkes: We hear about a "new" new UL 971, one that will replace the standard that goes into effect July 2005. What can you tell us about that?
Dan Ryan: The Standards Technical Panel is currently working on the next edition of UL 971. It remains a significant effort that involves multiple working groups under the STP. The timeline for completion of the new edition isn't fixed at this time, however a new edition isn't expected before 2006. When the new edition is published, a future effective date for that standard will be established. UL Standards are living documents. It's entirely normal for revisions to be periodically proposed and adopted over time and for new editions of Standards to be issued. Field experience, changes in manufacturing technology and materials, and changes in end use applications are among the factors that can drive revisions to UL safety standards.

Renkes: How can individuals learn more about the UL Standards development process?
Dan Ryan: They should visit the appropriate Standard's links that are available through UL's web page at www.ul.com.