It was recently announced that the Petroleum Equipment Institute has revised their Recommended Practices for the Storage and Dispensing of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) (RP1100) document which is now available for purchase. Last updated in 2010, the new edition contains updated information to reflect today’s changing fuel storage needs and best practices. Learn more about the changes in this week’s blog, below.
PEI Revises RP1100 for First Time in Five Years
Some of the biggest changes in the revised version of RP1100 include:
Labeling standards. As of January 1st of this year, the National Conference for Weights and Measurements increased the labeling requirements for DEF dispensers. RP1100 was updated to reflect the specific language that now must be used.
Quality. While the original edition of the RP1100 outlined the importance of maintaining the purity of DEF, the new version goes further and offers guidance on how to be confident that the contained material is still on spec.
Underground storage tanks. Because DEF storage has increased so significantly over the last 5 years, guidance on DEF USTs is much more thorough and detailed in the revised edition.
Overfill protection. While the language change regarding overfill was minimal, its impact is important. The original document stated that underground storage tanks “should” include overfill protection, whereas the updated document changes it from a suggestion to a requirement, stating that storage tank owners “equip” USTs and ASTs with overfill protection.
Thread sealant. In another example of a minor change that has a large impact, the revised RP1100 offers clarification on the best ways to prevent DEF leakage through threads and joints. Whereas the 2010 edition noted that thread sealant should be used, the 2015 version goes further by adding that all sealants used on tapered threads need to be compatible with DEF to prevent the possibility of degradation or contamination of the product.
Safety. Safety is at the heart of the work of PEI, and the original RP1100 touched on the importance of safe practices throughout the document but neglected to dedicate an entire chapter to the topic. The revised edition focuses more specifically on the safe handling and disposal of DEF and details how excessive heat can cause dangerous ruptures in closed DEF containers.