Underground Tanks and Fires

[TechRescue41]

We recently encountered a gasoline leak in the pump compartment of an underground tank. The seals on the pumps failed causing @ 180gal of fuel to leak ino the space (still below ground) but just above a 12000 gal UG tank. The pump compartment had only (2) small man-ways with lids (30in round holes) for access. Luckily no fire; addedAFFF to remove vapor and was on standby for clean-up.

Had it been a fire this could have been quite serious.
Anyone with similar experiences and feedback

[BiggFoot]

Occasionally, the piping from the fuel pump in a gasoline station pump will break and send the contents into the borrom half of the pump island inside the enclosed cover of the fuel dispensing pump. I realize the as Fire Fighters, We arent in the Environmental Clean Up Business.
The best method is to remove the pump panels and apply an absorbent material. Let it work while you eliminate all ignition sources. There is a great product on the market call F-500. AFFF will only suppress the vapors, F-500 removes the hydrocarbon element from the gasoline and renders it a non ignitable. It does not remove the Toxic Poison (benzine ) in the gasoline but it is now non ignitable. Scoop out as much of the contaiminated absorbent. Or stand by with the Environmental Clean Up company as they do that.
Take a LEL-UEL reading in the space and then close the pump housing.

[edge1317]

With underground tanks is there a way you could seal it off and starve it of oxygen to extinquish it?