SPCC Plan Template

What is an SPCC plan template?

An SPCC plan template is a pre-structured document that organizes the elements EPA requires under 40 CFR Part 112, including facility information, an oil storage container inventory, secondary containment descriptions, inspection and testing procedures, personnel training, security measures, and discharge response procedures. A template gives you a compliant starting framework so you complete each required section rather than drafting a plan from scratch.

Is there an official EPA SPCC plan template?

Yes, for one category of facility. EPA publishes the Tier I Qualified Facility SPCC Plan Template as Appendix G to 40 CFR Part 112. A Tier I qualified facility completes that template in place of a conventional narrative plan and self-certifies it. Facilities that are not Tier I qualified, including Tier II qualified facilities and all facilities requiring PE certification, need a full-format plan, and a general-purpose template such as the one on this page provides that structure.

What is the difference between a Tier I and Tier II SPCC plan?

Both apply to qualified facilities with 10,000 gallons or less of aggregate aboveground oil storage and a clean recent discharge history. The distinction is individual container size: a Tier I facility has no single aboveground container larger than 5,000 gallons and may use EPA's Appendix G template, while a Tier II facility has at least one container over 5,000 gallons and must prepare a full-format plan. Both may self-certify without a Professional Engineer.

What should an SPCC plan template include?

A complete SPCC plan template should include a certification or management approval page, facility information and a diagram, an oil storage container inventory with capacities, predicted discharge volumes and flow directions, secondary containment descriptions with sizing calculations, discharge prevention and control measures, an inspection and integrity-testing schedule, personnel training and briefing records, facility security measures, discharge response and notification procedures, and logs for the five-year review and plan amendments.

Can I use a template to self-certify my SPCC plan?

Facilities that meet the Tier I or Tier II qualified facility criteria may self-certify a plan, and a template can streamline that process. A facility generally qualifies if total aboveground oil storage capacity is 10,000 gallons or less and it has had no single discharge over 1,000 gallons or two discharges over 42 gallons each within any 12-month period in the prior three years. Facilities that do not qualify must have the completed plan certified by a licensed Professional Engineer.

Is a free SPCC plan template enough for compliance?

A template provides the structure, but compliance depends on accurate, facility-specific content and, for full plans, PE certification. Containment sizing, discharge predictions, and the facility diagram must reflect actual conditions. Have your completed plan reviewed by a qualified environmental professional, and certified by a Professional Engineer where required, before implementation.

How do I keep my SPCC plan current after using a template?

An SPCC plan must be amended whenever a change in facility design or operation materially affects discharge potential, and reviewed at least every five years. SPCC software keeps the plan current by generating container inventories and containment calculations from live facility data, tracking inspection and integrity-testing deadlines, and flagging the changes that trigger an amendment.