VLAREM II Compliance: Why the SDT340 TankTest Is the Indispensable Tool for the Erkend Technicus

For the recognized oil tank technician (erkend technicus stookolietanks) in the Flemish Region, compliance is defined by VLAREM II—a complex set of environmental regulations that demand meticulous, risk-based inspection schedules.

Success is not just about finding leaks; it’s about maximizing operational throughput while adhering to strict technical and reporting standards.

Traditional hydrostatic and pressure-decay methods are too slow for the high-frequency demands of VLAREM II. The SDT340 TankTest and its advanced acoustic method are engineered precisely to meet these challenges, offering superior efficiency and guaranteed technical compliance.

Navigating the VLAREM II frequency challenge

Flemish regulation mandates a tiered inspection schedule based on tank location and environmental risk. This creates a high volume of recurring work that demands speed:

• High-Risk Zones: If a tank is located within a sensitive water catchment or protection zone, a Limited Inspection is required at least once a year.
• Lower-Risk Zones: For tanks outside these zones, a Limited Inspection is still mandatory once every two years.
• General Inspections: Comprehensive checks are required every 10 or 15 years, depending on the location.

To profitably manage these demanding annual and biennial schedules, technicians need a testing method that minimizes on-site time. The SDT340 delivers this advantage by requiring no tank emptying, no cleaning, and zero stabilization time for the liquid. You can move from job to job, maximizing your company’s daily capacity.

Technical compliance: Precision engineered for VLAREM

A common concern among technicians is ensuring that alternative methods meet the strict technical criteria established by VLAREM II. The SDT acoustic method offers clear, guaranteed compliance:

• Pressure Equivalence: VLAREM II requires density testing to be performed using an underpressure of no more than 30 kPa (300 mbar). The SDT340’s integrated vacuum pump is safety-calibrated to operate at a precise $pm 250$ mbar. This safely adheres to the VLAREM standard, allowing the erkend technicus to utilize the rapid acoustic test method with full legal assurance.
• Superior Sensitivity in Risk Zones: For tanks located near sensitive water sources, early detection is paramount. The SDT340 is built with unequalled sensitivity, capable of detecting “mini defects” or the smallest perforations before they result in significant pollution, enabling proactive intervention that protects both the environment and the client.

 Guaranteed audit integrity

In a compliance-driven market, the final report must be indisputable. The SDT340 provides two critical features that protect the technician from regulatory challenges:

1. The Leak Simulator: Integrated into the guided test procedure, this tool allows the operator to prove that the test was performed correctly and that the necessary vacuum was applied.² This acts as a tamper-proof validation of the testing process, protecting your professional reputation against allegations of a poorly executed check.
2. SDT TankTest Reporter Software: This dedicated software generates detailed, complete, and automatically numbered reports that are fraud-resistant. This streamlines data management and ensures that all mandatory information required for VLAREM documentation is captured meticulously.

Investing in the SDT340 TankTest and professional SDT training guarantees that you are equipped with the most efficient, legally compliant, and auditable solution to thrive as a recognized technician in the demanding Flemish market.