Aboveground Fuel Tanks: Three Essential Tips for Promoting Commercial Property Safety

16 February 2018
 Categories: Business, Blog

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You should think about acquiring an aboveground fuel tank if you are planning on storing petroleum products or chemicals on your business premises. Fuel tanks are beneficial because they ensure the availability of crucial fluids such as petrol or diesel for commercial operations. The containers ensure that the material remains safe and free of contamination. In addition, a good fuel tank will prevent the leakage of dangerous compounds on the property. On the other hand, you should remember that the contents of fuel tanks can be dangerous. Therefore, if you handle the container poorly, you could cause hazardous situations. Here are some practical tips for ensuring aboveground fuel tank safety.

Ensure Material Compatibility

You should choose the correct tank for your storage applications. Selecting the wrong tank for your fuel or other chemical storage purposes can cause major problems on the site. In simple terms, the tank material could react with the contained fluid. The result would be accelerated wear of the container and the contamination of the surroundings. Also, the compounds used to make the tank could leach into the stored fuel, changing the chemical properties of the fluid. In the worst case, a dangerous chemical could explode due to container incompatibility. Therefore, you should check the specifications of the storage tank when hiring or purchasing one for your business.

Place the Tank Correctly

You should set up your fuel storage tank as instructed by the manufacturer after purchase or hire. If you place the container incorrectly on your commercial property, you could end up with a dangerous situation. In simple terms, the tank could topple over, contaminating the environment and creating fire and explosion hazards. Also, if the tank is not stable, it might not perform as expected. Therefore, you should have a safe space for storing the fuel tank. The spot should have a stable foundation or base for supporting the container. You must make sure that your constructed foundation can support the total weight of your filled tank. Where necessary, you should install bracing to further support the tank.

Protect from Ignition Sources

Finally, you should ensure that your fuel tank is placed far from sources of ignition. Petroleum products and other dangerous chemicals used in commercial and industrial processes are typically highly flammable or explosive. Therefore, you must ensure that there is no contact with potential sources of ignition. You should protect the tank from naked flames, static electricity, electrical current and engines. Also, you should have warning signs indicating the presence of the fuel tank.

To learn more, contact a fuel tank hire company in your area.