What You Need To Know About On-Site Fuel Tanks?

On-site fuel storage can save a lot of money and time. There are many advantages to it; however, there are regulations to follow carefully.

If you store fuel where you work, there is no need for regular deliveries, so you won’t have to worry about suppliers popping by frequently.

Furthermore, you will have a firm understanding of how much fuel is being consumed. That makes it easy for you to calculate the exact cost without getting a frequent supply.

As far as regulations go, there are 3 types: local, state, and federal. They make sure that you pose no threat to the environment and the people around you.

You should keep your fuel away from water and other contaminants; a small amount of water can do a lot of damage to the machinery that you are running.

Some construction companies have an enormous workload on their plate, so they cycle fuel fast, so bacteria build-ups and water contamination don’t matter. But for the rest of us, it’s a big issue. For this reason, you must educate yourself about installation and maintenance.

The Right Tank Design For You

To avoid complications, it’s best to get a self-bound fuel tank. To get the best one to keep on-site, go to this website. You will find tanks that you can keep above ground or under, based on your needs.

Above-Ground Fuel Storage Tanks

On-site fuel storage is usually a thing that construction fleets do. For them, we recommend above-ground fuel tanks because it is easy to paint these tanks; painting tanks protects them from harsh elements.

Also, above-ground storage systems are easier to inspect are less prone to leaks. Furthermore, keeping them above ground means that you can move the tank to different locations.

However, the problem with the above-ground storage is that it suffers damage more often than underground tanks. For instance, trucks might back into the tanks by accident.

If you store above-ground, people might steal your fuel and damage your tank trying to do so. You should be very careful and secure the area where you decide to store fuel.

Underground Fuel Storage Tanks

Underground storage of fuel is not a bad option. You won’t be able to move the tank around, but it protects the fuel from bad weather.

Underground tanks are connected using organized pipes. You find them with individuals with big projects, municipalities, and fleets. Also, they are less prone to damage.

The problem with underground tanks is that leakage may occur if not maintained regularly. If your tank does leak, it could be disastrous because the surrounding environment and health of workers will be affected.

For this reason, the government is strict about the underground storage of fuel. You will have to abide by regulations because you must protect the environment.

Laws Regarding Fuel Storage

On-site fuel storage has a lot of benefits, but you need to do it right if you are to do it at all, so, you have to study the local zoning laws. Furthermore, you need to study the state regulations and federal laws.

To know about the laws, visit the EPA website. There, you will find the information you need to set up your storage tank. Furthermore, you will learn about the proper maintenance method.

If you are going with an outdoor tank, then you need to get it an outdoor-usage designation.

Also, you can’t use a basement fuel tank outdoors. If the fuel that your tank holds is flammable, then it has to be fire-guarded.

Because you don’t want a disaster on your hands, keep your tank in a vault and fire-guard it; this will make sure that the fuel stays dormant for two hours even if there is a fire.

Next, you need to have another containment zone that can hold the fuel. If there is an issue with the original tank, the second one will be at your disposal.

After that, you have to make sure that the second containment area is double-walled. If that is not possible, then it should have a bathtub or a dike.

Lastly, you should refill once a month only. Refueling is very risky as spills may occur. If you need to refill more than once a month, it is time for you to get more tanks.

Fuel Tank Contamination

You have to monitor every time that the tank opens for fueling. Every time the tank opens, lots of dust gets in. If this happens, the quality of the fuel will suffer, so you will need treatments for corrosion, plugging, and gelling prevention. Also, install micron filters on the distribution tanks.

Dust is not the only concern. If water gets into the fuel, contamination will occur. So you should regularly check the water content in fuel tanks. You can do this using a simple test kit. If you do find water in your fuel, try to get it out as fast as possible.

Clean your tank using an electric pump and a PVC pipe. With the PVC pipe, you can search the bottom of the tank for contaminants. Inspect fuel regularly as part of maintenance. Doing so will help you follow the rules.

Risk Management

You and all your employees who come in direct contact with the fuel and the fuel tank need training. For instance, they should be able to identify risk factors and know how to avoid and/or resolve them. Familiarize your team with inspection and testing procedures.

Your employees need to know how to operate the equipment that consumes fuel. Also, they all need to be part of the regular maintenance.

Furthermore, they need to know how to deal with sudden shutdown protocols. Plus, you have to be able to deal with spills. Familiarize everyone with cleanup operations.

Conclusion

On-site fuel storage saves a lot of time and money. You can choose between above-ground storage and underground storage.

Storing above ground means you can move the tank around, but it is more prone to damage. On the other hand, underground tanks are safer from outdoor harm but have the risk of leakage.

Once you have picked the type of tank you want to store your fuel, read up on regulations local, state and federal regulations. Regular maintenance will help with abiding the law.

Make sure that you and your employees are familiar with the protocols to keep the fuel and machines safe. Furthermore, they need to know how to handle spills quickly and effectively.