Installing underground tanks
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Published by SALUSWhen installing underground tanks, several safety measures must be followed to prevent structural damage, leaks, and other hazards. Here's a breakdown of key requirements:
- Location: Exercise caution during excavation to avoid undermining existing foundations 2, 3. Position underground tanks so that the loads from building foundations and supports are not transmitted to the tank 1, 2, 3. Maintain specific distances from basements, pits, and property lines, depending on the category of flammable liquid stored 1, 2, 3.
- Depth and Cover: Place underground tanks on firm foundations and surround them with at least 6 inches of noncorrosive, inert materials like clean sand or gravel, well-tamped in place 1, 3, 11. Handle tanks carefully during placement to avoid damage 1, 3, 11. Cover tanks with a minimum of 2 feet of earth, or 1 foot of earth plus a 4-inch thick reinforced concrete slab 1, 3, 11. In areas subject to traffic, increase the protection to 3 feet of earth cover, or 18 inches of well-tamped earth plus reinforced or asphaltic concrete 1, 3, 11. Paving should extend at least one foot horizontally beyond the tank's outline 1, 3, 11.
- Corrosion Protection: Implement corrosion protection for both the tank and its piping through methods like protective coatings/wrappings, cathodic protection, or corrosion-resistant materials 3, 11.
- Vents: For Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), ensure vent pipes are located outside buildings, higher than the fill pipe opening, and at least 12 feet above ground level 3, 11. Vent pipes should discharge upwards to disperse vapors and avoid obstructions that could cause excessive back pressure 3, 11.
- Tank Openings: All tank openings must have vapor or liquid-tight connections [1]. Provide openings for manual gauging with liquid-tight caps or covers [1]. Fill and discharge lines should enter tanks through the top and fill lines should slope towards the tank [1].
- Flood Protection: In flood-prone areas, take precautions such as not locating tanks below the maximum flood stage, providing independent water supply facilities, and safeguarding tanks against movement when empty or submerged 4, 6, 10, 14. Anchor, weight, or secure tanks to prevent movement during flooding 4, 6, 10, 14.
- Piping: Provide pipe connections below the liquid level with valves or cocks located close to the tank shell, made of steel or suitable material 6, 10, 14.
- Materials and Construction: Tanks must be built of steel or other approved materials suitable for the stored liquid [2]. Non-steel tanks must adhere to engineering design principles [2].
- Filling Connections: Locate filling and emptying connections outside of buildings, away from ignition sources and building openings. Ensure connections are closed and liquid-tight when not in use and properly identified 1, 2, 3.
- Static Electricity: For certain flammable liquids, design and install fill pipes to minimize static electricity generation 1, 2, 3.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can significantly enhance the safety of underground tank installations.
Sources used for this answer
[1] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)
Page 127
Open source documentSource excerpt
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - above 100°F (37.8°C) or Category 4 flammable liquids must terminate outside of the building and higher than the fill pipe opening. Vent outlets must be above normal snow level. They may be fitted with return bends, coarse screens or other devices to minimize ingress of foreign material. - (iv) Vent piping must be constructed in accordance with WAC 296-24-[redacted postal code]. Vent pipes must be laid so as to drain toward the tank without sags or traps in which liquid can collect. You must locate them so that they will not be subjected to physical damage. The tank end of the vent pipe must enter the tank through the top. - (v) When tank vent piping is manifolded, pipe sizes must be such as to discharge, within the pressure limitations of the system, the vapors they may be required to handle when manifolded tanks are filled simultaneously. ## (e) Tank openings other than vents . - (i) Connections for all tank openings must be vapor or liquid tight. - (ii) You must provide openings for manual gauging, if independent of the fill pipe, with a liquid-tight cap or cover. If inside a building, you must protect each such opening against liquid overflow and possible vapor release by means of a spring- loaded check valve or other approved device. - (iii) Fill and discharge lines must enter tanks only through the top. Fill lines must be sloped toward the tank. - (iv) For Category 2 flammable liquids and Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), other than crude oils, gasolines, and asphalts, you must design and install the fill pipes as to minimize the possibility of generating static electricity by terminating within six inches of the bottom of the tank. - (v) You must locate filling and emptying connections which are made and br…
[2] Safety Standards for General Safety and Health Standards (Chaper 296-24 WAC)
Page 114
Open source documentSource excerpt
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ - (i) Tanks must be built of steel except as provided in (a)(ii) through (v) of this subsection. - (ii) Tanks may be built of materials other than steel for installation underground or if required by the properties of the liquid stored. Tanks located above ground or inside buildings must be of noncombustible construction. - (iii) Tanks built of materials other than steel must be designed to specifications embodying principles recognized as good engineering design for the material used. - (iv) Unlined concrete tanks may be used for storing flammable liquids having a gravity of 40 API or heavier. Concrete tanks with special lining may be used for other services provided the design is in accordance with sound engineering practice. - (v) Tanks may have combustible or noncombustible linings. - (vi) You must require special engineering consideration if the specific gravity of the liquid to be stored exceeds that of water or if the tanks are designed to contain flammable liquids at a liquid temperature below 0 ° F. ## (b) Fabrication . - (i) Tanks may be of any shape or type consistent with sound engineering design. - (ii) Metal tanks must be welded, riveted, and caulked, brazed, or bolted, or constructed by use of a combination of these methods. Filler metal used in brazing must be nonferrous metal or an alloy having a melting point above 1000 ° F and below that of the metal joined. ## (c) Atmospheric tanks . - (i) Atmospheric tanks must be built in accordance with acceptable good standards of design. Atmospheric tanks may be built in accordance with: - (A) Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., Subjects No. 142, Standard for Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, 1968; No. 58, Standards for Steel Underground Tanks for Flammable and Co…
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