Above Ground Fuel Tanks

Diesel Tank Protection

Having fueling capabilities at your fingertips is an extremely valuable resource during emergencies as well as a convenience.  However, assuring the dispensing facilities are properly installed can sometimes outweigh these and financial benefits if fueling is available locally without restrictions.  Organizations must always consider the possibility of environmental factors resulting from pollution when locating a refueling facility at their location.    

NFPA 22.15 provides standards for Collision Protection of aboveground storage tanks.  This provision states: Where a tank is exposed to vehicular impact, protection shall be provided to prevent damage to the tank. 

Above Ground Fuel Containment Cells

A majority of storage tanks contain petroleum products and are found in a variety of industrial uses.  Discharges of the tank materials may contaminate source water and product spilled or leaked from the tank may also accumulate in soils or be carried away in storm runoff.  Some of the causes for releases include corrosion, failure of piping system, spills and overfills.  Even a small spill can have a serious impact.  Therefore storage tanks should have a secondary containment area that contains spills and allows leaks to be more easily detected.  The containment area surrounding the tank should hold 110% of the contents and must be impermeable to the materials being stored.  Methods include berms, dikes, liners, vaults and double-walled tanks.

VFIS recommends your organization provide a containment system to reduce the environmental impact should one of the tanks fail.