Understanding Your Fuel Storage Options
If you’ve been researching fuel storage tanks, you’ve probably come across terms like single wall, double wall, UL 142, Flameshield®, Fireguard®, and self-contained tanks. It can feel like you’re learning a whole new language.
The good news is that choosing the right fuel tank doesn’t have to be complicated.
Every project is different. A farm storing off-road diesel has different needs than a construction company fueling heavy equipment. A municipality has different requirements than a manufacturing facility, a fleet maintenance shop, or a hospital with an emergency generator.
The best fuel tank isn’t always the largest one or the one with the highest price tag. It’s the one that fits your application, your property, and the way you’ll actually use it.
At Clark Welding Tanks, we’ve found that asking the right questions is just as important as choosing the right tank. Before we recommend a storage solution, we take time to learn about your project. A few simple questions today can help you avoid costly mistakes tomorrow.
Some of the first questions we ask include:
- What product will you be storing?
- How much fuel do you need to store?
- Where will the tank be installed?
- Is it located near a stream, lake, or other waterway?
- Will heavy equipment be operating around the tank?
- Has your customer, engineer, fire marshal, or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) specified a particular type of tank?
The answers to those questions help us recommend the storage solution that best fits your project. Sometimes that’s a single wall tank. Sometimes it’s a double wall tank. Other projects call for a UL 142 above ground storage tank, an STI Flameshield® tank, a UL 2085 Fireguard® tank, or even a self-contained tank.
That’s why we believe understanding your project comes before choosing your tank.
What Is a Double Wall Fuel Tank?
A double wall fuel tank is exactly what it sounds like. It’s one steel tank built inside another.
The inner tank stores the fuel. The outer tank surrounds the primary tank and provides another layer of protection. If the inner tank ever develops a leak, the outer tank is designed to contain the fuel instead of allowing it to reach the surrounding environment.
The space between the two tanks can also be checked through a monitor port. During routine inspections, owners can verify that the space between the tank walls remains dry and free of product.
You’ll often hear the term secondary containment when talking about fuel storage. Simply put, secondary containment is designed to capture fuel if the primary tank ever develops a leak. A double wall tank has that protection built right into its design.
Many businesses choose a UL 142 above ground storage tank because it combines fuel storage and built-in secondary containment into one package. If you’d like to learn more about the UL 142 standard, our UL 142 fuel storage tanks guide explains how these tanks are designed and where they’re commonly used.
When Is a Double Wall Tank the Right Choice?
Double wall tanks have become a popular choice for many commercial and industrial fuel storage applications.
They’re commonly used by:
- Construction companies
- Commercial fueling operations
- Municipal fleets
- Manufacturing facilities
- Emergency generator installations
- Farms storing larger volumes of fuel
- Industrial facilities
- Many other commercial operations
Many owners choose a double wall tank because they want built-in secondary containment without constructing a separate containment dike. Others appreciate the added durability that comes from having two layers of steel, especially where heavy equipment operates around the tank every day.
Every project has its own requirements. The best tank is the one that fits your application, your site, and the way you’ll actually use it.
When a Single Wall Tank May Be the Better Option
Many people assume every above ground fuel tank needs to be double wall.
In reality, many projects are well served by a single wall tank.
The best choice depends on several factors, including:
- The type of fuel being stored
- The amount of fuel being stored
- Where the tank will be installed
- Site conditions
- Local regulations
- The requirements of your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
For example, many smaller fuel storage applications continue to use single wall tanks successfully. As storage volumes increase, or when environmental concerns become a greater consideration, many owners begin looking at double wall tanks or other containment options.
Some projects use a single wall tank inside a properly designed containment dike or steel containment pan to provide secondary containment. Other applications allow a single wall tank without additional containment, depending on the product being stored, the storage volume, site conditions, and local requirements.
Facilities storing more than 1,320 gallons of oil above ground may also need to comply with an EPA 40 CFR Part 112 Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan. Planning ahead helps you choose a storage system that fits both your operation and the applicable requirements.
Every project deserves its own evaluation. That’s why we spend more time asking questions than recommending products. Choosing the right tank today helps you avoid unnecessary costs and gives you confidence that your storage system fits your project.
Is a Self-Contained Tank a Better Fit?
Sometimes choosing the right fuel storage system means looking beyond a traditional double wall tank.
For applications where overfill protection, built-in spill containment, or additional protection from equipment impacts are important, a self-contained tank may be a better fit.
With a traditional double wall tank, an accidental overfill can allow fuel to escape through the vent openings, creating wasted product, cleanup, and potential environmental concerns. We’ll cover overfill protection in more detail in another article because it’s an important topic on its own.
A self-contained tank approaches that situation differently. The built-in containment area is designed to capture fuel from an accidental overfill, helping protect the surrounding area while making cleanup much easier.
Self-contained tanks also include structural bracing inside the containment area. Combined with the outer containment, they provide additional protection where heavy equipment regularly operates around the tank.
Construction companies, municipalities, industrial facilities, and equipment yards often appreciate these additional benefits.
Understanding UL 142, Flameshield®, and Fireguard®
Another area that often creates confusion is understanding the different types of above ground fuel tanks.
Some projects specifically require an STI Flameshield® tank, while others simply require a standard UL 142 double wall tank. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right tank for your project.
If you’d like to learn more about when a Flameshield® tank is the right choice, our Flameshield® tank buyer’s guide explains where these tanks are commonly used and why they’re specified.
Some applications call for an even higher level of fire protection. Military installations and certain commercial or industrial projects may require a UL 2085 Fireguard® tank because of the additional fire protection it provides.
Our Fireguard® tank buyer’s guide explains where Fireguard® tanks are commonly used and when they’re typically specified.
Choosing the Right Fuel Storage Tank
Choosing the right fuel storage tank starts with understanding your project.
One customer may benefit from a single wall tank.
Another project may call for a double wall UL 142 above ground storage tank.
Others may require an STI Flameshield® tank, a UL 2085 Fireguard® tank, or another specialized storage solution.
Every project is different.
That’s why we believe asking the right questions comes before recommending the right tank. Taking a little extra time during the planning stage helps you choose a storage solution that fits your operation, protects your investment, and gives you confidence that you’ve made the right decision.
If you have questions about your project or would like help comparing your options, Contact Clark Welding Tanks. We are always happy to help you find the solution that best fits your application.