Underground Fuel Storage Tank VS A Fire Rated Room VS A Fire Rated Tank

INSTALLATION

An Underground Fuel Storage Tank (UST) comes with many implications including the purchase and installation process being more expensive upfront, the tank can also quietly corrode overtime, is difficult to inspect and repair, leaks aren’t easily visible, and are more expensive to remove when “worn out” (especially if they leaked into the soil, and your area requires clean-up of contamination).

The costs associated with installing a UST are significantly higher than those for setting up an Above Ground Fuel Storage Tank (AST). UST require expensive excavation work which includes a variety of permits, land use consents and specialized equipment for the installation.

Other factors to consider if burying a tank within a building include access pits for servicing, proximity to property boundaries and building foundations and corrosion protection.

TYPICAL COST EXAMPLE (5,000L)

We had a look at the costs of installing a 5000 litre double wall fiberglass UST versus a 4-hour fired-rated double walled SuperVault. Both options exclude pipework.

SERVICING

When maintenance is necessary, it is less expensive (and faster) to make repairs on an Above Ground Fuel Storage Tank (AST) rather than a Underground Fuel Storage Tank (UST). Repairs are a key concern for long-term costs. For installation, above ground fuel tanks tend to be less expensive overall.

In almost all areas of the globe, the responsibility lies with the owner to ensure that their UST’s does not leak, and it is certainly recommended that if you choose this option that you establish a well-documented system of care for your tank. UST’s record keeping should include maintaining a record of detection system performance; recording results of sampling, testing or monitoring; and documenting calibration, maintenance and repair of the equipment.

RELOCATING 

There are many factors that affect the cost of removing an Underground Fuel Storage Tank. The most important factors include the tank’s size, whether there is evidence of leaking and what was stored in the tank. UST’s do cost much more than AST’s to remove, due to the added labour of excavation and the need to locate any underground pipes or utility lines. The larger the tank, the more it costs to remove. In summary, if you choose this option, you’re deciding the tank will be there forever regardless of consequences.

Removing an Underground Fuel Storage Tank requires specialist attention and is mostly left in place and decommissioned by filling with concrete or some other like substance. Replacing an UST with a larger sized option is usually not an option, unless another location within the building is available.

Fuelchief take the hassle out of your whole decision by engineering a compliant customised Above Ground Fuel Tank (AST) called the SuperVault. This engineered fuel tank is 4-hour fire rated and is recommended due to its fire protective safety for commercial sectors.  The SuperVault tank offers elite fire-rated, bullet-proof, impact-resistant technology and has been designed, fabricated and tested in accordance with SwRI 95-03 which makes it the safest and most durable tank in the world. In many circumstances where diesel or petrol needs to be stored in commercial buildings, the SuperVault is the only permitted tank. The SuperVault has been engineered to withstand conditions – from the sub-zero temperature of the Arctic to the blistering heat of the desert. No other fuel storage system in the world can provide a higher level of certified fire protection, insulation, and fuel security than a Fuelchief SuperVault.

INSTALLATION

The SuperVault rectangular series is the only tank in the world with the correct certification for installation within buildings. Clause 5.9.4(c) of Standards Australia state that Tanks having an FRL of 240/240/240 shall be regarded as complying with the requirements for tanks in chambers (see clauses 5.13.1 & 2).

SERVICING

Regular maintenance is important with all fuel tanks to ensure a stable fuel supply in all conditions and applications. The most important service function is to ensure fuel is clean and free of contaminants. To do this, tanks will need a maintenance schedule that includes the ability to remove all fuel, flush the tank and refill. All fuels are subject to condensation and will need to be checked for water and sludge build up to ensure nothing gets transferred to expensive equipment or prohibit generator start up in the event of a power outage.

The interstitial insulation provides maximum thermal protection to the internal steel tank, thus minimising condensation build-up. This insulation material reduces heat transfer from the outer tank to the inner tank, therefore minimising the risk of an environmental disaster or the event of a pool fire. The porous nature of the insulating material allows for monitoring of leakage from the primary tank. In hot climates, the insulation also minimises fuel losses due to evaporation.  The SuperVault emergency vent controls the pressure in the tank in extreme fire conditions to eliminate explosion.

RELOCATING 

You can easily relocate your SuperVault from building* to building by simply unplugging from associated pipework, unbolting from your seismic restraints and lifting out. Above Ground Storage Tanks (AST’s) are much easier to move than their below-ground counterparts. If you need to move your tanks for new construction, you can easily move them elsewhere. In turn, this ease of movement makes any upgrade possible more appealing if your power requirements change. Need a bigger generator, remove the tank and put in a bigger one, no hassle at all.

*this is based on the design of the room, emergency supply room should be designed with consideration given to maintenance and/or tank removal in the future.