A 10,000 FOOT OVERVIEW OF TANK CONSTRUCTION

Joe Mentzer from the Steel Tank Institute considers the fundamentals Building a storage tank is a significant investment that will result in a valuable, long-term asset. Properly built and maintained tanks can remain in service for generations, as evidenced by the STI/SPFA Field Erected Storage Tank Century Club. Storage tank usage can be flexible provided proper planning and decisions are made from the start. Tanks require ongoing inspection and maintenance, but preparation can minimise resources needed to fulfil these long-term obligations. Careful planning will allow the tank system to adapt to future needs.   CONSIDERATIONS FOR LOCATING TANKS Sometimes the tank location is obvious, and other times not so much. The location must consider access - how will the user get product to and from the tank now and in the future? Location may be limited by access to roads, rail, or pipelines. Weather can also be a consideration - is the site accessible when it needs to be accessible? Often tanks are located where nothing is currently present, but sometimes there is a reason nothing is there; empty land may be empty for a reason. Geotechnical conditions, both natural and...