5 Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing & Maintaining a Tank, If you are intending to purchase a chemical tank or have recently purchased a tank for this application there are a few things you might want to consider before and after the purchase. Despite a tank being a significant investment for any business, when considering installing a tank of any kind for their application, many customers will rely on their own knowledge when deciding what their needs are.
This lack of relevant expertise can result in issues later down the line, which can prove costly, not just financially, but in terms of time. In some cases, these problems may even be hazardous or pose a risk to humans, animals, watercourses, or the environment. At Enduramaxx, we see the same mistakes over and over. Make sure you don’t make the same ones by following our advice.
1. Lacking Chemical Knowledge
There are several important reasons to start with chemical knowledge for your storage system. Mistakes can be made when people only offer a generic chemical name or don’t inform the exact concentration of the chemical being held. One example could be if hydrochloric acid HCL is being stored, it’s essential to know what has been put in place for venting the tank as harmful vapours and HCL mist can be emitted and damage surrounding buildings, foliage and health. MSDS sheets from the chemical manufacturer, which should be kept onsite, provide all the information that is required to build a tank to store that liquid. If the MSDS sheet is for the incorrect chemical or a generic one downloaded from the internet, hazardous issues including leaks from incorrectly specified fittings can happen. Everything about the tank storage specification starts with the chemical being stored.
2. Improper Tank Foundation
A smooth and level base for the tank to sit on is essential for a storage tank either from concrete or metal. An uneven base will cause the tank to stress and risk the integrity of the tank. More details on this can be found in our Tank Installation Guide here.
3. Rigid pipework
Polyethene can expand and contract. The slight alterations in size can damage plumbing, or the tank itself. In both cases, this can lead to breakages, splits, and leaks, which can be a serious problem. Depending on the application the tank is being used for, it is also potentially hazardous. This why flexible pipework is necessary. There is a misconception that flexible pipework is more likely to break and leak, but by installing flexible connections on the bottom half the tank, it’ll help to prevent the problems associated with the expansion and contraction of polyethene tanks. It’s also important to ensure that the flexible piping is properly aligned with the fittings, as incorrect installation may prevent it from acting as it should, leading to breakages and leaks.
4. Improper Off-Loading Equipment
Suitable offloading equipment is very important when your tank arrives at your factory or site as incorrect offload can cause damage to the tank, pipework and fittings. This can affect the integrity of the tank. Enduramaxx recommends a forklift with adequate extended forks or a hiab / crane to offload to the tank is offloaded without damaging the tank and fittings.
5. Inadequate Maintenance Program
Regular inspections are vital to maintaining safe chemical storage. There are procedures we recommend prior to filling the tank and making sure it is clean and fit for purpose. Ongoing visual inspections of the tank, pipework, connections and associated frames tank are included in this. There are serious risks when you fail to checks as a minor issue with a tank’s fitting or using a tank to store liquids which it wasn’t designed for including temperatures of the liquid could lead to problems compromising the integrity of the tank.
