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Bunded Fuel Tanks: What Are They and Why Do You Need Them?

The contamination of groundwater is detrimental to plant, human, and animal life. For this reason, regulations on wastewater and liquid storage are implemented.

A part of implementation is bunded fuel tanks. If you are planning to store a hazardous liquid such as fuel, oil, or acid you need a bunded fuel tank.

Keep reading to discover what they are and why you need them.

What Are They?

If you’ve ever put cooking oil in the trash, you’ve known the horror that awaits you. Overnight, the oil seeped out of the bag and all over everything.

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Bunded fuel tanks make it so that substances much more hazardous than kitchen oil don’t leak.

Fuel storage tanks have a single layer or a double layer. The double layer is the outside layer. This is also called bunding or self-bunded.

Each bunded tank has a storage container within a storage container. The extra layer safeguards against leakage. If the substance breaches the first tank, the second tank is there to contain it.

This way, no one wakes up to an environmental safety mess.

When Do You Need Them?

Bunded tanks are necessary depending on the type of facility and liquid you are working with. Governing entities provide regulation for the storage, maintenance, and disposal of hazardous liquids.

If you are storing or transporting a liquid other than water, expect to use a bunding tank. Also, expect to use a bunding tank if you need to store more than 200 L of fuel or liquid.

You might choose an on-site fuel tank to refuel your vehicles to save on time.

Fuel storage systems come with added safety features like gauges, locks, and fail-safes.

A fill gauge, informs you of how much you have inside the container. Locking mechanisms help prevent fuel theft. Overfill protection prevents spilling of flammable and hazardous liquids.

How to Choose Bunded Fuel Tanks

Bunded fuel tanks help you stay compliant with EPA regulations. This keeps you and your money safe from preventable hazards. Fuel storage tanks also keep your fuel safe from theft.

A well-made fuel tank cannot simply be carried away.

The most obvious factor in choosing a bunded tank is capacity.

Your choice in tank will greatly depend on how much needs to be stored. If your operation is expanding, you may want to get a size up to avoid losing fuel. While temporary storage is available, it’s not a solution for the long term.

The second factor you will need to consider is design. The design of your tank will depend on what substance you need to store as well as where.

For above ground, you can choose between plastic and steel. Plastic tanks will last you about 10 years while steel will last upwards of 25 years.

Double the Protection

Bunded tanks keep hazardous hurting people and the environment.

The EPA regulates bunded fuel tanks but the requirements also benefit owners. The difficult-to-access inner tank reduces fuel theft, saving money. The bunded wall also protects the fuel from impact and the elements.

When you choose the right tank, it becomes an investment to your property. The safety features that come standard to your tank will depend on your needs.

If you’re storing fuel for a vehicle, contact our mechanics today for any repair questions.