• Bulk-to-Farmer Tank
• Fireguard
• Standard ASTs

Forgeweld Aboveground Storage Tanks

The Alternative Storage Solution

In the past decade, innovative technology has addressed many of the serious environmental and safety concerns raised in the 1980's, allowing for the safer storage and handling of all classes of flammable and combustible liquids, including those stored in Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST's).

Until recently, the storage of petroleum products in AST's at consumer facilities in South Afrca was restricted to diesel and kerosene, the storage of petroleum in AST's being restricted to oil company depots. The advent of double-wall, insulated AST's, however, has changed the way the industry and authorities view the AST, allowing the storage of petroleum products at any facility under certain conditions.

Insulated, secondary containment tanks are essential

for the aboveground storage of petrol

Virtually all developmental work and standards pertaining to AST's emanates from the United States of America, where both the funding for research and development and the environmental legislation prompting research exists. There are two authoritative international standards covering the fabrication and manufacture of AST's:

• The American Petroleum Institute (API) standard for Welded Steel Storage Tanks: API 650 - this relates to field-erected large units, essentially for the petroleum distribution industry.

• The American Underwriters Laboratory (UL) standard for Steel Aboveground Storage Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids: UL 142 - this covers shop-fabricated units, essentially for use in the consumer and retail markets.

In South Africa, the recently revised code covering the installation and use of AST's is South African National Standard (SANS) 10131: Aboveground Storage for Petroleum Products. Forgeweld regularly undergoes SABS scrutiny to ensure that our products meet the criteria set by them.

Two authoritative standards cover the aboveground storage of flammable substances. Both are issued by the US Underwriters Laboratory:

• UL Subject 2080: Fire Resistant Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids - this standard requires AST's to withstand a two hour fire test during which a single point temperature may reach 1000° Fahrenheit (538° Celcius) but the average tank temperature may not exceed 800° Fahrenheit (427° Celcius).

• UL 2085: Protected Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids - this standard covers tanks with insulated secondary containment (such as Forgeweld's Fireguard™ AST's) and requires tanks to withstand a four hour fire test of 2000° Fahrenheit (1093° Celcius) during which no single point temperature may exceed 400° Fahrenheit (382° Celcius). Insulated, secondary containment tanks are essential for the aboveground storage of petrol.

As a result of the complexity of codes, standards and materials, Underwriters Laboratory have issued the standard UL 2244: Aboveground Flammable Liquid Tanks Systems, which lists all certified equipment necessary to ensure functional installations compliant with strict United States National Fire Codes.

Forgeweld goes the extra mile in securing the latest and best tank technology from around the globe. We offer the following AST's:

• The Forgeweld BTF Tank - a basic, conventional AST for the storage of class II and class III petroleum or chemical products, it has been a popular choice since we first started manufacturing them in 1965.

• The Fireguard™ AST - a protected, fire-rated, insulated AST for the storage of class I products developed by the Steel Tank Institute of America (STI), it provides environmental security, impact protection, ballistics resistance and super-low maintenance.

• The Standard Aboveground Storage Tank (SASTank) - a cost-effective, single-wall AST suitable for the storage of class II and class III liquids.

Please note: We urge all our customers to take heed of the requirements of SABS Code of Practice  0131 which relates to yearly inspection, testing and maintenance of their AST's. We all share the responsibility to ensure the safety of our human and environmental resources.