Key Steps To Maintaining Your Fuelchief SuperVault Tank

A Fuelchief SuperVault tank is one of the highest certified tanks on the market. Along with a 30 year warranty it is backed by the Southwest Research Institute and has surpassed SwRI 95-03 certification along with successfully being the only tank written into NZ WorkSafe regulations. Investing in a SuperVault means you have purchased one of the most durable and resilient tanks on the market. When it comes to maintaining your Fuelchief Fire Rated Tanks Page there are some steps to remember. These should be carried out by someone who is confident in tank maintenance, or a representative onsite.

THE BENEFITS TO YOU:

A maintained tank means:

• Clean fuel
• Tank longevity
• No build-up of water and residue that may be detrimental to fuel

PAINT:

In order to retain performance from the epoxy coating system it is necessary to regularly wash the tank with detergent and water in order to remove any dust, dirt, or other material that could harm the coating system. Touch up paint is effective to repair any chipped areas or where the coating has been affected.

PIPEWORK:

Monthly inspection of all pipe work and fittings should be conducted for evidence of leakage. In the event of any minor leakage, the evidence of leakage should be cleaned off and any fittings likely to have caused the leakage should be checked and tightened. Your fuel system installer can assist you with this.

VENT:

A monthly inspection must be carried out to ensure the free to air vent (if installed) is sound and free from any obstruction.

INTERSTITIAL MONITORING:

The SuperVault tank is fitted with an interstitial monitoring tube. This tube is located at the end of the tank and held in permanent position. Ensure you monitor this tube to check if there has been any failure in the primary tank.

To do this: remove the screwed plug located on the top of the tube and visually inspect the inside of the tube. This can be done using a dry rod that will reach the bottom of the tube to check for substance leakage.

DEWATERING:

Depending on the local environment and atmospheric conditions prevailing where the tank is installed. A regular maintenance program of dewatering should be carried out (quarterly). The process of dewatering can vary depending on the type of tank and degree to which the product being stored needs to be kept dry. With petrol and diesel, water is not so much a problem as long as the tank is static, and the water is given time to settle out and drawn off regularly.

The problem with water in diesel is that it can promote the growth of the ‘diesel bug’ and for this reason it is good practice to keep the tank as dry as possible.

Horizontal above ground SuperVault tanks require the following maintenance procedure for dewatering:

1. Regularly check for the presence of water on a monthly basis or after a delivery, by using a water detection paste on the bottom of the dipstick. Detection paste is available from most fuel suppliers.
2. If water is present, remove by a hand operated rotary pump or similar. The pump can be fitted with a long metal tube to the inlet of the pump of sufficient length to reach the bottom of the tank. Pump the water until the product is observed discharging from the pump outlet. You may also take further tests with the dipstick indicate that water is no longer present.
3. Water and any product to be pumped into a leak-proof container and disposed of by your local authorities approved method.
4. Re-dip the tank with paste to check that all water has been removed.
5. Replace the dip cap.
6. It is considered good practice to keep a log of the date and the quantity of water removed.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE IF YOUR TANK IS SwRI 95-03, here is what to look for: 

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TANK IS SwRI 95-03?

If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our team at: info@fuelchieftanks.com