Plastic Storage Tank Installation and Use Guidelines
Terms & Conditions/Warranty & Freight Claims
While our polyethylene plastic tanks are made with high quality materials and manufactured to exacting standards, improper handling and installation can damage them or their fittings. Follow the guidelines listed on this page to avoid problems. You may void your warranty if you do not handle and install your plastic storage tanks properly.
Handling Your new Plastic Tank:
When tanks are delivered, they should be inspected for damage before the delivery is accepted. If problems of any kind are noted, they should be listed on the driver's bill of lading and on the packing list. Contact us immediately so we can work with you to correct any problems as quickly as possible.
Extreme care should be taken when unloading your new plastic storage tanks from trucks. Tanks should be unloaded onto smooth surfaces that are free of rocks or other sharp objects that could cause damage. Be especially careful to guard against damage that can be caused by the blades on forklifts. Use a crane to lift large storage tanks from the truck.
When tanks are being unloaded, moved or installed, damage to tank fittings must be avoided. Do not allow the weight of the tank to rest on any of the fittings. Do not roll the tank over any of its fittings.
Plastic Tank Installation:
It is very important that plastic storage tanks are installed on a surface that is smooth, firm and supports the tank completely. In almost all circumstances, a reinforced concrete base is the best solution. Even when a tank stand is used, the stand must be mounted on a solid base. Be sure to secure both storage tanks and their stands to guard against movement that could occur from wind, seismic activity, motion of contents or other causes.
Consider the location of the installation and be sure you have enough room for maintenance activities. Since polyethylene tanks may contract or expand due to temperature changes, atmospheric conditions and the nature of the contents, proper planning is important regarding the space in which they are installed and the amount of material that is placed in them.
You should consider the work activities that will take place in the vicinity of the tank and take precaution against accidental contact with the tank. Impact with the tank, especially at low temperatures, can cause tank failure.
Certain tanks require support of the sides to avoid structural failure. Be aware of the properties of your tanks and the properties of the contents they will hold.
Plastic Storage Tanks are not designed to support the weight of machinery, equipment or any heavy load. Do not mount items like this on the top of the tank or on its fittings.
If it is necessary for workers to enter the tank, great care should be taken to guard against asphyxiation or breathing of hazardous vapors and fumes.
Plastic Tank Fittings and Accessories:
Be aware of the type of fittings used on your tank. Hand tighten plastic bulkhead fittings. If they are over-tightened, fittings may leak.
It is important that fittings, valves, pipes and other accessories are fully supported. Fittings and tank attachments should not carry any weight.
Since different materials expand and contract at different rates, expansion joints should be used to accommodate those differences and prevent damage.
Care must be taken with the installation of accessories. Immersion heaters, for instance, must be installed so that they do not come in contact with the walls of the tank. Consult the documentation for the accessory for more detailed installation information.
Tank Use:
Use storage tanks only for the purpose for which they are created. Do not apply contents under pressure or create a vacuum unless the tank is specifically rated for that use.
Make sure that the materials you store in the tank are appropriate for the properties of the tank, fittings, gaskets and accessories.
Before Placing the Tank into Use:
Test your installation by filling the tank with water before you put the unit into use. Verify the integrity of the tank and its fittings.
Chemical Data
DEF Tanks
DEF is commonly stored in vertical, double wall, totes, and horizontal tanks. HDPE is best material for the tank with a SG of 1.5 or 1.9. The fitting material for DEF tanks need to be PP or 316 SS. Gasket material should be EPDM. PVC is not recommended for DEF. Protank can also heat trace and insulate any of our DEF tanks to keep it at a desired temp. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricing for any of our DEF tanks.
Sodium Hydroxide Tanks (Caustic)
Our tanks are great solution for storing sodium hydroxide. Sodium Hydroxide is also known as caustic, caustic soda, and liquid lye. We recommend that it stored in a HDPE tank that has a SG of 1.9. Sodium Hydroxide can also be stored in a XLPE. The recommended fitting material is PVC or 316 SS. Gasket material should be EPDM. Sodium Hydroxide is commonly stored in vertical or double wall tanks. We can also heat trace and insulate any of our caustic storage tanks to keep it at a desired temp. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricing for any of our Sodium Hydroxide Tanks.
Sodium Hypochlorite Tanks ( Bleach )
Sodium Hypochlorite is a very aggressive chemical and oxidizer. There’s several important factors to consider when storing it. The major factor is if the tank will be stored inside or outside. UVs can degrade the Sodium Hypochlorite. The common concentration of sodium hypochlorite is 12.5%. HDPE is the best material for the tank. If the tank is going to be outside, we recommend that the UVs are blocked by using an Opaque tank. The tank must have a SG of 1.9 or higher. The recommend fitting material is PVC. The recommended gasket material is viton. If a bolted fitting is used, Titanium Encapsulated Bolts must be used. 316 SS is not recommended. Common tanks used to store Sodium Hypochlorite are vertical and double wall tanks. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricing for any of our Sodium Hypochlorite tanks.
Sulfuric Acid Tanks
Sulfuric Acid is a heavy and dangerous chemical so it must be stored in a tank with a SG of 1.9 or higher. Containment is highly recommended. The common concentration is 93%. HDPE is the recommend tank material for storage. CPVC is the recommend fitting material. The recommended gasket material is viton. If a bolted fitting is used, Hastelloy Encapsulated Bolts must be used. Common tanks used to store Sulfuric Acid are vertical and double wall tanks. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricing for any of our Sulfuric Acid Tanks.
Polymer Tanks
The recommend tank material is HDPE. XLPE tanks can also be used to store Polymer. The recommended tank SG is 1.5 or 1.9 based on the type of Polymer. The recommended fitting material is PVC or 316 SS. EPDM is the recommended gasket material. Common tanks used to store Polymer are vertical tanks. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricing for any of our Polymer storage tanks.
Calcium Chloride Tanks
Sievers offers many tanks for the storage of calcium chloride, also known as brine. The recommended tank material is HDPE but it can also be stored in XLPE tanks. The recommended tank SG is 1.9. The recommend fitting material is PP, 316 SS or PVC. EPDM is the recommended gasket material. Common tanks used to store calcium chloride are vertical, double wall, or horizontal tanks. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricing for any of our Calcium Chloride Tanks.
Hydrochloric Acid Tanks
Hydrochloric Acid, also known as muriatic acid, is highly corrosive and produces toxic fumes. The recommended tank material is HDPE but it can also be stored in XLPE tanks. The recommended tank SG is 1.9 or higher. The recommended fitting material is PVC. Viton is the recommended gasket material. If a bolted fitting is used, Hastelloy Encapsulated Bolts must be used. It’s also recommended that a non-vented manway is used to block toxic fumes. Sievers offers scrubber systems to filter the toxic fumes created by Hydrochloric Acid storage. Common tanks used to store it are vertical and double wall tanks. Please contact us with any questions or to request pricng for any of our Hydrochloric Acid tanks.