STEEL TANKS
Underground storage tanks are a viable option for your fuel, chemical or oily water storage. Safety, fire codes, aesthetics, limited available real estate for distance requirements, SPCC compliance or even fear of vandalism or tampering, these are all factors when you’re planning fuel or hazardous material storage. The EPA regulates the type of tank that can be buried. The sti- P3 tank design meets and exceeds those regulations for underground petroleum and chemical storage.

For over 10 years, as a licensed member of the Steel Tank Institute (STI), Southern Tank manufactures the STI’s proven sti-P3® underground storage tank with its pre-engineered cathodic protection system. A UL-58 labeled steel tank receives a corrosion resistant coal tar epoxy coating on a prepared surface. This coating combined with dielectric bushings and sacrificial anodes gives you the peace of mind that your underground tank will be protected against corrosion when properly installed (sites should have a corrosion study performed prior to installation). A permanently buried PP4 reference cell provides a simple and easy method for the owner to monitor the sacrificial anodes to ensure that they continue to work as intended.
Most states now require secondary containment for new or replacement installations as mandated by the EPA (see https://www.orlandohengineering.com for current regulations). The sti-P3® tank technology will satisfy this secondary containment requirement when constructed as a double-wall tank. All double-wall sti- P3® tanks are shipped with a vacuum applied to the interstice. The interstitial monitor pipe of the double-wall design also allows for easy leak detection either manually or electronically. Using a double wall tank and monitoring the interstitial area per the EPA criteria will allow for testing of the system to be reduced after the initial 6 month test to only after a qualifying event.
Sti- P3 ® tanks are available in capacities of 100 gallons to 20,000 gallons for a double-wall design, and up to 30,000 for single wall tanks. Available internal linings or inner tanks made from stainless steel allow you to store contaminated liquids, water, jet fuels and most chemicals safely underground. The sti-P3® can be constructed with multiple compartments, reverse flanged manways, extensions, sumps, internal ladders, hold down straps, etc. and special openings such as 150# flanges if required.
When you need to store fuel underground, orlandoh engineering and let us provide you with an sti-P3 steel underground storage tank – structural strength and time-tested reliability to protect your investments and our ground water.
The range of applications for underground tank installation are as varied as the site conditions in which orlandoh Tank performs each installation. USTs typically store fuel that powers critical equipment, from generators to entire heating systems. Each one of our customers requires a unique choice of tank products. Our equipment and technology can satisfy a range of storage challenges and goals.
One key reason customers appreciate orlandoh Tank is our crew’s professional expertise and technical skill. Our technology and construction teams go above and beyond what is expected of most tank installation companies. Our level of service and installation quality meets or exceeds the manufacturer’s requirements. The fuel system work area is always kept neat and orderly with minimal disruption to the facility and grounds. We strive to provide customers with a professional and streamlined process of exceptional communication, from scheduling to coordination to completion of your job.
Orlandoh is a certified installer of Xerxes, Containment Solutions, and Highland underground tanks. Benefits of these products are outlined below, as well as examples of orlandoh Tank installation projects.
Fiberglass fuel storage tanks by Xerxes are a rust-proof alternative to steel tanks. Sizes and types of well- priced Xerxes products we install range from double-wall fiberglass, to multi-compartment fiberglass, and triple-wall fiberglass storage tanks. The choice of single wall fiberglass tanks is not recommended for use in New England because of the stability of mixed soils. Use of a double-wall fiberglass tank is a better application, as it provides twice the rigidity and strength of a single wall. Water and air exposure does not break down a double-wall fiberglass tank because fiberglass is not susceptible to internal corrosion.
Containment Solutions Inc. (CSI) is the largest American fiberglass tank, manufacturer. The UL 1316 specification which governs underground fiberglass tank manufacturing was the result of CSI’s design work. CSI instituted and perfected the use of specially treated silica in their laminate matrix. The CSI tank wall is composed of resin, glass and specially treated silica that together results in a composite matrix compatible with petroleum industry products including:
- All Octanes of Gasoline
- Jet Fuel
- AV-Gas
- Motor Oil
- Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD)
- Renewable Diesel and Bio-Diesel
- Fuel oil
- Ethanol, all blends up to 100%
- Oxygenated Motor Fuels
- Kerosene
orlandoh Tanks combine the structural strength of steel with the lasting protection of polyurethane. One thing common to all underground tanks is that they are coated in polyurethane, which provides permanent and effective corrosion protection for the life of the tank. If corrosion is your biggest concern, then the P3 line of tanks offers protection in three ways: dielectric coating, electrical isolation, and sacrificial anodes. Home use and commercial use models of these tanks are available. In addition to fuel and lube oil storage tanks, models are also available for potable water storage, fire suppression, and wastewater. Each level and size of tank comes with a 20 to 30-year guarantee, depending on the model, when installed to the manufacturer’s specifications by a certified tank installer.
The Steps of an Underground Fuel Tank Installation
- Obtain necessary permits from the fire department
- Pre-inspect all equipment and materials (including a pre-installation pressure test)
- Install total containment sump and double-wall steel/fiberglass underground storage tank
- Install tank supports, anchoring device, and approved backfill material (pea gravel)
- Install a Veeder-Root Tank Management System
- Install spill and overfill prevention measures sufficient to fulfill the requirements of 527 CMR 9.00
- Install aluminum drop tube equipped with a stage I vapor recovery system and a double-wall flexible fuel line
- Install a 2”, single-wall, fiberglass reinforced plastic buried vent line which will transition to a 2” schedule 40 steel vent riser with an approved vent cap. The vent riser will be mounted on the existing building wall
- Install the vault cap and backfill to grade
The installed tank will be tested and left ready for operation. Tank and piping tightness, as well as the satisfactory operation of monitoring systems, will be ensured prior to the system being placed into operation. Satisfactory operation of the secondary containment system and overfill prevention devices, impact valves and line leak detectors will also be tested.
In a typical fuel tank installations , we will install a tank inventory management system, which will measure liquid at the interstitial space (between the inner steel tank and the fiberglass outside containment). It will measure the amount of gas or water (if any) inside the tank. It will also trigger an alarm in case the tank exceeds its filling capacity. The system will be able to detect any leaks that may develop in the underground feed and return lines.
Whatever the size or storage requirements of your project, our goal is to provide you with a storage tank system that will provide you many years of reliable service. For examples of our work please see the section of our web site.