Why Fiberglass Tanks are Ideal for Commercial Fire Protection
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As water shortage continues to be a concern throughout the United States (and many parts of the world), finding avenues to manage water resources in a reliable and cost effective manner has become more critical. When it comes to water storage for fire suppression systems, evidence points to fiberglass tanks as a top option.
Fiberglass tank manufacturers have been assisting the oil and gas industry for decades, storing liquids far more hazardous than water. Because of the tough regulations in this business division, fire protection system designers can rely on tanks made from fiberglass for their units.
Other materials such as concrete, steel, and polyethylene can and have been used in the construction of storage tanks, but present their own unique drawbacks.
The weight of steel and concrete tanks means an added cost from a shipping and installation standpoint vs. fiberglass tanks. Watertight design is of utmost importance for fire protection systems. Cracks, corrosion, and leaks are another concern when using concrete or steel as your storage tank material. With underground installation, leak detection can go unnoticed until it’s too late, so using the most leak-proof material possible will always be your greatest option.
In addition to single-use tanks, Fiberglass tank manufacturers can also design dual-purpose tanks where needed. In situations where a standalone water supply is needed for fire protection as well as drinking water, underground tanks made from fiberglass are an ideal solution. This is doubly true when working in areas of the country that are both hard to reach and in harsh climates.
Freezing water is a big concern in cold weather areas of the United States, making above-ground storage tanks -manufactured from steel a poor option. Transportation and accessibility of these areas is another challenge to meet within budget constraints for many hard to access businesses and municipalities looking for “fiberglass tanks near me”.
Polyethylene is a newer material in storage tank construction (relative to steel and concrete) and while weight and corrosion are less of an issue, underground poly tanks often cannot meet the capacity requirements typically needed for fire protection, creating the need for multiple small capacity tanks.
For larger retailers in need of a fire suppression system (but lacking the necessary water supply from their municipality) the use of several poly tanks means additional costs for connecting them through various manifolds. Fewer high capacity fiberglass tanks provide a much more economical solution.
Fire codes across the nation are becoming increasingly firm and insurance companies are adding more and more requirements. Fiberglass tank manufacturers are ready deliver vessels that exceed the standards of reliability, providing sources of water in addition to or instead of a firefighter’s primary water source.
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