Directions for receiving and installation of Polyethylene tanks:

Please follow these basic suggestions so you may insure the integrity of your Storage vessels.

1.   At delivery, inspect your tank immediately for defects or shipping damage. Any discrepancies, or product problems, should be noted on both the driver’s bill of lading and your packing list.

2.   When unloading your tank from the delivery truck, avoid its contact with sharp objects. Forklift blades can cause significant damage if proper precautions are not taken. Do not allow tanks to be rolled over on the fittings. Large bulk storage tanks, whenever possible, should be removed from the truck bed by use of a crane or other suitable lifting device. OSHA regulation 29CFR 1910.178 through 1910.189 addresses specific standards for hoisting and lifting. Keep unloading area free of rocks, sharp objects, and other materials that could damage the tank. If the tank is unloaded on it’s side, carefully brace to prevent rolling.

3.   Support the bottom of the tank firmly and completely. Concrete pads provide the best foundation. However, when seismic and wind factors are not being considered, tanks with a base load bearing of less than 800 pounds per square foot, or grater, require a firm, even, compacted bed of sand, pea gravel, or fine soil that won’t wash away. Tanks with a base load bearing of 800 pounds per square foot, or greater, require a reinforced concrete base. Steel support stands concentrate the loaded tank weight onto the stand leg pads. It is recommended that stands are mounted on a concrete base. Bolting of stands is necessary to prevent movement due to agitation, wind, seismic loads and accidental contact.

4.   Install tanks in an area that is accessible. Ease of access and maintenance should be considered.

Before using your tank for Chemical Storage!!!!!!!

5.   Hydro test by filling the tank with water prior to use, to prevent material loss through unsecured fittings, shipping damage, or manufacturing defects. Tanks should be tested for a minimum of 5 hours.

6.   Plastic bulkhead fittings are designed to be hand tightened plus a ¼ turn. Over-tightening can cause fittings to leak. If fitting leaks, disassemble, remove and check for foreign material between gasket surfaces.

7.   Support sides of rectangular tanks. In general, tanks with heights greater than 18" must be supported. However, specific applications must be considered: smaller tanks with contents that have high specific gravity and/or elevated temperatures must be supported.

8.   Do not mount heavy equipment on tank sides. Do not allow weight on tank fittings. Fully support pipes and valves.

9.   Use expansion joints to prevent damage from the expansion and contraction of the piping and tanks.

10.  Tanks are designed for use only in the atmospheric storage of chemicals, never for+ vacuum or pressure applications.

11. Insertion and  Immersion heaters should never touch the walls of the tank. Heat should not be generated close to the tank wall and liquid circulation should be used to disperse Heat, Heater dead zone or Minimum spacing should be maintained at 18"  from the wall.

12.  Be certain tank, fittings, and fitting gasket material are compatible with chemicals at the anticipated operating temperatures. Use the enclosed Chemical Resistance Charts only as a general guide. Contact our technical staff for information on chemicals not listed, or when uncertain conditions exist. This chart is a guide only, compound chemicals and temperature/concentrations may affect polyethylene differently. As an end user, you must confirm for yourself the applicability of polyethylene. American Process Technology, Inc. DOES NOT WARRANTY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY for information provided as to the compatibility of polyethylene and specific chemicals. This information is available from your chemical supplier.

13.  Protect tanks from impact, especially at temperatures below 40° F.

14.  DO NOT ENTER ANY TANK ALONE. Take proper precautions by consulting the OSHA Guidelines for approved procedures. Confined spaces must be considered hazardous.

15.  Tank sizes as listed are nominal and calibrations on molded tanks are only approximates, but provide an indication of volume. Polyethylene tanks expand and contract which will effect volume. The degree in which this occurs depends on the size of the tanks, wall thickness, specific gravity of contents, temperature of contents and ambient temperatures.

16.  ATTENTION – CHEMICALS ARE DANGEROUS – The proper design of containers, pipes, valves, fittings and pumps will minimize your problems and maximize your safety.

17.  VENTING – Polyethylene tanks are not designed for pressure or vacuum, a vent must be provided. As liquid is removed or put into a tank, a corresponding volume of air must be displaced. Without a vent, during discharge a vacuum would occur, during filling pressure would be created.  A general rule of vent size, should be equal to its largest inlet or outlet. Chemical fumes can be as corrosive and dangerous as the chemical. Venting chemical fumes and the effects of these fumes should be considered in your design.

18.  MSDS SHEETS – Contain facts you MUST review and integrate into your design. It is law that your chemical supplier provide these Material Safety Data Sheets free upon your request.

19. The exterior surfaces of plastic rotationally molded tanks are a result of the tank mold, bumps, dents are normal and cosmetic only, as these molds are handled hundreds of times. These cosmetic incongruities have no effect on the tanks ability to maintain its structural integrity.