FRP Tank Specification

SPECIFICATION FOR FIBERGLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC TANKS

1. SCOPE This section covers the furnishing and installation of fiberglass reinforced plastic tanks for the storage of ________________________.

Connecting piping, valves, and accessories not specified herein are covered in other sections.

2. GENERAL

Tanks finished under this section shall be fabricated and installed in full conformity with drawings, specifications, engineering data, instructions, and recommendations of the fabricator unless exceptions are noted by the Engineer.

The contractor shall coordinate the work between the suppliers of equipment to be used with or connected to the storage tanks to ensure that all required provisions for mounting the accessories are included.

2.01. General Equipment Stipulations

The General Equipment Stipulations shall apply to all equipment furnished under this section.

2.02. Assembly and Anchor Bolts

All exposed assembly and anchor bolt, nuts, washers shall be ANSI Type 316 stainless steel.

3. GOVERNING STANDARDS

Except as modified or supplemented herein, all materials and construction methods shall comply with the applicable provisions of the following standards:

  1. Voluntary Product Standard PS15-69
  2. SPI’s Quality Assurance Report
  3. ASTM C582, "Standard Specification for Contact-Molded Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (RTP) Laminates for Corrosion Resistant Equipment".
  4. ASTM D3299, "Standard Specification for Filament-Wound Glass-Fiber
  5. Reinforced Thermoset Resin Chemical-Resistant Tanks".
  6. ASTM D4097, "Standard Specification for Contact-Molded Glass-Fiber
  7. Reinforced Thermoset Resin Chemical-Resistant Tanks".

4. BASIC MATERIALS

Basic materials shall be as follows:

  1. Resin Bisphenol-A polyester or vinyl ester resins suitable for use with the specified chemicals.
  2. Reinforcement Glass fiber with a suitable coupling agent.
  3. Surfacing Mat Burlington Formed Fabrics "Nexus Veil" or Nicofibers "Surmat 100".
  4. Plastic Laminate In conformity with the applicable governing standards.
  5. Exposed Metal ANSI Type 316 stainless steel.
  6. Protected Metal Carbon steel, ASTM A36, with fiberglass reinforced plastic coating.

5. SERVICE AND INSTALLATION CONDITIONS

The tanks are to be installed in buildings and in areas having limited access. The timing of installation of the tanks shall be coordinated with building construction.

The tanks shall be designed for the storage of the following liquid chemicals:

(fill in)

6. DIMENSIONS AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Each tank shall be of the vertical cylinder type with a (fill in) top and a (fill in) bottom and shall be supported on a concrete base as indicated on the drawings. Each tank shall be provided with a suitable overflow fitting. Each tank shall be vented and will normally be used to store the specified chemical at atmospheric pressure but shall be designed to withstand the hydrostatic head which would result with the tank and fill line surcharged with the stored liquid chemical to 6 inches above the top of the tank. The tanks shall conform to the following requirements:

  1. Tank No. __________ __________ __________ __________
  2. Nominal capacity, measured (fill in) x (fill in) x (fill in) x (fill in) to top of straight wall, gallons
  3. Max diameter, feet (fill in) x (fill in) x (fill in) x (fill in)
  4. Max overall height, feet (fill in) x (fill in) x (fill in) x (fill in)
  5. Seismic Zone
  6. Wind Load
  7. Snow Load

7. CONSTRUCTION

The tanks shall be as manufactured by Belco Mfg. Co.,or Engineer approved equal.

The tank shall be hand lay-up or filament wound construction in accordance with the applicable governing standard. The finished laminate shall be constructed using a single generic type of thermoset resin throughout and shall not contain colorants, dyes, fillers, or pigments unless otherwise specified.

The inner surface layer of each tank shall consist of a resin-rich layer reinforced with surfacing mat and having a total finished thickness of not less than (fill in) mils.

The top of each tank shall be reinforced in accordance with the requirements of the applicable governing standard. Additional reinforcement shall be provided as necessary to support the required accessories. The surface of each domed top shall be provided with a non-slip finish.

Bracketed flat surfaces shall be provided on each tank for the installation of a liquid level gauge, nameplate, and a certification plate.

Suitable lifting lugs and hold-down lugs shall be provided on each tank as required for handling and installation, and as calculated by manufacturer to withstand design loading data.

8. ACCESSORIES

Accessories shall be provided on each tank as indicated on the drawings and as specified herein.

8.01. Access Manholes

Access manholes shall have an inside diameter of at least 18 inches and shall be provided on the top or on the side of each tank as indicated on the drawings. Each manhole shall be flanges, fully gasketed, and furnished with a fabricated blind flange having the same properties as the tank wall laminate. Flange diameter and drilling shall conform to ANSI B16.5, Class 150.

The top access manhole shall be located as indicated on the drawings. The side access manhole shall be centered approximately 3 feet above the bottom of the tank.

8.02. Flanged Nozzles

Nozzles for connecting piping and accessories shall be provided on each tank at the locations and of the sizes indicated on the drawings or specified herein.

Each nozzle shall be flanged, with flange diameter and drilling conforming to ANSI B16.5, Class 150. Nozzles shall extend at least 6 inches from outside tank wall to face of flange.

Flanged nozzles shall be fabricated of the same materials as the tank and shall be gusseted to the tank or otherwise reinforced in accordance with the governing standard. Flanged nozzles up to (fill in) inches shall be gusseted.

8.03. Vents

Each tank shall be provided with a vent of sufficient size to prevent pressurizing of the tank during filling or drawing a vacuum inside the tank during pumping or draining. The vent size shall be as indicated on the drawings or as specified herein.

The vent nozzle of each tank shall be of flanged type or u-vent type, as indicated on the drawings or as specified herein. Flanged type vent connections shall be connected to the vent piping as indicated on the drawings. U-vent type vents shall be provided with screen gaskets or perforated covering to prevent entry of foreign objects into the tank.

8.04. Ladders

Each tank, unless otherwise indicated on the drawings, shall be provided with an external ladder. The ladder shall be supported on and anchored to the concrete base and bracketed to the tank shell as required. The ladder shall include safety rails around the perimeter of the top of the tank, attached to the ladder side rails, and anchored to the tank head as required. The ladder and safety rails shall be fabricated of fiberglass reinforced plastic shapes, carbon steel completely coated with a 1/8 inch minimum thickness of reinforced resin or Engineer approved coating after fabrication, or stainless steel. No un-coated or exposed carbon steel parts or fasteners will be permitted. The ladder shall have a clear width of at least 16 inches, shall have rungs at least 3/4 inch in diameter and spaced not more than 12 inches apart, and shall have a minimum clearance of at least 7 inches between the back of then ladder and the tank wall.

8.05. Nameplates

Each tank shall be provided with a nameplate to identify the chemical stored. The nameplate(s) shall be of white phenolic material with black engraved lettering one inch high, shall be of the size required by the legend, and shall be mounted to the tank adjacent to the liquid level gauge, if present. If no liquid level gauge is to be supplied on the tank, nameplate is to be mounted 3 feet above side manway, if present. If not, nameplate is to be mounted 6 feet above concrete base and in an area not obstructed from view by connecting piping and accessories. The nameplate shall be attached to tank by means of laminating, using fiberglass and clear resin.

8.06. Certification Plates

Each tank shall be provided with a certification plate to identify the maximum safe allowable concentration temperature chemical can be stored, tank manufacturer, date manufactured, tank materials of construction, wall thickness, liner thickness and composition, design criteria, nominal capacity, job/project information, tank number and chemical designation as shown on the drawings or specified herein. The nameplate(s) shall be of stainless steel with the preceding information engraved upon it. Certification plate shall be mounted to the tank below the nameplate described in 8.05. The nameplate shall be attached to tank by means of laminating, using fiberglass and clear resin.

9. SHIPPING AND HANDLING

The tanks and components shall be adequately protected during transportation, in storage at the jobsite, and during subsequent installation and construction activities. Damaged units will be rejected and shall be replaced with undamaged units. Units shall be offloaded and stored according to manufacturers recommendations.

10. INSTALLATION

The concrete bases for the tanks shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of the cast-in-place concrete section and shall be level and smooth to the tolerances recommended by the tank manufacturer. The tanks shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations, the requirements of the applicable governing standard, and to the satisfaction of the Engineer, and made ready for the installation of piping and other appurtenances as indicated on the drawings and specified under other sections. Grouting under the tank, if recommended by the tank manufacturer, shall be dome with non-shrinking grout as specified in the grout section.

11. TESTING

After completion of installation, the tanks shall be filled with water to the top access manhole opening and allowed to stand full for a period of not less than 48 hours. During testing, flanged connections may be plugged by the installation of temporary blind flanges on the outside of the tank but shall not be blocked or plugged on the inside. All leaks or indications of leaks shall be repaired by the tank manufacturer and made completely watertight. A leaking tank, upon repair, shall be re-tested to the satisfaction of the Engineer.

Water required for testing shall provided as stipulated under the temporary facilities section. Water used for testing shall be wasted and disposed of as directed by the Engineer.

12. CLEANING

When installation has been completed and all connections have been made, all tank surfaces, interior and exterior, shall be thoroughly cleaned as recommended by the tank manufacturer and to the satisfaction of the Engineer. Abrasive cleaning agents shall not be used.

13. DRAWING AND DATA

Complete drawings, details, and specifications covering the storage tank and accessories shall be submitted in accordance with the submittals section.

The data shall include full information on basic materials and test data confirming the chemical resistance of the proposed resins to the intended tank contents.

The data shall also indicate the sizes of all major tank components, anchor bolt location and details, and full information and details concerning filed assembly and installation. Anchor bolt materials of construction and specifications shall be as specified in the anchor bolt section.

End of Section