easy, low cost ways to extend the life of your tanks
TRANSCRIPT
Easy, Low Cost Ways toExtend the Life of Your Tanks
Christine GunsaullusDirector of Marketing,Senior Project Manager,and Storage Tank Queen
Cell: [email protected]
Overview
1. Materials2. Design3. Specifications &
Bidding4. Picking Paint5. Tank Evaluations
Which Tank is Maintenance Free?
None
1. Materials
Bolted Welded Steel Concrete
Materials
Bolted• Thinner steel• Ice damage•Gaskets/bolts
have lifespan
Welded• Touch-up painting
every 10-15 years• Full painting every
20-25 years
Concrete• Spalling• Cracks, leaks•Once painted,
must maintain
History of Elevated Tanks
Waterspheroid Fluted Column CompositeHydropillar
2. Design foundation
Tank bottom 6” min. above grade
Most Critical Area of Flatbottom Tank
Do not cover to “protect”
Cone• Supported by columns and rafters.• Gentle slope: ¾” in 12”.• Easy to access and walk on.• Normal for large reservoirs and
flat-bottom tanks.• Most economical to build.
Design welded steel roof
Umbrella/Dome• Self-supporting.• Smaller diameter – no framing.• Typical on standpipes.• Difficult to walk on due to slope.• Consider a knuckle.
Design welded steel roof
Knuckle – curved edge of roof
3. Specifications & Bidding
• A tank inspection report is NOT a spec.• Clearly spell out scope of work.• Include value-added techniques, like
stripe-coating seams, holiday testing.• Carefully consider contractor requests
for changes to scope of work.• Pre-qualify contractors.• Get qualified help, because you don’t
know what you don’t know.
4. Picking Paint how hard can it be?
Picking Paint variables
• New tank or rehab?• Budget?• Location? Near water?• Surroundings?• Age & history?• Lead?• Substrate?• Condition of substrate?• Private or public bid?• Recent inspection?• Full-time inspection?
Coating Manufacturers your friend
PENNSBURY
AWWA D102-17• Provides the minimum requirements for
coating steel water-storage tanks• Includes materials, coating systems, surface
preparation, application, inspection andtesting.
• 7 Outside Coating Systems• 6 Inside Coating Systems
Options
How do I pick a system?• Experience• Advice from coating manufacturers• Advice from painting contractors• Budget• Surface• Material• Service• Tank Location
Picking Paint interior coatings
Conventional Two Coat Epoxy• Primer: 3-4 mils• Finish: 5-6 mils• TOTAL: 8-10 mils
Newer 100% Solids Epoxy• Primer: 2.5-3.5 mils• Finish: 25-30 mils
TOTAL: 27.5-33.5 mils
Picking Paint interior coatings
Does the site matter?
Nearby houses
What’s the surface like?
Past pitting
Cathodic protection?
Can I overcoat?
Save Money: 1/3 cost of full blast & paint
Is overcoating an option?
Adhesion testing
Do I need full-time inspection?
Can I use what I used last time?
5. Tank Evaluations
Why?• Take care of small repairs before they
become BIG COSTLY PROBLEMS.• Only effective if:
• Talk to the inspectors• Read the report• Follow recommendations
Tank Evaluations
New Tanks• Anniversary Inspection – most important.
Existing Tanks• Full (inside and out) every 3-5 years. • Before a rehabilitation.• Pre and Post for cell antennas.• If something looks odd, ask for help.
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)• Most popular, cost effective.Dry• Must be able to drain tank.• Gets silt out and biofilm off.• Need coordination with Owner/Operators.• Three times the cost of an ROV.Dive• Confined space entry.• Hands-on capability, but more expensive.
Tank Evaluations types
Qualified Tank Inspection Firms
• 100+ tank inspections per year.
• Know AWWA, OSHA, state regulations.
• NACE Level 1 minimum.
• Safety training – heights, confined space.
• Only perform tank inspections.
• Include budget pricing for repairs.
• Drones used in conjunction with trained inspection team.
• Request a sample copy of a report.
Owner Performed Inspection
Start from the ground - safe
What to look for?• Leaks• Changes• Rust• Cracks• Openings into tank are secure
• Overflow• Roof Vent
Site
Foundation
Shell
Overflow
Owner Performed Inspection
Ready to Climb?
• Safety Gear
• Safety Training
• Fear of Heights?
• Secure any objects
to your body
Roof
Hatches
Vent
Cathodic Protection Holes
Aluminum Roof Perimeter
Lessons Learned
• All tanks require maintenance
• Design options
• Value of regular inspections
• Owner performed inspections
Check out our website:www.entecheng.com
Connect with meon LinkedIN
Christine GunsaullusCell: [email protected]
Questions?