Fuel condition
Water, particles and microbial contamination need an appropriate investigation. A low-stock alert or a calculated balance is not a fuel-quality test.
Planning guide
Planning and caring for onsite fuel storage
Capacity, product quality, containment and access belong in the same storage plan.
01Size from demand and deliveries
Estimate consumption over the delivery interval, then allow for an agreed reserve and growth. Nominal tank capacity is not the same as usable operating capacity. Confirm fill limits and the supplier’s delivery arrangements.
02Specify each product separately
Record the actual fuel or fluid, storage conditions and required compartments. AdBlue needs its own compatible storage and dispensing path. Do not treat a tank description as approval for every alternative fuel.
03Review the physical installation
Consider the base, access, impact protection, filling point, pipework and containment. Request the design basis and relevant documentation for the proposed tank and location.
04Keep water and contamination in the review
Fuel condition, water ingress, long storage periods and poor housekeeping can affect the operation. Agree inspection, sampling and corrective work with the relevant supplier or competent service provider. Monitoring and filtration do not guarantee contamination-free fuel.
05Plan deliveries using current information
Compare the latest reliable tank reading with the agreed operating limits and delivery order. Check communication times. Retain delivery records and investigate unexplained changes through the reconciliation process.
Practical guidance
Look beyond the tank level
Delivery records and stock age are part of managing the stored product.
Delivery and turnover
Compare delivery frequency with actual demand, retain product and date records, and review residual stock when the operating pattern changes.
Your site
Turn the requirement into a specification.
Discuss the equipment, information and support your operation needs.
Technical detail
Read the construction standard with the tank shape.
Steel grade, design, testing and containment need a documented basis. A list of standard numbers alone does not tell you which one applies to the actual tank.
Identify the design
Tank standards apply to different designs and duties. The tank guide explains BS 799-5 and the legacy BS 2594, prEN 12285 and BS 2654 references.
Construction and installation requirements
A quality certificate concerns manufacturing processes. A product drawing and inspection record concern the tank. Site access, foundations, pipework and operating arrangements still require their own review.
