Fire Water Tank Sizing for Fire Suppression

An adequate public water supply necessary for fire suppression is not always available, and in such cases a firewater tank can be used to aid in the suppression of fires which break out in either a residential or commercial setting. The tank sizing for such a firewater tank is important, because if it cannot meet the needs of fire suppression, the fire will not be contained, and it is likely that one or more buildings will be severely damaged as a result. Commercial firewater tanks in the Bay Area, as in other sections of the country, are generally sized according to a specific calculation which ensures there is sufficient water and water pressure to do the job. Read more »

On-site storage tank repairs can be tricky under the best of circumstances, but they can be particularly difficult when you take confined spaces into account. OSHA has recently put safety rules and regulation regarding confined spaces into effect, but working to repair tank liners or otherwise address important issues from inside a storage tank is still a dangerous prospect. The Chemical Safety Board has stated that there have been over 60 fatalities since 1990 that were caused by fires and explosions from hot work activities in tanks, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has reported 160 fatalities associated with working in confined spaces since 1982. Read more »