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Safety and environmental standards for fuel storage sites
Final report
44
Option
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fire resistance Cost**
Fibreglass
Easy application
––
Suited to small areas
––
Hydrocarbon resistance
––
Inflexibility needs to be
––
catered for in design
to allow for thermal
movements and
avoid overstress and
de-bonding
Low
––
May require
––
additional fire
protection
measures
Low
Clay
Inert material that has
––
retained plasticity once
in place
Hydrocarbon resistance
––
Labour intensive,
––
weather dependent
and time consuming
activity in spreading
and compacting the
clay requiring significant
vehicle movements
May not be safe to carry
––
out installation whilst
tanks are in service
due to machinery
requirements
High (non-
––
combustible
thick malleable
layer)
Normally
––
covered
with top soil
layer which
provides further
resistance
Medium
Sand bitumen
Remains flexible after
––
installation
Resistant to puncture
––
Cracks can be repaired
––
easily using hot bitumen
Hydrocarbon resistance
––
Specialist small plant
––
required to work on bund
wall slopes
Limitations on application
––
for steep slopes
May require renewal
––
before 25 years
Not suitable for floors
––
Performance
––
not proven.
Expected to be
––
‘Medium’ based
on bitumen
road surfacing
performance in
vehicle fires
Material is
––
combustible
Low
Shotcrete
(spray applied
concrete)
Ease and speed of
––
installation as concrete is
sprayed on
Plant can be operated
––
from outside the bund if
necessary
Proven durability
––
Able to cast around
––
penetrations
Hydrocarbon resistance
––
Specialist contractors
––
required
Requires joints for
––
construction and
movement
Requires regular
––
maintenance of joint and
penetration sealants and
cracks
Can buckle under heat
––
Very Good
––
Joints and
––
penetrations are
weakness
Low
Poly-
vinylchloride
(PVC)
Resistant to oils and
––
water
Not resistant to fuels
––
Requires protective layer
––
Potential hidden
––
problems around seals
and penetrations
Base ground to be
––
prepared well, ie remove
stones, requires a layer
of gravel and sand/
geotextile before the liner
Requires specialist
––
installer to weld joints
Very Low
––
Burns readily if
––
unprotected
Medium
Poly-urethane
(PU)
Water resistant
––
Not resistant to oils and
––
fuels
Requires protective layer
––
Very Low
––
Burns readily if
––
unprotected
Medium