Common Types of Fuel Oil Tanks

1) Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST)

Often used in industrial and commercial facilities for easier inspection and maintenance access.

2) Underground Storage Tanks (UST)

Used when space constraints or site planning requires buried tanks, often with additional monitoring and containment requirements.

3) Day Tanks

Smaller tanks used near generators or equipment for short-term supply, typically fed from a larger bulk tank.

4) Double-Wall Tanks

Containment built into the tank design, helping reduce spill risk (still commonly paired with broader spill control planning).

(Your final tank selection depends on site layout, capacity needs, and applicable compliance requirements.)

Key Design Considerations for Fuel Oil Tank Systems

1) Secondary Containment and Spill Control

Containment is critical. Common solutions include:

• Concrete curbed slabs or diked areas

• Berms and containment walls

• Coatings/liners to prevent fuel penetration into concrete

• Controlled drainage (sumps/valves) to keep spills contained

2) Foundation, Support, and Drainage

Poor foundations and water pooling can accelerate corrosion and settlement. Good practice includes:

• Stable, properly prepared pads

• Drainage that prevents standing water around tank bases

• Protection of anchors and supports from corrosion

3) Corrosion Protection and Coatings

Corrosion is a common long-term failure driver especially for aboveground tanks exposed to weather and moisture.

Upgrades often include:

• External surface preparation and protective coatings

• Corrosion protection for supports, platforms, piping racks, and containment structures

• Concrete protection systems in spill exposure areas

4) Safe Access and Maintainability

Inspection and maintenance access should include:

• Safe ladders/platforms where needed

• Clear labeling and signage

• Accessible valves, vents, and fill connections

• Good housekeeping and spill response readiness

5) Tie-Ins and Operational Reliability

Fuel tank work often involves tie-ins to pumps, day tanks, and generators. Controlled scheduling reduces risk of service interruption.

Environmental Compliance Considerations (U.S. Context)

Many facilities storing oil may be affected by EPA’s SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) rule (40 CFR Part 112), which focuses on preventing oil discharges and typically includes secondary containment and spill control planning. Applicability depends on oil storage capacity and facility conditions. (Your EHS team should confirm what applies to your site.)

Common Fuel Oil Tank Project Types

New tank installation or replacement

Driven by aging assets, capacity expansion, or reliability improvement:

• Foundation and containment readiness

• Tank setting and positioning

• Tie-ins to pumps and distribution lines

• Access improvements and corrosion protection

Tank farm and containment upgrades

Repairing or improving containment for inspection readiness:

• Concrete containment repairs (cracks, joints, curbs)

• Coatings/liners to improve fuel resistance

• Drainage and sump improvements

Corrosion control programs

Extending asset life with planned protection:

• Recoating, surface prep, and preservation

• Support steel and platform corrosion protection

• Repairs to degraded anchors and accessories

Outage-window tie-ins

Some changeouts or cutovers require planned shutdown windows to keep fuel supply stable.

How Bunney’s Inc. Supports Fuel Oil Tank Projects

Fuel oil storage projects require disciplined execution especially where spill prevention, safety controls, and tight schedules matter. Bunney’s Inc. supports fuel oil tank installation and upgrades with field-ready construction capability.

Our support services include:

• Industrial construction services for tank installation, modifications, and repairs

• Heavy lifting and rigging support for tank setting and component handling

• Precision positioning to ensure accurate fit-up and access clearances

• Concrete secondary containment construction and repair

• Protective coatings and corrosion protection to extend asset life

• Outage support services for shutdown tie-ins and schedule-critical work

• Safety-first execution aligned with site permits and controlled work zones

Best Practices for Long-Term Fuel Oil Tank Reliability

Facilities typically see better outcomes when they:

1. Maintain containment integrity (cracks/joints/penetrations sealed)

2. Protect steel and supports with durable coating systems

3. Control drainage and prevent standing water around tanks

4. Plan inspections and corrective repairs proactively

5. Coordinate tie-ins carefully to avoid fuel supply interruptions

Conclusion: Improve Fuel Storage Safety and Reliability Contact Bunney’s Inc.

Fuel oil tanks are essential to facility uptime but they must be managed with strong containment, corrosion protection, and safe construction execution. Whether you need a new tank installation, containment upgrades, coatings, or schedule-critical tie-ins, Bunney’s Inc. is ready to support your project with dependable results.

Need support for a fuel oil tank project? Contact Bunney’s Inc. today to discuss your scope, schedule, and the safest path to long-term fuel storage reliability.

Related Services:

• Construction and Maintenance

• Construction Projects in Arizona