Flexible waterproofing for tanks
December 1st 2005

Oil accounts for a quarter of all pollution incidents in the UK each year. Under the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 it is a requirement that externally located oil storage tanks with a capacity of greater than 200 litres should be both structurally sound and housed within an oil and water resistant secondary containment system (bund) which has a capacity of at least 110% of the effective volume of tank.

Belzona Polymerics, a speciality coatings manufacturer, reports unprecedented interest through its contracting arm, Belzona Technosol, in the use of its products for lining out existing and newly formed bunds to prevent environmental escape in the event of tank leakage or failure.

A failure of this nature is costly and potentially dangerous. Loss of tank contents, clean-up costs and possible scrapping of the tank itself can amount to significant losses. Safety issues and down time are also important.

Responding to the need to ensure the structural integrity of oil storage tanks, and recognising that one of the biggest causes of tank failure is corrosion arising from moisture accumulation at the chine angle or water tracking under the tank base, Belzona has designed Sealatank.

This flexible waterproofing system, which totally encapsulates and seals the circumference of tank base, provides corrosion protection whilst allowing any moisture under the tank to permeate through the system's microporous structure.