Square Tanks

Square tanks are called that because they are usually manufactured  in square sectional panels which, when  bolt together with gasket between, can form a large area inside a room, suitable for storing liquids from 2000 litres up to 1 mega litres (1,000,000 litres).

Price and Material Comparison

A variety of construction materials are available for square tanks, these include GRP (Glass Reinforced polypropylene), HDG (hot dipped galvanised) or stainless steel, as a rough guide GRP and HDG are generally half the price of 304 grade stainless steel for supply only and if you want to go for 316 grade stainless steel you’ll be looking at roughly 200% extra cost over HDG or GRP. The extra cost for 316 grade stainless steel, while being a more prestigious product, is not worth an extra dollar this is because of the simple fact that with the correct internal lining and structural tie rods a GRP or HDG tank can flaunt the same corrosion resistance at a fraction of the cost.

Square tanks are usually selected on projects which are space critical locations such as those found in high-rise buildings, hospitals, processing plants and shopping centres. Square panel tanks can generally be supplied and installed within an 8 week turnaround and have even more versatility in design options then their round tank counterparts. These tanks can be constructed in a square, rectangle, L shape or even a donut shape to wrap around a buildings column, the shape isn’t the only variable either, they can be manufactured to include an external or internal structure a bladder, spray on waterproofing or gasket, roof or no roof, galvanised, stainless steel, epoxy coated or more.

Things to watch out for

Often square tanks go for years without being inspected, cleaned or serviced because they’re locked away in a room somewhere on the roof or in the basement, when combining this fact with the corrosion which forms in stagnant water and the fact these tanks are often at the top of high-rise buildings, you have a recipe for a very expensive disaster. When the structural tie rods in these tanks corrode and gives way the entire wall of the tank falls under the pressure of the water, flooding everything in its path, usually penthouses and a few levels under it, electrical equipment, gyp-rock, carpet and carpentry are a few of the assets that usually are destroyed . This is a catastrophe which is not worth risking, so if you have a square tank and it hasn’t been inspected for a year make sure you get a tank specialist in who knows allot about corrosion especially MIC (Micro-biologically Influenced Corrosion), they should also know how to isolate and drain the system and replace structural rods in the event of emergencies.

Most square tanks come with roofs, manholes, internal and external ladders as well as level indicators and fittings, all of which are as variable as your specifications require with an average design life of 20-40 years depending on contents.