Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) water tanks are just one of the many types of fiberglass storage tanks available. Many tanks come with single-wall construction while others have double or even triple walls. Just as the size and style of fiberglass tanks varies, so does tank functionality. Fiberglass tank manufacturers have a fiberglass storage tank for almost every need.

As with any storage tank, you must install fiberglass storage tanks properly. By the nature of their composite construction, FRP tanks often last longer than tanks made from other materials. As you install and maintain fiberglass storage tanks, you should look for the following guidelines:

1. Fiberglass tank manufacturers have set standards to follow for construction, installation and maintenance.

2. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) also offer standards for construction, installation and maintenance.

3. Quality assurance programs from third parties, such as governmental entities and professional trade groups, often include fiberglass tank installation and maintenance as part of their standards.

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Make sure your fiberglass tanks meet local code

Find out what the specifications are for the tanks you plan to install. Also make sure you have any and all pipefittings and connectors on hand as you prepare the tanks for installation. The ground must be properly prepared before you install a fiberglass storage tank. Not only must the hole or pit meet proper size specifications, but you may also need to install a lining before you can lower the fiberglass tank into the hole.

I recommend: P.E.P. offers installation specs for fiberglass storage tanks, especially FRP water tanks. Darco gives you information on how to prepare for industrial fiberglass tank installation as well.

Learn how to install fiberglass storage tanks

Read the directions that come with the tank, and also read directions from other manufacturers. Make sure you know how to handle the tank during the installation process, and that you have all the right tools on hand as you install the fiberglass tank. If everything is in place before you begin, the actual installation should go quickly.

I recommend: Fiberglass tank manufacturer, HEE Environmental Engineering, offers basic instructions for fiberglass tanks installation and maintenance. Another fiberglass tank supplier, Xerxes, offers specific directions for installing fiberglass storage tanks.

Periodically inspect your fiberglass storage tanks

Follow the specific guidelines set down by your municipality or the tank's manufacturer that outline the time frame for inspection. Be sure to check for any signs of leakage on a monthly basis. Take immediate steps to repair or replace the FRP tank if you see any damage. In most cases it's the fittings or pipes that leak, rather than the fiberglass tanks.

I recommend: You can find out how to inspect a FRP water tank or fiberglass septic tank at InspectAPedia.com. The Fiberglass Tank & Pipe Institute offers tips for inspecting and maintaining FRP tanks.

Many businesses use fiberglass tanks to hold materials like petroleum, water, wastewater and various chemicals. The range of fiberglass tanks available make them ideal for use in a wide variety of settings and tasks. Businesses in many different industries make use of fiberglass storage tanks or FRP tanks as they're known for short.

1. FRP water tanks can be used by campgrounds, schools and rural properties to store valuable water.

2. Retail gas stations may use tanks from fiberglass tank manufacturers to store petroleum for consumers.

3. A fiberglass septic tank may be used by businesses in areas where water and septic systems are not available from the city.

Whether you need an above or below ground tank, fiberglass tanks manufacturers have something that will fit your needs. Depending on your particular need, you'll want to be sure that you are meeting state and federal regulations for storage tanks, but the fiberglass tank manufacturers will work with you to fulfill the needs you have.

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Know the purpose of your fiberglass tank

A fiberglass tank supplier can offer you a number of fiberglass tank shapes to fit your needs. Cone shaped tanks work well for materials that you need to completely drain out of the tank. Flat bottomed tanks are the most economic and can be placed on concrete pads.

I recommend: Belding Tank Technologies, Inc. have a number of different shaped tanks to meet your needs for a FRP water tank or one to hold other materials.

Consider the material that the fiberglass storage tank will hold

For safety reasons, you'll need to think about what the tank is designed to hold. An FRP water tank should not hold hazardous materials or petroleum for example. Match the material it will hold to the tank.

I recommend: Xerxes manufactures FRP water tanks as well as tanks for holding oil, petroleum and chemicals.

Decide on the size of FRP water tank or other tank that you need

You'll need to make sure that the tank holds the amount of water or other material that you need before installing it. You don't want to run out of water in your FRP water tank at an inopportune time or find that your tank can't hold enough wastewater or chemicals.

I recommend: WaterTanks.com has a range of tank sizes available for FRP water tanks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A fiberglass septic tank tends to be lighter than other options, but you'll want to be sure that it has thick coat of resin to make it more durable.

Design engineers and business professionals who purchase fiberglass tanks should have a basic understanding of key terms used to describe materials and methods used in manufacturing these products. Fiberglass tanks can be just as durable as metallic tanks for a fraction of the cost. A few primary factors to consider when making decisions about fiberglass tanks include quality and price of the product.

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Glass fiber forms

Glass fiber forms refers to how glass fibers are manufactured. There are three primary forms of glass fibers: continuous roving, reinforcing mats and surface veils. Each form uses a different application method.

I recommend: Find out more about glass fiber forms by visiting Fiberglass Tank & Pipe Institute.

Resins

Resins are a primary component of fiberglass tanks. The primary type of resin used in fiberglass tanks is thermoplastic resin. Thermoplastics are durable because they can't be re-melted.

I recommend: Read more about resins at Texas Fiberglass Waste Water Tanks.

Hand lay-up

Hand lay-up is a method in which fiberglass tanks are created manually. This process is typically used for small jobs and involves molding fiberglass and applying resin by hand. This process can also be called contact molding.

I recommend: Find out more about the hand lay-up process for manufacturing fiberglass tanks at Arrowhead.

Chop spray

Chop spray is a way to manufacture fiberglass tanks that involves feeding fiberglass into a chopper gun. The chopper gun cuts the fiberglass into strands which are sprayed onto a mold with resin.

I recommend: Learn more about the chop spray method by visiting Palmer Mfg.

Filament winding

Filament winding in a fiberglass tank manufacturing process requires the use of a rotating mandrel to wrap multiple strands of fiberglass. This method is usually used in combination with the chop spray process.

I recommend: Find out more about filament winding at Southwest Fiberglass.

Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP)

Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) includes a range of manufacturing methods used to create non-metallic products with many of the advantages of metallic parts. FRP methods combine glass reinforcements with thermoset and thermoplastic resin systems.

I recommend: Read more about FRP at Bedford Plastics.