HomeMy WebLinkAboutANCHOR FUEL TANKSAnchor Fuel Tan
SCANNED
BY
St Lucie County
d�AN
��� FEMA
Unanchored fuel tanks can be easily moved by floodi waters, posing serious threats not only to you, others, and
your property, but also to public safety and the environment. An unanchored tank outside your building can be
driven into the building walls by flood waters, or it can' be swept downstream, damaging other houses. When
an unanchored tank in your basement is moved by flood waters, the supply line can tear free and your
basement can be contaminated by oil. Even a buried tank can be pushed to the surface by the buoyant effect
of soil saturated by water.
As shown in the first figure, one way to anchor a
fuel tank is to attach it to a large concrete slab
whose weight is great enough to resist the force
of flood waters. This method can be used for all
tanks above ground, both inside and outside your
property. You can also anchor an outside tank by
running straps over it and attaching them to the
concrete slab by using turnbuckles.
Propane is stored in pressurized vessels as
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which can be
extremely volatile and potentially explosive if the
tank is ruptured and the escaping LPG is ignited
by a spark. As shown in the second figure (next
page), an inexpensive way to secure a horizontal
outside propane tank is to install four ground F
anchors connected across the top of the tank with c
metal straps. Secure a vertical tank (120-gallon,
420 lb. size) with two ground anchors. Set each
anchor on opposite sides of vertical tank. Attach
a strap from each anchor to the collar secured An(
around top of the tank. Attach another metal
strap connected from one anchor to the other through t�
below are the same products that are required by buildi
are available from suppliers and installers that service t
be, used to anchor an outside heating oil tank. As is illu;
the oil tank is by running straps over it and attaching ft
VENTTUBEAND
FILLER TUBE ABOVE THE
100-YEAR FLOOD LEVEL
FUELTANK
CONCRETE SLAB LEGS`OF TANK SECURELY
ANCHORED IN SLAB
g a fuel tank.
ik base. The ground anchors and straps described
g codes to tie down mobile homes..These products
e manufactured housing industry. Similar products can
rated in the third figure (next page), one way to secure.
to ground anchors.
Anchor Fuel Tanks April 2011 Page 1 of 3
ti
d
F--
Steel
Steel
Level
NOTE: Tank support legs vary,
depending on manufacturers
design. Each leg set an
concrete footingpad
rH x 6"w x 12" L.
Alternative Method -of � Galvanized 46'-Long —�
Installing Anchors From 314=Diameterpouble•Head
'1 One Side GraUndAnchor With NOTE; Check with utility companies for .locations arundergroundlines.
6" Sioglu Hsliz;Auger verify locations of underground lawn sprinkler fines, septic tanks,
and drain field lateral lines: beforeauguring ground anchors.
Anchoring an outside propane tank.
Building Wail Located
Adjacent to Tank
Flood: Level
Level
tt.— Galvanized 48%Long
3[4"-Diameter
Double -Head Ground Anchor
With 6" Single Helix Auger
Alternative Method of Installing
Anchors From One Side
Vent 6a Extension to '
featherHead 1' Higherthan
Base Flood Elevations
Fil Tube Screw -On -
Tight -Fit Cap with Gasket _
Level
FI
1-114"-Wide by 0.32"-Thick Stainless
Steel'Strap Inside Vinyl Sheath
;i NOTE: Tank support legs vary,
i, depending on manufacturer's
11 design. Each leg set on
concrete footing pad
3"H x 6'1rV x 12 L.
� J
NOTE: Check with utility companies for locations of underground lines.
Verify locations of underground lawn sprinkler lines, septic tanks,
and drain field lateral lines before auguring ground anchors.
i
Anchoring an outside heating oil tank.
it
Anchor Fuel Tanks April 2011 Page 2 of 3
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BENEFITS OF UTILIZING THIS MITIGATION STRATEGY
• Helps to prevent damage and contamination tola structure and neighboring structures
• Helps to protect public health and safety, as
protecting the environment
TIPS
Keep these points in mind when you anchor a fuel
If you prefer not to do this work yourself, you cc
as those of the structure's occupants, in addition to
k:
have a handyman or contractor anchor your tank.
✓ Extend all filling and ventilation tubes above the 100-year flood level so that floodwaters cannot enter the
tank. I
✓ Close all connections when flood warnings are
ESTIMATED COST
Anchoring a 1,000-gallon fuel tank to a concrete
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
FEMA 259, Engineering Principles and Practices
1995, http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.dc
2011.)
FEMA 348, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood
FEMA P-499, Home Builder's Guide to Coastal
8.3, December 2010, http://www.fema.gov/libra
FEMA 481, Anchoring Home Fuel Tanks (DVD),
FEMA, Anchoring Home Fuel Tanks (Video),
ed.
will cost approximately $300 to $500.
Retrofitting Flood Prone Residential Buildings, January
=1645. (New FEMA 259 will be available in the Fall of
, Chapter 3, November 1999,
"Protecting Utilities," Technical Fact Sheet No.
To view and download FEMA publications visit the IFEMA Library at http://www.fema.aov/library. To obtain
FEMA publications please call 1-800-480-2520 or fax 1-240-699-0525 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.
EST. You may also email your request to FEMA-Publications-Warehouse@dhs.gov. Please provide the title,
item number, short number, and quantity of each publication, along with your name, address, zip code, and
daytime telephone number.
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Anchor Fuel Tanks I April 2011 Page 3 of 3