Fire-Protection-Tanks

Any water storage tank used for a fire pump (or for other fire protection uses) must meet NFPA 22, NFPA 20, and NFPA 13 design standards. The fire marshal in each county enforces these standards. Also, every fire protection tank must meet local building codes and be designed to ASCE standards. When under 5,000 gallons, residential fire protection tanks can be installed on a gravel foundation and may not require a permit.  Any Fire Protection Tank over 5,000 gallons for residential or commercial use must be permitted in Sonoma and Napa Counties.

Now, you probably read the above and start getting a headache from all the standards you must go through to get a tank. But don’t worry! That’s what we’re here for. Our designers and installers are well-versed in local and state regulations and standards. If you buy a tank with us, you can be sure that everything will be well within the recommended guidelines in your state and county. Don’t believe us? Here are just a few of the regulations that your water tank will have to meet:

  • All tanks under 20,000 gallons must have, at a minimum, a 4-inch fire outlet with an internal anti-vortex plate that must sit 6″ above the tank floor. These tanks must also have a minimum of a 4″ valve and a male adapter with a cap to protect the threads.
  • All tanks over 20,000 gallons must have a minimum of a 6-inch fire outlet with an internal anti-vortex plate that must sit 6″ above the tank floor. These tanks also require a valve, cap, and adapter. Additionally, NFPA calls for at least two access manways, a liquid level gauge, a vent, an overflow at least 2 inches larger than the outlet, and a caged ladder or spiral staircase (according to OSHA standards).

And that is just the tip of the regulatory iceberg. While these standards can be a pain, they are there for a reason. Not only do you need to ensure your tank is durable and safe, but you also must be sure you won’t have any trouble with the local fire marshals (which will just cost you money in the long run). When you let us handle the tank installation, you can be sure everything will be up to code, and you can spend less time worrying about regulations and instead think of all the great ways your new storage tank will help you. To get a quote on one of our storage tanks, Click Here to email us.