Above Ground vs. Underground Fuel Tanks - Considerations
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For operations requiring bulk fuel or fuel storage, one fundamental decision is whether to choose an above-ground or underground tank. Both have pros and cons, with key differences in installation, maintenance and regulation that may drive the decision. We’re seeing how underground fuel tanks stack up against above ground tanks.
Above ground vs underground fuel tanks – the pros and cons
Both tank types offer safe and secure fuel storage, but whether they’re right for your jobsite will depend on your requirements. Here’s a primer on above ground and underground fuel tanks, and how the right fuel storage infrastructure can save your operation time and money.
Above Ground Tanks: Easier, Simpler and More Accessible
Above ground storage tanks sit on the ground and may sometimes be slightly elevated.
Some of their key benefits include:
Easy maintenance: Above ground tanks offer easier access for inspection, cleaning and maintenance, so operations can save time and money.
Simple installation: Because less excavation and earthmoving is required, above-ground tanks involve simpler site prep that helps save money.
Better site flexibility: These tanks can be easily transported if your operation needs to change or gets relocated to a different jobsite, providing high operational flexibility, with many tanks specifically designed for ease of movement.
Visual monitoring: Leaks or physical damage are easier to detect with above-ground tanks, because no specialized equipment is needed, and a simple visual inspection will suffice.
Simpler regulatory compliance: While standards like UL142 or UL2085 may still apply, above ground tanks generally require less complex regulatory oversight. Double-walled tanks avoid concerns about fuel spills and containment pan cleaning.
Factors to keep in mind regarding above-ground fuel tanks include:
Footprint and space: These tanks require space on the jobsite and often must meet specific setback and clearance requirements from property lines or buildings, so be sure to consider your available surface area. The cube shape and steel frames on Western Global tanks let them be stacked three high when empty, increasing available surface area.
Exposure to external hazards: Some types of above ground tanks can be vulnerable to weather, vandalism, or physical damage, such as impact from large equipment or vehicles on the jobsite. Models with built-in containment, like those from Western Global, protect against this.
Environmental vulnerability: Just as with any type of fuel tank, spill containment must be properly handled. Tanks designed with 110% containment, like those from Western Global, need no further containment.
Underground Tanks: Larger, Long-Term and More Secure
Underground storage tanks are buried beneath the surface on a jobsite, saving valuable space and offering a durable solution.
Some of the benefits of these tanks include:
Larger capacity for long-term use: For more permanent operations that demand large volumes of fuel (think mining operations or industrial facilities), underground tanks can store tens of thousands of gallons of fuel, further reducing the need for frequent deliveries.
Protection from external elements: These tanks provide shielding from weather, temperature extremes and surface-level damage that can happen on busy jobsites.
Space and security: Underground tanks can save crucial jobsite space for other uses. They are also low profile and hidden from view, which makes them less visible and less accessible to tampering or theft.
Factors to keep in mind regarding underground fuel tanks include:
Higher installation costs and complexity: Excavation, soil work, site preparation and corrosion protection make installation more expensive.
Difficult inspection and maintenance: Underground tanks are harder to access for inspection and maintenance, which results in higher maintenance costs. In addition, leak detection is more costly because it requires specialized monitoring equipment and is often less immediate.
More regulatory burden: These types of tanks have stricter oversight. That’s because constant exposure to soil and groundwater increases the risk of tank corrosion, failure and related risks of soil and groundwater contamination.
Removal and remediation cost: At the end of an underground tank’s useful life (or if problems with leaks arise), excavation and soil cleanup add significant, often unpredictable, expense.
Which Fuel Tank Is Right for You?
Choosing between an above ground or an underground fuel storage tank? Here are several key factors to help you determine the better option for your operation.
- Site layout and space: Is your jobsite extremely limited on surface space? Find out the required setback area for an above ground tank or the subsurface area for an underground tank.
- Budget: Underground tanks typically have higher costs regarding installation, maintenance and monitoring and potential remediation.
- Regulation and permitting: Consider local fire and environmental codes, as well as any UL approvals required for each type of tank. Underground tanks face stricter federal and state environmental compliance laws for leak detection and corrosion control.
- Maintenance and accessibility: Above ground tanks are easier to inspect and access than underground tanks, which require more complex monitoring, so be sure to think about your available labor time and expertise for these tasks.
- Operational flexibility: Above ground tanks are easier to relocate, which is important for operations that require more flexibility as they grow or move. Underground tanks are essentially permanent once they are installed.
- Environmental risks: Examine flood zones, soil type and groundwater proximity when choosing a tank. An above ground tank with double-walled containment inherently manages external spill risk. An underground tank may leak undetected into the ground.
Choosing the Right Fuel Tank
The choice between above ground storage tanks and underground tanks is a trade-off between site space and aesthetics, and long-term cost and maintenance.
For many industrial and construction applications, the ease of maintenance, lower regulatory burden, and operational flexibility of a quality double-walled above ground storage tank provide the most cost-effective and compliant solution.
Browse our full line of above ground tanks or find your fuel tank based on your industry and storage needs.
Authored by
Sydney Talbot
Product Manager - Western Global
Experienced in the Fuel Distribution industry, Sydney understands customer needs and how WG products can help them achieve their goals. She is hands-on in Product Development, Product Marketing, and Sales Enablement. You can find Sydney on LinkedIn.