Five benefits of double-walled fuel storage tanks

When you think of bulk fuel storage, a traditional round tank probably comes to mind. Though commonly found on jobsites, the round tanks have drawbacks. Not all of them are double-walled, meaning many require secondary containment pans that come with an ownership and cleaning cost, as well as the risk of environmental impacts. These costs can add up quickly in areas where pans need to be cleaned regularly or after it rains.

At Western Global, we recognize this can be a pain point for our customers, which is why we designed our cube-shaped fuel tanks with double-walled 110% weatherproof containment. Double-walled containment provides a range of benefits, which we explore in this article.

What is a double-walled fuel tank?

A double-walled fuel storage tank has two layers, an inner tank where the fuel is stored and a containment tank that prevents spills or leaks. Single-wall tanks are made with just one layer, where the fuel is stored. Double-walled tanks are more durable than their single-walled counterparts because they have a secondary layer surrounding the tank where fuel is contained.

Benefits of double-walled fuel storage tanks

Double-walled fuel tanks offer many benefits, helping you to save money, increase efficiency and avoid spills, contaminations or environmental issues. We explore these in more detail below.

Protecting the fuel tank

Double-walled containment protects your tank, and in turn, your fuel. Our tanks feature an enclosed, weatherproof cabinet to secure the inner tank and the supporting components inside the outer wall of the tank. This is especially crucial during ongoing weather events with unpredictable conditions where spill pans and containment basins can fill up with stormwater – potentially flooding and depositing fuel on the ground and leading to more serious issues. Standard, lockable equipment cabinets extend the life of pumps, meters and other equipment, and reduce the risk of damage or contamination as the tank is battered by the elements – from wind and rain to sun and cold temperatures. 

One of the big advantages of our lockable cabinets is deterring fuel and equipment theft. Fuel theft is common, and the average cost of fuel theft in the construction industry is predicted to be $7.5 million. Ensuring you have the right security around your site and an accurate picture of your fuel stock is important to prevent theft, but our tanks have been tried and tested to ensure they foil potential thieves, we’ve even got the CCTV videos to prove it. 

Saving you money

We engineer our fuel tanks to protect against the elements and offer the convenience of not needing an additional containment pan – avoiding the added cost and the trouble of periodically replacing it. Aside from the upfront cost, containment pans must be cleaned after filling with rainwater and debris, which can get expensive. Western Global tanks, with double-walled containment and no need for spill pans, allow you to save a significant amount of money over the tank’s life cycle. This provides peace of mind in any situation, especially when you may already be dealing with widespread environmental impact.

Increased transportability

Some jobsites move as the work is completed and need the fuel tank to move along with it to remain in a convenient and efficient location. Setting up a system to include separate secondary containment every time the site moves takes time and can negatively impact your productivity and ability to get up and running. Our double-walled fuel tanks allow for hassle-free movement. As soon as they arrive on the jobsite, they’re ready to go. Our transportable tanks also offer four-way forklift pockets so operators can quickly and easily move them around the jobsite as needed. For even more transportability, our double-walled fuel trailer, the TransCube Mobile Refueler, provide these same benefits with even more mobility. Allowing you to just hitch it up and move it wherever it’s needed.

Many of our tanks can also be fitted with lifting bracket kits, so they can be lifted using a crane and chains – further improving their transportability.

Easier cleaning and inspection

Double-walled fuel tanks are much easier to clean and inspect. Most Western Global products feature a removable inner tank. This is where the fuel is held, so the ability to remove this makes cleaning and purging straightforward. Many tanks also have an inspection hatch that allows you to keep an eye on your fuel and complete your checks and inspections without having to take it apart. These features make it simple to keep your tank and fuel in great condition, so you won’t be slowed down by any problems on-site.

Do double-walled fuel tanks require secondary containment?

Secondary containment is normally a form of tray that catches fuel should there be a leak or spill from a tank. This is to stop it entering the ground and causing environmental pollution or contamination. The second wall of a Western Global double-walled tank acts as the secondary containment, so this is built into the tank without having to provide any further protection. This makes them very convenient to use wherever they’re needed, as they can be put down anywhere without the need for any secondary equipment – a simple way to meet requirements. It also reduces expense for our customers, as secondary containment is an extra cost to maintain and clean.

This, along with the other benefits mentioned above, makes double-walled fuel tanks a no-brainer for businesses.

Reap the rewards

We listen to our customers and build every tank to increase jobsite efficiency, preserve your fuel supply and save you money with a durable design featuring double-walled 110% containment. Adding to the convenience, our tanks have a removable inner tank for simple cleaning and inspections. Get in touch with us today to learn more about double-walled containment and the other benefits our tanks provide.