Farms throughout Australia greatly depend on the use of diesel fuel in various ways. Since farms are usually situated in areas not easily accessible areas, refueling farm vehicles and equipment is not always convenient. This is why it has become important for farm owners to invest on above ground diesel tank. However, owning and maintaining such tank is strictly regulated by authorities to ensure the safety of farm workers, owners, environment, and the general public.
Since diesel fuel is a combustible liquid, it is only appropriate and logical to ensure that tanks with such fuel to be properly stored. Every owner of such tank should follow regulations set by the government to minimize potential hazards and to prevent catastrophic fire-related incidents from happening. In order to effectively minimize such risks involved in owning and keeping fuel tank, it is important to zero in on various factors.
- Access to the tank – Delivering of diesel fuel to the farm from the fuel facility should be strongly considered. It is important for the delivery tanker to have safe access to the farm using a public road. Hence, it is a must that the fuel supplier to have an easy access to the tank, not only for the sake of convenience but more for safety reasons. Furthermore, the environment surrounding the tank must also be from other pieces of equipment that may cause obstruction, which will limit access to it. Access to the tank must not be obstructed by machinery, rubbish, junk, or clutter by at least three meters. This will allow the driver of the delivery tanker to have a clear access to the tank.
- Tank design and construction – It is imperative for farm owners to put in mind the Australian Standard for Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids when purchasing a diesel tank. This means the tank should have adequate features of measuring fuel level, such as mechanical fuel gauge, dipstick, or sight glass. According to an on-site fuel delivery company, it is likewise important for the tank’s design and construction to have means of venting during filling or drawing from it – this is to protect the tank from structural damage. Naturally, it is also extremely important for the tank to be free from leaks, deformations, cracks, and dents, which can compromise the tank’s durability and soundness. The fittings, pumps, and hoses must also be thoroughly checked to ensure that they are in good condition. Furthermore, proper warning signs like Hazchem signage, No Smoking warning in order to caution people about the potential risks they may encounter.
- Tank support – Not only the tank itself should be sound and durable but also the construction of its support. Design problems, unstable foundation, missing parts, poor attachment between the tank and legs, and poor maintenance could cause the tank’s support to be compromised. When the tank’s support is unstable, it could result in devastating and costly consequences. Owners should also pay extra attention to the rust build up in the support in order to prevent further damage. Additionally, the tank must be adequately attached to the support, free from corrosion and deformity. The key to keeping tank support sound and sturdy is proper maintenance through regular checking of its condition.
While owning and keeping diesel tank can provide good quantity of benefits to farm owners, it is not always free from potential hazards. This is why it is extremely necessary for tank owners to follow all safety regulations and standards to ensure that their tanks will not cause costly damage to them and the public. Also, it is likewise important to hire only experienced on-site fuel delivery personnel to ensure the safety of your area. It is when owners follow all safety regulations and religiously maintain their tanks that they will be able to maximize all the advantages of such convenient fuel storage.
