Ask The Experts
By Jamie Thompson, APEA Technical Chairman

I own a couple of petrol stations, and both are quite old. The tanks on both sites were installed in the 1970s. I have decided to upgrade the sites and have looked into tank lining. I am being pressurized by a salesman from one company who is insisting that I have a single-skin glass fiber lining put into my tanks. This, to me, doesn’t sound very “modern” or like it would provide much additional protection to underground steel tanks that are 50+ years old. I would like your advice on this matter, please.

This is a dilemma that many operators are facing on older petrol stations. Since 1990 most new underground tanks installed in the UK would have been double wall with leak detection installed to warn the operator if the tanks have corroded and would leak into the environment.

It is sometimes cheaper to install new underground tanks if there is room on the site, and maybe this is something for you to consider. With regards to linings the advice in the in the 5th edition of the 2024 Blue Book is as follows:

Only competent contractors who specialise in this type of work should carry out repairs. The safety method statement for the work should provide well documented procedures covering safety and all factors involved with the repair together with the standards to be achieved at each stage of the work and how these will be assessed.

You should not have a single skin lining on these old tanks. Single skin tanks may be reused only with the application of an appropriate double-skin lining system, certified in accordance with BS EN 13160-7 2016, and have a Class 1 leak detection system monitoring the interstitial space for the lifetime of the installation.

Single skin tanks that become damaged should be replaced with double skin tanks. It has been unfortunate that some tank lining operators do not have the appropriate approval for their tank lining systems and there have been a number of failures in the past.

I would advise you first to ask to see the company’s certificate from a recognised European Test House. The most common EU Notified body for testing tank linings in accordance with this standard is TUV Nord in Hamburg.

This ensures that the manufacturer has submitted their product for testing to demonstrate that the lining complies with the Standard BS EN 13160-7 2016 “Leak Detection Systems. General requirements and test methods for interstitial spaces, leak protected linings and leak protected jackets.”

I would also recommend you discuss this with your Petroleum Enforcing Authority who will need to agree to your proposed alterations.