Flammable liquid & solvent storage
Solvent tank farms and flammable liquid storage tanks designed to HSG176, DSEAR and ATEX.
Request a quotationSafe, compliant storage for flammable liquids and solvents
Storing flammable liquids in bulk brings fire and explosion risks that have to be designed out from the start. Ai Process designs and builds solvent tank farms and flammable liquid storage tanks for paint, coatings, adhesives, chemical, pharmaceutical and distilling manufacturers, with compliance built into every stage.
Our process and safety engineers work to HSE guidance HSG176, The storage of flammable liquids in tanks, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) and ATEX hazardous area requirements, so your new flammable liquid storage is safe to operate and ready for inspection.
Our flammable liquid and solvent storage services include:
- Solvent tank farm layout and design, including separation distances and fire walls to HSG176
- DSEAR risk assessments, ATEX hazardous area zoning and zoning drawings
- Bunding, drainage and secondary containment
- Storage tank venting calculations, flame arrestors and pressure and vacuum relief
- Fire protection, including bund and tanker bay sprinkler systems, and VOC gas detection
- Vapour recovery and emissions control
- ATEX-rated pumps, instrumentation, electrical installation and process control
- Tanker offloading bays and solvent transfer systems to the production area
- Documentation for HAZOP, SIL & LOPA
- Indoor tank farms and internal flammable liquid storage
Designed around HSG176, DSEAR and ATEX
HSG176 sets out how flammable liquid storage tanks should be located, spaced, bunded, vented and protected. DSEAR requires the risks from flammable substances to be assessed and controlled, and areas where an explosive atmosphere could form to be classified into zones. Equipment used in those zones must be suitable for them.
We apply these requirements from the first layout drawing. That means fewer surprises at the risk assessment stage, and a solvent tank farm that is easier to run and maintain. For a plain-English overview of the rules, see our guide to flammable liquid and chemical storage regulations.
Proven on live manufacturing sites
We have delivered solvent tank farms for Bostik in Stafford, Tor Coatings in Birtley, Avery Dennison and Alcohols Ltd in Rugby. These projects have included demolition of old tanks, new bunded tank farms, solvent storage vessels, pipe bridges to the factory, sprinkler and vapour recovery systems, VOC gas detection and automated transfer controls.
Because flammable liquid storage usually sits next to a working factory, we plan each phase so that production can continue while the new tank farm is built and commissioned.
Related services: Tank farm design and construction | Bulk chemical and liquid storage | Storage regulations | DSEAR & ATEX compliance
Solvent tank farm case studies
Bostik – New Solvent Tank Farm
Ai Process Design, Construct & Commission New Solvent Tank Farm and Transfer System for Bostik in Stafford, UK
Tor Coatings – Tank Farm
Design, Construct & Commission a New Solvent Tank Farm & Distribution System
Alcohols – Solvent Manufacturing Facility
Ai Process Design & Construct State of the Art Solvent Manufacturing Facility for Alcohols Ltd.
Alcohols – Gin Distillery
Ai Process Design & Construct State of the Art Gin Distillery for Alcohols Ltd.
Flammable liquid storage questions
HSG176, The storage of flammable liquids in tanks, is HSE guidance on the safe design and operation of fixed tanks that store flammable liquids. It covers tank location and separation distances, bunding, venting, fire protection, hazardous area zoning and the transfer of liquids to and from the tanks.
Usually, yes. Under DSEAR, areas where flammable vapours could form an explosive atmosphere, such as tank vents, tanker connections and pump areas, must be assessed and classified into zones. Electrical and mechanical equipment in those zones must be suitable for use there.
HSG176 generally favours storing bulk flammable liquids outdoors, in the open air. Indoor storage is possible in some cases, but it needs careful design of the building, ventilation, fire separation and zoning. We can advise on the best option for your site.
Yes. We assess existing flammable liquid storage against current guidance, then design and deliver the changes needed, from new venting and fire protection to a complete tank farm replacement, often while the site keeps running.