Aboveground Storage Tanks

We are going to cover Above Ground Tanks first because they were historically used before Underground Tanks. They are still in use today so it is important to be familiar with this kind of tank.

What is an Aboveground Storage Tank?

An aboveground storage tank (AST) is a large container used to hold a liquid or a gas. Tanks that contain heating oil or fuel are the ones that we are concerned about in this course. In residential applications, ASTs are generally located in the basement, crawl space, or against a wall on the exterior of the house. The tanks are usually held up by supports.

The History of Aboveground Storage Tanks

Tanks that hold liquid have been around since early civilization. When heating oil first came into use in the late 1800s, it was stored in aboveground tanks. These tanks were unreliable and prone to leaks. There were no industry standards for manufacturing or safety. There was also no government regulation of ASTs.

In 1922 the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a third-party testing facility, developed the first standards for steel storage tank safety.

In the 1930s tank quality improved because arc welding replaced riveting. Around this time, Underground Storage Tanks started gaining in popularity, especially in urban areas.

In the 1970s information about the environmental impact of oil tank leaks became more readily available. There was a push to improve tank safety. Some tanks were made with secondary containment technologies and improved tank materials.

The federal government, through the EPA, first put tank safety regulations into place in 1988.

By the 1990s, many homeowners chose to close and remove their tanks due to the now known environmental and health risks. Many people switched to a different source of heat and no longer needed an oil tank.

What should you do if you find an Above Ground Tank?

Document the presence of the aboveground storage tank (AST) and continue your search for an underground tank on the property. The purpose of the tank sweep service is to discover if any underground tanks exist. The tank sweep service does not include the inspection of AST’s.