What is a Multi Hazard Test For Above Ground Fuel Tanks?

The first test the SuperVault above ground fuel tank went through was the fire exposure test whereby it was placed in a 2,000°F  fire for two hours to determine its fire resistance. Two full scale fire exposure tests were conducted to evaluate the thermal resistance of the above ground fuel tank and supporting structural members, including protective material to withstand a rapid temperature rise fire exposure. The first test is conducted on a newly constructed, fully assembled tank for a period of 4-hours. The second test is conducted on the same fully assembled tank (after the initial 4-hour test, but it is re-furbished as deemed necessary by the field technician to represent infield practice) is for 2-hours, after it has been subjected to the 4 x hazard tests mentioned in this article.

The SuperVault was subject to temperature conditions to replicate total engulfment in the luminous flame regime of a large free burning liquid hydrocarbon fueled pool fire.  The average temperature of the furness was 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Picture: shows the SwRI largescale horizontal furnace used for the test.

After the High Intensity Fire Exposure test the tank moves onto stage two which is the Post-Fire Hose Stream Resistance Test.  Here the controlled tank was subjected to the cooling, erosive and impact forces of the hose stream.

It is important to note here that there was no hose -stream test required after the second fire exposure test.

The table below shows the conditions of the hose stream test that the SuperVault tank went through:

Picture: shows the test tank being exposed to hose stream.

The third test in the series for a tank to achieve SwRI 95-03 certification is the Projectile Penetration Test. For this part, the tank is only considered a bullet-resistant construction when there is no penetration of the primary tank when subject to the ballistic impact of a bullet of 150-grain M-2 ball ammunition with a minimum muzzle velocity of 2,700 ft per second (823m/s) fired from a .30 calibre rifle at a distance of 100 feet (3.48m). The tank only passes this test if it is not damaged to the extent any leakage would develop or occur after 5 shots placed independently of one another.

Picture: shows the tank set up for the projectile test.

The final test is the Heavy Vehicle Impact Test, whereby the tank (according to SwRI 93-01 and SwRI 95-03) is to withstand the impact of a 12,000 pound (5443kg) battering ram, simulating a vehicle impact at 10mph. To pass this test the primary tank was not to be damaged to the extent a leak would develop.

Picture: shows the battering ram ready to hit controlled test tank.