All panels size are 1220 x 1220 mm. Panels are hydraulically pressed to form a combined flange of 45° and 90° to fit the face of the plate on four sides.
Internal bracing is used inside the tank to oppose the outward forces of the water inside the tank. Internal bracing is manufactured from carbon steel and is hot dipped galvanised.
All fasteners are high tensile, grade 8.8.
All roof sheeting is cut and formed as per the size of the tank. Roof sheeting is fitted from one end of the tank to the other to improve seal ability. All tanks come with a lockable access manhole.
Pre-punched rubber gasket is used between the panels together with non toxic sealants to achieve optimum sealing of the tanks.
All tank components are hot dipped galvanised including all fasteners.
The water storage tanks manufactured by Fab Tanks Africa are produced using galvanised panels that meet our customizable water tank specifications that consist of a strong panel tank design to form any size tank required by our customers. Each panel is pre-punched to avoid welding and drilling on site. This design format makes it easier and more affordable to transport a Fab Tank to any site in South Africa.
Fab Tank water storage solutions are made to order according to customers’ requirements. However, there are general specifications that apply to all tanks:
Take a look at our durable home water tank options to get a more comprehensive understanding on the types of fresh drinking water tanks we offer for domestic use in rural areas.
Fab Tank plates undergo a reasonable amount of stress due to water pressure exerted from within the tank. The thickness of the zinc coating on the design panel and not the thickness of the steel is the key to withstanding the water pressure and this all depends on the depth of the tank.
Fab Tanks uses the recommended thickness of zinc coating according to the South African National Standard (SANS) to protect the lifespan of hot-dipped galvanised tanks.
Dimensions: almost any size tank can be constructed using our standard panel size and range of thickness
The following guidelines apply for using the appropriate panel thickness to withstand maximum water pressure.
| Maximum water pressure | (m head) | 1.22 | 2.44 | 3.66 | 4.88 |
| Panel thickness | (mm) | 3.0 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Individual roof sheets span 1, 2 and 3 panels depending on the width of the tank. When tanks are wider than 3 panels, roofing sheets are overlapped and bent up to ensure optimal sealing.
Roof sheets are available in the following dimensions:
The most cost-effective of the above dimensions is: 1 mm/305 mm
Depending on the dimension of the water tank, internal bracing consisting of angle iron is welded to base plates. These are then bolted to the tank panels.
Fab Tanks can design smaller customised tanks such as L-shaped or partitioned tanks that require only half panels. External bracing is also an option for custom designs.
Standard elevated water storage tanks that require support tower steelwork include our standard components. Should the customer request walkways around the base of the tank or access ladders rest platforms, the general specifications can be adapted accordingly.
Safe access all around pressed steel tanks is required for the purpose of tightening bolts.
The recommended minimum space around the four sides and above the roof is 600 mm and 450 mm beneath the tank.
Except for standard components and specifications for Fab Tanks water storage solutions, most of our designs can be custom made. This means general specifications can be adapted according to the designs and requirements of the customer.
Hot-dip galvanisation is the process of coating iron and steel with zinc, which blends with the surface of the base metal when the sheet metal is immersed in a bath of molten zinc. The temperature required for this process is about 450°C.
How hot-dip galvanisation works is the pure zinc reacts with oxygen to form zinc oxide, which in turn reacts with carbon dioxide to form zinc carbonate. This produces a robust coating that protects the steel beneath it from corrosion.
Hot-dip galvanisation replaces the need for stainless steel tank panels which are prohibitively costly. It works perfectly by protecting steel by creating a barrier between the metal and the atmosphere. Zinc is a more active metal in comparison to steel so even when the galvanised coating is damaged, the zinc in the coating continues to protect the metal from corrosion.
Hot-dip galvanisation protects the surface of the carbon steel from deteriorating which is caused by oxidisation, weathering and rust. It does this in two ways; firstly, the zinc coating as like a barrier that shields the carbon steel from atmosphere and secondly, the electronegative properties of zinc provides extra protection if the carbon steel is scratched or damaged.
The internal bracing in Fab Tanks is manufactured from carbon steel which is coated using the hot-dipped galvanisation process. This is primarily to protect the water storage tanks from corrosion but there are several other benefits to this process.
In harsh environments where Fab Tanks are typically needed, it’s critical to coat the carbon steel to protect it against corrosion. The three levels of corrosion resistance that hot-dipping galvanising provides is barrier protection, cathodic protection and the zinc patina.
Hot-dip galvanising provides cathodic protection which means the zinc will sacrifice itself to protect the underlying steel. If the coating is damaged, the zinc that surrounds the scratched area continues to resist corrosion. Hot-dipped galvanised steel corrodes at approximately 1/30th the rate of uncoated steel does in equally harsh environments.
Durability is guaranteed with hot-dip galvanisation. The process creates layers in the zinc coating that provided abrasion resistance that is incomparable to non-galvanised carbon steel. Every component of water storage units manufactured by Fab Tanks are hot-dipped galvanised which means coverage is completely uniform and there are not weak spots for corrosion to attack.
The beauty of hot-dip galvanisation is the water tanks are virtually maintenance free or at least the maintenance periods are extended. No additional resources are needed to treat corroded patches and the galvanised steel is easy to clean.
Contact us today to find out more information abou our popular customizable water tank specifications and deals from FAB Tanks.
