3/23/2015

Print

Augusta Fiberglass
86 Lake Cynthia Rd
Blackville, SC 29817
Website:
www.augustafiberglass.com

Toll-Free: (800) 527-1572

Tel: (803) 284-2246
Fax: (803) 284-2309
Email:
info@augustafiberglass.com

FRP TANK SPECIFICATIONS

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL
1.1 Work of this Section
1.1.1 General: The WORK of this Section includes providing all labor, equipment, materials, tools, supplies, fittings, and
appurtenances required for the fabrication of fiberglass-reinforced plastic above ground tanks to the standard set forth by
ASTM D-3299 for Reinforced Thermoset Plastic Corrosion Equipment.
1.1.2 The items indicated under this Specification shall be furnished by manufacturers having experience in the
manufacture of similar products and having a record of successful installations.
1.1.3 All fiberglass items shall be manufactured of material suitable for the service and shall be certified for such use on the
shop drawings. Tanks shall be designed and checked for all loads to be incurred during shipment, service, including, but
not limited to wind and temperature stress.
1.2 SHOP DRAWINGS & SAMPLES, THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE SUBMITTED
1.2.1 SHOP DRAWINGS: Shop drawings shall include detailed and certified design calculations. The laminate sequence
used for all tanks must either be attached to or included on drawings used by the fabricators shop personnel.
1.2.2 Submit tank layout drawings showing dimensions, wall thickness, anchor layout, knuckle radii, nozzle location and
orientation, and nozzle construction.
1.2.3 Submit installation instructions for installing tank on a concrete slab.
1.2.4 Submit tank manufacturers recommended bolt torque for flanges.
1.2.5 Submit a certificate listing the type of resin to be used, describing the manufacturers brand name.
1.2.6 Submit design calculations for structural design of walls and design of tie-down lugs.
1.2.7 Submit manufacturers certification that tank construction complies with ASTM D-3299 or D-4097, D-2563 level III and
these specifications.
1.2.8 Submit sample copies of the data forms and report forms for recording and reporting laboratory test data.
1.2.9 Nozzle schedule including size, mark, thickness, and rating.
1.2.10 Details of all clips and lugs for hold down lugs, pipe brackets, and anchor bolts, as integral parts of the tank. Pipe
supports shall be spaced maximum 5 feet on centers.
1.2.11 Laminate sequence of construction and all materials of construction listed.
1.3 INDUSTRY STANDARDS
1.3.1 The tanks built to these specifications shall meet the requirements of ASTM D-3299 (no chop hoop allowed) for
filament wound tanks and D-4097 for custom contact molded fiberglass reinforced plastic.
1.3.2 Applicable Documents: This specification, together with the attached drawing plus any referenced codes or standards,
constitutes a complete set of referenced codes or standards, constitutes a complete set of requirements for the tank under
consideration. Should a conflict occur between any of the applicable documents, the fabricator shall bring such conflict to
http://www.augustafiberglass.com/print.php?frp-tank-specifications.html

1/5

3/23/2015

Print

the attention of the owner prior to start of fabrication.

1.3.3 The tanks shall be furnished complete, including all accessories as shown on the approved drawings.
1.4 NAMEPLATES: The tanks built to these applications shall have the following information printed on its nameplate:
1.4.1 Name of Manufacturer
1.4.2 Capacity in Gallons
1.4.3 Chemical Environment
1.4.4 Manufacturer Serial Number
1.4.5 Year Built
1.4.6 Name and Equipment Number
1.4.7 Purchase Order Number
1.4.8 Maximum Specific Gravity
1.4.9 Design Pressure and Temperature
1.4.10 Resin
1.5 The nameplate shall be installed and resin coated.

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
2.1 RESIN
2.1.1 All materials shall conform to that specified in the Purchasing specifications. The resin, unless otherwise specified,
shall be as noted on the FRP Data Sheet. The same shall be used throughout the laminate unless otherwise specified.
2.1.2 The resin and all material shall conform to that specified in the FRP data sheet. The same resin shall be used
throughout the laminate unless otherwise specified.
2.1.3 The resin used shall not contain fillers, unless specified. When specified, up to 5% by weight of thixotropic agent such
as fumed silica may be used for viscosity control. Thixotropic must not be used in the corrosion barrier. No dyes or
pigments will be used unless authorized by the owner.
2.1.4 The cure system used for the resin shall be in accordance with the resin manufacturers current recommendations.
2.1.5 Proper curing of the resin is the fabricators responsibility. All products fabricated to this specification shall be cured to
at least 90% of the minimum Barcol hardness specified by the resin manufacturer. This requirement applies to both interior
and exterior surfaces. (Note: The use of paraffin in the resin or the use of a polyester veil may lower the Barcol hardness
below the resin manufacturers specifications.)
2.1.6 A separately cured gelcoat shall not be used.
2.1.7 No chemical-resistant surface shall be acetone sensitive. Acetone sensitivity is defined as tackiness of the laminate
surface when rubbed with acetone.
2.2 REINFORCEMENT
2.2.1 Unless otherwise noted on the Engineering drawings or data sheet, one ply of chemical surfacing veil shall be CGlass 10 mils thick.
2.2.2 Chopped strand mat shall be Type E (an electrical borosilicate) glass, 1 oz. Or 2 oz. per square ft., with silane finish
and a styrene-soluble reactive binder.
2.2.3 Continuous roving used in a chopper gun for spray-up shall be Type E glass.
2.2.4 Woven roving shall be Type E glass, nominal 24 oz./sq. yd., 4 x 5 weave, with silane-type finish.
http://www.augustafiberglass.com/print.php?frp-tank-specifications.html

2/5

3/23/2015

Print

2.2.5 Continuous roving used for filament winding shall be Type E glass with a silane-type finish.

3. DESIGN
3.1 GENERAL: It is the object of this Engineering Specification and associated drawing to afford the fabricator as much
design latitude as possibly, consistent with the basic requirements. Therefore, it is intended that the fabricator will have
ample opportunity to utilize his particular know-how in the design and details of tank fabrication in order to product
equipment which will be adequate for the intended purpose and at a minimum cost.
3.2 DESIGN OF DETAILS: Details are often indicted without being fully designed. This permits the equipment fabricator to
submit a design for approval, and it is intended that the fabricator furnish a design based on the information given which will
meet the requirements of the job regarding strength, corrosion resistance, and work ability.
3.3 DESIGN BASIS
3.3.1 For custom contact molded storage tanks subject to hydrostatic head, the design stress shall be 10% of the minimum
ultimate tensile stress of the selected laminate thickness, thereby providing a factor of safety of 10:1 against shell or head
rupture.
3.3.2 For filament wound tanks subject to hydrostatic head, the design stress shall be determined by the following formula:
SH = (ET) (Z) where:
SH = Hoop Stress used for design psi
ET Hoop Tensile Modules of the total laminate psi
Z = Allowable Strain 0.0010 in./in. max.
3.3.3 Tanks and similar equipment for installation outdoors shall be checked for wind loading. Four or more hold-down
lugs shall be provided for vertical tanks.
3.3.4 Other design requirements such as hold down lugs, stiffener rings, lifting lugs, etc.

4. OWNER FURNISHED INFORMATION

4.1 The following information shall be furnished in the FRP data sheet with the request for quotation and with the purchase
order:
4.1.1 Chemical environment, concentrations and specific gravity, including probably impurities and contaminants (interior
and exterior).
4.1.2 Abrasion or erosion problems.
4.1.3 Design basis.
4.1.4 Design pressure and temperature.
4.1.5 Operating pressure and temperature.
4.1.6 Test pressure
4.1.7 Resins, fillers, and pigments.
4.1.8 Special handling, including setting, vibration, load limits, shipping, etc.
4.1.9 Inspection requirements and extent of testing.
4.1.10 Request for list of all materials to be used in the fabrication.
4.1.11 Tanks or equipment for severe service to be so noted.
4.1.12 Post heat-curing requirements, if applicable.
5. VENDOR FURNISHED DRAWINGS AND INFORMATION
5.1 Approved Drawings: Upon approval by the owner, two (2) copies of the drawings listed below shall be submitted for
record purposes. Any subsequent revisions to the drawings or procedures must be approved by the owner. Drawings must
http://www.augustafiberglass.com/print.php?frp-tank-specifications.html

3/5

3/23/2015

Print

be checked and signed as checked before they will be accepted for approval.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.

All information supplied by the owner (Part 4 above).

Certified dimensions of overall equipment, thickness, and attachments.
Construction specifications.
Shop testing procedures.
Nozzle schedule, including size, mark, thickness and rating.
Details of all nozzles, joints and reinforcements.
Details of all ladders, lifting, hold-down or support lugs.
Specification for all supplied bolting and gaskets and accessory items.
Equipment weight, empty.
Equipment capacity (gallons).
UV absorbers or other pigments, if applicable.
Customer purchase order number, project and equipment number.
All materials of construction and laminate sequence of construction.
Method used for post-heat curing, if applicable.
Manufacturers product data literature for ultrasonic level indication equipment.
Manufacturers product data literature for ultrasonic level indication equipment.

5.2 DESIGN CALCULATIONS

5.2.1 If specified by the owner, two copies of detailed design calculations shall be submitted for approval prior to beginning
fabrication.

6. FABRICATION REQUIREMENTS
6.1 GENERAL
6.1.1 The fabricator shall not sublet any FRP component assembly without obtaining the owners approval in writing.
6.1.2 When pigmentation is specified, the pigment shall be dispersed in the resin used for the finish coat of the laminate.
6.2 SHELL AND HEAD REQUIREMENTS
6.2.1 The minimum wall thickness shall be regardless of operating conditions.
6.2.2 Unless otherwise specified, all vertical tanks shall be of flat-bottomed construction, continuously supported on a flat
concrete pad, or equivalent.
6.2.3 The knuckle radius of all flat-bottomed tanks shall be 1 minimum.
6.2.4 The shell shall be made of one manufactured section. No body joints will be allowed. If any body joints are required
they shall be in the upper 1/3 of the shell.
6.3 LAMINATE REQUIREMENT
6.3.1 The outer surface of the fabricated product shall be relatively smooth and no glass fibers shall be exposed. On
custom contact molded equipment the final ply shall be mat or spray-up. The addition of reinforcement over this finish
surface is optional and if required, will be specified in the FRP Data Sheet.
6.3.2 An ultraviolet stabilizer shall be incorporated in the final coat of resin. The amount of stabilizer shall be per the resin
manufacturers recommendation.
6.3.3 All edges of reinforcement material shall be lapped: 1 minimum format, and 2 minimum for woven roving. Lapped
edges of adjacent layers shall be staggered.
6.3.4 On laminates containing woven roving, cut edges exposed to the chemical environment shall be coated with resin and
surfacing mat, and all other cut edges may be coated with resin only. The resin used shall be designated in the purchase
specification and must contain paraffin to assure adequate surface cure.
6.3.5 Mold release agents such as MELINEX polyester film or PVA must be removed prior to inspection and shipment.
6.4 EQUIPMENT AND TANK CONNECTIONS
http://www.augustafiberglass.com/print.php?frp-tank-specifications.html

4/5

3/23/2015

Print

6.4.1 Unless otherwise specified, all connections on equipment and tanks shall be flanged.
6.4.2 Manways on storage tanks and equipment shall be 24 I.D. minimum.
6.4.3 All flanges shall be made by the hand lay-up construction. Press molded flanges are not acceptable. Flange shall be
manufactured of one-piece construction with integral stub.
6.4.4 The machine facing of the back of hand lay-up flanges is not permitted. All bolt holes shall be spot faced for SAE size
washers if required.
6.4.5 Flange drilling on pipe connections shall be in accordance with ANSI B-16.5 for 150-psi pressure class.
6.4.6 All nozzles 4 diameter or less, shall be reinforced with plate gussets. Conical gussets having comparable strength
may be substituted for the plate gussets.
6.4.7 Bolt holes in flanged nozzles are to straddle the vertical centerline. Tolerance in bolt holes location and in diameter of
bolt circle shall be as specified.
6.4.8 On all flanged joints, use 1/8 thick full-faced neoprene gaskets having a specified Shore A Durometer hardness.
Supplied by others, unless otherwise specified on data sheets.
6.4.9 Reinforcement of nozzle and manhole openings in vessel walls shall be in accordance with the requirements of ASTM
D 3299. The reinforcement pad shall consist of alternate piles of mat and woven roving. The edges of all reinforcing
overlays shall be tapered to avoid abrupt change in overall thickness of vessel laminates.
6.5 FIELD JOINTS
6.5.1 Where the field joining of FRP components is required, the fabricator shall furnish all necessary materials. Fabrication
procedures shall conform to the requirements of this specification.
6.5.2 Unless field forces are known to be thoroughly competent in FRP lay-up procedures, a vendor erection supervisor
shall be present when field joints are made.
6.6 POST CURING. Where drawings call for post curing of the interior surfaces, it shall consist of a cure temperature of at
least equal to the vessel design temperature, for a specified duration.

7. CLEANING
7.1 Prior to inspection, all dirt and extraneous materials shall be removed from the equipment interior. The fabricator shall
remove all surface markings, coatings, or contaminants prior to inspection.
7.2 When equipment must be ready for use without further site cleaning, special cleaning and sealing requirements will be
as detailed in the purchase specification.

8. SHIPPING
8.1 Whenever feasible, shipments shall be made by truck.
8.2 Tanks which are shipped in horizontal position shall be mounted on padded cradles. All tank end blocking used to
prevent shifting of tanks must be padded and bare only upon the knuckle radius of the tank bottom.
8.3 Tanks shall be secured to the cradles or skids to prevent rotation or other movement. In turn, the cradles or skids shall
be fastened securely to the truck bed.
8.4 All tie-down straps shall give provision for thermal expansion and shall be padded where in contact with the equipment.
8.5 Flange faces shall be protected from damage by covering with suitable plywood or hardboard, securely fastened. Note:
Tanks shall be positively vented at all times.

9.0 MANUFACTURER
9.1 The tank shall be manufactured by Augusta Fiberglass - Blackville, SC.

http://www.augustafiberglass.com/print.php?frp-tank-specifications.html

5/5