Avoid Tank Failures

 

Over the past five years an intensive investment has occurred throughout our industry in the necessary equipment to manufacture efficiently. 
 
However the mere presence of equipment does not reflect capability. 
 
In assessing fabricators it is critical to establish if they have a working understanding of the requirements of the standard, DVS 2205. Implement the standard through design and fabrication using DVS compliant equipment and trained staff.  
 
To implement the standard they must have a copy of the standard therefore a simply visit and viewing of the physical documents containing the standard is an elementary indication as to whether or not your tank will be constructed to the standard. 
 
However for the more complex and challenging projects we would suggest you purchase a copy of the standard and become informed. (Copy of the standard can be purchased from the technical section.)
 
DVS 2205 is an internationally recognised standard for design and fabricating in plastics.  A rigorous standard developed in Germany through an extensive knowledge and more then 30 years history in testing plastics. 
 
DVS 2205 is a conservative and rigorous standard, as such if two fabricators provide quotes both claiming to comply with the standard and there is a significant pricing difference it is not possible for them to be both correct.
 
Some common work practices that demonstrate a tank is not built in accordance with DVS 2205
 
  • Use of hand held grinders for weld preparation.
  • Staff without qualification
  • No weld records
  • Multiple layered tanks that are not interference fit.
  • Multiple layer tanks instead of thick walled tanks.
  • Large pipes close to bottom of the tank without a design engineer’s certificate.
  • Pipe penetrations closer then 200mm to the floor.
  • Welds being convex instead of concave in profile.
  • Unusually low price
 
 
Material choice is also important.  Industry available design calculation software is capable of designing to the strengths of specific resins PE 80 and PE 100 for polyethylene.  Therefore it is important to confirm that material purchased matches the material properties considered in design. 
 
 
Avoiding tank failures is easy; ensure that your tank is designed manufactured to DVS 2205.  If you have doubts insist on design certification by a suitably qualified engineer.