Petronas Technical Standards: Tank Foundation, Tank Farm and Remote Containment

PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS
Tank Foundation, Tank Farm and Remote Containment
PTS 11.12.04
January 2019
© 2019 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form
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owner. PETRONAS Technical Standards are Company’s internal standards and meant for authorized users only.
150.5.65.197 yokoyama.naomi@jgc.com yokoyama.naomi@jgc.com 07/19/2021 06:35:35 GMT

PTS 11.12.04
TANK FOUNDATION, TANK FARM AND REMOTE CONTAINMENT January 2019
Page 2 of 31
FOREWORD
PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS) has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge,
experience and best practices of the PETRONAS group supplementing National and International
standards where appropriate. The key objective of PTS is to ensure standard technical practice across
the PETRONAS group.
Compliance to PTS is compulsory for PETRONAS-operated facilities and Joint Ventures (JVs) where
PETRONAS has more than fifty percent (50%) shareholding and/or operational control and includes all
phases of work activities.
Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers who use PTS are solely responsible in ensuring the quality of
work, goods and services meet the required design and engineering standards. In the case where
specific requirements are not covered in the PTS, it is the responsibility of the
Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers to propose other proven or internationally established
standards or practices of the same level of quality and integrity as reflected in the PTS.
In issuing and making the PTS available, PETRONAS is not making any warranty on the accuracy or
completeness of the information contained in PTS. The Contractors/manufacturers/suppliers shall
ensure accuracy and completeness of the PTS used for the intended design and engineering
requirement and shall inform the Owner for any conflicting requirement with other international
codes and technical standards before start of any work.
PETRONAS is the sole copyright holder of PTS. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, recording or
otherwise) or be disclosed by users to any company or person whomsoever, without the prior written
consent of PETRONAS.
The PTS shall be used exclusively for the authorised purpose. The users shall arrange for PTS to be
kept in safe custody and shall ensure its secrecy is maintained and provide satisfactory information to
PETRONAS that this requirement is met.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 4
1.1 SCOPE ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ..................................................................................................... 4
1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES ............................................................................................... 5
TANK COMPONENTS ............................................................................................. 6
2.1 SCOPE DEMARCATION ................................................................................................... 6
2.2 TANK FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................ 6
2.3 LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM .............................................................................................. 7
2.4 TANK FARM FLOOR PERMEABILITY CONTROL............................................................... 8
TANK FOUNDATION TECHNICAL SELECTION ........................................................... 9
3.1 FOUNDATION TYPES ...................................................................................................... 9
3.2 TANK FOUNDATION SHOULDER CONSIDERATION ...................................................... 15
TANK SETTLEMENT .............................................................................................. 17
4.1 SETTLEMENT MONITORING DURING HYDRO TEST ..................................................... 17
CONTAINMENT SYSTEM ...................................................................................... 18
5.1 SECONDARY CONTAINMENT ....................................................................................... 18
5.2 LOCAL SECONDARY CONTAINMENT ............................................................................ 19
5.3 REMOTE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT ........................................................................ 22
GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF CONTAINMENT FACILITIES ...................................... 23
BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................... 24
APPENDIX 1: MIXTURE OF SAND AND BITUMEN FOR TANK FOUNDATION ....................... 26
APPENDIX 2: WET SAND MIX FOR TANK FOUNDATION SHOULDERS AND BUND WALLS ... 27
APPENDIX 3: MATERIAL .................................................................................................. 28

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INTRODUCTION
This PTS provides the minimum requirements for the design of tank foundation, tank farm and
remote secondary containment in oil refineries, gas and chemical plants and onshore utility
plant facilities. This PTS adopts various International Standards with additional requirements
based on PETRONAS lesson learnt and best practices.
1.1 SCOPE
1.1.1 This PTS covers all types of tanks foundation elements at below bottom plates (e.g. bitumen
sand layer, leak detection, compacted granular filling, geotextile and geosynthetic clay layer),
tank farm (e.g. containment floor, bund wall and drainage system) and remote secondary
containment.
1.1.2 This PTS does not cover underground storage tanks, LNG tanks, LPG tanks, spheres, bullets,
buried/mounded tank/vessels and offshore installation.
1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS
1.2.1 General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations

Refer to PTS Requirements, General Definition of Terms, Abbreviations & Reading Guide PTS
00.01.03 for General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations.
1.2.2 Specific Definition of Terms
No Term Definition
1 Bund Wall A constructed wall designed to prevent

inundation or breaches from a known source.
2 Impounding basin A holding basin facility for

hydrocarbon/chemical contaminated surface
water runoff.
3 Local Secondary Containment A provision made to contain any escape of

stored material by building a further
containment system by bund or catch pit around
the primary containment.
4 Loss of containment Hydrocarbon/chemical leak or spill due to flaw

or failure of equipment, storage facility or
transport facility.
5 Primary containment The container within which the

hydrocarbon/chemical is stored (e.g. tank,
drum, skid), together with any outer container.

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No Term Definition
6 Remote Secondary A provision made to prevent pollution by

Containment channelling any escape of stored material to
another suitable container where it may be
stored pending safe disposal at other location
from the secondary containment. This is
normally required when there is inadequate
capacity of the secondary containment and
should be connected through underground
lines.
7 Secondary containment A containment system which is capable of

preventing the escape of material to the
environment in the event of the failure of the
primary storage or containment. Secondary
containment can be further categorized as:
 Local secondary containment

 Remote secondary containment
8 Surface Containment A constructed reinforced concrete dyke

wall/concrete kerb/brick wall kerb that function
as local secondary containment system
9 Tank Farm A facility on a tract of land devoted to the single

tank or multiple tanks of hydrocarbon or
chemical content surrounded by bund
Table 1.1: Specific Definition of Terms
1.2.3 Specific Abbreviations
No Abbreviations Description
1 CIRIA Construction Industry Research and

Information Association
2 EEMUA Engineering Equipment & Materials Users

Association
3 MS EN Malaysian Standard
4 PIP Process Industry Practices

Table 1.2: Specific Abbreviations
1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This PTS 11.12.04 (January 2019) replaces PTS 11.12.04 (August 2015).

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TANK COMPONENTS
2.1 SCOPE DEMARCATION

Figure 2.1 below shows the tank components and scope demarcation for civil and mechanical.
Figure 2.1: Tank Components and Scope Demarcation
2.1.1 For tank structure above bottom plate inclusive of leak detection system, refer to PTS
12.22.01, PTS 12.22.02, PTS 12.22.03 and PTS 12.22.04.
2.1.2 Tank structure under civil scope includes:
i. Foundation and piling (if required)
ii. Soil improvement
iii. Shoulder
iv. Bund wall
v. Drainage & Sump pit
2.2 TANK FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS
2.2.1 The objectives of tank foundations are:
i. spread and transfer the load from the tank and its contents via the tank
foundation, body and shoulder to the subgrade so that the resulting ultimately
expected settlements, both total and differential, remain within the allowable
limits
ii. raise the tank bottom above ground water, capillary water, surface water and the
standing fluid level resulting from minor spillages
iii. provide a sufficient bearing capacity and stability for tank construction and
operation

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iv. channel rain water away from tank shell and tank bottom quickly with provision
of tank shoulder
v. provide a raised elevation to the tank base so as to enhance the NPSH (net
positive suction head) of pumps
vi. capable of providing sufficient lateral support from the shoulder during
construction, operation and maintenance activities
vii. resist edge settlement (cutting) beneath the tank shell
2.2.2 General requirements for tank foundation:
i. Edge of tank shoulder shall be slope away from the tank to prevent water
infiltration under tank bottom area
ii. Foundation shall be configured to slope surface gradient following tank bottom’s
profile
2.2.3 The type of foundation for a vertical storage tank shall be selected in relation to the tank
loading and geotechnical aspects. This assessment shall ensure the tank remains stable and
that the total and differential settlements remain within allowable limits as per PTS 11.13.01.
2.2.4 For granular fill type tank foundation, the tank shoulder shall be covered with surface finishing
layer (i.e. bitumen layer, wet sand mix or equal).
2.2.5 Anchor bolts requirements shall conform to PTS 12.22.01 and shall be designed in accordance
to BS EN 14015 or API 650.
2.2.6 Earthing and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) requirements shall conform to PTS
13.00.01, PTS 13.50.01, D13.92.035 and D13.92.036.
2.2.7 Cathodic protection shall be installed for the underside of the tank bottom. Selection basis of
cathodic protection shall conform to PTS 15.20.15 and API 651.
2.3 LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM
2.3.1 New tank pad shall be provided with the leak detection system such as a system to monitor
the ground water quality at specific intervals.
The leak detection system shall not be used where products will solidify due to cooling after
passing a leak, example, liquid sulphur, bitumen, wax etc. For details of the leak detection
system, see Standard Drawing D 11.92.005.

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2.4 TANK FARM FLOOR PERMEABILITY CONTROL
2.4.1 HDPE or geosynthetic clay liner shall be used under storage tanks containing hydrocarbons
and/or toxic chemicals that can contaminate the tank foundation and its subsoil and
groundwater. These materials shall also be applied similarly to tank farm floor bunded area.
Not all types of HDPE or geosynthetic clay liner may be resistant against all chemicals,
particularly acids. The durability of HDPE or geosynthetic clay liner shall be assessed for the
product to be stored in the bunded area.

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TANK FOUNDATION TECHNICAL SELECTION
Technical selection of foundation types shall be based on:
i. Tank Size
Tank size is related to tank height and width in which the tank sits on the
foundation. Generally, product content (during hydro test) and tank diameter will
give maximum vertical load that will be supported by allowable soil bearing
pressure.
ii. Tank Function
For vertical tank, foundation shall take form of tank pad constructed with durable,
inert, granular materials such as crushed rock, coarse sand and etc. Atmospheric
tank is rarely founded on pile-concrete foundations unless predicted differential
and total settlements and tilt exceed the limits set for the tank.
iii. Site conditions
Site conditions for tank site is characterized by native soil type & strength,
potential chemical contaminants (for underground tank), groundwater table and
availability & strength of imported fill materials.
iv. Environmental
Environmental requirements are mostly determined by local environmental

standards on prevention of leakage and spillage to the environment. Common
features are secondary containment, leak detection system & cathodic
protection.
3.1 FOUNDATION TYPES
Types of foundation are broadly categorized as:
i. Ring wall
Reinforced concrete ring wall
Crushed stone ring wall
ii. Granular fill
iii. Slab foundation

a) Reinforced concrete raft foundation
b) Pile supported reinforced concrete slab
3.1.1 Reinforced Concrete Ring Wall
Reinforced concrete circular wall is centred continuously under tank shell circumference. It
provides a levelled surface for shell construction and able to minimize settlement. Typical
diagram of reinforced concrete ring wall is shown in Figure 3.1.

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Figure 3.1: Cross Section – Reinforced Concrete Ring wall
Design configurations:
i. The applied pressure under the ring beam shall be equal to the pressure under
confined earth fill materials at the same depth to prevent punching shear of the
soil
ii. Minimum ring wall width is 300mm with minimum heights 300mm above grade
level
iii. Bottom of ring wall shall be minimum of 600mm below grade level
iv. Reinforcement shall be introduced to reduce shrinkage cracks and resist hoop
tension (by lateral earth pressure from product surcharge and tank dead load)
v. Lateral earth pressure shall be taken as 50% minimum of vertical pressure from
fluid and soil height (in case of granular fill, lateral earth pressure coefficient of
30% may be used)
vi. Passive pressure from the outside of the ring wall shall not be included in design
calculations
vii. Minimum 12.5mm thick of asphalt impregnated board shall be placed on top of
the wall directly underneath shell annular plate

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viii. Space between ring walls shall be backfilled with compacted granular fill
ix. Minimum thickness of bitumen sand mix is 50mm.
3.1.2 Crushed Stone Ring Wall
Crushed stone ring wall is centred continuously under shell circumference. Quality control is
required for tank grade preparation work. Typical diagram of crushed stone ring wall is shown
in Figure 3.2 below.
Figure 3.2: Cross Section – Crushed Stone Ring wall
Design configurations shall be as follow:
i. Consists of crushed gravel or crushed stone of 12mm to 25mm in diameter.
ii. Base is wide enough to distribute the shell loads to the underlying soils without
exceeding allowable bearing capacity.
iii. The applied pressure under the crushed stone ring wall shall be equal to the
pressure under confined earth fill materials at the same depth to prevent
punching shear of the soil.
iv. Depth of crushed stone layer shall be minimum 600mm.

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v. The space within the crushed stone ring wall shall be backfilled with compacted
granular fill.
3.1.3 Compacted Granular Fill Foundation
This foundation is recommended for tank where wind and earthquake overturning is not
prevalent. Typical diagram of compacted granular fill foundation is shown in Figure 3.3 below.
Figure 3.3: Cross Section – Compacted Granular Fill
Design configurations shall be as follow:
i. Minimum granular fill shall be 600mm deep depending on the subgrade.
ii. Protection against erosion can be accomplished by provision of minimum 900mm

wide shoulder and berm built around the tank foundation and place steel band
around periphery of the tank
iii. Minimum distance from tank bottom geotextile layer to the highest recorded
ground water level is 300mm
iv. Slope on the native soil for drainage to avoid water stagnant and subsequent
erosion
v. Steel band is recommended to confine the fill and prevent sloughing of loose non-
cohesive surface soil

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3.1.4 Reinforced Concrete Raft Foundation
Reinforced concrete raft foundation provides good uniform tank support surface and normally
used for small tanks. Normally used to support small unanchored or anchored tanks in which
it provides a well levelled surface and allows tank anchoring with conventional anchor bolts,
if required. Typical diagram of reinforced concrete raft foundation is shown in Figure 3.4
below.
Figure 3.4: Cross Section – Reinforced Concrete Raft Foundation
3.1.5 Pile Supported Reinforced Concrete Slab Foundation
Pile supported reinforced concrete slab foundation is normally applicable on poor soils where
other foundation type may not be feasible. It has the advantage to minimize total and
differential settlement.
Design considerations shall be as follow:
i. Soil investigation data
ii. Type, size, capacity, length, spacing and number of piles

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iii. Pile group effect i.e. settlement and capacity

iv. Pile uplift and lateral loads resulting from wind or earthquake
For further details of pile foundation, refer to PTS 11.13.01.

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3.2 TANK FOUNDATION SHOULDER CONSIDERATION
3.2.1 The shoulder width shall be selected so that the stability of the foundation, shoulder and
subsoil are ensured. The minimum width of the tank foundation shoulder(s) depends on
several aspects:
i. Height of the tank (H)
ii. Density of the product (for oil products, water filling in hydrostatic test is
normative)
iii. Type of tank foundation
iv. Slope of the tank pad
v. Height of the tank pad (T)
3.2.2 The shoulder shall have a gradient of 1:10. The minimum slope to the shoulder shall not be
exceeding a gradient of 1:1.5. The following limiting values to the shoulder width and
thickness shall be adopted for tanks of various heights:
Tank foundation with crushed stone ring wall
Tank Diameter, D
Minimum shoulder Maximum foundation
height, H (m)
width, S* (m) height, T**(m)
(m)
10 ≤15 1.0 1.5
10 >15 1.5 0.9
20 <15 1.5 0.9
20 >15 1.5 0.9

*measured from annular plate edge
**measured before hydrostatic testing
Tank foundation without crushed stone ring wall
Tank Diameter, D Minimum shoulder Maximum foundation

height, H (m) width, S* (m) height, T** (m)
(m)
10 ≤15 1.0 1.2
10 >15 1.5 1.0
20 <15 1.5 1.0
20 >15 1.5 1.0

*measured from annular plate edge

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**measured before hydrostatic testing
For a tank that is more than 20m height, the shoulder width and foundation height shall be
determined during detail design.

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TANK SETTLEMENT
Tank settlement shall be considered in foundation design to avoid potential failures such as
floating roofs being stuck, shell and roof buckling damage, leaks, loss of tank contents, and
reduction of soil strength and instability of tank.
4.1 SETTLEMENT MONITORING DURING HYDRO TEST
Settlements monitoring during hydrotest shall refer to API 650 clause 7.3.6, PTS 12.22.03
Appendix 1, EEMUA 190 clause 3.5 and EEMUA 159 clause 16.

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CONTAINMENT SYSTEM
Containment system is meant to contain spillages and other possible escape of hydrocarbon
or chemical / harmful products to the environment.
Further detail shall refer to CIRIA C736 and PTS 16.73.01.
5.1 SECONDARY CONTAINMENT
5.1.1 Secondary containment is a system that is capable of preventing the escape of materials to
the environment in the event of the failure of the primary containment.
Secondary containment shall be further categorized broadly as:
i. Local secondary containment
ii. Remote secondary containment
5.1.2 Local secondary containment is provided to contain any escape of stored materials by building
a further containment system (bund/catch pit/sump pit) surrounding primary containment.
5.1.3 Remote secondary containment is where provision is made to prevent pollution by

channelling any escaping stored materials to another suitable container where it may be
stored pending safe disposal.
Refer Figure 5.1 below for further illustration of both local and remote secondary
containment.
Figure 5.1: Local and Remote Secondary Containment

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5.2 LOCAL SECONDARY CONTAINMENT
Common local containment in oil and gas industry are usually bund wall, dyke wall and
kerbing. This local containment has impervious characteristic that is having water tightness
which can hold containment discharge.
Detail of containment system can be referred to CIRIA C736.
5.2.1 Bund Wall
Main feature of bund wall is usually structurally independent from the primary containment
system. Bunds shall be designed and constructed as a liquid-tight or essentially impermeable
earthen with a slope not steeper than 1:1 or reinforced concrete wall. Generally bund wall
should not exceed 1.5 m in height.
Bund wall height requirement shall refer to CIRIA C736.
General consideration:
i. The height of the bund wall above the bund floor shall(PSR) be determined from
the summation of the following heights:
a. required net capacity of the bund*
b. maximum determined bund settlements with respect to the tank
foundation during the design life;
c. a freeboard of 0.30 m
*The required net capacity of a bunded area is defined as follows:
The volume of maximum capacity of the largest tank inside the bund (as per tank
datasheet or as defined in API 650) with the addition of the following:
 Displaced volume of other tanks (diameter time height) except of the
largest tank inside the bunded area, from the tank pad level up to
expected liquid level when containing the largest tank capacity.
 Volume of all tank pads
 Volume of all intermediate fire wall and low level piping
Minimum capacity of a bunded area shall be not less than 110% of the maximum
capacity of the largest tanks including the other contributing volumes described
above.
ii. Surface finishes in bunded areas shall have a minimum gradient of 1:100 towards
the perimeter drainage. The permeability of the surface finishes of bunded areas
depends on the product stored in the tanks, on local circumstances and on legal
requirements that may in some instances require a completely impermeable
surface.
iii. Surface finish and drainage system shall be durable

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iv. Where heavy equipment is required to enter the bunded area for maintenance,
area accessible for heavy equipment shall be designed and provided
v. The surface finish shall not be continued underneath the tank pads. This is to
avoid the possibility of the tank pad losing inherent strength by becoming
saturated from a tank leakage or penetrating rainwater. The surface finish shall
be connected to the seal of the tank base.
vi. The penetration of earthen bund walls and the underlying soil with service line
should be avoided. If penetrations are unavoidable, protective pipe sleeves with
sealed, flexible collars at the upstream end shall be used.
vii. Free space shall be provided between the protective pipe sleeve and the service
line to allow for the expected settlement. The sealing material between the pipe
and sleeve shall be malleable to remain functional in the event of movements
viii. Filter cloth shall be placed around rigid elements where there is a danger of bund
wall materials being washed out; see Standard Drawing S 12.002. If more than
one service line penetrates the earthen bund walls, structural elements forming
an integral part of the bund all should be used.
ix. The proposed design of these subsurface or penetrating service lines and the
protection measures is subject to the approval of the Owner.
x. The stability of the bund and its foundation shall(PSR) be analysed by taking as a
design basis the bunded area being completely filled with water (i.e. to bund
crest) and if required by Owner the momentum of product release following a
catastrophic tank failure shall be considered.
5.2.2 Earthen bund wall
i. The crest elevation of the earthen bund wall shall have a minimum width of
0.60m.
ii. To ensure the liquid tightness of the bund and bund floor, it shall(PSR) be
constructed partly or wholly of impermeable or low-permeable materials.
iii. A bund constructed entirely with clay is normally preferred. In locations where
clay is scarce or not available, the following may be considered:
iv.
a) A sand body with a clay cover of at least 300 mm thick;
b) A sand body covered by a durable mix of sand, bitumen and cement, at
least 75 mm thick.

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5.2.3 Reinforced Concrete Wall
i. The RC wall shall have minimum thickness of 300mm
ii. Design safety factors for sliding shall not be less than 1.3 and 1.8 for overturning.
iii. Structural elements such as reinforced concrete retaining walls or steel sheet piles
may be used where many pipes cross the bund or where there are space
restrictions. However, if this type of bund is adopted, special attention shall be
paid to the following:
a) Stability of the wall;
b) Panel joints (water stops) e.g. by means of hydrocarbon resistant sealant
or a flexible polyurethane joint filler;
c) Flow and void formation under the structural retaining elements;
d) Consequences of settlements and the effect of the relative rigidity of the
structures and bunds;
e) Deflection or deformation of the structure during the containment of
liquids;
f) Means of access for operational and maintenance purposes
5.2.4 Intermediate Bund
In larger bunded areas, intermediate firewalls may be designed (normally not higher than
0.6m) to act as firebreaks and to divide the tankage into groups of convenient size.
5.2.5 Surface Containment
Surface containment shall refer to dyke wall (reinforced concrete wall) and kerbing. The
functioning of surface containment shall be the same as the bund wall system but covering on
the small scale of local secondary containment which normally restricted to single or multiple
equipment in one area.
Volume configuration for surface containment shall as follows:
Single tank in surface containment area 10% of capacity of single tank in

containment area
Multiple tanks in surface containment area 25% of largest capacity tank in containment
area
Configuration for dyke wall and masonry kerbing shall refer to CIRIA C736.

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5.3 REMOTE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT
5.3.1 Remote secondary containment refers to catchment area or impounding basin and normally
functioning to prevent pollution by channelling any escape of stored materials to another
suitable container.
The containment requirements of impounding basin shall(PSR) be the same as bunds and bund
walls as per Section 5.2.
Configuration of catchment area shall refer to CIRIA C736.

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GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF CONTAINMENT FACILITIES
It is important to note that inspection and maintenance of containment facilities shall be part
of Structural Integrity Management System.
Generally, containment system shall be inspected for signs of damage, deterioration, general
wear and tear and possible reduction to its effective capacity.
Maintenance and repair shall be in accordance to appropriate techniques and approved by

Owner that the finished work will achieve the standard of water tightness that the
containment system had originally been designed for.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
In this PTS, reference is made to the following Standards/Publications. Unless specifically
designated by date, the latest edition of each publication shall be used, together with any
supplements/revisions thereto:
PETRONAS STANDARDS
Index to PTS PTS 00.01.01
PTS Requirements, General Definition Of Terms, Abbreviations & PTS 00.01.03
Reading Guide
Geotechnical And Foundation Engineering PTS 11.13.01
Standard Vertical Storage Tanks – Selection, Design And Fabrication PTS 12.22.01
Based On BS EN 14015
Vertical Storage Tank Based on API 650 PTS 12.22.02
Standard Vertical Tanks – Field Erection And Testing PTS 12.22.03
Vertical Steel Storage Tanks – Inspection, Maintenance and Repair PTS 12.22.04
Electrical Engineering General Specifications PTS 13.00.01
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Requirement PTS 13.50.01
Cathodic Protection System for Storage Tank & Pressure Vessel PTS 15.20.15
Fire Safety for Onshore Facilities PTS 16.73.01
PETRONAS STANDARD DRAWING

Conceptual Tank Foundation with Tank Leak Detection & Management
System for New Tanks
D11.92.005
Typical Earthing Systems for Tanks D13.92.035
Typical Mounting Details for Earthing Connections D13.92.036
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Welded tank for oil storage API 650
Cathodic Protection of Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks API 651
Specification for the design and manufacture of site built, vertical, BS EN 14015
cylindrical , flat-bottomed, above ground, welded, steel tanks for the
storage of liquids at ambient temperature and above
Containment systems for the prevention of pollution CIRIA C736
Users’ guide to the inspection, maintenance and repair of EEMUA 159
aboveground vertical cylindrical steel storage tanks

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Guide for the design, construction and use of mounded horizontal EEMUA 190
cylindrical steel vessels for pressurised storage of LPG at ambient
temperatures

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APPENDIX 1: MIXTURE OF SAND AND BITUMEN FOR TANK FOUNDATION
The sand shall be clean and have a silt content of less than 5 %. The amount of material passing
the 200 mesh (.74) sieve should be 3 % to 5 % (this can usually be obtained by blending sands
from different sources if the preferred source is unsuitable). It is not possible to give precise
grading limits as satisfactory mixes can be made from a large variety of sands of widely
different grading.
Cutbacks or penetration grade bitumen may be used. Mixing temperature ranges should be
strictly complied with to ensure that good coating of the minerals is obtained and that the
bitumen is not damaged by excessive heat.
The most suitable bitumen content is best assessed through mixing trials using the equipment
available. The assessment should include the workability, visual and handling characteristics
of the mix. A guide can be obtained from the grading of the sand by using a method based on
the specific surface area of the particles.
A conventional bitumen asphalt mixer of either the batch or continuous type, having a
twinshaft pugmill, is generally necessary. At remote sites, this may not be possible and it may
sometimes be necessary to mix by hand, although this is only possible when using low viscosity
cutbacks. The sand must be dried on a steel plate over a fire and the bitumen heated prior to
mixing by turning over with shovels.
The mix can be spread by hand, using wooden side forms and screeds but for large-scale work
where equipment is available, a grader or asphalt paver may be more appropriate. When
spreading by hand, the mix should be tipped on to shovelling plates outside the area on which
it is to be placed and then moved from the heap and placed in position for screeding. The total
compacted thickness required will depend on the state of the subgrade: if it is uniform and
well-compacted a total compacted thickness of 50 mm of the bitumen and sand mix will
normally be sufficient but if the subgrade is poorly compacted, it may be desirable to place
two 50 mm layers of mix.
Sand mixes compact easily and a few passes of light pneumatic tyred rollers or tractors provide
effective compaction. The marks caused by tractor tyres can be ironed out with passes of a
steel tyred roller or vibrating-plate compactor that usually provide an adequate finish.
For hot tanks use an oil and sand mix, 50 l per m3 sand.

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APPENDIX 2: WET SAND MIX FOR TANK FOUNDATION SHOULDERS AND BUND WALLS
The majority of sands are suitable but they shall not have silt contents of more than 3 %. It is
not appropriate to give any definite limits to the grading required since satisfactory mixes can
be made with a large variety of sands of widely different gradings. It is, however, desirable
that there should be 3 % to 10 % of material passing the 200-mesh sieve. The bitumen is a
specially prepared kerosine cutback with a viscosity of 40 s to 50 s STV (standard tar viscosity)
* at 25 °C, containing an additive. For use in the tropics, a grade made with harder basic
bitumen, should be used.
NOTE(S) *: For further information, see BS 2000-72.

PTS 11.12.04
Page 28 of 31
APPENDIX 3: MATERIAL
SAND FOR TANK FOUNDATION.

PTS 11.12.04
Page 29 of 31
CRUSHED STONE FOR CRUSHED STONE RING
(CRUSHED STONE 20/40)

PTS 11.12.04
Page 30 of 31
CRUSHED STONE FOR CRUSHED STONE 2/6 LINING
(CRUSHED STONE 2/6)

PTS 11.12.04
Page 31 of 31
SAND BITUMEN
As a protective layer underneath tank bottom on top of sand, the sand bitumen mix consists
of:
 96 % (m/m) sand for tank foundation

 4 % (m/m) bitumen 45/60
Application: the material shall be mixed warm and spread. Compaction shall be by means of
a light roller
MICRO ASPHALT
This product can be used as a protective layer on the tank foundation shoulder and the slope
of the tank foundation.
Micro asphalt consists of:
 broken sand 47.6 % (m/m)

 crushed stone 32.3 % (m/m)
 sand for tank foundation 15.8 % (m/m)
 bitumen 7.5 % (m/m)
 weak filling 4.3 % (m/m)

Petronas Technical Standards: Tank Foundation, Tank Farm and Remote Containment

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Petronas Technical Standards: Tank Foundation, Tank Farm and Remote Containment

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PETRONAS TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Tank Foundation, Tank Farm and Remote Containment

© 2019 PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS)

150.5.65.197 yokoyama.naomi@jgc.com yokoyama.naomi@jgc.com 07/19/2021 06:35:35 GMT

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1.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS

1.2.1 General Definition of Terms & Abbreviations

1.2.2 Specific Definition of Terms

1 Bund Wall A constructed wall designed to prevent

2 Impounding basin A holding basin facility for

3 Local Secondary Containment A provision made to contain any escape of

4 Loss of containment Hydrocarbon/chemical leak or spill due to flaw

5 Primary containment The container within which the

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6 Remote Secondary A provision made to prevent pollution by

7 Secondary containment A containment system which is capable of

 Local secondary containment

8 Surface Containment A constructed reinforced concrete dyke

9 Tank Farm A facility on a tract of land devoted to the single

1.2.3 Specific Abbreviations

1 CIRIA Construction Industry Research and

2 EEMUA Engineering Equipment & Materials Users

4 PIP Process Industry Practices

1.3 SUMMARY OF CHANGES

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2.1 SCOPE DEMARCATION

Figure 2.1: Tank Components and Scope Demarcation

2.1.2 Tank structure under civil scope includes:

i. Foundation and piling (if required)

ii. Soil improvement

iv. Bund wall

v. Drainage & Sump pit

2.2 TANK FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS

2.2.1 The objectives of tank foundations are:

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vii. resist edge settlement (cutting) beneath the tank shell

2.2.2 General requirements for tank foundation:

2.3 LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM

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2.4 TANK FARM FLOOR PERMEABILITY CONTROL

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TANK FOUNDATION TECHNICAL SELECTION

Technical selection of foundation types shall be based on:

ii. Tank Function

iii. Site conditions

Environmental requirements are mostly determined by local environmental

3.1 FOUNDATION TYPES

Types of foundation are broadly categorized as:

ii. Granular fill

iii. Slab foundation

3.1.1 Reinforced Concrete Ring Wall

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Figure 3.1: Cross Section – Reinforced Concrete Ring wall

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ix. Minimum thickness of bitumen sand mix is 50mm.

3.1.2 Crushed Stone Ring Wall

Figure 3.2: Cross Section – Crushed Stone Ring wall

Design configurations shall be as follow:

i. Consists of crushed gravel or crushed stone of 12mm to 25mm in diameter.

iv. Depth of crushed stone layer shall be minimum 600mm.

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3.1.3 Compacted Granular Fill Foundation