22.07 What is important about aboveground tank access steps and ladders?

Aboveground tanks have equipment mounted on the top of the tank that will require inspection and maintenance. Also it is important to allow manual gauging of the tank contents prior to filling the tanks, as a safety measure in addition to electronic gauges.

Smaller tanks may have a stairway at one end to allow filling of the tank from a top of tank connection. Most larger tanks over 8000 liters have a ground mounted fill station.

Access steps and ladders for aboveground tanks must meet the requirements of other applicable safety regulations.

Some industrial installations provide full access to the top of the tank using stairs and walkway systems with handrails. This is not typical for commercial applications for emergency generators. Most commercial applications provide a ladder or stairway at one end of the tank, or better – a ladder / stairway and platform at one end of the tank. This allows for visual inspection of the tank equipment, and manual tank gauging at the tank opening adjacent to the tank end. If maintenance of equipment on the top of the tank is required, then mobile access and safety equipment can be setup to provide required safety measures.