Tag: UL Standards

If your business uses a lot of fuel for daily operations, it probably has aboveground fuel storage tanks, too. That means the people making decisions likely know about the UL 142 standard, but have they heard of UL 2085? It’s another tank standard that can bring practical benefits to your daily operations, specifically how and where you set up your fuel storage tanks. Let’s take a deeper look at UL 2085.

It’s easy to feel confused when it comes to standards because fuel storage tanks can comply with more than one standard. Often, compliance with several standards is required. The good news is we can break down UL 2085 into something easy to understand. Then, you’ll find it easy to compare standards, like UL 142 vs UL 2085, and be able to ensure environmental responsibility and workplace safety.

What is UL 2085 Standard?

UL 2085 is a safety standard developed by UL Solutions for “Protected Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,” such as gasoline, diesel, biodiesel and ethanol. Compliance with UL 2085 limits the heat transferred to the primary tank during a fire and protects the tank from physical damage.

The “UL” in UL 2085 stands for UL Standards & Engagement, one of the three arms of the 129-year-old testing, inspection and certification organization previously known as Underwriters Laboratories. Today, it’s simply known as UL. The organization ensures consumer product safety in more than 110 countries.

(UL certification isn’t limited to products. UL certifies personnel, facilities, processes and systems to applicable standards and requirements. When a product is “UL LISTED,” it has undergone rigorous UL testing and complies with UL standards.)

The “2085” in UL 2085 designates which standard. Since UL published its first standard for tin-clad fire doors in 1903, the nonprofit has published 1,700 safety standards.

Unlike basic steel tanks (which only must meet the less stringent UL 142 standards), UL 2085 tanks are more rugged with optional testing for additional protection against vehicle crashes and bullets. These tanks must pass resistance tests that simulate real emergencies and will be marked accordingly.

Tanks that comply with UL 2085 also are known by the more common term Fireguard® Tanks.

The trademark “FIREGUARD” for UL 2085 aboveground storage tanks belongs to the Steel Tank Institute/ Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA). Companies that manufacture FIREGUARD tanks do so under license from STI/SPFA.  Fireguard tanks meet the UL 2085 standard for ballistics and impact protection and use a lightweight thermal insulation material that exceeds the UL 2‐hour fire test.

Fireguard tanks comply with UL 2085 and UL 142.

What Are UL 2085 Requirements?

Performance tests

UL 2085 requires tanks to have more features and tests that provide added layers of protection:

• Fire resistant for at least two hours. UL 2085 tanks must withstand direct flame exposure for two hours without structural failure.
• Thermally insulated. UL 2085 tanks must have double walled construction plus insulation that protects the fuel.
• Secondary containment. UL 2085 must include secondary containment to protect soil and groundwater against contamination from leaks and spills.
• Protected against vehicle impact. UL 2085 tanks marked to protect against vehicle impact must be tested to survive a 12,000-pound vehicle hitting the tank at 10 mph.
• Bullet resistant. UL 2085 tanks marked to resist penetration from small arms fire must survive testing.

UL 2085 tanks are “tougher” with added protection for fire and ballistics, but they must comply with UL 142, which covers steel tank construction, performance tests, markings and production line tests, and manufacturing and production tests.

There’s an easy way to remember which standard is more specific. UL 2085, which has a bigger number than UL 142, has the bigger requirements.
(Stay tuned for our upcoming in-depth article comparing UL 2085 vs. UL 142.)

Markings and production line tests

Tanks must include specific markings (see bullets below).

• • Each aboveground tank that complies with UL 2085 requirements must have a permanently affixed UL Listing Mark.
  • The Listing Mark includes the UL symbol, the word “LISTED,” a control number and the name of the tank construction indicated in the manufacturer’s Listings (e.g., Secondary Containment Aboveground Tank, Generator Base Tank, etc.)

Other Certifications

UL 2085 certified tanks may have other certifications attached to them. A widely accepted standard is the “FIREGUARD®” certification, stamp and trademark which belongs to the Steel Tank Institute/ Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA). While many companies manufacture FIREGUARD® tanks, they do so under license from STI/SPFA and in accordance with the UL 2085 standard.

UL 2085 Compliance Plates

UL 2085 tanks must also comply with UL 142 so you should see a UL 142 compliance plate on the tank as well.

What’s Not Covered

UL 2085 does not cover external third-party equipment or components that are shipped with, attached to or added to tanks. Examples of what’s not covered include hoses, pumps, meters and fuel management systems installed as third-party items to help operate fuel dispensing facilities, motor fuel dispensing at farms and isolated construction sites, and on-demand mobile fueling as quoted in NFPA 30A.

It is expected that the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) — generally a local fire or building inspector — will approve the use and/or installation of these fire-rated accessories independent of the tank Listing.

Consult your AHJ about specific code requirements outside the scope of UL 2085.

Reasons for UL 2085 Tanks

Many business owners wonder if upgrading to UL 2085 tanks makes good financial sense or if their UL 142 tanks are sufficient. The decision depends on each company’s situation, location, budget, daily operations, risk tolerance and authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Check with your AHJ about compliance with safety codes such as NFPA 30, NFPA 30A and the International Fire Code.

In our experience, the main reason business owners install UL 2085 fuel storage tanks on-site is to reduce separation distances between storage tanks and buildings, boundaries or fixed sources of ignition. Installing a UL 2085 tank allows you to safely place fuel storage and pumping facilities next to key infrastructure, enabling cost savings and improving operations.

For example, The City of Ramsey Fire Prevention Bureau allows UL 2085 aboveground storage tanks with capacities of less than 6,000 gallons to be located 5 feet from the public way, property line or a building. For non-UL 2085 compliant aboveground storage tanks, the minimum allowable distance is 50 feet.

The reduction in separation distances depends on stored fuel volume and the local AHJ’s fire code. Be sure to consult your AHJ at all stages.

Other industry data can provide valuable insight, too.

• Fire risk. U.S. businesses spend more than $13 billion annually on fire loss incidents, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). With a UL 2085 tank, associated fire risk plummets.
• Environmental concerns. Americans care about clean soil and water, and they like to do business with organizations that share their concerns. Double-wall construction and spill containment help meet federal and state Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
• Less worry. Aboveground tanks are faster to install and have lower maintenance costs than underground tanks. UL 2085 tanks provide extra safety and peace of mind.
• Lower insurance premiums. Check with your insurance agent. Some properties with fire-rated tanks reap lower insurance premiums because of the reduced fire risk that comes with UL 2085 tanks.

Unity UL 2085 Fuel Tanks

Unity Fuel Solutions makes 27 types of UL 2085 LISTED tanks in safe fill volumes from 264 to 16,326 gallons and 2-hour and 4-hour fire ratings:

• Small volume FIREGUARD Cube tanks – FGC
• Large volume FIREGUARD tanks – FGT

Large Volume UL 2085 Tanks

Unity FGT UL 2085 Fuel Tanks

Unity FIREGUARD® FGT tanks are larger UL 2085 double walled fuel storage and management solutions for gasoline, diesel, lubricants and other hydrocarbon liquids.

• Capacity: 1,823 to 16,326 gallons
• Safety: Double-walled tank = SFL primary tank + fire-resistant interstitial space + secondary external tank. Designed as integral secondary containment. Do not require independent bunds for leak containment.
• Convenience: Reduces minimum separation distances and offers a greater range of practical solutions. Cuts costs on transport, installation and relocation.
• Compliance: UL 2085, UL 142, ULC S655, SwRI

2-Hour Fire Rated Tanks

NPB denotes ‘No Pump Bay’

FGT 8

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 2,140 Gallons
Capacity: 2,252 Gallons
Length: 118″
Width: 96″
Height: 114″
Tare: 14,887 lbs

FGT 8 (NPB)

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 3,586 Gallons
Capacity: 3,775 Gallons
Length: 118″
Width: 96″
Height: 114″
Tare: 16,082 lbs

FGT 25

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 6,390 Gallons
Capacity: 6,727 Gallons
Length: 239″
Width: 96″
Height: 114″
Tare: 25,080 lbs

FGT 31 (NPB)

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 7,838 Gallons
Capacity: 8,251 Gallons
Length: 239″
Width: 96″
Height: 114″
Tare: 26,156 lbs

FGT 52

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 13,066 Gallons
Capacity: 13,754 Gallons
Length: 480″
Width: 96″
Height: 102″
Tare: 42,456 lbs

FGT 57 (NPB)

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 14,318 Gallons
Capacity: 15,074 Gallons
Length: 480″
Width: 96″
Height: 102″
Tare: 28,160 lbs

FGT 59

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 14,870 Gallons
Capacity: 15,653 Gallons
Length: 480″
Width: 96″
Height: 114″
Tare: 30,910 lbs

FGT 65 (NPB)

2-HOUR RATED

Safe Fill Level: 16,326 Gallons
Capacity: 17,184 Gallons
Length: 480″
Width: 96″
Height: 112″
Tare: 46,944 lbs

More Resources

• UL 142
• UL142 vs UL2085
• NFPA 30
• NFPA 30A
• International Fire Code

Need Help? Ask the Experts

For help in choosing the right UL 2085 tank, it makes sense to ask the experts. Unity Fuel Solutions is North America’s leader in double walled storage tanks. For advice on the tank and system that’s right for you, call the Unity team at 800-234-1689.

You’ve probably heard of the UL 142 standard if you own aboveground fuel storage tanks or if you’re considering large volume aboveground fuel storage tanks to improve fueling logistics in your business or organization.

There’s a lot of engineer and attorney speak packed into UL 142. And guess what? Fuel storage tanks can and often must comply with more than one standard. Add on code compliance requirements, and you might feel overwhelmed.

“The NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code requires atmospheric tanks to be designed and constructed in accordance with one of several recognized engineering standards, one of which is the UL 142, Standard for Safety for Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids,” according to UL. “The International Fire Code in turn requires tanks to be designed, constructed and installed in accordance with NFPA 30.”

Confused? You don’t need to be. Let’s take a look at UL 142 alone. When we break it down into plain language, you can see what’s important and begin to compare standards, like UL 142 vs UL 2085.

What is UL 142 Standard?

UL 142 is a safety standard developed by UL Solutions for steel aboveground tanks used to store flammable and combustible liquids. It outlines the requirements for the design, construction, and testing of these tanks to ensure they are safe and prevent hazards like leaks and fires.

The “UL” in UL 142 stands for UL Standards & Engagement, one of three arms of the 129-year-old testing, inspection and certification organization previously known as Underwriters Laboratories but now known simply as UL. The organization works in more than 110 countries to ensure consumer product safety.

(UL certification isn’t limited to products. UL also certifies personnel, facilities, processes and systems to applicable standards and requirements. When a product is “UL LISTED,” it means the product has undergone rigorous UL testing and complies with UL standards.)

The “142” in UL 142 designates which standard. Since UL published its first standard for tin-clad fire doors in 1903, the nonprofit has published 1,700 safety standards.

UL 142 limits potential hazards such as fire, leaks and spills to help ensure the safe storage of flammable and combustible liquids in three kinds of shop-fabricated steel storage tanks:

1. Primary storage tanks
2. Secondary storage tanks (double wall tanks)
3. Diked-type atmospheric storage tanks.

All steel fuel storage tanks must comply with UL 142. The standard does not cover poly tanks or portable tanks intended for mobile fueling (mounted on trailers) or transport (such as shipping containers).

What Are UL 142 Requirements?

UL 142 tank requirements cover construction, performance tests, markings and production line tests, and manufacturing and production tests.

• • Construction. Specifications include UL 142 tank materials, joints, connections, fittings, manholes, fill, drain and gauge openings, and painting. Requirements also include the primary and secondary containment means, supports, etc.
    • Shape. Tanks may be cylindrical, rectangular or round with horizontal and vertical orientations and with or without multiple compartments.
    • Size. Requirements differ by tank shape because stress distributions on round and cylindrical tanks are more uniform than on rectangular tanks. The irregular wall sizes and shapes of rectangular tanks cause irregular stress distribution.

• • Performance tests. Requirements include tank leakage, hydrostatic strength, top loading, buoyancy, hydrostatic load, tank support load, and lift lug tests designed to verify tanks shows no signs of leakage, structural damage or both as a result of these tests. UL 142 requires performance tests on a selected number of samples. For example, UL 142 has minimum requirements for rectangular tank plate thickness regardless of tank size and height. These performance tests ensure walls are thick enough to handle the resulting stresses at different pressures.

• Markings and production line tests. Tanks must include specific markings (see bullets below). In addition, UL 142 tank manufacturers must leak test 100% of the UL LISTED primary and secondary containment tanks they produce.
  • Each aboveground tank that complies with UL 142 requirements must have a permanently affixed UL Listing Mark.
  • The Listing Mark includes the UL symbol, the word “LISTED,” a control number and the name of the tank construction indicated in the manufacturer’s Listings (e.g., Secondary Containment Aboveground Tank, Generator Base Tank, etc.)

What’s Covered?

UL 142 Listing covers basic tank features: all containment spaces and their openings (manways, emergency vents, normal vents, fill/withdraw, gauging, monitoring and other functional openings) with connections (threaded or flanged fittings) and integral tank accessories (ladders, stairs, lifting lugs and heating coils or hot wells).

All primary tank compartments are provided with openings to accommodate filling, withdrawing and inventory control. All secondary tank interstitial spaces are provided with openings for leak detection monitoring.

What’s Not Covered?

UL 142 Listing does not cover external 3rd party equipment or components that are shipped with, attached to or added to tanks. Examples of what’s not covered include hoses, pumps, meters and fuel management systems installed as third-party items to help operate fuel dispensing facilities, motor fuel dispensing at farms and isolated construction sites, and on-demand mobile fueling as quoted in NFPA 30A.

Because UL 142 doesn’t cover certain accessories, it is expected that the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) — generally a local fire or building inspector — will approve the use and/or installation of these accessories independent of the tank Listing.

Consult your AHJ about specific code requirements outside the scope of UL 142.

Unity UL 142 Tanks

Unity Fuel Solutions makes two types of UL 142 LISTED tanks:

• UL 142 BLOC Tanks
• UL 142 GRANDE Tanks

UL 142 BLOC Tanks

Unity BLOC Tanks are a “cube style” double-walled fuel storage tank with flexible storage and dispensing for diesel, gasoline and lubricant oils.

• Capacity: 264 to 2,642 gallons
• Safety: Primary tank + interstitial space + secondary external tank. Freestanding design allows 360-degree tank viewing and inspection.
• Convenience: Fast and easy transport to site. Modular design requires minimal site preparation. Place-fill-and-pump installation.
• Compliance: UL 142, ULC S601-14

UL 142 GRANDE Tanks

Unity GRANDE tanks are a self-contained aboveground fuel storage tank (AST) and fuel management solution for diesel, gasoline, lubricants and other hydrocarbon liquids.

• Capacity: 2,969 to 28,370 gallons
• Safety: Primary tank + interstitial space + secondary external tank. All aboveground for maximum visibility during monitoring and maintenance.
• Convenience: Fast and easy transport to site. Made to fit ISO container footprints (20, 40 and 48 feet). Requires minimal site preparation. Integrated pump bays.
• Customizable: Standard and add-on compartments for lubricants, coolants, waste oil. Ready-to-use pumps, reels, meters, filtration. Multiple products in same tank footprint. End-mounted security cabinet options: steel or roller shutter doors and internal spillage trays; house pipework; pumps; gauging; alarms and controls.
• Compliance: UL 142, ULC S601-14

More Resources

Information on tanks with UL 142 certification may be found in the Online Certifications Directory.

• The Aboveground Flammable-liquid Tanks (EEEV) product category includes information on the products covered under this category.
• The Special-purpose Tanks (EFVT) product category covers Listed UL 142 aboveground steel tanks that include generator base, work-top, lube oil, waste oil, day/utility and other special-purpose tanks.

Need Help? Ask the Experts

For help in choosing the right UL 142 double walled tank, it makes sense to ask the experts. Unity Fuel Solutions is North America’s leader in double walled storage tanks. For advice on the tank and system that’s right for you, call the Unity team at 800-234-1689.