Tank construction, stored products and residues

Tank cleaning technical library

Technical guidance on tank construction, stored products, residues and the condition required after cleaning.

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42 reference records · 10 detailed guides

Tank types and cleaning considerations

Tank shape, construction, containment and previous contents all matter. A vessel can be vertical, flat-bottomed and bunded at the same time, so each characteristic needs to be understood in its own right.

Flat-bottom tank cleaning

Floor geometry, outlet level, low points and internal lining affect where liquid and deposits can remain.

Bunded tank cleaning

The tank interior and the secondary containment are separate areas, with different contamination and cleaning considerations.

Vertical tank cleaning

Base shape, access, fittings and previous contents matter as much as the upright orientation of the vessel.

Horizontal tank cleaning

Support arrangement, outlet position and low points influence drainage, access and retained deposits.

Conical-bottom tank cleaning

A cone assists drainage towards the outlet but does not establish that the vessel is free from retained liquid or deposits.

Previous contents and intended reuse

What the tank held, what remains inside it and what it will be used for next all shape the cleaning requirement. Water beneath diesel, retained molasses and sediment in a cold-water cistern are different materials and call for different assessments.

Previous contents: product name, concentration and any known mixing or contamination.
Tank construction: material, lining, capacity, fittings, access and available drawings.
Residue: remaining liquid, settled solids, wall deposits and any sample or inspection findings.
Required condition: refill with the same product, change of product, inspection, repair or removal of the tank.

Reference sources for this library

The sources below cover tank applications, water systems, product handling and relevant safety or regulatory limits. Manufacturer information applies only to the products and equipment it describes, while regulatory guidance applies within its stated scope and jurisdiction.

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Tank types and containment

Bunded tank cleaning

How the primary tank and secondary containment are treated separately when oil, sludge or contaminated water is present.

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Reference checklist and technical facts

Two separate areas: Primary tank and containment bund
Identify: Stored oil and the location of contamination
Scope of numeric rule: England business oil-storage guidance

Tank and bund dimensions or rated capacities
Stored product and location of contamination
Bund drainage, linked tanks and access arrangement
Defects and condition required after cleaning

GOV.UK: oil storage regulations for businesses

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Stored water and tank functions

Bunded chemical tanks

A bunded chemical tank combines a primary vessel with secondary containment. Contamination inside the tank and material within the bund need to be assessed separately.

Enduramaxx: water, wastewater and chemical tank types

The link above opens the original reference source.

Reference checklist and technical facts

Stored product, inner-tank construction and containment arrangement
Liquid, deposits, debris and condition within the bund

Enduramaxx: water, wastewater and chemical tank types

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Published by Tank Cleaning Services. Sources checked 12 September 2026. Editorial policy.

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Tank cleaning enquiries

Previous contents, tank construction, retained residue and intended reuse all influence the cleaning requirement and the condition needed afterwards.

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