Buyer Protection Guide

The SCT Buyer Protection Guide: How to Select the Right Corrugated Steel Tank

Buying a corrugated steel tank is a significant investment of time and money; it also requires a level of trust in your vendor of choice, who will treat you honestly and fairly, as the purpose you intend for the tank necessitates. Not all tanks are created equally, which is why we created this tutorial for all of our clients, large and small. From hidden engineering shortcuts to incomplete components and misleading descriptions, it can be challenging to determine if a quote accurately reflects a safe, fully compliant, and long-lasting water storage system.

This guide walks you through exactly what to look for in standards, engineering, components, and transparency so you can make an informed decision and protect your investment.

Built to the Correct Standards and Expected Changes

An adequately designed tank must follow primary code pathways to be compliant now, but also in 6 months and years

Structural Standards Now and Expected to Become Code

  •  Designed to ASCE 7 (Chapter 15 for corrugated tanks)
  • Site-specific loads considered: wind, seismic, snow, roof load, and vertical wall loading
  • Vertical stiffening elements included to support sidewalls as required by ASCE 7
  • Minimum deck (roof) loading specified and met per code
  • Interior flexible membrane liner meets reinforced minimum design criteria, including:
    • Tear strength
    • Puncture resistance
    • Overall durability for long-term performance

Fire Protection & Suppression Standards

  • NFPA 22 compliance or Chapter 4 equivalency clearly demonstrated
  • Correct components included: anti-vortex, vents, alarms, etc.

AWWA D103 Guidance

  • Proper use of D103 sections for components, minimums, and freeboard
  • Correct materials for liners, hardware, and manways
If a supplier avoids these standards or fails to mention them, a big warnin

Verified Engineering & Foundation Design

A trustworthy manufacturer provides:

  • Full engineering package with P.E. stamp
  • Foundation design included and site-specific
  • Requirement for a soil report to validate the foundation
  • Compliance with local/state permitting requirements
Engineering that is “optional” or unstamped is a red flag

Accurate Capacity Ratings (Nominal vs. Usable)

Your quote should clearly show:

  • Nominal capacity – total tank volume
  • Usable capacity – code-compliant, practical volume

A proper design must account for:

  • Water loss from flanges and penetrations
  • Anti-vortex removal height
  • Required freeboard per AWWA D103
  • Seismic sloshing deductions
A tank advertised as “50,000 gallons” may only deliver 32,000 gallons usable if not properly engineered.

Correct Components Included

Access & Safety

  • Side-shell bolted manway (24” or 30”) for OSHA-compliant entry
  • Roof access opening ≥24”
  • Exterior OSHA-approved ladder with fall protection

Structural & Functional

  • Proper nozzle designs (raised-face, Victaulic, threaded steel flanges)
  • Hillside roof flanges to match the roof slope
  • Correctly sized vents
  • Overflow, drain, inlet per NFPA 22
  • Ports for alarms, float switches, and temperature sensors

Fire & Freeze Protection

  • Anti-vortex assembly per NFPA 22
  • Opposite-wall inlet design
  • Insulation and immersion heater if needed
  • Freeze calculations for your location

Monitoring & Visibility

  • External liquid level sight gauge included
Missing components = hidden costs or an incomplete system

Installation Quality & Transparency

A good manufacturer provides:

  • On-site installation by factory-trained crew
  • Clear, detailed quote showing what is included and or omitted
  • Education on optional vs. required components
  • Time to explain and walk a client through every detail
A supplier that hides details is leaving you exposed

Reputation, Reliability, and Integrity

Before buying:

  • Check reviews and customer feedback
  • Look into industry affiliations and consumer protection, like the BBB
  • Confirm long-term company history and positive reputation
  • Ensure honest communication and complete transparency
  • Expect the best from your vendor by knowing what to look for
A trustworthy supplier makes sure you know exactly what you’re buying

It's Your Money – Invest Only in a Quality Tank

A tank is only as good as the engineering, components, and standards behind it. When everything is included and designed correctly, you get a reliable, code-compliant tank that performs for decades and serves its purpose perfectly for emergency storage, drinking water, or protection in a wildfire.

This guide ensures you’re choosing the right tank, the right company, and the right long-term solution.