Distance between horizontal storage tank and fire dike
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In GB50160, clause 5.2.162 states that the distance between a horizontal storage tank and the inner edge of the fire dike should be no less than 3 meters. I don’t quite understand this. I know the vertical distance is set at half the height of the tank to prevent the tank walls from breaking, which could cause the liquid to flow outside the fire dike. It is calculated using fluid dynamics formulas; if it’s more than half the height of the tank, it definitely can’t get out. But why is 3m the only specified length for horizontal ones? Suppose I choose a distance of 3.5 meters, but my horizontal tank rack is very tall; the foundation height of the horizontal tank is 5 meters. So what should I do? If my tank ruptures, liquid will definitely flow over the fire dike. What should I do?
The explanatory notes to the building codes state that paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 3 are designed primarily to ensure that in the event of an explosion and fire in a storage tank, and when large amounts of oil spill out due to tank rupture, such oil does not spread outside the fire dike, and that the static pressure of the liquid does not cause damage to the fire dike.
The original poster is quite interesting – how did they come up with the idea of placing the tank 5 meters high? Perhaps the people who formulated the standards didn’t consider this situation either.
It is possible to raise a certain material to prevent pump cavitation
The standards specify that 3m is sufficient.
I believe that the capacity of horizontal oil tanks we’re talking about generally does not reach the level of that of vertical oil tanks. Therefore, the value of 3m specified in the standards is merely a recommended figure based on normal circumstances, and it represents a minimum value. So, when dealing with these issues, the principle to follow is to ensure no spillage occurs; it is sufficient as long as the capacity of the fire dike minus the volume of the foundation within it is greater than the maximum capacity of a horizontal oil tank.
The standards are also formulated based on on-site conditions and fire-fighting experience; practice has shown that 3 meters is a viable distance.