An atmospheric storage tank preventive maintenance schedule lists the checks and jobs done on the equipment at fixed intervals, how long each takes, and in what order of frequency, so problems are found before the atmospheric storage tank fails. This page gives the schedule used in the PlantOps360 task library for atmospheric storage tank (fuel, chemical, water), which follows common industry practice for general-purpose equipment. It is also searched for as storage tank, fuel tank, diesel tank, chemical tank.
The maker’s manual and your site safety procedures always come first where they differ. Intervals set by law differ by state.
Atmospheric storage tank preventive maintenance schedule and checklist
| How often | Task | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | Check level gauges, vents, breather valves and dyke or bund condition | 15 min |
| Monthly | Check for leaks, corrosion and condition of earthing; drain water from the bottom | 30 min |
| Quarterly | Check foam or fire protection connections (if fitted); check flame arrestor | 60 min |
| Half-yearly | Inspect roof, shell, ladders and platforms; check cathodic protection | 120 min |
| Annual | External inspection of shell, roof, nozzles and foundation; thickness spot checks; test instruments; internal clean and inspection when due as per the programme | 480 min |
Atmospheric storage tank maintenance frequency and yearly workload
At the estimated times, one atmospheric storage tank needs about 35 hours of preventive maintenance a year. The biggest single job is “External inspection of shell, roof, nozzles and foundation; thickness spot checks; test instruments; internal clean and inspection when due as per the programme” at 480 minutes, done annual. Multiply by the number of units you have to see the workload for your plant.
| Frequency | Tasks | Time per round | Hours per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 1 | 15 min | 13.0 h |
| Monthly | 1 | 30 min | 6.0 h |
| Quarterly | 1 | 60 min | 4.0 h |
| Half-yearly | 1 | 120 min | 4.0 h |
| Annual | 1 | 480 min | 8.0 h |
What goes wrong on an atmospheric storage tank without preventive maintenance
- Shell and floor corrosion
- Roof or seal damage
- Valve and fitting leaks
- Foundation settlement
What to watch between services
- Level gauge and alarm function
- Visible shell condition
- Bund and drain condition
Safety and statutory notes for atmospheric storage tank maintenance
Storage of flammable liquids has licence and inspection requirements. Follow your licence conditions.
Where an atmospheric storage tank preventive maintenance schedule is used
An atmospheric storage tank is found in almost every industry. The industry guides below show how it fits into the wider schedule of each one:
- Preventive maintenance schedule for pharmaceutical plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for food, dairy and beverage plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for automotive plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for chemical, fertiliser and petrochemical plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for cement, glass, ceramics and building materials plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for steel, foundry, forging and metal plants
- Preventive maintenance schedule for textile and garment mills
- Preventive maintenance schedule for thermal and hydro power plants
See all industry preventive maintenance schedules.
Related equipment maintenance schedules
- Shell-and-tube heat exchanger preventive maintenance schedule
- Plate heat exchanger preventive maintenance schedule
- Air-cooled heat exchanger preventive maintenance schedule
- Pressure vessel / air receiver preventive maintenance schedule
- Cryogenic tank and vaporiser preventive maintenance schedule
Browse the full list of equipment preventive maintenance schedules (317 types).
Run this atmospheric storage tank schedule in maintenance software
In preventive maintenance software, each row above becomes a recurring task on the asset with its checklist, time estimate and parts. Tasks can be triggered by calendar date, running hours, meter readings or production cycles, each completed task is recorded with the person and date, and a failed check can open a work order. For the method behind it, read the guide to the preventive maintenance schedule, or use the free generator to get a 12-month plan for your whole equipment list.
Build my preventive maintenance schedule (free Excel)
Frequently asked questions
How often should an atmospheric storage tank be serviced?
In our schedule an atmospheric storage tank has 5 tasks: 1 weekly, 1 monthly, 1 quarterly, 1 half-yearly, 1 annual. The biggest job is “External inspection of shell, roof, nozzles and foundation; thickness spot checks; test instruments; internal clean and inspection when due as per the programme”, which is done annual. Always follow the maker’s manual where it gives a different interval.
What is included in atmospheric storage tank preventive maintenance?
It covers routine checks and jobs such as “Check level gauges, vents, breather valves and dyke or bund condition”, “Check for leaks, corrosion and condition of earthing; drain water from the bottom”, “Check foam or fire protection connections (if fitted); check flame arrestor”, up to the annual overhaul or inspection. The full list with times is in the table above.
How many hours of maintenance does an atmospheric storage tank need per year?
About 35 hours per unit per year at the estimated times in our library, including all scheduled rounds. Use it to plan workload, not as a benchmark.
Is there a free atmospheric storage tank maintenance checklist?
Yes. The table on this page is a ready checklist. The free preventive maintenance schedule generator turns it into a 12-month Excel schedule for your list of equipment, with monthly workload hours.