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With winter weather coming, it is important to prepare your steel water storage tanks. Winter weather and colder temperatures will impact your steel storage tanks, no matter how severe the weather is.

Below are several techniques which can keep your potable water tanks in top operating condition:
 
• Inspect interior and exterior of tank for evidence of corrosion on metal surfaces
• Check screens on roof vents and overflow piping are intact
• Examine tank for potential areas of contamination such as roof hatches and other shell penetration
• Ensure all access hatches have working locks to prevent unauthorized entry
• Visually inspect tank interior for excessive levels of sediment
• Inspect tank for safety equipment such as anti-fall systems, roof tie offs and roof railing to ensure components are compliant with current codes.
• Perform coating assessment to evaluate remaining lifespan
• Review foundation integrity, remove organic debris and determine if potential seismic upgrades are required
• Install active tank mixing system to prevent ice buildup and maintain water quality
• Develop tank plan service/maintenance schedule
 

Read More “10 Tips on Tank Preparation for the Winter Season”

Some bolted steel tank companies’ warranty lasts only as long as you can see the taillights on their trucks as they leave the job site.  We take great pride in the quality of our bolted tanks and the skill of our tank installation teams. Superior Tank Co., Inc. backs all of its bolted tanks with one of the best warranties in the ground storage tank industry.

Over the last 30 years, Superior Tank has earned an outstanding reputation for customer service and our warranty coverage.  We are known for doing business the right way and taking care of our customers. We send out our people to resolve any issues with your steel tank. Our warranty does not require you to uninstall the part, ship the part back then wait for us to decide what to do next. Nor will we ever prorate the value of the part and send you a check and expect that will resolve the problem.

We understand the high cost of having your storage tank out of service or the extensive amount of damage a defective oil or water storage tank can cause. We design, manufacture and install all of our ground storage tanks NOT to have problems in the first place! Our API SPEC Q1/ISO 9001:2008 certification is evident of our commitment to quality.

Read More “No “Tail-Light Warranty” here!”

Most bolted tank companies use the term “designed to” when referring to industry and quality standards. At Superior Tank Co., Inc. we can positively confirm all of our bolted steel tanks meet or exceed the expected design and quality objectives.

Superior Tank has undergone the very rigorous API SPEC Q1 and ISO 9001:2008 certification process which reviews the various elements of bolted steel tank manufacturing including tank order, engineering, production, delivery, installation and service. During the certification, countless processes were audited to ensure policies and procedures were in place to guarantee our steel tanks comply with set standards, meet or exceed customer expectations and are delivered within the prescribed timeframe. For example, the external ISO audit team reviewed our procedure to exactly transfer all bolted steel tank specifications from the approved Sales Order to our Engineering Department for design.  Our Engineering Department maintains an extensive electronic central library of steel tanks and steel tank components which have been verified to industry standards and exact specifications. Starting with solid and consistent design elements ensures our bolted steel tanks will meet engineering performance standards.  Raw materials such as steel used for staves is verified to meet specific quality standards. For example, surface quality, edge quality, silicone content, squaredness and flatness are checked and materials not meeting standards are rejected. Inferior and low quality materials are never used. Another element of the certification process is making sure our ground storage tanks are manufactured to precise tolerances using the latest CNC and robotic welding machinery. Quality inspectors are located at key stages to ensure finished parts meet various established specifications. Any non-conforming parts are discovered during manufacturing stage and are rejected. At the completion of the production cycle, the various steel tank components are final inspected by a designated quality control auditor and the complete inventory of parts is compared to original production checklist for accuracy.

In addition to being certified under the API SPEC Q1 and ISO 9001:2008 process, critical aspects of our tanks have been tested by an independent laboratory. Our factory powder coating has been stress tested for various characteristics including resistance to abrasion, significant impact, salt spray, high humidity, temperature and corrosive chemicals. In separate testing, our Silica -Zirconium (SiZr) underseal was verified to prove its ability to prevent corrosion and coating undercutting if the powder coating is damaged by a thrown rock or dropped tool. In all areas of testing, our powder coated bolted steel tanks meet or exceed performance standards for durability.

We understand we could save money by eliminating our strict quality standards but we have witnessed competitor’s tanks fail due to inferior materials and processes and we are unwilling to compromise quality.

When purchasing your next bolted steel tank, look for companies which have been API SPEC Q1 / ISO 9001:2008 certified to ensure you are actually receiving what you ordered. At Superior Tank, we can confidently state that all of our bolted steel tanks meet or exceed design and performance expectations. We do not simply try to “design to”; we succeed!

In recent years, glass lined bolted steel tanks have become more frequent despite the higher initial cost. The arguments for a glass lined tank are simple: glass coating is non-porous and very rigid. Therefore, the theory is that liquids cannot reach the steel and cause corrosion, which could destroy the tank.

Unfortunately, there are a few details which impact performance of glass lined bolted steel tanks in real life. First, great care must be taken when shipping, unloading and installing steel staves to not crack the glass overlay as cracks will allow water and liquids to penetrate the enamel coating. A particular area of susceptibility is the edge of steel staves as the hard and brittle glass coating is vulnerable to impact. Even minor damage to the edge can result in a catastrophic failure of the enamel coating system. Once the glass lining has been compromised, the steel will begin to corrode under the glass coating, resulting in the coating delaminating. As the glass lining of the tank is fused to the steel at very high temperatures at the factory, this process cannot be replicated in the field. The only way to attempt to correct damage is by covering the area with mastic putty. Not only is this unattractive, but the putty mastic can peel off over time, re-exposing the damage underneath.

Read More “Glass Lined Bolted Tanks: I Can See Clearly Now…”

Recently, the rates on tank leases have changed slightly which may benefit customers interested in purchasing a new tank. Through the tank leasing program, customers can purchase new tanks and then spread out payments over several years. Our tank leasing program applies to both our welded steel tanks as well as our bolted steel tanks.

Using the leasing program allows our customers to conserve capital funds and use revenue from operations to make lease payments. Customers still retain ownership of the tanks, similar to a straight purchase. A variety of public entities as well as non-government agencies can utilize the tank leasing program including water districts, municipal utilities and private companies. The terms of our tank leasing program range in length from 24 to 60 months and our rates are very competitive. We offer the most economical terms as our tank leasing agent works with a variety of funding sources and we will customize a package most advantageous to you. For comparison, a steel tank with installation costing $100,000 could be as low as $1869 per month with a term of 60 months. Our leasing specialist will be able to provide details and price estimates based on current rates and the specifics of your project.

Our customers can lease a wide range of bolted steel storage tanks from 4,000 to 3,500,000 gallons and welded steel tanks up to 2,500,000 gallons. In addition to the price of the steel tank, the installation and other site work costs can be incorporated in the lease. Superior Tank Co., Inc. is a licensed General Contractor in several states and we can perform a wide scope of work under a single contract. Tanks under the leasing program can be used for storage of a variety of liquids including potable water, water for fire protection, rain water harvesting and wastewater.

The Federal Reserve is predicting two more rate increases in 2016 so lock in your lease rates NOW!

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Superior Tank Co., Inc. (STCI) is proud to announce the ground breaking of our newest production facility in the State of Texas!

The new facility is an expansion of the existing Operation Center just outside of Houston in Rosenberg which currently serves as a base for the company’s Gulf Coast and East Coast tank installation and service teams. The factory will be dedicated to the production of bolted steel and welded steel storage tanks.

According to Huel Loden, Gulf Coast Regional Manager, “developing a manufacturing facility in Texas is the final piece of the puzzle” allowing STCI to better position itself for future growth in both the domestic and global market place. He goes on to say, the Marquez family, owners of STCI, understand that the key to our success is lead by a top down culture where customer relations is the main focus which is why from the beginning STCI’s focus has always been customer service.

The Texas facility will supply a range of both bolted and welded steel tanks ranging in size from 4,000 gallons up to 3,500,000 gallons with a variety of finishes. Our bolted steel tanks will be available as factory powder coated, hot dipped galvanized and stainless steel. Our extensive experience and vast knowledge of the region ensures our tanks are manufactured and installed to meet the needs of the local market. STCI’s steel tanks are designed to comply with numerous industry standards such as American Water Works Association (AWWA), American Petroleum Institute (API), FM Approvals and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). In addition, the Rosenberg plant will be able to supply various tank parts and accessories from our more centralized location. Superior Tank has been doing business in Texas for over 20 years and is looking forward to continuing our focus on providing our customers with the best customer service possible.

Read More “Superior Tank Co., Inc. Celebrates Texas Groundbreaking”

Superior Tank is proud to introduce our welded ground storage tanks for oil and water storage in Texas. For over 30 years Superior Tank has been fabricating and installing welded tanks in California and we now offer this design choice for customers in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Specifically designed for storage of potable water, wastewater, water for fire protection, produced water and crude oil, our welded tanks range in size from 50,000 to 2,500,000 gallons (1200 to 59,500 bbls). Our decades of experience in the oil and water industries provides us the knowledge to design and fabricate welded steel tanks customized to various applications. Our welded tanks can be engineered to a variety of standards such as API 12D, API 650, AWWA D100 and NFPA 22.

Read More “Welded Tanks Now Available in Texas”

Recently Superior Tank Co., Inc. passed our annual re-certification audit for both the American Petroleum Institute (API) Q1 and ISO 9001:2008 certifications for design and manufacturing of bolted steel storage tanks. These prestigious certifications relate to above ground oil storage tanks and water storage tanks and are a result of years of hard work. The certifications reassure our customers they will receive the highest quality steel storage tank delivered on time.

During the annual audit, numerous aspects of our tank manufacturing process were reviewed including sales ordering, bolted steel tank production and ground storage tank installation. The audit team confirmed Superior Tank employs processes and procedures as specified by ISO 9001: 2008 QMS Certification. In addition to compliance with ISO 9001: 2008 QMS Certification, STCI has earned re-certification with American Petroleum Institute (API) Spec Q1. API Q1 Spec works in unison with the ISO 9001: 2008 QMS Certification and focuses on the API12B Standard and the accurate and responsible manufacturing of products used in the petrochemical industry.  The API Q1 Spec also includes additional elements of quality management systems such as risk assessment and risk management procedures which is critical for the petroleum industry and the focus on safety.

Read More “ISO 9001:2008 & API Q1 Spec for Steel Tanks”