Fun Fact Friday: The First Double-Wall Tank Standard Was Finalized in 1990

Fun fact: In 1990, the petroleum industry adopted its first formal standard for double-wall underground storage tanks, a major step in leak prevention and environmental protection.

Double-wall tanks (also known as “tanks within tanks”) were developed to offer built-in secondary containment. By the early 90s, these designs were gaining traction, but until 1990 there was no consistent performance or manufacturing standard across the industry.

That changed with the publication of UL 58 and UL 1746, which set the testing and construction benchmarks for steel and fiberglass tanks with secondary containment.

This innovation allowed for easier leak detection and significantly reduced the risk of contamination. It also made it easier for operators to meet EPA requirements ahead of the 1998 deadline.

At E.O. Habhegger, we focused on helping customers understand the benefits of double-wall tanks and sourcing systems that met the new standards.