What is the appropriate spacing between storage tanks? One article reading, floating roof tank, fixed roof tank, horizontal tank... all the specifications are here
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- Issue Time
- Aug 13,2025
Summary
Bailun will introduce you to the spacing setting of storage tanks within the tank group.

1、 Why is the spacing between storage tanks crucial? The reasonable planning of the spacing between storage tanks within the tank group is the foundation for ensuring the safe production and efficient operation of enterprises.
It directly affects the convenience of daily operations, the safety of personnel inspections, the feasibility of equipment maintenance, and the timeliness of emergency response.
If this link is ignored during the project design phase, even if management system optimization is carried out later, it will be difficult to compensate for the "strategic level" risks caused by design defects.
Therefore, the spacing between storage tanks needs to be scientifically planned based on multiple dimensions such as tank type, specifications, and medium characteristics.

2、 The spacing specifications for different types of storage tanks should be set according to the differences in tank type, storage medium, and specifications. Specifically, they can be divided into the following categories:
(1) Divided by tank structure type
1. Horizontal jars: The fire separation distance between horizontal jars should be maintained at 0.8 meters. 2. Floating roof and inner floating roof tank: Based on the diameter of the tank, the spacing should reach 0.4 times the diameter.
(2) Fixed roof storage tanks: The spacing between fixed roof storage tanks classified by volume and medium should be determined comprehensively based on the volume size and the fire hazard of the storage medium
Volume ≤ 1000 cubic meters: Class AB and B medium storage tanks: spacing is 0.75 times the diameter; Class A medium storage tanks: spacing is 0.4 times the diameter; Class B medium storage tanks: with a spacing of 2 meters.
Volume>1000 cubic meters: Class AB and B medium storage tanks: spacing is 0.6 times the diameter; Class A medium storage tanks: spacing is 0.4 times the diameter; Class B medium storage tanks: with a spacing of 5 meters.

(3) Special requirements for multi row arrangement: When using a multi row arrangement for storage tanks, the following spacing standards must be met: for two row vertical storage tanks, the spacing should not be less than 5 meters; Vertical and horizontal storage tanks with a diameter of less than 5 meters should be spaced no less than 3 meters apart.
(4) The distance specification between storage tanks and fire embankments requires strict adherence to the following requirements: the distance between vertical storage tanks and the foot line of the fire embankment should not be less than half of the height of the storage tank;
The distance from the horizontal storage tank to the foot line of the fire dike shall not be less than 3 meters.
(5) Special medium storage tanks: Liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid argon. For low-temperature medium storage tanks such as liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, liquid argon, etc., the spacing should not be less than 2 meters while meeting the maintenance space requirements.

3、 Design principle: Balance between safety and practicality
The above spacing standards are centered on fire safety, but in actual design, enterprises also need to optimize the layout according to local conditions based on operational needs such as equipment maintenance and component replacement.
Only by balancing safety regulations and practical needs can we ensure that the tank group meets regulatory requirements while ensuring long-term efficient operation.