Lightweight, corrosion-resistant tanks meet fire suppression needs for new barn

Winding through the narrow, hilly roads of Bluemont, VA, Jason Rothenhoefer, a Sales Engineer with Tanks Direct, was glad the two Xerxes by Shawcor fiberglass fire suppression tanks hauled earlier were lightweight. Delivering the tanks and deadman system to a rural equestrian center through the challenging terrain had been seamless and cost-effective.

A solution for your fire suppression needs

The recently purchased equestrian center was looking to complete their new barns with a state-of-the-art sprinkler system. The new barns would require 50,000 gallons of water for their fire suppression system, and the tanks required to hold this water were not included in the original project design. The general contractor of the project went to Tanks Direct to find the best option to meet the building’s fire suppression needs.

Jason assisted with the design, layout and features for a fire suppression water storage and supply system that would satisfy the required minimum water volume needs. He knew that a single 50,000-gallon tank would not fit into the available space.

A turnkey, custom choice for your project

“We decided two Xerxes fire suppression tanks placed side by side would be the best solution to fit into the space and give them usable capacity,” says Jason, who often suggests Xerxes fiberglass tanks as a custom, turnkey choice for his client’s projects.

The first fire suppression tank buried adjacent to the barn holds 22,000 gallons of water and the second holds 30,000 gallons. Water flows from the fire protection tanks into a Xerxes pump vault; an 18-foot-tall, 4-foot-round vertical tank buried beneath the sprinkler room. The pump vault contains a turbine pump which sends water through the fire suppression system in the building.

The benefits of a fiberglass tank

With a combined weight of 16,000 pounds, the two Xerxes fire suppression tanks were easy to install in the hilly terrain.

“You could have two to five times the weight to deal with if you use steel or concrete tanks, which would require a larger crane for installation. The fiberglass tanks also came in one prefabricated unit, which can be installed much more quickly.” He says that these qualities save time on installation and lead to fewer expenses for the customer.

Jason explains this is just one of the benefits of choosing fiberglass tanks over steel or concrete for fire suppression applications.

“Xerxes fiberglass tanks are corrosion-resistant. You’re going to get a product that lasts,” says Jason. “Fiberglass is easily the superior, long-lasting choice.”

Application highlights:

• – Custom-made fire suppression tanks fit into available space
• – Fiberglass tanks meet high water-volume requirements
• – Lightweight and easy to transport and install in challenging terrain
• – One 30,000-gallon, 10’ diameter tank (9,400 pounds)
• – One 22,000-gallon, 10’ diameter tank (6,600 pounds)
• – Vertical turbine pump and vault buried underneath sprinkler room