There will be scenarios where you may need to purchase, rent, switch out or place a tank in a newly designated area of your site. Fuel Me is here to support you through each of these instances. In this guide, we’ll walk through the different reasons you may need to acquire a tank and what to expect.
Whether you are purchasing, renting or placing a tank on a site that has never had a tank, Fuel Me will want to gather as much information as possible about your site. Below is a list of questions to think through before requesting a tank:
Do I need to purchase, rent or switch out a tank? Please scroll down to read about the specific of each of these scenarios.
What size tank will I need? If you’re not sure, Fuel Me can recommend a size based on your fuel usage.
What internal protocols must I follow? If your site has never had a tank, please coordinate with your internal Environmental Health & Safety team and they can help you navigate any internal procedures and paperwork regarding the specifics of your site.
What is the power source at my site? If your site has a 110v plug (a typical wall outlet) that is accessible to where the tank will be placed, the tank pump can be plugged in. If power is not available, you will need a 12V pump that will need to be powered by a battery.
If your site has determined that purchasing a new tank is the most cost effective solution for storing your fuel, your Fuel Me representative can refer you to a third party.
If purchasing a tank is not feasible or does not make sense logistically (perhaps your site is seasonal or temporary), Fuel Me can also arrange a tank rental for a set period of time.
Here is what to expect when renting a tank through Fuel Me:
A questionnaire to capture all the details of your site and fueling requirements
A quote from your CSM
Once the quote is approved, a Tank Rental Agreement
Your CSM will place the order for your tank rental through the Fuel Me platform so that you can track the delivery.
Note: A rental tank is not the same as a loaner tank. A loaner tank is when a vendor supplies a tank for the duration of the contract. Once service is ceased with the vendor, the tank will be removed.
If you are switching vendors and your site does not own the current tank, Fuel Me will arrange to have the tank switched out with a new tank - either provided by the vendor, through purchase, or rental. Fuel Me will advise you on the most logistically and financially sound approach.
Your local city or county fire department is a great resource when preparing your site for a tank. You only need to work with your fire marshal if your site has never had a tank before or if you are switching out your existing tank with a substantially different size or changing the location.
Your fire marshal can help you:
Obtain a permit for your tank and schedule a site walk (this may or may not be required).
Determine what size tank is permissible including UL 2085 or UL 142 tanks.
Identify the appropriate tank barriers, specific placement, electrical work, and berms to meet local codes. If this is your site’s first tank, you will likely need a cement pad and containment mechanism installed.
If a site walk is needed, we recommend having a few placement options ready in case the fire marshal has concerns about a particular location.
Once you’ve determined to move forward with the tank placement, you can expect the following:
A site walk with Fuel Me’s vendor-partner: Fuel Me will arrange a site walk between our vendor and a member of your team to walk your site in advance. This ensures a smooth delivery on tank placement day.
Deplete the current supply in your existing tank: If you are switching out a tank or returning a tank, the tank pick up will be arranged once the tank is empty or nearly empty.
