Propane Tank Anchoring

No matter where you’re from, homeowners must keep their homes safe during hazardous weather. If you live in a flood-prone area, it is even more critical to be aware that unmanaged propane tanks can cause serious harm to you, others, your property, and the environment. Keep reading to learn how to keep your propane tank grounded in a flood-prone zone.

Why You Should Anchor Your Propane Tank

During a flood or inclimate weather, you want to be able to take precautions to protect your propane tank. Unanchored tanks can be easily moved by flood waters, causing damage to your home or its surrounding areas. If your propane tank becomes unanchored, the supply line can become unrestricted, affecting your safety.

How It Works

Anchoring your propane tank can prevent damage to your home or surrounding areas. You can anchor an outside tank by running straps over it and attaching them to the concrete slab. This prevents the tank from becoming unstable during hazardous weather conditions.

Contact one of our propane technicians today to anchor your propane tank.

How to Secure Your Tank

• Horizontal: The most inexpensive way to ground your propane tank is to install four ground anchors connected across the top of the tank with metal straps.
• Vertical: The best way to secure a vertical tank is with two ground anchors.

For both vertical and horizontal tanks, you can set each anchor on opposite sides of the tank. Attach a strap from each anchor to the collar secured around the top of the tank. Attach another metal strap connected through the tank base from one anchor to another.

Is Your Tank Secure?

Tips and Benefits

• Prevent damage and contamination to a structure and neighboring structures.
• Protects public health and safety, as well as those who live in the home and surrounding environment.
• Have a professional anchor your tank for you- this is the easiest, most efficient way to ensure the tank installation is done correctly.
• Extend all filling and ventilation tubes above the 100-year floor level so that flood waters cannot enter the tank.
• Close all connections when flood warnings are issued.

Estimated Cost

According to FEMA, “Anchoring a 1,000-gallon fuel tank to a concrete base will cost approximately $300 to $500.” Keep this in mind when you are planning to make this home investment.

Other Sources of Information

• FEMA 259, Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood Prone Residential Buildings, January 1995 (New FEMA 259 will be available in the Fall of 2011.)
• FEMA 348, Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage, Chapter 3, November 1999.
• FEMA P-499, Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction, “Protecting Utilities,” Technical Fact Sheet No. 8.3, December 2010.
• FEMA 481, Anchoring Home Fuel Tanks (DVD).
• FEMA, Anchoring Home Fuel Tanks (Video)

To view and download FEMA publications visit the FEMA Library at http://www.fema.gov/library. To obtain FEMA publications please call 1-800-480-2520 or fax 1-240-699-0525 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST.

By anchoring your propane tank, you decide to keep yourself, your loved family members, and your property safe.

At Shipley Energy, we understand the importance of protecting your loved ones. Let us ensure your propane tank is in a designated safe space and keep your tank full all winter long! Contact one of our propane professionals now at 717.896.1907.

Thank you for reading chapter 5 of our propane homeowner’s guide! If you would like to learn more feel free to read our other chapters.

• Chapter 1: Propane Tank Safety and Cathodic Testing: A Comprehensive Guide
• Chapter 2: Choosing Your Propane Tank: Above Ground Vs. Underground Explained
• Chapter 3: What to do if You Smell Propane in Your Home: A Learning Guide
• Chapter 4: Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Propane Tank
• Chapter 6: Frequently Asked Questions