Access system for 15 tanks in Trzebinia, Poland 

Project: A-3963 

Access system for 15 tanks 

Industrial tanks require permanent access structures that allow operators and maintenance teams to reach roof areas and service zones located at different levels. 

In projects involving a larger number of tanks, the access system consists of different configurations of platforms, ladders, stairs and railings, adapted to the geometry and arrangement of individual tanks. 

As part of the project in Trzebinia, TLC delivered an access system for 15 tanks for an industrial tank manufacturer.  TLC’s scope included preparation of the project documentation, manufacture of the steel structures, coordination of the anti-corrosion protection and on-site installation. 

The total weight of the delivered steel structures exceeded 35,000 kg. 

TLC scope – platforms, walkways, ladders, stairs and railings 

The project scope included: 

• service platforms on tanks, 

• connecting platforms between tanks, 

• railings with toeboards on tank roofs, 

• technical ladders with safety cages and intermediate platforms, 

• helicoidal stairs. 

Different sets and arrangements of these elements were used for individual groups of tanks. The drawing for T1, T2 and T3 shows a separate arrangement for T1 and a common configuration for T2 and T3, including platforms, railings and access elements. In selected configurations, the overall structural height was 12,807 mm, 12,970 mm and 13,786 mm. 

Technical specification of the access structures 

The main structures of the access system were manufactured from S235 steel. The access system was executed in class EXC2 in accordance with EN 1090-2, covering requirements related to execution, welding, tolerances and quality control of steel structures. 

The platforms and stair elements were made using welded steel gratings with a 34 × 38 mm mesh. The gratings were hot-dip galvanized. 

The main steel structures were protected with a paint system applied by airless spraying, intended for environments with very high corrosivity corresponding to class C5-M. 

The project documentation specified: 

• RAL 7035 for the main structural elements,  

• RAL 1021 for railings and ladders.  

For selected elements, the adopted loads were 2.0 kN/m² for platforms, a concentrated load of 1.5 kN and a railing load of 0.3 kN/m. 

Different configurations for individual tanks 

The scope of elements varied depending on the group of tanks. For T1, the system included, among other elements, stairs and platforms, while the T2 and T3 arrangement included a vertical access ladder, platforms and railings on the tanks. 

Other configurations included ladders with safety cages, platforms, railings and connections to existing brackets and supports. The drawings specify, among other details, connections between ladders and existing brackets, ladders and platforms, platforms and existing supports, and railings and platforms. 

Installation stages 

The installation scope was divided according to groups of tanks. For T1–T3, T4–T5 and T7–T8, the platforms were installed after the upper tank head had been assembled. Platforms on the remaining tanks were installed after the tanks had been delivered to the site. 

The remaining platforms, ladders and stairs were intended for installation at height after the tanks had been positioned. 

Scope of delivery for 15 tanks 

The project in Trzebinia included an access system for 15 tanks, consisting of service platforms, connecting walkways, roof railings, access ladders and steel stairs. 

TLC’s scope included project preparation, manufacture of the structures, anti-corrosion protection and installation in Trzebinia. The total weight of the structures exceeded 35,000 kg. 

Looking for an access system for industrial tanks? 

TLC prepares project documentation, manufactures and installs steel access structures for industrial tanks. The systems can be adapted to the geometry of the tanks, existing support points and the planned installation sequence. 

Contact TLC to discuss the requirements of your project.