Industrial Water Tank Testing: What Is Hydrostatic Testing & Why It Matters

Industrial Tanks

Bushmans Tanks prides itself on crafting high quality, durable industrial liquid storage tanks for various commercial and industrial environments. Whether its for industrial water tanks or custom liquid storage solutions, Bushmans industrial tanks are designed for site-specific tank installation purposes. With a reputation for delivering quality industrial liquid storage solutions to manufacturing, mining and agriculture applications, Bushmans Industrial Tanks fulfill requirements safely, and to withstand Australia’s climate conditions.

Industrial tanks Bushmans offers includes;

• Industrial Water Tanks
• Chemical Storage Tanks
• StormWater Tanks
• Water Treatment Tanks
• Diesel Tanks
• Adblue Tanks
• Fertiliser & Molasses Tanks
• Custom Water Tanks | Custom Commercial Water Tank

With applications varying across industrial environments, industrial tanks should only be used for their specific-built purposes; e.g diesel fuel should only be stored in diesel tanks. This is particularly important given that industrial tanks can store hazardous substances like chlorine, sewage, or acetic acid, making it essential to use a tank specifically designed for the liquid it was built to hold.

As mentioned, Bushmans offers both the choice for purchasing industrial tanks already pre-made, or you can have them custom-made tailored to specific site requirements, liquids, compliance standards, and/or desired capacity. To comply with safety standards & durability, one of the most reliable ways Bushmans ensures an industrial tank is ready for use is done through a process called hydrostatic testing. You may be wondering what hydrostatic testing (tank testing) is, and why is it important. Here’s why this testing is important;

What Is Hydrostatic Testing?

In short, hydrostatic testing is a quality control process used to check for any leakages, and to examine the structural integrity. Quality control ensures the application, such as a tank, is built as intended – ensuring it is working properly, and is safe to use. These hydrostatic tests are commonly used in industries where pressure, volume and structural integrity is crucial. This includes sectors in chemical processing, manufacturing, plumbing, aviation and power generation. Essentially, anything that uses pipelines, pressure vessels or tanks.

One of the hydrostatic tests for tanks is done by filling them with water (or any incompressible fluids) and letting the liquid sit in the tank for a period of time. This pressure test gives the tank a ‘workout’ to see how it will perform under real-world conditions before it is shipped out. Below is how hydrostatic testing works.

Step By Step

1. Test Report – The first step is to record the tanks serial number, date and time of test being conducted. This is to ensure there is traceability and evidence of the tank testing process on record
2. Preparing the Tank – The tank is placed on a flat level surface ready for testing. Before filling it with water, tank outlets are covered with special blanking plates, as the tank needs to be able to prove it can hold liquid on it’s own.
3. Filling the Tank with Water – Once the above two steps are complete, the tank is then able to be filled with water using low-pressure lines. While it fills, air is vented out through the highest opening (such as a top nozzle) to avoid creating air pockets. Photographs and videos are taken for quality assurance purposes.
4. The Waiting Game – The tank generally sits filled with water for around 48 hours to ensure enough time is given to observe the tanks structure, and how it handles the pressure of the water as it would need to in a real environment.
5. Observation – After the testing has commenced, the tank is inspected thoroughly to check for any signs of structural failure or changes in shape. If there are, the tank is put on hold for review, and usually requires a welding repair.
6. The Final Check – If the tank has passed the test, the water is then drained ready for the next tank. As part of the final inspection, the inside of the tank is checked for cleanliness. The results of the hydrostatic test is recorded, and sent to supervisors for review and approval. The process goes through these steps to ensure reliability and quality assurance for each tank.

The Types of Hydrostatic Testing Methods

Since the development of advanced technology, hydrostatic testing methods have expanded, and there are multiple ways to conduct these tests. Common methods includes;

• Ultrasonic Testing – This method uses an ultra sound, using high-frequency sound waves that is transmitted into the tanks material. These sound waves (or echoes) are analysed to identify any issues with the tanks thickness. This is another method Bushmans use for industrial tanks

Below are a few more examples of the types of testing that the likes of tanks, pressure vessels and cylinders can be used for;

• Direct Expansion Testing
• Water Jacket Testing
• Digital Testing
• Burst pressure and proof pressure testing

Why Hydrostatic Testing is Important For Industrial Tanks

The benefits of tank pressure testing ensures;

• Leak-proof performance – That it can withstand and hold desired liquids as intended
• Structural integrity & durability strength – Able to stay in it’s designated position with no defects
• Ensures it complies with industry standards and regulations (AS/NZS 4766)
• Protects those who are around or using the tank
• Chemical Resistance Chart

Bushmans’ Commitment to Quality: Why We Hydrotest

While we only use the highest quality materials that can stand the test of time, there’s a reason our reputation stands out as one of the highest quality industrial tank manufacturers in the market. We hydrotest to ensure every client can have peace of mind knowing that these tank pressure testing requirements have taken place to ensure that the tank is not faulty and will work as intended. Since every industrial site has unique requirements, we account for;

• Tailored Custom Tanks – Since these are each an individually engineered tank design on a case by case basis, (even if it has been done or similarly done before), tank testing each of these liquid containment systems is crucial
• SG Ratings for Industrial-Grade Liquids – Our industrial tanks are engineered with specific SG 1.2, 1.5 & 2.0 ratings to handle heavy liquids, hazardous chemicals and corrosive materials
• Additional Fittings & Outlets
• Advanced Rotational Moulding Tanks

Benefits With Bushmans Industrial Tanks

• Reduced risk of failure, defects or maintenance issues
• Assurance that the tank will meet specifications through tank testing
• Bushmans delivery logistics network covers metro, regional and remote areas across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory
• Australian-Made & certified reliability complying with AS/NZS4766 industrial tank manufacturing Australia standards
• Safe placement & installation by our trained professionals in site-specific tank installation
• Range of large capacity water tanks and large liquid containment systems, including certified water tanks for commercial use
• Engineered tank design for site-specific tank installation

Real-World Applications: Who Needs Hydrotested Tanks?

Bushmans Industrial Tanks are used across various industries, including;

• Agriculture sectors that rely on tanks for various purposes, such as livestock farming and wineries
• Mining sectors that require Adblue, lubricants or solvents on-site
• Manufacturing such as food and beverage processing (breweries, canneries)
• Chemical processing
• Wastewater management
• Energy sectors in the oil, diesel and gas industry
• Fire protection services
• Educational facilities

Case Studies

Whether it’s storing fertiliser on a farm or catching storm water in a commercial setting, Bushmans Industrial has provided a number of industrial liquid storage solutions across Australia.
A few successful projects Bushmans Industrial have completed in the field includes;

• Osmoflo (South Australia) – 7 x Industrial Tanks for Mining
• Sydney Water (New South Wales) – Shellharbour Wastewater Treatment Plan
• Jinibara State School (Queensland) – 7 x Industrial Rainwater tanks for the schools sporting facilities
• Hunter Valley Mine Site Project (New South Wales) – 10 x Industrial Water Treatment Tanks for Mining
• National Company Manufacturers (Victoria) – Chemical Tanks for Benzoic Acid 16% in PG, Dober S-2 Syrup, Sodium Hydroxide and Deionised Water
• The Master Plumbers Association (New South Wales) – 4 x Industrial Water tanks for the training centre
• Environmental Water Services (South Australia) – Water tanks used in water treatment system
• School in Sydney (New South Wales) – 2 x Heavy Duty Industrial Rainwater Tanks 
• Large Urban Development site in Barangaroo, Sydney (New South Wales) – 70 x Water Treatment tanks ranging from 1,500L to 46,400L capacities
• Tenterfield Aerodrome, near the NSW/QLD border (New South Wales) – 210,000L firefighting water tank 
• Plus many more projects featuring custom liquid storage solutions and custom water tanks for Australian businesses

Choose Quality – Choose Bushmans

Here at Bushmans we’re committed to safety, reliability, and high performance industrial tanks across various industries. Hydrotesting ensures that the tank will hold on its own, and is built for its specific purposes.

Whether it’s custom water tanks, commercial water tanks, large capacity water tanks or commercial tank solutions, Bushmans Industrial can assist. If you need a reliable industrial tank from a trusted tank manufacturer, Check out our entire Industrial range here, or contact our team for advice or a quote for industrial liquid storage solutions.

More About Our Industrial Liquid Storage;

• Read more about how 70 Bushmans Industrial Tanks were used in Sydney’s CBD
• What are Retention/Detention Systems (And Why They’re Important)
• Read up about our Safety first: a guide to chemical storage blog