Containment tanks are, by nature, more complicated to coat than any other industrial structures. The design, size, location, and function of storage tanks are often a challenge in maintenance and repair. That is why to ensure the structural integrity of the storage tank, the most qualified painting contractors must be chosen to perform the tank lining project.
Many tank lining contractors offer various forms of tank lining services, and to sift through the list and hire only the best, here are some tips to follow:
1. Be wary of low bidders
Don’t be lured into choosing the lowest-bidding tank lining contractor for the sake of the obvious cost benefits. Examine beyond the monetary advantages and consider the project requirements.Tank lining projects almost always require near-perfect execution, hence the right materials, equipment and personnel should be available. Consider if the bidding painting contractors can deliver the requirements and still maintain attractive costs.
2. Choose only experienced painting contractors
Painting contractors must be evaluated based on past and present projects that they have completed. If possible, double-check the contractor’s portfolio with testimonials from previous clients, to determine the contractor’s competency.
Commonly, tank lining projects differ from one another depending on project requirements, with one project requiring a different lining material from another, for instance. There is a need to delve deeper and determine the painting contractors’ experience in the specific lining materials that the project requires.
3. Evaluate the process and methodology to be used by the contractor
Examine the painting contractors‘ tank lining job practices, based on previous projects. Ask the contractor what methodology will be applied in this particular project, given such considerations as the lining materials, the design and specification of the tank, the tank’s construction and performance history, operation instructions among others.
Examine the contractor’s capability to apply the coating, the equipment and materials that will be used and any special procedures that will be conducted. Determine the contractor’s planned surface preparation and coatings application procedures and, if possible, visit the contractor’s previous projects to assess their capabilities further.
4. Examine the safety and best practice standards of the painting contractors
Check the contractor’s safety practices and compliance policies. The contractor must be cognizant with the need for the safest coatings product for the tank lining project, as approved by NACE and SSPC standards. For food storage tanks, familiarity with FDA and EPA regulations should also be considered by the qualified contractor.
Check the contractor’s ability to observe safety precautions based on the OSHA material safety data sheet, as well as the contractor’s safety equipments such as ladders and scaffoldings, protective workers’ garments, and first-aid or emergency procedures.
5. Obtain a performance guarantee
The painting contractors should be able to provide a guarantee of good performance as part of a final contract. A one year warranty for workmanship is the industry standard. Material warranties must be requested from the manufacturer and will vary depending on type of product applied. Should the tank lining project fail within the warranty period, the contractor can be called in to assess the failure and repair or replace the tank lining accordingly.
Tank lining is a highly-specialized job with many complex elements to consider, such as the correct coating products and the right equipment, to avoid tank lining failure. The rigorous examination of the capabilities of the painting contractors assures that the project gets only the most qualified tank lining specialist for the job, guaranteeing good performance results.
