Fuel Tank

A fuel tank is a portable storage vessel designed to hold diesel, gasoline, or other petroleum fuels on construction sites, industrial facilities, and remote work locations. These tanks enable on-site refueling of equipment and generators without requiring frequent fuel delivery or off-site trips. Available in single-wall and double-wall configurations, fuel tanks serve as temporary fuel depots that maintain fleet operations between bulk deliveries.

120

Models

Up to 250–2,000+ gal

Capacity

Brands

Cat classes

Pick a size class — capacity and reach differ across the range.

How it works

Fuel tanks store petroleum products in rigid containers constructed from steel, polyethylene, or composite materials. Double-wall designs feature an inner tank surrounded by an outer containment shell with interstitial monitoring to detect leaks. Most units include integrated pump systems, dispensing nozzles, and metering equipment for controlled fuel transfer. Many models incorporate secondary containment features such as spill basins, drip trays, and overfill prevention devices to meet environmental regulations. Larger tanks may include forklift pockets, lifting lugs, or skid bases for transport and positioning. Gravity-feed systems and 12V or AC-powered pumps enable fueling of equipment directly at the tank location or via extended hose reels.

Types & variants

Fuel Cube: Compact, portable units typically up to 500 gallons with integrated containment, designed for forklift or crane placement at point-of-use locations.
Double-Wall Tank: Dual-layer construction with leak detection between walls, meeting EPA and state-level secondary containment requirements without external berms.
Skid Tank: Larger capacity tanks mounted on steel skids with forklift channels, often equipped with dispensing systems and fuel management electronics.
Transfer Tank: Mobile refueling units with pump systems, hose reels, and nozzles for vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-equipment fuel transfer applications.
Above-Ground Fuel Pod: Stationary or semi-permanent installations with bulk storage capacity, monitoring systems, and multiple dispensing points for fleet fueling operations.

Key specifications

Specification	Typical range	What it means
Capacity	Up to 250–2,000+ gal	Storage volume determines refueling frequency and number of machines supported; the primary sizing criterion.
Load Capacity	441–8,157 lb (200–3,700 kg)	Maximum weight of fuel and tank structure; critical for transport method selection and placement surface load limits.
Max Height	3.6–104 ft (1.1–31.7 m)	Overall dimension affecting transport clearance, crane reach requirements, and overhead obstruction considerations.
Wall Construction	Single-wall or double-wall	Determines containment compliance; double-wall designs eliminate need for external secondary containment in many jurisdictions.
Dispensing System	12V DC or 110V AC pump, manual or automatic nozzle	Fuel transfer method and flow rate; impacts refueling time and site power requirements.

How the industry sizes it

Fuel tanks are sized and classified by gallon capacity, with the industry grouping them into five standard bands: up to 250 gallons for topping up small equipment with a cube a forklift or truck crane can set anywhere; 250–500 gallons for the standard site fuel cube providing about a week for a few machines; 500–1,000 gallons to keep a mid-size fleet running between deliveries; 1,000–2,000 gallons for full site fueling of generators and an equipment fleet without daily delivery; and 2,000+ gallons for bulk diesel on large sites, remote work, and long continuous generator runs. Selection depends on fuel consumption rate, delivery frequency economics, site access for tanker trucks, and available transport equipment for tank positioning.

Applications

Construction site refueling of excavators, loaders, dozers, and support equipment without off-site trips or daily fuel deliveries
Generator fueling for extended power generation during outages, special events, and locations without utility connections
Remote work location fuel supply where distance from commercial fuel sources makes frequent travel impractical
Forestry and agricultural operations requiring fuel distribution across large land areas or seasonal work sites
Emergency response and disaster recovery operations establishing temporary refueling infrastructure in affected areas
Mining and quarry operations supporting equipment fleets operating continuously in off-grid locations

Safety & operation

Tanks must be placed on level, stable surfaces with appropriate load-bearing capacity; avoid placement near ignition sources, electrical equipment, or high-traffic areas
Double-wall tanks or secondary containment systems (berms, spill pallets) are required in most jurisdictions to prevent soil and groundwater contamination from leaks
Grounding and bonding connections between tank, dispensing equipment, and receiving vessel prevent static electricity buildup during fuel transfer
Fuel storage areas require appropriate fire extinguishers (Class B), no-smoking signage, and clearance from combustible materials per fire code requirements
Overfill prevention devices, automatic shut-off nozzles, and drip containment minimize spills during filling and dispensing operations

Standards & certifications

EPA · 40 CFR 112 (SPCC): Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure requirements for aboveground fuel storage; mandates secondary containment for many installations.
UL · UL 142: Standard for Steel Aboveground Tanks for Flammable and Combustible Liquids; covers tank construction, testing, and marking requirements.
NFPA · NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code establishes clearances, venting, dispensing, and fire protection requirements for fuel storage.
OSHA · 29 CFR 1926.152: Construction industry standards for flammable liquid storage, including spacing, grounding, and container specifications for job sites.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between single-wall and double-wall fuel tanks?

Single-wall tanks have one containment layer and typically require external secondary containment (berms or spill pallets) to meet environmental regulations. Double-wall tanks feature an inner tank surrounded by an outer shell with interstitial space for leak detection, providing built-in secondary containment that eliminates the need for external berms in most jurisdictions, though local regulations vary.

How is fuel tank capacity matched to site requirements?

Capacity selection balances equipment fuel consumption rates, delivery logistics, and economics. A 250–500 gallon tank typically supports a few machines for about a week on standard construction sites. Larger operations or remote locations where fuel delivery is expensive or infrequent may use 1,000–2,000+ gallon tanks, while small equipment or backup generator applications often use up to 250 gallon cubes for spot refueling.

What placement and handling equipment is required for fuel tanks?

Smaller fuel cubes (up to 500 gallons) typically feature forklift pockets and can be positioned with standard forklifts or telehandlers. Larger skid tanks require forklifts with adequate capacity or cranes with proper rigging points. Placement surfaces must be level, stable, and capable of supporting the combined weight of tank and fuel, with many sites using gravel pads, concrete, or timber mats to distribute loads and prevent settling.

What fuel types can be stored in portable fuel tanks?

Most portable fuel tanks are designed for diesel fuel (Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel), the predominant fuel for construction equipment and generators. Some models accommodate gasoline, though gasoline storage requires additional safety features due to higher vapor pressure and flammability. Tank material compatibility, venting systems, and dispensing equipment must match the specific fuel type; manufacturers specify approved fuel types for each model.

Compare popular models

Find by spec →

Normalised to the same units. A dash means the figure was not published.

Model	Load capacity	Max height
Norwesco Horizontal Leg Tank 525 gal (Premium)	525 gal	5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Norwesco Horizontal Leg Tank 1025 gal (Premium)	1,025 gal	11.6 ft (3.5 m)
Norwesco Containment Basin 500 gal	500 gal	7.7 ft (2.3 m)
Plastic-Mart Norwesco 1635 Gallon Horizontal Leg Tank (N-40400)	1,635 gal	11.8 ft (3.6 m)
Poly-Mart PM300CT	300 gal	7.2 ft (2.2 m)
Poly Processing Horizontal Tanks	2,600 gal	13 ft (4.0 m)

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Sources

Every specification is verified against the manufacturer's published data, with the source linked for reference.

abatement.com ↗chemtainer.com ↗cimc-enric.com ↗dragonproducts.com ↗highlandtank.com ↗norwesco.com ↗

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