LPS 1254 Issue 1.3 Requirements for the certification of suction tanks for automatic pumps

Water Research Centre

A current Water Research Centre (WRc) Certificate shall be held by the manufacturer for each tank specification, with this including a Type A airgap.

Field Evidence

Type A and D suction tanks

There shall be field evidence of the satisfactory behaviour of the materials when used in tank designs for at least 15 years without maintenance¹.

Type B and C suction tanks

There shall be field evidence of the satisfactory behaviour of the materials when used in tank designs for at least six years.

Design Calculations and Declaration

Detailed design calculation for all stressed parts of the structure shall be verified by a Chartered Engineer.

Corrosion Protection2

Internal protection

Pump suction tanks shall have a period of at least 15 years for Type A and D, and six years for Type B and C, to first maintenance.

External protection

Pump suction tanks shall have all external steelwork protected against corrosion in accordance with BS EN ISO 12944, BS 5493, or equivalent. Alternatively, tanks shall be protected against corrosion by lining or coating the tank to give it protection which shall be at least equivalent to that achieved by application of BS 5493.

Tank Shell

Steel tanks Type A and D shall have the tank shell protected by: 

a galvanised coating weight of at least 610g/m² each side⁵; or

an equivalent corrosion protection system which has been specifically Approved and Listed by the LPCB

(c) Vitreous enamelled tanks must have a minimum coating thickness of 0.25mm.

Steel tanks of Type B and C shall have the tank shell protected by:

a galvanised coating weight of at least 305g/m² each side; or

Tank Roof

• Roofs shall exclude daylight.
• Roofs shall prevent water from becoming contaminated with extraneous matter.
• Pump suction tanks shall be completely enclosed with rigid roofs.

Ancillary Equipment

Ancillary equipment shall be provided with each tank, as follows:

• A permanently attached access ladder generally to BS 4211 which shall incorporate a platform and guard-rail from which a person shall be able to test and/or maintain the ball valves whilst keeping both feet on the platform.
• An access opening of such size and location to enable the testing, maintenance and replacement of a three ball valve manifold. The cover of this opening shall be permanently attached by hinged or other means and shall be secured in such a manner as to be capable of being opened by hand.
• A device which shall show the total amount of water present in the tank, and which monitors the quantity of water down to below the suction pipe outlet to the pumps. This device shall be capable of being maintained without draining the tank. Note “cat and mouse” type indicators are not adequate.
• An immersion heater or other means to prevent the ball valves and the water in the vicinity of the ball valves from freezing. Any immersion heater provided must be of a type which shall not burn out when exposed to the air, e.g. when the water level in the tank is lowered below the immersion heater. The heater shall be of the dual element type. Each element shall be capable of operating independently and preventing water in the vicinity of the ball valves from freezing and capable of being maintained without draining the tank.
• A drainage facility that can completely drain the tank shall be provided.
• An efficient overflow pipe in compliance with the relevant water bylaws shall be provided.
• Sealing arrangements shall adequately seal the pump test pipes into the tank structure so that it shall prevent ingress of extraneous matter.