Differences Between Shop-Built Tanks and Field Erected Tanks
Differences Between Shop-Built Tanks and Field Erected Tanks
  • admin
  • December 13, 2021

Differences Between Shop-Built Tanks and Field Erected Tanks

If you can’t decide between a shop-built and a field erected tank, we can help. Each option has its own set of benefits, and while it may appear to be a difficult choice at first, the best tank option for your scenario can usually be determined by answering the following questions :

  • What is your budget?
  • What kind of storage capacity do you require?
  • What is the deadline for your project?

While reading this blog post, keep these questions in mind, and you should be able to choose which tank is best for your job site.

Shop-built tanks vs. field erected tanks

Field-erected tanks and tanks produced in a shop have three major differences. These are the following:

  • Size: Field erected tanks have no size restrictions, however, shop-built tanks have a transportation capacity limit.
  • Cost: Field work is more expensive than shop work, so shop-built tanks are usually the cheaper option.
  • Timeline: Because the shop is a controlled environment that is not prone to disruptions like the weather, tanks constructed from start to finish in the shop have a considerably more dependable deadline than tanks erected in the field.

Continue reading to find out more about these and other distinctions, or contact GSC Tanks to have your case assessed. Our tank fabrication professionals can help you determine the costs and benefits of shop vs. field construction, allowing you to make the right decision for your tank project.

Differences in cost and timeline between shop-fabricated and field-built tanks

Shop-built tanks are typically less expensive than field erected tanks. This is because shop manufacturing is done in a closely controlled environment, which helps to avoid weather delays and other environmental issues that may occur.

Another reason shop fabrication is less expensive is that it can be completed faster than field erected tanks. This is owing to the fact that shop crews work in an assembly-line fashion, with separate departments rapidly finishing their stage of the manufacturing procedure before passing the tank on to the next.

Shop-built tanks are typically less expensive and faster to construct than field erected tanks for these and other reasons.

Field-erected vs. shop-built tanks size differences

While shop-built tanks are sometimes less expensive to construct, this advantage vanishes once tank capacity exceeds a certain threshold – typically hundreds of thousands of gallons.

This is due to the fact that shop-built tanks are limited to the size of the truck or barge that will transport them to the construction site.

As a result, field erected tanks are frequently used for projects requiring millions of gallons of capacity.

The tank sections will be built in the shop and then delivered to the job site if you choose a field-erected tank. A field crew will next install the tank on the site. A paint and coatings crew will be dispatched to finish the tank after construction is completed.

Leading industry storage tank contractor near you

Still undecided about which tank is best for your needs? If your project is complicated, it’s advisable to enlist the help of an expert.

We’re not simply a provider of the best quality storage tanks at GSC Tanks; we’re also a general contractor who understands the entire process and all of the concerns that come with tank fabrication.

Please contact our staff right away for a thorough job analysis. We’d be pleased to assist you in determining whether a shop-built or field-erected tank is the best option for you.


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