Securing Uninterrupted Telecom Infrastructure: 25,600L On-Site Fuel Backup for BT Bishop Stortford

Atlantis Tanks—through our specialist StoraFUEL brand—recently partnered with power generation experts Vital Power Ltd to engineer, build, and deliver a high-capacity bulk fuel storage solution for BT Bishop Stortford. Centred on a heavy-duty 25,600-litre steel bunded fuel storage tank, this installation demonstrates our technical capability to support critical UK telecommunications infrastructure with compliant, long-term backup power fuel reserves.

Telecommunications sites are essential national infrastructure that require absolute resilience. During power grid disruptions, backup generators must run continuously to prevent service outages. To ensure seamless operational continuity, the BT Bishop Stortford project demanded an engineered turnkey fuel storage system manufactured to strict industry guidelines and environmental protection standards.

Heavy-Duty Engineering & Complete Environmental Compliance

The core component of this infrastructure upgrade is the custom 25,600-litre steel bunded oil/diesel storage tank from the StoraFUEL range. Built specifically for industrial reliability and long service life, the tank incorporates heavy-duty structural steel bracing, advanced socket architecture, and full secondary containment.

Key Technical Specifications:

• Dimensional Profile: Outer tank measures L 5450mm (incl.cabinet) × W 2500mm × H 2500mm; Inner tank measures L 4600mm × W 2400mm × H 2496mm (excluding bearers and fittings).

• Capacity Profile: Brimful capacity of 27,328 litres, nominal capacity of 26,645 litres, and a usable working capacity (with overfill prevention) of 25,681 litres.

• Weight Profile: Approximate dry weight of 3,678 kg, with a wet operating weight of approximately 26,087 kg.

• British Standards Compliance: Fabricated in strict accordance with BS 799 Part 5 standards using structural steel to BS EN 10025-2:2004 S275JR, complete with internal tank bracing to maintain structural rigidity under heavy dynamic loads.

• 110% Secondary Containment: Integrated outer steel bund providing 110% fluid capacity relative to the inner storage tank, guaranteeing full compliance with UK Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations, SEPA, EA Guidelines, and the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations.

• Industrial Finish: Mechanically prepared to ST2 standards and treated with Zinfos 340 WS anti-corrosive primer and a mid-sheen topcoat (150 microns wet / 75 microns dry film thickness), finished in Saddle Brown.

Specialist Features & Custom Cabinet Configuration

To meet complex site requirements—including WIMES & BT specifications—the fuel storage assembly features specialized containment and connection architecture:

• Full-Size Security Cabinet: Built with a front-mounted, 650mm deep lockable security cabinet featuring integrated cabinet ventilation and a lockable swing door for safe offloading access.

• Top Lockable Bund Box: Engineered to comply directly with WIMES & BT specifications, this lockable box covers top and external pipework while safely draining any fluid weepage directly back into the main bund cabinet.

• Optimized Socket & Flange Architecture:

  • 1 × 2″ fill point inside cabinet complete with lever ball valve, non-return valve, and drip tray.

  • Dual 2″ vents (tank-to-bund vent and bund-to-atmosphere vent).

  • 3 × 1″ drop tube feeds (inside cabinet) with removable drop tube options.

  • 3 × 1″ return lines (inside cabinet, including a polisher return terminating at the rear of the tank).

  • 1 × PN16 Flange fitted to the cabinet for double-skin pipework entry.

  • 1 × 1″ top suction port for sludge drain (plugged).

  • 2 × 1.5″ tank sockets (inside cabinet) and 1 × 1.5″ rear bund socket.

• Removable Flexible Drop Tube: Includes a 1.0″ × 2.5m flexible suction drop tube, complete with foot valve, strainer, and T-piece for simple suction priming.

• Mechanical Overfill Limiter: 2″ aluminium overfill protection valve screwed into a 2″ BSPP full socket to prevent overfilling; fully compatible with clean diesel, biodiesel B30, and heating oils.

• Handling & Mounting Infrastructure: Built with full-width structural steel support bearers, an earthing bolt, and four heavy-duty lifting eyes for safe crane placement during empty positioning.

Technical Overview Summary

Delivering Reliable Backup Infrastructure for Critical Sectors

This successful upgrade for BT Bishop Stortford underlines StoraFUEL’s expertise in manufacturing bespoke commercial bulk fuel storage systems tailored to stringent institutional standards. From telecommunications networks and data centres to emergency services and industrial facilities, our custom steel bunded tanks deliver long-term protection, compliance, and power continuity.

If you want to view similar custom engineering projects across the public sector, explore our commercial fuel storage case studies.