Floating Roof Tank Fabrication Experts

For nearly 30 years, T BAILEY LLC has been fabricating and constructing floating roof tanks for the petroleum industry in the Northwest. Whether you need an external or internal floating roof tank, a single or double deck, aluminum or steel, or any other configuration of floating roof, we have the experience, equipment, and crew necessary to build your tank.

Our process-driven tank fabrication, commitment to quality control, and clear communication with customers have all established T BAILEY LLC as an industry-leader whose tanks stand the test of time.

Floating Roof Tank Construction

What Is a Floating Roof Tank

A floating roof tank is a steel storage vessel equipped with a buoyant deck that rests directly on the surface of the stored product. As product is added or withdrawn, the floating roof rises and falls with the liquid level. This contact between the roof and the product surface virtually eliminates the vapor space above the liquid, which is the primary mechanism for controlling emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous air pollutants regulated under standards such as 40 CFR 63.1063.

There are two principal floating roof tank design configurations:

  • External floating roofing tanks
  • Internal floating roofing tanks

An external floating roof tank uses the floating deck as the only roof structure, open to the atmosphere and relying on rim seals, drainage systems, and weathershields for environmental protection. An internal floating roof tank adds a fixed steel roof over the shell, with the floating deck operating inside the enclosed space. Internal floating roof storage tank designs are common where weather protection or additional emissions containment is required, while external floating roof storage tank configurations are typically used for larger-diameter petroleum storage where the tank diameter makes a fixed roof impractical.

The specific internal floating roof tank design or external configuration is selected based on what is being stored, the regulatory environment governing the facility, and the physical conditions of the site.

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Benefits of Floating Roof Tanks

Floating roof tanks offer several operational and regulatory advantages for petroleum and chemical storage. By eliminating the vapor space between the product surface and the roof, floating roof storage tanks substantially reduce VOC emissions, helping operators meet air quality permit requirements and EPA standards. The reduction in vapor accumulation also lowers the risk of fire in the rim seal area compared to conventional fixed-roof tanks. Additionally, floating roof tanks minimize product loss through evaporation, which provides a measurable economic benefit over the service life of the vessel.

External floating roof tanks do require properly designed and maintained drainage systems to prevent rainwater accumulation on the deck surface. T BAILEY LLC designs and fabricates external floating roof tanks to API Standard 650, Appendix C, which requires the floating roof to support a 10-inch rainfall event over a 24-hour period. Combined with correctly sized drain systems and routine maintenance, this ensures reliable performance in all weather conditions.

For operators managing volatile products under strict air quality requirements, floating roof tanks remain one of the most effective storage solutions available.

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Floating Roof Tank Fabrication and Construction Capabilities

T BAILEY LLC fabricates and constructs floating roof tanks across a full range of configurations and project scopes, including:

  • New floating roof tank construction: Fabrication and field erection of both external and internal floating roof tanks, including single-deck and double-deck configurations
  • Floating roof retrofits: Converting existing fixed-roof petroleum tanks to floating roof operation by manufacturing and installing a new floating roof
  • Floating roof repair and replacement: Removing deteriorated floating roofs and fabricating replacements to meet current code requirements
  • Materials: Aluminum, steel, and fiberglass floating roofs for both new and existing tanks

Our tank roof fabrication capabilities are backed by an in-house steel fabrication and steel construction division that handles field erection for large-diameter floating roof tanks. Because every phase runs through T BAILEY LLC, the project stays under one quality standard from the first weld to final field installation, with no handoffs to outside contractors.

For tanks that require repair, retrofit, or scheduled maintenance on an existing floating roof, T BAILEY LLC also provides tank repair and maintenance services through our field operations team.

Certifications and Quality Control

T BAILEY LLC maintains the certifications required to fabricate and construct floating roof tanks for regulated petroleum and industrial storage applications. Our floating roof tank fabrication credentials include:

  • API 650 certification: The governing standard for welded tanks used in petroleum storage, including Appendix C for external floating roofs
  • AWS D1.1 certification: Structural welding code compliance across all tank fabrication
  • AISC Certified Fabricator: With all three Sophisticated Paint Endorsements
  • SSPC QP3 certification: For in-house surface preparation and coating application
  • CWB Certification: For projects serving the Canadian market

Quality control across every floating roof tank project is overseen by our in-house AWS Certified Welding Inspectors. The testing and inspection process covers every stage of production, including visual inspection with step-by-step process monitoring, positive material identification (PMI), blast and lining profile measurement, dry film thickness (DFT) testing, environmental monitoring, adhesion testing, and lining continuity (holiday) testing.

Additional non-destructive examination methods, including radiographic testing (RT) and ultrasonic testing (UT), are performed based on project and code requirements.

These certifications, coupled with in-house inspection and testing at every stage, ensure that every floating roof tank meets applicable code requirements and performs reliably from the day it enters service.

Start Your Floating Roof Tank Project

T BAILEY LLC has fabricated and constructed floating roof tanks for clients across the oil and gas, fuel storage, chemical processing, and marine sectors. Our Anacortes, Washington facility is located 5 miles from a deep-water port, 7 miles from a rail spur, and 10 miles from Interstate 5, giving clients flexible shipping options for oversized floating roof storage tank components.

Contact T BAILEY LLC today to discuss your floating roof tank fabrication and construction requirements and how we can support your scope through field installation.

Services

Construction

Our roots in industrial construction have given us the experience your project needs.

Coatings

With a ride range of coating abilities, our industrial painting division can provide the surface preparation and coatings your project needs.

Main Equipment

Our facilities are geared to the fabrication of AWWA and API field-erected welded steel storage tanks, UL and API shop tanks, pressure vessels, AWWA C200 water pipe, wind energy towers, large plate exhaust duct, and large diameter casing. Fabricated materials can be primed and painted before being shipped directly to a client’s job site, or tied in with our construction division. We also have tank repair services.

  • 4-roll hydraulic plate bending rolls, up to 2.75” x 10’-0 wide plate
  • CNC plasma cutting machines, 11’ x 50’ water tables
  • Numerous tandem head welding manipulators
  • Numerous single head welding manipulators
  • Tank/vessel turning roll sets, up to 100-ton capacity
  • Automated blasting system
  •  Blask booth 25’ x 120’
  • Paint Booth 25’ x 120’
  • Iron workers
  • Several overhead bridge cranes, up to 50 tons capacity
  • Welding power sources for most welding processes
    • SAW
    • FCAW
    • SMAW
    • GMAW
    • GTAW
    • EWS
  • Angle iron bending rolls
  • 3 O’clock automatic welders
  • Press brake
  • Multiple forklifts, up to 55 tons capacity
  • RT hydraulic cranes, up to 60-ton capacity
  • Scissor and snorkel personnel lifts
  • Extended boom forklifts
  • Dozer and excavators
  • Long haul trucks and trailers
  • Vertamatic welder
  • 5-axis CNC contour beveling plasma cutting table

Projects

Quality Control Certifications

As part of our commitment to quality, we work toward continuous improvement and maintain compliance with industry codes and standards.

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What can we do for you?

Through experience, innovation, and planning, T BAILEY LLC delivers each project on budget, with unmatchable quality, and precise timing. Contact us and see how we can help you complete your project.