What is the purpose of tank Dykes?

• A. To minimize wind uplift on the tank
• B. Design to contain the entire contents of a tank in the event of a leak/rupture. Rainwater must be removed promptly to ensure containment.
• C. To provide additional storage space for rainwater
• D. To help with heat transfer

Answer: (B)

Tank dykes are there to provide secondary containment around a storage tank. They form a barrier that holds the tank’s contents in case of a leak or rupture, protecting the surrounding soil and water from contamination. Rainwater that pools in the dyke reduces the available space needed to contain the full contents, so it must be pumped out promptly to maintain the dyke’s effectiveness. The primary purpose is to contain the tank contents, with rainfall management as an essential maintenance practice to ensure containment is not compromised. Wind uplift and heat transfer are not functions of the dyke, and providing extra storage for rainwater is not the purpose either.