Versatile Tanks Installation Guide

The way we have designed and built the mould enables us to change the tanks to wine cellars and indestructible site sheds, magazines, or underground exchange. We can reduce the height of the tanks, increase lid thicknesses, and many more options.

Versatile Rectangular Underground Concrete Tanks Installation Guide.

You can download or print our installation guides by visiting the links below.

• Installation Guidelines
• Engineering specs 6700 litre
• VT-01 B 22500 litre Engineering design
• VT-02 Engineering 11700 litre tank
• VT-03 Engineering Installation

Your Versatile Tank is constructed of durable, robust materials so it will provide you with a water storage solution for many years. So that you get the most out of your rectangular underground tank, it is important to ensure that it is installed correctly.

Ensure that your Plumber or Builder receives a copy of these instructions and a copy of your local government approval (where applicable) before he or she commences any work.

Extract the excavation guidelines for your excavator driver.

The Versatile Tank Company recommends that the water from your Tank is only used as directed by your local water authority.

You must carefully read and follow these instructions as the Versatile Tank warranty on this Tank may be voided if not installed to manufacturer’s instructions.

The Versatile Tank designed especially for underground applications is guaranteed against faulty workmanship and materials for a period of 20 years.
The warranty is void if the Tank is not installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Versatile Tank may be installed for either:

1170. a) Light or medium residential ( AS1170.1.2002 table 3.1) or
1171. b) Industrial, commercial purposes

The Versatile Tank is capable of bearing loads up to 500 kilograms per square meter or 5KPA. If a heavier overhead load is required over the tank’s engineering specifications for increasing load, it is available.

Please choose the installation process appropriate for your proposed application. If in doubt, please call us or speak to your qualified engineer.
The Versatile Tank is modular in design, allowing for multiple tanks to be installed together providing additional rainwater storage capacity.

If you are installing multiple tanks, please ensure you follow the additional instructions relating to the installation of multiple tanks.

Before commencing work, you should complete the following checks:

• Check with your local municipal council and water authority to determine if any:
  • Permits are required for the installation or use of this tank;
  • Minimum set back distances from buildings and boundary fences apply;
  • Additional backflow prevention products are required to be added to mains supplied water.
• Ensure the proposed tank location complies with loadings specified in AS1170.1.2002 Table 3.1 (either Light Residential or Medium Residential, commercial or industrial).
• Ensure there is adequate access for the heavy equipment required for the installation. Access of greater than 2.5 metres is recommended but you should check this distance with the excavator and concrete suppliers.
• Check the location of services both underground and overhead (electricity, gas, sewer, telephone, mains water, and stormwater). You should be able to obtain plans of these services from your local authorities.
• Check that a downpipe can be suitably diverted to the proposed tank.
• Check that the tank is not to be installed in a low region that is prone to flooding, pooling of stormwater or tidal activity. (Alternative installations will need to be followed for this type of activity.)
• Check that your tank has been thoroughly inspected prior to leaving the manufacturing plant.

• Seek specialist geotechnical advice for any potentially complex site installation issues.
• You will require a crane onsite to unload tanks off the truck. It would be advisable to ask your chosen crane company to visit the site to determine access, overhead powerlines, and size of crane required as it all depends on your site.

• Check that the weather conditions are appropriate to commence installation. You should not install if:
  • Rain is forecast for that day.
  • Forecast temperature is greater than 32 degrees Celsius.
• You will require a pump system to pump the water from your tank. If the tank water is to be used in toilets, washing machines or high-pressure applications, a pressure pump with a working pressure of above 300 kpa is recommended. You should speak with a pump manufacturer for the most suitable pump for your particular application. You should purchase your pump prior to commencing the installation. Note that a licensed electrical contractor may be required for some installations.
• You will need to have stabilised backfill ordered and available for the installation of the tank. The slurry used for this installation must be a 10:1 slurry mix. The volume required for the installation is dependent on the excavation.

(A Guideline only) If excavated hole is for a:

• 22500 Litre Tank and hole is neat you will require approx. 5.6 cubic metres of slurry
• Estimated cubic meters of dirt to be removed if tank lid is to be a slab 33.62 cubes
• 11700 Litre Tank and hole is neat you will require approx. 4.02 cubic meters
• Estimated cubic meters of dirt to be removed if tank lid is to be a slab 19.68 cubes
• 6700 Litre Tank , hole is neatly dug you will require 2.6 cubic meters
• Estimated cubic meters of dirt to be removed if lid is a slab 13.5 cubes

There is no need to shovel the slurry. Aim the shute of the concrete truck straight into the hole. Ensure the slurry works its way around the base of the tank in all the excavated voids and up the tank walls.

You will need to have approximately 100mm deep of washed sand or crusher dust available for placement at the base of the excavation hole prior to lowering the tank into the hole. Ensure the sand or crusher dust is quite level at the base of the hole.

Undertake a site risk assessment and prepare a safe work method and plan.

Barricade the site and install safety signs.

Comply with all relevant OH&S/environmental regulations and Codes of Practice, including issues such as risk assessment, supervision, safety signs, barricades, excavation and shoring, dewatering, safe excavation clearance from structures/services, and use of lifting & handling.

Cranes must be operated by certified operators and a dogman may be required.

Tanks are to be lifted with a certified engineered rated spreader bar to ensure the chains do not damage the lid of the tank.

22500 litre tank weighs 12 ton dimensions are 2650mm high x 4400mm long x 2400mm wide

11700 litre tank weighs 7 ton dimensions are 2440mm high x 2400mm wide x 2400mm long

6700 litre tank weighs 4 ton dimensions are 1800mm wide x 2140mm high x 2100mm wide

The calculation of crane lifting accessories needs to be added when calculating the lift i.e. weight of spreader bar, crane lifting gear, chains etc. This is usually done by crane operators.

All lifting gear, including D shackles, must be safe and certified to the relevant standards.

Advise your chosen crane company that the tanks require 4 x 5 ton swift lift clutches. All tanks regardless of size have 4 x 5 ton swift lift pins installed into the walls of the tanks.

Excavation Guidelines for 22500 Litre Concrete Tank

Tank dimensions 2400mm wide x 2640mm high x 4400mm long

If placing 100mm slab over lid excavate down

2640 mm + 100mm slab depth + 100mm crusher dust or sand at base of hole = 2840mm deep

If burying tank with 300mm dirt over the lid

2640mm + 300mm soil depth + 100mm crusher or sand at base = 3040mm deep

Width of hole will need to be 2400mm wide + 200mm = 2600mm wide

Length of hole will need to be 4400mm long + 300mm = 4700mm long

If you need assistance calculating depth, please give us a call and ask for Ray on 0427 484 444 or 1300 783 344.

Excavation Guidelines for 11700 Litre Concrete Tank

Tank dimensions 2400mm wide x 2440m high x 2400mm long

If placing 100mm slab over lid excavate down

2440 mm + 100mm slab depth + 100mm crusher dust or sand at base of hole = 2640mm deep

If burying tank with 300mm dirt over the lid

2440mm + 300mm soil depth + 100mm crusher or sand at base = 2840mm deep

Width of hole will need to be 2400mm wide + 300mm = 2700mm wide

Length of hole will need to be 2400mm long + 300mm = 2700mm long

If you need assistance calculating depth, please give us a call and ask for Ray on 0427484444 or 1300783344.

Excavation Guidelines for 6700 Litre Concrete Tank

Tank dimensions 2100mm wide x 2140m high x 1800mm long

If placing 100mm slab over lid excavate down

2140 mm + 100mm slab depth + 100mm crusher dust or sand at base of hole = 2240mm deep

If burying tank with 300mm dirt over the lid

2140mm + 300mm soil depth + 100mm crusher or sand at base = 2540mm deep

Width of hole will need to be 2100mm wide + 300mm = 2400mm wide

Length of hole will need to be 1800mm long + 300mm = 2100mm long

If you need assistance calculating depth, please give us a call and ask for Ray on 0427 484 444 or 1300 783 344.

The following advice is applicable to any size concrete tank.

Do not over excavate. Only dig the required cut out.

Ideally a clean cut hole is best for installation of tank.

Clear all debris and obstructions from around the site.

Prepare excavator and concrete truck access.

Mark the rectangular excavation area as per the dimensions above.

Ensure that the tank will be positioned so that the riser – used for access and connection to services – is in the most convenient location.

Ensure that all minimum setback distances from buildings and boundary fences etc are achieved. You should consult a suitably qualified engineer if any nearby structure footings are to be underpinned. Submit our tank specifications to your engineer.

Ensure that the necessary barricades are in place to make sure unauthorised persons cannot get close to the excavation area.

Do not commence excavation if rain is forecast for that day.

Ensure the soil is removed to a safe distance away from the excavation hole and activity.

Ensure the hole is square (i.e. the sides are at 90 degrees to each other) and has a level base.

Angle the batter according to the soil conditions to ensure stability.

Ensure the base of the hole is smooth by removing any protruding objects, such as stone or rock, which may damage the tank.

Check for any evidence of soil contamination that may be hazardous and/or adversely affect the tank installation.

Important Note:

• The Versatile Tank 22500 litre weighs close to 12 ton
• The 11700 litre weighs 7 ton
• The 6700 litre tank weighs close to 4 ton

It is essential that the lifting equipment you use to install the tank must have a Safe Working Load that exceeds the sum of the tank weight plus the weight of the lifting gear. Remove any water from the excavation prior to tank installation.

Safely lift the tank with 4x 5 ton certified swift lift lugs using the pins moulded into the tank and using only safe, certified lifting equipment and a spreader bar to avoid chains damaging the tank lid.

Lift and slowly lower the tank into hole using suitable lifting equipment.

Centre the tank in the hole, ensuring the following minimum distances:

• A minimum 150mm gap between the battered wall and the tank wall is calculated in the excavation cut out.

Backfill the tank with 10:1 slurry mix using the Shute from concrete truck and aim it directly into the hole slowly, work the slurry around the base of the tank ensuring it fills all excavation voids. This assists in preventing surface water from working its way around tank. It assists in preventing uplift of tank.

Please Note:

Tanks should never be pumped dry in extreme wet conditions.

Calculations of the hydrostatic up lift are per HB230-2006 Rainwater tank design and installation handbook.

If 2 or more tanks are placed into a cavity together, please give the office a call and we will work out the excavation together to suit your site needs.

Please give us a call if you are in doubt about anything – we can help.

We have installed our concrete tanks in many difficult sites and had them modified to suit a huge variety of applications.

We have an engineer permanently available for assistance.

Call us: 1300 783 344 or Ray 0427 484 444

Or email us at info [@] versatiletanks.com.au if you have any queries or need any assistance.

Versatile Tanks – Australia-wide delivery