As a UKAS accredited company and members of many leading industry bodies, you can be rest assured your inspections are carried out safely, efficiently and with attention to detail by our certified engineer surveyors.
What are our Storage Tank Inspection Services?
If you store oil, chemicals, gas or other hazardous substances, the long-term safety and reliability of your chemical storage tanks is critical to protect people and the environment.
With nationwide coverage and decades of multi-industry expertise, our certified engineer surveyors deliver thorough inspections and testing for both above-ground and underground tanks. Working around your schedule, we help ensure your tanks’ safety and compliance with the HSG 176 Storage of Flammable Liquids in Tanks, Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH), Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) and other applicable standards.
From visual internal and external tank inspections to in-depth non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques. We identify defects, detect signs of corrosion and pinpoint any deterioration in your storage tanks, and provide clear, comprehensive inspection reports that outline any necessary repairs or remediations.
Help get peace of mind over the safety, performance and compliance of your storage tanks. Talk to the one of the trusted providers of storage tank inspections.
Why do you need Storage Tank Inspections?
The structural integrity of your storage tanks is the difference between a safe, secure establishment, and one that threatens your people and the environment.
Regular risk-based inspections, testing and regulatory audits are vital to confirm your storage tanks and connected safety systems are fit for purpose. From reducing the potential of leaks to maintaining asset longevity, our above-ground and underground tank inspections are key to keeping your employees and premises safe.
Furthermore, enforcing authorities such as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Health & Safety Authority (HSA) and the Environment Agency (EA), are placing much greater emphasis on the integrity of storage tanks. Non-compliance can carry significant fines and penalties, and even prosecution should accidents occur.
Through our comprehensive testing and inspection services, you can rely on the expertise of our engineer surveyors to confirm the stability of your industrial storage tanks and help keep you compliant at all times.
Storage Tank Inspections: What we inspect
Our highly trained engineer surveyors inspect many types of oil, gas and chemical storage tanks across all industries.
Why choose Allianz for your Storage Tank Inspections?
Allianz is one of the largest independent providers of engineering inspections in the UK and Ireland. With extensive coverage and a dedicated team of engineer surveyors, we've earnt the trust of companies nationwide for over 100 years, helping them achieve compliance with health and safety regulations and legislation.
Committed to Engineering Excellence
Our qualified engineer surveyors deliver the highest levels of technical competence and precision. UKAS accredited, SAFed members, LRQA certified – we're an industry leader.
Responsive, reliable & flexible service
Working around your schedule to carry out inspections, with minimal disruption and a safety first culture. We always strive to be punctual and responsive.
Nationwide coverage, local knowledge
We’re one of the UK and Ireland’s largest independent inspection bodies, which means our engineer surveyors are local to you. We connect you with the right engineer based on your needs.
On-site digital reporting
Our inspection reports are compiled on-site and uploaded digitally, so you can access our findings and recommendations as soon as possible – enabling you to take action immediately.
Our 2025 inspection statistics
34,264
Customers across the UK
4,482,375
Items inspected
133,621
Locations visited
Get complete peace of mind over your storage tanks' compliance with all health and safety legislation. Speak to us - one of the UK's leading experts in engineering inspection services.
Our Storage Tank Inspection & Testing Services
We offer a range of external and internal tank inspection, testing and auditing services to support the ongoing safety and compliance of your storage tanks. Here’s a breakdown of the solutions we can provide for your business.
We start any storage tank inspection or test with a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) – an on-site risk assessment that identifies any immediate problems.
We provide detailed Written Schemes of Examination with all inspection information related to your storage tanks, ensuring your inspections meet all regulatory requirements.
With unrivalled attention to detail and technical competence, our thorough visual examinations locate issues affecting your storage tanks’ safety and compliance with EEMUA 159 guidance.
Employing a diverse range of NDT techniques, from remote visual inspections to thermal imaging, we deliver the most reliable tank integrity testing in the UK and Ireland.
We inspect your ladders, walkways, handrails and more connected to your storage tanks to ensure they comply with Work at Height regulations – identifying any defects and providing long-term safety recommendations.
Whether you’ve taken on new properties or want to review your current estate, our site compliance audits identify all storage tanks that must be examined under COMAH, COSHH, DSEAR and other regulations.
Looking for bespoke power press services or projects?
Our Power Press Inspection Process
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1. Arranging your appointment
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2. Preparing for our visit
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3. Conducting your inspections
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4. Compiling on-site reports
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5. Uploading reports to your Inspection Hub
1. Arranging your appointment
Your specialist engineer will contact you directly to arrange a convenient time to conduct your inspection or testing. Our certified engineer surveyors maintain their own diaries, providing flexibility to accommodate your inspection requirements.
2. Preparing for our visit
Between arranging your inspection and our arrival, we’ll provide you with specific instructions to prepare for our visit. This storage tank inspection checklist may include decommissioning equipment, stripping it down, cleaning it, cooling it, or assisting with providing access. Don’t worry, we’ll let you know exactly what needs to be done well in advance of our visit.
3. Conducting your inspections
On the day of our inspection, we’ll meet with your chosen duty holder(s) before examining and/or testing the relevant storage tanks. For health and safety reasons, your duty holder must be available on-site to meet our us and provide access to the relevant areas of inspection and equipment.
4. Compiling on-site reports
As they thoroughly examine and test your equipment, our specialist engineers will create detailed reports on-site. This ensures that you receive our findings and any recommended actions immediately. If any tanks require supplementary testing, this will be noted on your inspection reports and must be completed by the date provided by our practitioner.
5. Uploading reports to your Inspection Hub
Following our visit, you’ll be emailed a comprehensive inspection report. These reports can also be viewed online on your dedicated Inspection Hub (or eServices account for legacy customers). If you’d like to view your reports online but don’t currently have access to Inspection Hub, please get in touch.
Proud to work with...
Allianz is the trusted inspection provider for prominent organisations across the UK and Ireland.
We have no reservations in recommending Allianz based on our experience working with the team. Consistently over the months, we have ongoing excellent support and account management with regular touchpoints with our team, including scheduled review meetings focused on achieving improved quality of service.
The Allianz team is highly professional and knowledgeable. They always take the time to explain each step of the inspection process in detail, ensuring that we understand everything that’s going on. The results of our inspections are always delivered promptly and with great attention to detail. They provide excellent service and demonstrate exceptional expertise in their field. It’s an absolute pleasure to work with them.
Storage Tank Inspection Services FAQs
A storage tank is a vessel used to store or contain liquids, gases or hazardous materials in a controlled way. These materials can be toxic, flammable or may be affected by environmental conditions.
There are many types of storage tanks – fuel storage tanks, oil tanks, diesel storage tanks, water tanks – made from a wide range of materials, from carbon and stainless steel to high-density polyethene and glass-reinforced plastic.
Many storage tanks also have secondary containment systems as a second line of defence for preventing, controlling or mitigating major accidents.
Storage tanks inspection regulations include:
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998
- The Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) 2015
- The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002
- The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002
- The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001
- HSG 176 - The Storage of Flammable Liquids in Tanks
These frameworks ensure tanks storing hazardous materials are regularly examined to prevent environmental harm, leaks and compliance breaches.
The statutory examination frequency of storage tanks depends on several factors, including the tank type, contents, tank shell thickness, usage and specific regulatory requirements. This should be dictated by a storage tank’s Written Scheme of Examination (WSE).
Some general guidelines (where a specific WSE does not exist) are:
- Routine visual inspections should be carried out every 1-3 months by a competent engineer or inspector
- Above-ground storage tanks: Every 3-5 years, in line with EEMUA 159 guidance
- Underground tanks: Every 5-10 years, depending on corrosion risk
- For non-EEMUA tanks, such as stainless steel vessels, external tank inspections occur every 5 years, internal tank inspections every 10 years
If you have any questions or concerns about how often your storage tanks should be inspected, speak to our experts in COMAH, COSHH and DSEAR regulations.
We start with an initial on-site risk assessment, also known as a Risk-Based Inspection (RBI), to identify immediate problems. After, we deliver a comprehensive Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) outlining what you must have inspected, how frequently and the inspection procedure.
Then, working in accordance with your WSE, we inspect and test the condition of your storage tanks. This may include:
- Visual internal and external tank inspections
- Bund inspections
- Reactor vessel inspections
- Secondary containment assessments
- Foundation stability checks
- Ladder safety checks
- Pressure relief valve check
We also carry out non-destructive testing (NDT) for hard-to-see corrosion detection and leak identification, covering all bases to ensure your equipment and materials are safe and compliant with health and safety legislation.
The main difference between underground tank inspections and above-ground tank inspections is based on their location and accessibility.
As underground storage tanks are buried, direct visual inspection is impossible without excavation. We therefore rely on remote inspection methods and NDT techniques for our underground tank surveys to determine their safety and compliance.
Above-ground storage tanks are exposed, so our engineer surveyors can visually examine the tank shell, roof, base and fittings for signs of corrosion, leaks or structural damage.
Our NDT specialists utilise a wide range of techniques to determine the safety and integrity of your storage tanks, including:
Remote visual inspections
Remote visual inspection uses specialist cameras to access areas where direct entry is restricted, providing a recorded view of plant condition for risk‑based assessments.
Ultrasonic testing
Ultrasonic testing uses sound waves to detect surface‑breaking and subsurface defects and can quantitatively measure material thickness or weld integrity from one side only.
Magnetic particle testing
Magnetic particle testing identifies surface‑breaking defects in ferromagnetic materials such as welds, castings and wrought products.
Dye/liquid penetrant testing
Dye or liquid penetrant testing detects surface‑breaking defects in non‑ferrous and non‑magnetic materials, including stainless steel and plastics.
Eddy current testing
Eddy current testing detects surface and near‑surface defects in conductive materials and is commonly used for welds, condenser tubes and coating‑thickness checks without removing adhered coatings.
Thermal imaging
Thermal imaging uses infrared cameras to identify heat‑related abnormalities in plant or electrical systems, helping highlight issues such as overloads, poor connectivity or inefficient operation.
A Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) is a document for your storage tanks detailing what components require inspection and how often. It will typically outline:
- Equipment covered
- Inspection intervals
- Test methods used
- Acceptable limits of deterioration
- Record-keeping requirements
It serves as the official document guiding compliance for pressurised and hazardous substance tanks.
In some circumstances, yes. Some external inspections and NDT techniques can be performed while operations are ongoing.
However, for internal tank inspections and more extensive tank integrity testing, temporary shutdowns are often required. We can work with your team on plant shutdown coordination to minimise disruption for your customers or operations.
Common defects found during storage tank inspections include:
- Corrosion and pitting
- Weld seam degradation
- Cracking around supports
- Foundation instability
- Poor bund integrity
- Damaged or leaking pressure relief valves
Following EEMUA 159 guidance, our storage tank inspection and testing services identify any of these common problems before they can cause harm to your people or the environment.
Yes. Our engineer surveyors hold SAFed passports and adhere to EEMUA 159 standards.
Our digital inspection reports are accepted by the HSE and other regulatory bodies to prove compliance with COSHH, COMAH, DSEAR and other regulations.
Any organisation that needs to store large quantities of dangerous substances can be subject to tank maintenance and inspection requirements. Companies we provide our tank integrity testing services to include:
- Chemical and pharmaceutical plants
- Petrochemical factories
- Cosmetic and fragrance facilities
- Plastic and steel manufacturers
- Oil and gas refineries
- Food and beverage manufacturers.
Storage tanks often contain liquids, vapours and volatile materials, so corrosion of tank interiors and exteriors is a very real risk. Over time, this deterioration can form holes and breaches in your storage tanks, allowing the substances inside to leak out.
Too much damage can also cause your tanks to become unstable and burst under pressure, resulting in catastrophic leaks and major accidents. Overfilling containers can also cause leaks if you don’t leave enough room for the expansion of liquids at different temperatures.
The EEMUA stands for the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association – an organisation that provides valuable guidance on the service, inspection and maintenance of industrial assets, including storage tanks.
Their publication EEMUA 159 is regarded as the most complete user’s guide on above-ground vertical, cylindrical, steel storage tanks, and is used globally by regulators as a display of best practice for storage tank inspections.
For a thorough and accurate examination of your storage tanks, proper tank preparation and cleaning are essential. Residue, debris or contaminants can obscure defects, leading to an incorrect or incomplete evaluation.
We will advise you on what preparation and cleaning actions to take to enable our engineer surveyors to competently assess your storage tanks and connected safety systems.
In most circumstances, effective tank cleaning requires removing the contents to allow for a thorough internal inspection. For external inspections, you may not need to empty the tank.
Whether cleaning can be performed without emptying the tank will depend on factors such as the tank type, the material stored, and specific inspection requirements (for example, with sprinkler or fire water tanks). Our experienced team can provide expert guidance on the most suitable approach.
Common signs that your storage tanks are failing include:
- Leaks or seepage of hazardous substances
- Deforming or bulging of the tank
- Corrosion, erosion or rusting
- Cracks and splits
- Increased vibration or noise
- Odours or fumes emanating from the tanks
- Uneven foundations
- Softening, blistering or a change in colouration
If you notice any of these failure signs, please contact us urgently to set up a storage tank inspection or assessment.
As part of our thorough storage tank examinations, we will inspect the tank shell for damage, the roof for structural weaknesses, and the foundations for any cracks or instability. We will also review welds, joints, protective coatings, valves, vents and more to identify signs of fatigue, wear or improper function.
Delaying or forgoing your statutory storage tank inspections can have numerous safety, operational and financial repercussions:
- A greater risk of leaks, spills and accidents
- Expensive emergency repairs and replacements
- Injuries to workers, customers and others
- Inconvenient downtime and emergency shutdowns
- Environmental damage and contamination
- Fines, penalties and prosecution for noncompliance
More Special Services for Storage Tanks?
Looking for other pressure system inspections and specialist engineering services? We deliver a diverse range of bespoke inspection, testing and consultancy services for all types of pressure systems.
Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Inspections
From providing Written Schemes of Examination to on-site non-destructive testing of your vessels, we ensure your pressure systems storing dangerous substances comply with COMAH regulations.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) for Pressure Systems
From simple visual inspections to ultrasonic testing, we offer minimally intrusive NDT services to locate structural weaknesses in your pressure vessels, conducted by audited third-party specialists.
Written Schemes of Examination (WSE)
All owners of pressure systems operating above 0.5 bar or containing steam must put in place a Written Scheme of Examination. We provide and certify WSEs on your behalf in line with UK regulations.
Repairs to Pressure Vessels
Ahead of any repair to your pressure vessels, we can review your repairer’s proposal to confirm they meet all requirements, and conduct testing during and after repairs.
Industrial Steam Boiler Installations
Our specialist engineer surveyors deliver a detailed, documented site audit before your upcoming steam boiler installation against the requirements of ‘Guidance on Safe Operation of Boilers BG01’.
Witnessing Hydraulic Pressure Tests
We can act as an expert witness during testing of your hydraulic systems and components, confirming that these are done competently and in line with necessary safety standards.
Locomotive Inspections
Our professionals conduct thorough examinations of your steam locomotives – including through their overhaul cycle – to ensure these powerful machines operate safely, efficiently and compliantly.
Site Compliance Audits for Pressure Systems
If your business takes on new properties or wants to review your estate, we visit your site and create a detailed report of all pressure systems that must be inspected in line with PSSR regulations.
