Stationary tank and container system certification
Fuel tanks, dispensers and process containers holding flammable liquids must be certified once they pass the threshold quantities. We inspect the tank and its system, and issue a stationary container system compliance certificate when it meets the requirements.
The system includes the pipework and dispensers
A stationary tank stores or supplies a hazardous liquid and stays in one place. A process container holds a hazardous substance while it is being made or used, such as a mixing container, a distillation column, a chemical drier or a dip tank. The system includes the pipework, fittings, dispensers and any burners connected to them.
Above the threshold quantities, the system must be certified by an authorised compliance certifier.
The tank system sets the term
The term depends on the system. Where a referenced standard sets an inspection frequency, that sets the validity period, and WorkSafe's safe work instrument on validity periods sets others. If nothing else applies, the certificate is valid for one year. A certifier can't shorten or extend the term.
We record your expiry date and remind you before the next inspection is due.
A tank that fails gets no conditional certificate
There is no conditional certificate for stationary container systems. If a system doesn't meet the requirements, the certifier must refuse the certificate and notify both the business and WorkSafe. A pre-inspection check finds problems before the certifier arrives. See compliance advice.
We certify tanks for flammable liquids up to 120,000 litres
Our authorisation covers the installation of above and below ground stationary tanks and container systems for flammable liquids (class 3.1), such as petrol, diesel and solvents, up to 120,000 litres per tank. That includes process containers, dispensers and installations burning class 3.1 liquids, and existing systems operating under a compliance plan.
We don't certify tank design or construction, tanks above 120,000 litres, or tanks holding gases such as LPG. If you need any of those, we'll say so and point you to the right certifier.