Fire protection water storage tanks are one of the most compliance-critical decisions on any commercial or industrial project. Insurers, fire authorities, and building control increasingly require LPCB-approved fire sprinkler tanks before signing off a building. Specify the wrong tank and you risk failed inspections, voided insurance, and costly delays.
Franklin Hodge has been designing and manufacturing fire water storage tanks for over 50 years. Our Firestore® and Firetainer® ranges carry both LPCB and FM Global certification, giving specifiers and facility managers a proven route to compliance from day one.
What Does LPCB Approval Actually Mean for a Fire Water Storage Tank?
The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) is the UK’s leading independent body for testing and certifying fire protection products. When a fire protection water storage tank carries LPCB approval, it means the tank has been independently tested and certified to LPS 1276 Issue 2.0, the standard that governs the design, manufacture, installation, and commissioning of above-ground suction tanks for sprinkler systems.
This matters because standard water tanks are not a substitute for LPCB-approved fire sprinkler tanks. A Red Book-listed tank has been verified for structural integrity, corrosion resistance, and maintenance-free service life. Without that listing, insurers and fire authorities have no independent assurance the tank will perform when needed.
What Standards Do Fire Protection Water Storage Tanks Need to Meet in the UK?
There are several standards that specifiers and contractors need to be aware of when selecting a firefighting water storage tank. The key ones are:
- BS EN 12845 covers the design, installation, and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems in commercial and industrial buildings. It sets out requirements for water supply reliability, tank capacity, and refill rates (tanks must be capable of refilling within 36 hours).
- BS 9251 applies to residential and domestic sprinkler systems. It governs smaller-scale fire protection installations in houses, flats, and multi-occupancy buildings.
- LPS 1276 Issue 2.0 is the LPCB’s own certification standard for above-ground suction tanks. Tanks approved under this scheme meet the requirements for both single and superior water supplies under the LPC Rules.
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a legal duty on the Responsible Person to maintain adequate fire safety measures, including compliant water storage where sprinkler systems are installed.
For sites with international insurance requirements, FM Global approval may also be needed. Franklin Hodge’s Firestore® tanks carry both LPCB and FM certification.
How Much Water Storage Do You Need for Fire Suppression on Your Site?
Tank capacity is driven by your site’s hazard classification under BS EN 12845. The standard groups premises into light hazard, ordinary hazard (Groups 1 to 4), and high hazard (Process and Storage categories). Each classification determines the minimum water volume and flow duration your sprinkler system must deliver.
For a light hazard site, stored water requirements are relatively modest. Ordinary and high hazard classifications increase the required capacity significantly. Getting the calculation wrong at specification stage creates expensive problems, from undersized tanks that fail sign-off to oversized installations that waste budget and space.
Your sprinkler contractor or M&E engineer will calculate the exact requirement. Involve your tank supplier early, so the physical size, layout, and access requirements are factored in before the design is locked down.
Cylindrical or Sectional: Which Fire Protection Tank Fits Your Site?
Franklin Hodge manufactures two core fire protection tank types, each suited to different project conditions.
Firestore® tanks are cylindrical, site-assembled from high-grade galvanised steel panels with a tailor-made internal liner. They are LPCB and FM approved, designed for ease of installation, and built for long-life, low-maintenance performance. Firestore® tanks suit open external locations where a circular footprint works, and they can be engineered for high wind speed and seismic load conditions.
Firetainer® tanks are rectangular and sectional, assembled from galvanised steel panels bolted between steel sections. They are LPCB approved to a height of 5.35m, which exceeds comparable sectional rectangular tank systems on the market. Firetainer® tanks are the practical choice for basements, enclosed lofts, plantrooms, and sites where the available space is restricted or irregular. Their modular design means they can be configured to fit complex layouts and odd-shaped areas and encapsulate building support columns, that a cylindrical tank and other comparable systems simply cannot.
Both ranges use galvanised steel construction with internal liners, delivering the corrosion protection and durability that fire suppression tanks need to remain maintenance-free for a minimum of 10 years.
Why LPCB-Approved Tanks Speed Up Insurer and Authority Sign-Off
Specifying an LPCB-approved fire sprinkler tank removes a significant source of friction during project handover. Insurers recognise the Red Book listing as proof that the tank meets the required standard. Fire authorities accept it as evidence of compliance. Building control can reference the certification directly.
Franklin Hodge provides full compliance documentation and test certificates as standard with every fire protection tank installation. That means audit-ready records from day one, fewer queries during inspections, and reduced risk of insurance claim disputes later.
Need LPCB-Approved Fire Protection Tanks for Your Site?
Franklin Hodge has over 50 years of experience in fire protection water storage, with LPCB and FM certified solutions covering everything from large-scale cylindrical Firestore® tanks to space-saving sectional Firetainer® systems. Whether you are specifying for a new build, replacing an ageing tank, or need a solution for a restricted space, our team can help. Get in touch to discuss your fire water storage requirements.
