Franklin Hodge Surveys
At Franklin Hodge, we pride ourselves on providing industry-leading tank survey services tailored to meet the unique needs of each customer.
With decades of experience in manufacturing and maintaining water storage solutions, we offer a range of advanced inspection techniques, ensuring your tank remains in optimal condition without disruption.
We Offer Two Distinct Firefighting Water Tank Surveys:
Option 1
Remote Operated Vehicle -ROV Camera Inspection
Option 2
Drained Down
Physical Inspection
This is often referred to as a 10-year inspection and is recommended to be carried out as the tank approaches 10 years of service.
What an ROV Inspection Involves (2-Year Inspection)
An ROV survey is a comprehensive internal inspection carried out using a submersible underwater camera system.
Franklin Hodge uses industrial-grade ROV technology to inspect the interior of your tank while it remains full of water. This removes the need for draining and significantly reduces disruption to your operations – making it one of the most cost-effective ways to maintain compliance and protect your assets.
Our ROV inspections can identify
- Corrosion
- Leaks
- Sediment build-up
- Liner defects
- Structural issues
- Submerged accessories and internal pipework
You receive
- High-definition video Report
- A detailed visual assessment
- Expert recommendations from trained engineers
- Structural evaluation by qualified design engineers
Where silt accumulation is identified, we can return to deploy our ROV submersible vacuum system to remove silt from the tank base with minimal disturbance. The tank remains at full capacity throughout, avoiding draining and refilling costs, while services remain unaffected.
What a Physical Drained Down Inspection Involves (10-Year Inspection)
A drained down tank inspection survey is a comprehensive internal inspection carried out by entering the tank via the low-level access manway.
Our drained down inspections can identify
- The level of corrosion, particularly on the low-level internal connections
- Sediment build-up
- Liner defects
- Structural issues
You receive
- High-definition photos and written report
- A detailed visual assessment
- Expert recommendations from trained engineers
- Structural evaluation by qualified design engineers
Where silt accumulation is identified, we can remove the loose silt using a submersible pump and aqua vac if required. The tank will be out of operation during this procedure.
Ensuring Your Tank Meets Expectations
Fire water storage tank maintenance is governed by recognised industry standards and insurer expectations.
The Fire Protection Association Technical Bulletin 203 (TB203), published by the Fire Protection Association, is supported by BAFSA and the LPCB. It sets out best practice for the care and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems. Under the latest TB203 updates, fire tanks require regular internal inspection to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
Under Factory Mutual (FM) standards, tanks require annual inspections, with a more in-depth inspection carried out every five years in accordance with FM’s basic requirements.
Franklin Hodge ROV surveys are carried out within our ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System, with continual auditing by the British Standards Institute. Our inspection procedures are structured, documented and traceable.
Every survey provides:
- High-definition recorded evidence
- Formal inspection reporting
- Full traceability and audit trail
- Structural evaluation by qualified design engineers
- Documentation suitable for compliance and insurance review
A properly recorded inspection provides written evidence that your tank has been assessed in line with recognised guidance.
Choosing a provider without ISO 9001:2015 certification or relevant specialist accreditation can result in incomplete assessments, overlooked structural issues and potential compliance risk.
Why Choose Franklin Hodge?
Tank Inspections by the People Who Build Them
Franklin Hodge has been designing, manufacturing, and installing industrial storage solutions for over 50 years. We are not just inspection contractors. We are professional tank manufacturers with qualified design engineers on our team.
That means we understand your tank inside out.
Unlike providers who only conduct surveys, our engineers recognise small design and installation details that can be missed by those without manufacturing expertise. Minor issues can escalate if not identified by someone who understands how the tank was engineered to perform under load.
Book Your Tank Survey
Request an ROV survey for your tank inspection.
If you are an existing customer, you may already have an account set up.
OR
Book Your Tank Survey
Request an ROV survey for your tank inspection.
If you are an existing customer, you may already have an account set up.
Log InWhat Our Customers Say
“Fantastic footage and report, we are really pleased with the inspection and results. Once again I cannot thank you enough for this service, it will propel us here at Calor Neath with senior management and Engineering.”
What Our Customers Say
"Firstly thank you for such a prompt service, and thank you to the engineers who were very helpful, our customer was happy with the work they carried out."
What Our Customers Say
“Fantastic footage and report, we are really pleased with the inspection and results. Once again I cannot thank you enough for this service, it will propel us here at Calor Neath with senior management and Engineering.”
– ROV Survey Customer
"Firstly thank you for such a prompt service, and thank you to the engineers who were very helpful, our customer was happy with the work they carried out."
– ROV Survey Customer
Frequently Asked Questions
1Do we need to drain the tank?
For a 2-year inspection, no our ROV system allows a full internal inspection while the tank remains full, avoiding water wastage and operational disruption. For a 10-year drained down inspection, yes – the tank must be fully drained so our engineers can physically enter and assess the interior.
2How long does a survey take?
Up to two tanks on one site can often be completed within a day. Larger sites require a tailored programme.
3Will this help with TB203 and FM compliance?
Yes, our inspections are carried out in line with recognised guidance, and documented reporting supports compliance and insurer expectations.