Seismic Water Tanks

Seismic water tanks are storage tanks engineered to survive an earthquake and keep working afterwards. If your site sits in a seismic zone, an ordinary tank is a risk. You need one designed for the ground it stands on, with a strengthened shell and foundation anchoring that hold firm when the earth moves. Upon request Franklin Hodge has designed and installed tanks in earthquake-prone regions worldwide for over 50 years.

How Seismic Water Tanks Withstand Earthquake Forces 

When an earthquake strikes, the water inside a tank accelerates as a wave through the shock. That wave moves back and forth, creating uneven, asymmetric loads on the tank shell. A tank that is not anchored correctly can be torn from its foundations. Seismic water tanks manage this force through two things working together: a shell strengthened for the expected seismic loads, and specially designed holding-down bolts and anchors set around the base perimeter. Together they keep the tank stable and the stored water contained. 

Meeting FM and AWWA Seismic Design Requirements 

Seismic design is not one-size-fits-all. The right specification depends on the region, the local code, and how the site is classified. On request, we design tanks to meet Factory Mutual (FM) or AWWA seismic requirements, matched to the standards that apply where the tank will stand. One recent project in Eastern Europe stored over 1,000m³ and met FM’s ‘EQ 250 Years’ earthquake designation. Getting the design right protects both the asset and the people who rely on it. 

Where Seismically Designed Water Tanks Are Used 

Seismic protection matters most where a water supply must survive a disaster. Common applications include: 

• Fire water storage, where supply is needed to fight the fires that often follow a quake 
• Potable and drinking water storage for communities and facilities 

Our fire protection tanks safeguard critical infrastructure in high-risk regions, and where a supply is needed fast after an event, temporary and emergency water storage keeps clean water available. 

Tank Types Built for Seismic Load Conditions 

Our cylindrical ranges can be engineered for seismic load conditions. Galvanised Firestore® and aluminium Liquistore® cylindrical tanks suit open external sites, with marine-grade aluminium options for coastal locations. Both the Firestore® and Liquistore® ranges come in hot-dip galvanised steel or marine-grade aluminium, and every combination can be designed for seismic conditions, so the material is matched to the environment without losing seismic capability. Firestore® is our fire water tank, carrying LPCB and FM approval, while the WRAS-approved Liquistore® holds potable and drinking water. Both are site-assembled from durable panels and built to keep their contents contained through seismic movement. 

A Proven Record in Earthquake Zones Worldwide 

Franklin Hodge tanks stand in some of the most seismically active places on earth, from the Andes on the Chile and Argentina border to the Balkans, Italy, Hungary and Romania. Our in-house design team advises on the technical detail behind every project, including tanks for challenging environments with combined earthquake and high wind conditions. Decades of installations in these regions mean the design decisions are grounded in real-world performance, not theory. 

Talk to Our Team 

Every seismic project starts with the site, the risk classification, and what you need to store. Tell us about yours and our design team will specify a tank built to survive it. Request a quote and we will come back to you with the right solution.