3 March 2026

The three golden rules for diesel tanks: safety, maintenance, and sizing

Fuel management in a company is a matter of operational strategy: often, in fact, the importance of a tank is only realized when a problem arises. An inspection that detects irregularities, a drop in vehicle performance due to impurities in the diesel, or machine downtime caused by a tank that is too small: just three precautions are enough to transform storage from a cost into a safe, functional, and long-lasting resource.

1. Safety and Compliance

The first precaution concerns legal peace of mind and environmental protection. Using tanks that are not up to standard or lack the necessary certifications exposes the company not only to heavy fines that can compromise the budget but also to risks of contamination. The choice of material and protection systems is the first step for professional management.

• Material choice: Galvanized steel is the gold standard for fuels because it resists atmospheric corrosion better than other materials, ensuring that the structure does not deteriorate prematurely.
• Double-wall systems: For underground tanks, the double wall with an interstitial space is the only way to monitor potential leaks and prevent soil infiltration.
• Containment basins: If the installation is above ground, the tank must be paired with a basin with a capacity equal to 110% of the tank’s volume.
• Active devices: Leak detection sensors, automatic alarms, and anti-overflow devices are not optional, but necessary tools to signal anomalies before they turn into environmental or economic disasters.

2.Proactive Maintenance and Digital Monitoring

A tank is not a static object; it is a system that interacts with the fuel. Over time, temperature changes create condensation, which settles at the bottom, favoring the formation of sludge and mold that damage the engines of the vehicles being refueled.

For maintenance to be truly effective, it is advisable to follow these steps:

• Periodic cleaning: An annual check and professional cleaning of the bottom prevent the suction of impurities and contaminants.
• Digital Monitoring: The integration of monitoring systems like DICAM LEVEL allows for an analytical view of stocks in real-time, identifying abnormal drops or unauthorized withdrawals immediately. Governing data means securing your investment.
• Control of accessories: Checking the efficiency of vent valves and overfill prevention devices is essential to avoid mechanical stress on the structure during filling.

3. Strategic Sizing 

Buying a tank “by eye” is a common mistake. Correct sizing must follow the UNI EN 12285-2 standard and be based on an analysis of average consumption, adding a safety margin (10-20%) to absorb seasonal peaks or supply delays.

To avoid calculation errors, we suggest evaluating three factors:

• Needs analysis: consider the daily consumption of all vehicles and multiply it by the number of days between each refueling.
• Safety margin: we always recommend planning for a capacity that is 10-20% higher than the base calculation. This ‘buffer’ helps manage seasonal peak workloads or potential delays in fuel delivery.
• Accessibility and Layout: The design of the layout must guarantee impeccable accessibility for refueling vehicles to never slow down operations. In Di Camillo Serbatoi, we do not just provide products: we build custom infrastructures designed to adapt to the specific logistics of your company.

The solidity of one’s business also passes through the efficiency of these systems. Every company has different spaces and work rhythms, and this is where consultancy becomes the winning weapon to avoid waste.

For over sixty years, Di Camillo Serbatoi has not just produced tanks: we design custom infrastructures, intended to solve specific logistical issues and last over time.

Do you need a solution built around the real needs of your company? Contact us for a technical consultation and discover our customized tanks.