UL 2085 is the standard for protected aboveground tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. A UL 2085 tank, also called a protected aboveground storage tank, is a shop-fabricated, aboveground atmospheric tank designed with added protection features, including enhanced fire protection, integral secondary containment, and impact protection. UL 2085 tanks are commonly used where additional protection is needed for aboveground fuel or liquid storage applications.
What Is UL 2085?
UL 2085 is a standard for protected aboveground storage tanks used to store stable flammable or combustible liquids. The standard applies to shop-fabricated, aboveground atmospheric protected tanks intended for liquids that are compatible with the tank’s material and construction.
A UL 2085 tank is designed to provide more than basic aboveground storage. UL identifies UL 2085 protected tanks as tanks that offer enhanced fire resistance, integral secondary containment, and impact protection.
In practical terms, UL 2085 is often associated with fire-protected aboveground storage tanks used for fuels and other flammable or combustible liquids. These tanks are used when a project requires additional protection from fire exposure, physical damage, and releases from the primary tank.
STI/SPFA’s FIREGUARD® technology is a UL 2085 listed protected tank. FIREGUARD® tanks include ballistics and impact protection per UL 2085, inner and outer steel tanks built to UL standards, and compliance with NFPA 30, NFPA 30A, the International Fire Code, and STI Standard F941 for Protected Aboveground Storage Tanks.
How Does a
UL 2085 Tank Work?
A UL 2085 tank works by combining aboveground liquid storage with additional protective features. These features help limit heat transfer during fire exposure, provide containment beyond the primary tank, and protect the tank from certain types of physical damage.
In many UL 2085 tank systems, the primary tank stores the liquid, while the protected tank construction provides secondary containment and thermal protection. The added protection helps improve the tank’s performance under fire and impact conditions compared with a standard aboveground atmospheric storage tank.
The exact tank design depends on the listed system, manufacturer, project specifications, stored product, tank capacity, installation location, and applicable code requirements.
Common Types of
UL 2085 Tank Applications
Fuel Storage Tanks
UL 2085 tanks are commonly used for aboveground fuel storage applications involving flammable or combustible liquids. These applications may include gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, generator fuel, or other compatible liquid fuels.
FIREGUARD® Tanks
FIREGUARD® is STI/SPFA’s protected aboveground storage tank technology. FIREGUARD® is UL 2085 listed as a protected tank and includes fire, impact, and ballistic protection per UL 2085.
Jet Fuel
Storage Tanks
UL 2085 FIREGUARD® tanks are used in aviation fuel storage applications. STI/SPFA’s Product Award examples include UL 2085 FIREGUARD® jet fuel storage tanks used for airport projects, including large aboveground fuel storage installations.
Generator
Fuel Tanks
UL 2085 tanks may be used for generator fuel storage where aboveground storage is needed and project conditions call for protected tank construction.
Fleet Fueling and Facility Fuel Storage
UL 2085 tanks may be used for fleet fueling, commercial fueling, industrial facilities, municipal operations, and other sites where aboveground fuel storage must meet applicable fire code, environmental, and safety expectations.
Why Is UL 2085 Important?
UL 2085 is important because flammable and combustible liquid storage can create fire, environmental, and safety concerns. A UL 2085 protected tank provides additional performance features beyond basic aboveground atmospheric tank construction, including enhanced fire resistance, integral secondary containment, and impact protection.
For owners, engineers, and code officials, UL 2085 helps identify tanks that have been evaluated as protected aboveground tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. This can be important when evaluating site layout, fire exposure risk, separation distances, fuel storage needs, environmental protection, and compliance with applicable codes.
UL 2085 is also important because the term “protected tank” has a specific meaning. A tank should not be described as UL 2085 listed unless it is listed to the UL 2085 standard as part of an evaluated protected tank system.
Where Are UL 2085 Tanks Used?
UL 2085 tanks are used in aboveground storage applications for stable flammable and combustible liquids. Common applications include fuel storage, aviation fueling, backup generator fuel systems, fleet fueling, commercial fueling, industrial facilities, and other locations where aboveground protected tank storage is needed.
UL 2085 tanks are commonly considered when fire protection, secondary containment, impact protection, site constraints, or code requirements make a protected aboveground tank appropriate.
UL 2085 vs.
UL 142
UL 142 and UL 2085 both apply to shop-fabricated aboveground storage tanks, but they are not the same standard.
UL 142 applies to steel aboveground tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. UL 2085 applies to protected aboveground tanks and includes additional performance features such as enhanced fire resistance, integral secondary containment, and impact protection.
A UL 142 tank may be appropriate for many aboveground storage applications. A UL 2085 tank is used when the project requires a protected aboveground tank. The correct choice depends on the stored product, site conditions, code requirements, fire exposure considerations, environmental requirements, and project specifications.
Key Design and Installation Considerations
Selecting a UL 2085 tank requires more than choosing a tank capacity. The tank must be appropriate for the stored liquid, installation location, code requirements, and operating conditions.
Important considerations include stored product compatibility, tank capacity, fire code requirements, secondary containment, venting, emergency venting, spill control, impact protection, foundations, supports, anchoring, access, inspection, maintenance, and site layout.
Emergency venting is especially important for shop-fabricated aboveground storage tanks. STI/SPFA provides a resource on selecting an emergency vent for shop-fabricated UL 142 and UL 2085 aboveground storage tanks.
Installation requirements may also depend on the authority having jurisdiction, applicable fire code, environmental regulations, local ordinances, and project specifications.
Standards and Requirements to Know
UL 2085 is the standard for protected aboveground tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. UL describes UL 2085 protected tanks as providing enhanced fire resistance, integral secondary containment, and impact protection.
UL 142 is another important aboveground storage tank standard. It applies to steel aboveground tanks for flammable and combustible liquids and is often compared with UL 2085 when selecting the appropriate tank type.
NFPA 30, NFPA 30A, the International Fire Code, state and local fire codes, and project specifications may also apply. FIREGUARD® tanks are identified by STI/SPFA as meeting UL 2085, NFPA 30, NFPA 30A, the International Fire Code, and STI Standard F941 for Protected Aboveground Storage Tanks.
Common Misunderstandings
Is UL 2085 the same as UL 142?
No. UL 142 and UL 2085 are different standards. UL 142 applies to steel aboveground tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. UL 2085 applies to protected aboveground tanks and includes additional protection features such as enhanced fire resistance, integral secondary containment, and impact protection.
Does UL 2085 apply to underground
storage tanks?
No. UL 2085 applies to shop-fabricated aboveground atmospheric protected tanks for flammable and combustible liquids.
Is every double-wall tank a UL 2085 tank?
No. A double-wall tank provides secondary containment, but that alone does not make it a UL 2085 protected tank. A UL 2085 tank must be listed to the UL 2085 standard as a protected aboveground tank.
Is every fire-protected tank a FIREGUARD® tank?
No. FIREGUARD® is STI/SPFA’s protected aboveground storage tank technology. FIREGUARD® tanks are UL 2085 listed protected tanks, but the term FIREGUARD® refers to a specific STI/SPFA technology.
FAQs
Related Resources
FIREGUARD®
UL 142 vs. UL 2085 Aboveground Storage Tanks
Aboveground Storage Tank FAQ
STI Technologies
STI Standards
F921®
Fireguard Product Sheet
Fireguard Test Information
Learn more about STI/SPFA members and resources related to fire-protected aboveground storage tanks, UL 2085 protected tanks, and steel tank fabrication.
Explore related technical resources or connect with STI/SPFA to find member companies serving aboveground storage tank applications.
