Can I pour a driveway over my buried 500 gallon propane tank? I am building a shop in my backyard and want to pour a driveway along the side of my house to the shop. My plan was to leave access (obviously) and just add a man hole cover in the driveway. Any issues with this?

As a chemical engineer, we tend to not put things in the ground that are flammable.

If we have to, we will. But we will not cover it.

If there is a cover, it is 100% removable and safe
Think steel doors.

If you have a leak, propane will collect down there to a spark comes. Then you'll have a bigger problem on your hand.


Another source to check is NFPA. I would think propane companies would not fill a buried residential tank. But that's me.

~egon

The risk is any leak or issue with the tank will cause a complete driveway demolition and rebuild over the area.

To the previous poster, propane tanks are routinely buried in residential applications to avoid the eye sore. I have a 1,000 gallon tank coming in two weeks to be buried for a new build home. Much more labor and cost but you won't see anything besides the fill cover.

I am not sure about getting it filled etc, but I would not do this. It just makes any problem in the future that much worse. I have a 500 above ground. We put it next to the well house, and you really don't even notice it.

Propane tanks are routinely buried is residential applications.

Dr. Doctor said:

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As a chemical engineer, we tend to not put things in the ground that are flammable.

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Gas stations do it all the time.

As with anything, it's all about the installation.

I've got a 500gal buried and love it, propane companies have a certain way of doing it to make it safe.

If it was me I would make that slab removable like you would with a septic tank? I've got a big 600 gal septic tank that's all concrete, and the top looks like it is removable.

The issue that I see is how are you going to refill it. I have buried propane tanks at my home and my ranch but there still is an access to refill above the ground. I guess if you have a way to fill it then go for it.

Yeah, plan on leaving a man hole cover

I am not recommending you do this. However, if you do then you should plan ahead. Go ahead and bury a PVC pipe that a new propane line can run inside of under the driveway. This way you can abandon the old tank if needed and bury a new one further out.

Quote:

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Underground Propane Tank Protection
Because underground propane tanks are exposed to a completely different set of conditions and elements, certain precautionary and protective measures must be in place to prolong the service life of an underground propane tank.

Propane Tank Cathodic Protection - The earth a natural electric current that occurs in water and land alike. These electrical currents have an adverse affect on metal objects that are in the ground or in the water. This adverse affect is called electrolysis and will literally drill a small hole through a metal object. Underground propane tanks are subject to electrolysis and need to be protected to avoid the deteriorating effect that results. To protect a tank from electrolysis, an anode bag is attached by wire to the tank and placed in the hole with the tank before it is covered with backfill. This sacrificial anode bag absorbs the electrical currents in the earth that would have ordinarily targeted the tank resulting in damage to the container. In short, the sacrificial anode bag acts as a "decoy" for the damaging currents that can harm a tank in an underground environment.

Propane Tank Coating and Backfill - The outer surface of an underground propane tank is in constant contact with an environment that can be extremely damaging. For this reason the outer surface of the container must have a protective coating and be covered with a material that will not be harmful to the shell of the underground propane tank. Although propane tanks designed for underground use are coated with a protective material at their point of manufacture, the container can be compromised during installation if the backfill is made up of rocks and/or abrasive materials. Underground tanks are designed to exist in harsh environments but if the backfill is made up of a material such as gravel (which can cut through the tanks protective coating), the anode bag may not adequately protect the tank from underground currents. For this reason, sand or firm earth free of rocks and abrasives should be used to cover an underground tank after installation.

Underground Tank Location - Underground propane tanks should be in a place where they are not going to be underneath any sort of vehicular traffic. For instance, a propane tank placed under where a driveway is to be installed is not a good idea and nor is it legal. The underground tank should be placed in a location where it is not going to be underneath anything other than dirt and earth.

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https://www.propane101.com/undergroundpropanetanks.htm

Doubtful that you'd be able to get a propane company to fill the tank if it is under concrete.

WhoopRAB said:

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How often do anode bags require replacement? Gulf coast area.

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Depends on what they used and the composition of your soil. I saw one site that designed the protection to last 30 years, but regular inspectons/testing are required. Basically, when you start failing tests, you need to replace the protection.

I read that new tanks should be tested @ six months after install and then every 3 yrs.

Also, if close to the coast you need to be concerned about the tank floating due to a high water table.