Aluminum Pontoon Floating Roof Systems

Sandborn Roofs is the authorized Canadian distributor of the Baker Altech Pontoon Internal Floating Roof System (IFR). The Altech IFR system is an API 650 - Appendix H compliant pontoon style floating roof system used primarily in light-duty / refined product storage applications.

Altech IFR systems are available in all Aluminum, all Stainless Steel or mixed Aluminum Skin with Stainless Steel Wetted Parts (hybrid). Altech IFR's are compatible with most refined products, including Ethanol.

Altech IFR systems include:

  • Adjustable Aluminum Leg or Stainless Steel Adjustable Cable Supports
  • Double Wiper or Altech 'Mini-Shoe' Perimeter Seal Systems
  • Aluminum or Stainless Steel Structural Pontoons
  • Can be installed through a standard 20" API Man way

Altech IFR Technical Specifications

The Altech IFR is an aluminum structure consisting of a series of interconnected hollow tubular pontoons surfaced with aluminum sheets. When landed, the IFR is supported on adjustable legs situated between pontoon sections and on 10' centers on the perimeter. The flat surface panels are laid out on a supporting grid work of extrusions with the edges overlapped and clamped in a vapour tight, metal-to-metal joint by an extruded butt strap and stainless steel fasteners. The peripheral seal is normally a polyurethane, closed cell foam. However, other materials are available as required. The seal is clamped in place with bolts and clamps to ensure a vapour-tight seal.

Installation Specifications

  1. Tank Access
    All Altech IFR components can be moved into a tank through a 20" man way. Special arrangements can be made for smaller or irregular tank openings.
  2. Installation Crews
    Installation work will be done by trained crews working under an experienced supervisor and will be in strict accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

Standard Features

  • Deck Man way/Vent (Vacuum relief device)
  • Column Negotiators, 24" Diameter wells
  • Roof-mounted combination air scoops/inspection hatches
  • Peripheral Seal
  • Gauging Unit
  • Grounding Cables
  • Anti-rotation system
  • Adjustable legs
  • Double strength ladder pad
  • Stainless Steel Leg Pads

Optional Equipment

  • Auto Gauge Float Well
  • Oversized column negotiators (to accommodate larger columns)
  • Center Vent on tank roof
  • Ladder Gauge Pipe Combination (aluminum or steel)
  • OSHA safety climbing devices for ladder
  • Gauge Pipe (aluminum or steel)
  • Floating suction lines
  • Tank modifications and repairs
  • Primary-Secondary seal combinations
  • Inlet line diffuser
  • Special seal materials
  • Walkways
  • Jet mixer baffles
  • Foam dams
  • Deck Drains
  • Other special accessories as required
Material Specifications

All material used in the manufacture of the Altech IFR will be new, first-quality materials manufactured and fabricated in accordance with applicable government and industry specifications.

  1. Surface Paneling
    Alloy - Alloy 3105
    Configuration - Flat coiled sheet
    Thickness - .020" x 60" wide
    Tensile Strength - 19,000 psi (minimum) Ultimate
    Note: .023", .032" thickness available as option (Allow 3004)
  2. Pontoons
    Shape - 8" or 10" diameter tubing
    Alloy - Alloy 3004 Series
    Thickness - .050" minimum
    Tensile Strength - 25,000 psi Ultimate
    End Caps - All Pontoons
    Alloy - Alloy 5052
    Configuration - Flanged plate
    Thickness - .100"
    Tensile Strength - 30,000 psi Ultimate
    End Brackets
    Alloy - Alloy 5052, 6061-T6
    Configuration - Welded double-gusseted
    Thickness - .125"
    Tensile Strength - 33,000 psi Ultimate
  3. Legs
    Alloy - Alloy 6063-T6, 6061-T6
    Configuration - 1 1/4" Sch.5 Pipe or 2" Sch.5 Pipe
    Tensile Strength - 30,000 psi (6063-T6) minimum
    Note: 300 Series SS Legs available as option
  4. Miscellaneous Extruded Parts
    Alloy - Alloy 6063-T6, 6061-T6
    Configuration as required - Extruded
    Tensile Strength - 30,000 psi Ultimate
  5. Seal, Peripheral
    (Materials may vary to suit the stored product and field conditions)
    Seals - Microcellular Closed Cell Urethane Wiper, Tapered 5/8" x 1/8" x 12" wide.
    Special Seals
    Extruded Closed Cell Buna-N (High Nitrile)
    Configuration - Tapered 1 1/2" x /2" x 12 1/2" wide.
    Extruded EPDM
    Configuration - Tapered 5/8" x 1/8" x 12" wide
    Surlyn® Wiper Seal
    Cross-linked lonomer Resin
    Configuration - Tapered 1 1/4" x 1" x 12 1/2" wide
    Special coated fabrics over flexible core to suit stored products or existing seals (i.e. Teflon, Viton, Butyl Rubber).
    All of the aforementioned seals available with matching secondary seal option.
  6. Fasteners
    1. Stainless Steel bolts and aluminum nuts at all structural points Grade 18-8
    2. Stainless Steel indented Hex Head tapping screws
    3. Appurtenances and other non-structural points (i.e. column negotiator plates, air valve and gauge unit.)

Altech IFR Design Specifications

  1. Structure
    Supporting structure and surface covering of the ALTECH IFR's are designed to ensure that all stresses fall within the acceptable limits for the material used when subjected to a uniform load of 500# over 1 sq. ft. anywhere on the deck's surface. The IFR is capable of supporting this load both while floating or when landed and receiving no buoyancy from the pontoons. When landed, the IFR support legs and structure are designed to carry a uniformly distributed load of 12.5 psf over the entire surface.
  2. Supports
    The Altech IFR has supporting legs which are adjustable from the topside while in service. Leg length normally provides at least 7'-0" of clearance between tank and the underside of IFR sheeting, for maintenance purposes. Legs are adjustable to the desired normal operating level for each location. (This will normally fall between 3' & 4'). Support legs will be located so as to clear all obstructions horizontally by at least 12".
  3. Buoyancy
    The Altech IFR pontoon system provides 100% excess flotation and structural rigidity to allow 2 persons (total wt. 500#) to walk side-by-side anywhere on the roof without surface becoming awash with product. For roofs less than 30' in Diameter this criteria may be waived subject to agreement by the purchaser.
  4. Floatation
    ALTECH IFR flotation units are of a type that will not allow it to sink in the event that up to two adjacent pontoons are punctured or ruptured.
  5. Seals
    Peripheral and other seals are designed to remain in full contact with the mating tank components throughout the entire travel span of the IFR. Provisions can be made to ensure seal contact with the tank wall at points of irregularity such as bulges, out of roundness, or in case the tank is leaning. Recommended seal materials will remain sufficiently resilient under operating conditions to maintain good contact and will not deteriorate under prolonged exposure to the stored product or its vapors.
  6. Air Valve (for vacuum relief)
    Each ALTECH IFR will be equipped with an air valve which will open automatically to allow passage of air when necessary. Valve will remain closed at all times except during the actual transfer of product with the IFR landed and is designed to pass air at a volume rate greater than the prescribed filling or emptying rate.
  7. Drains
    The ALTECH IFR will be equipped with sufficient siphon-type drains to prevent retention of liquid on the top surfaces. The drain pipes will extend into the product at least 4" and will normally be 5/8" diameter for refined product and 1"¡" diameter for crude oil applications.
  8. Anti-Rotation System
    An anti-rotation system consisting of one cable and guide will be provided with each Altech IFR operation. In high turbulence applications, additional cables can be added if so specified.
  9. Electrical Grounding
    Each Altech IFR will be electrically grounded to the tank by two lines of stranded 1/6" flexible stainless steel wire rope attached to the IFR at widely separated points and to the tank roof by means of a corrosion resistant compression type connection. The entire IFR will be continuously conductive electrically, except for the peripheral seal to minimize the chance of static charges building up to sparking potential.
  10. Gauging
    A sealed opening for gauging purposes will be installed on the IFR directly beneath the gauging hatch on the tank roof.
  11. Float Guide (optional, to accommodate ground level gauge)
    A covered float well may be installed in each Altech IFR directly below the tape nozzle on the tank roof. It will permit the level gauge float to move freely, but guided, to within a prescribed distance from the tank floor as emptying continues with the IFR landed. The float well is designed to be easily removed for inspection purposes and also to prevent damage to the IFR, should the gauge tape mechanism jam.
  12. Column Negotiators
    Each ALTECH IFR will have negotiating devices for fixed internal tank components such as roof support columns, gauge pipes or ladders which penetrate the IFR. These devices will provide clearance of at least 4 1/2" between the tank component and the structure of the IFR. The resultant opening around the tank component will be covered with a sliding plate containing a flexible seal made to conform closely to the shape and size of the penetrating tank member so as to minimize the escape of vapors.
  13. IFR Man way
    IFR will have at least one man way to provide passage between the top and bottom sides for maintenance purposes. The opening will be at least 2.5 sq. ft.
  14. Tank Ventilation
    The air space between the IFR surface and the tank roof will be ventilated with ventilators having a total open area equal to or greater than .2 sq. ft. per foot of tank diameter, as recommended in API 650, Appendix H. This ensures there will be no build up of hazardous vapours and is in compliance with all applicable air pollution control regulations.
  15. Double Strength Ladder Pads
    IFR to be supplied with a ladder when specified. If a ladder is not supplied, a landing pad to be provided.

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