Repairing fiberglass tanks for fire trucks is a specialized task that should be performed by a professional team. This is because the tank on a fire truck is an essential part of its operation. Today, we witness fires due to advancements in factory industries. There is a high demand for FRP composite tanks and polypropylene tanks of high quality for firefighting missions. Fiberglass is a very durable material typically used for water tanks. Fiberglass usually does not break, crack, or leak. However, if tanks are punctured, depending on the type of crack and breakage, they should be repaired if possible. If the depth and location of the crack make repair impossible, the tank will lose its functionality. A common method for removing cracks in plastic tanks involves welding the tank with plastic strips. These plastic strips for welding tanks are shown in the image below.
Steps to Repair Fiberglass Tanks for Fire Trucks
To repair fiberglass tanks, the following steps should be taken:
- Drain the water from the tank and dry it completely. Remove dust and degrease the surface.
- Thoroughly sand the cracked area.
- Mix a type of epoxy thoroughly.
- Spread the epoxy over the area with a trowel to cover the cracked surface completely.
- Place fiberglass matting over the area and press it into the epoxy.
- Using a brush or trowel, apply another layer of epoxy to cover the area completely.
- Allow the epoxy to cure for 24 hours before using the water tank.
Visual Process of Fiberglass Tank Repair
As shown in the images below, a large crack and two holes (drilled for warranty inspection) have been repaired. The images below show a step-by-step process of repairing a real fiberglass tank. These two holes were drilled by the manufacturer’s representative to check the quality and thickness of the tank for warranty purposes. The lighter area visible below the crack is where the fiberglass layers are located underneath the faded spots. Multiple cracks can be clearly seen.
Using Fillers in Fiberglass Tank Repairs
For repairing and maintaining fiberglass tanks for fire trucks, fillers are used to fill cracks. These fillers are similar to putty. The fillers are placed between different layers of the fiberglass plastic tanks. These layers not only restore the integrity and cohesion of the tanks but also make the layers harder and prevent them from separating during the repair and restoration process. Just as the resin fibers absorb the filler, the filler also follows this process. The gray color seen in one of the images below is a layer of gel coat used in the repair.
