A Story of Engineering Precision and Collaboration in Crescent City, Florida
In the quiet town of Crescent City, Florida, safety takes center stage at the local Junior/Senior High School – a place where hundreds of students, teachers, and staff gather each day. When the school district committed to upgrading its fire protection Tank infrastructure, the goal was clear: install a cyclonic-rated, NFPA 22-compliant fire protection tank capable of safeguarding the campus for decades to come.
But below the surface, a hidden challenge awaited.
While the site appeared straightforward, engineers soon discovered the soil beneath the school grounds was far from ideal. The area’s fine Blanton and Ortega sands – loose, low in organic matter, and quick to erode – made for a shaky foundation. In some zones, peat and muck soils added even more instability, unable to bear the weight of a 113,990-gallon water tank.
For most projects, that might have been a red flag.
For SBS Tanks USA, it was a call to engineer a solution.
Rather than relying on a standard concrete ring beam foundation, SBS Tanks USA initiated a deep collaboration with a team of mechanical, structural, and geotechnical engineers. Together, they reimagined how to safely anchor a large-capacity tank in soft, shifting soils.
What followed was a masterclass in engineering innovation and partnership. SBS Tanks guided discussions, educated stakeholders, and worked hand-in-hand with consultants to ensure every structural element met both NFPA 22 standards and Florida’s site-specific requirements.
The final design was completely customized: a foundation built on grouted helical piles, topped with a reinforced mat – a hybrid approach specifically engineered to stabilize the tank and prevent settlement in the years ahead.
It was, quite literally, a solid solution built on collaboration.
Once the foundation was ready, SBS Tanks USA installation team mobilized. Using its signature jacking system, the team erected the tank quickly and safely – without cranes, scaffolding, or unnecessary heavy machinery. In just four days, a five-person crew completed the installation with precision and professionalism. The result: a sleek, 113,990-gallon CY15R05 fire protection tank, designed to perform in cyclonic conditions and built to last. View other capacities in our range, here.
Every step reflected the SBS difference – efficiency, safety, and quality control underpinned by an ISO 9001-certified manufacturing process and independent engineer certification.
For Crescent City High School, the completed installation wasn’t just a compliance milestone – it was a commitment to protecting people, property, and learning continuity.
Today, the school’s new tank stands as a pillar of resilience, ensuring the fire protection system has a dependable water supply even under extreme weather conditions. Both the contractor and client praised the professionalism and expertise of the SBS team, whose proactive problem-solving made a complex challenge look effortless.
This project is more than a story of one tank installation – it’s a demonstration of how SBS Tanks turns challenges into opportunities for engineering excellence.
By adapting design to the environment and working collaboratively with local engineers, SBS ensured that Crescent City’s new fire protection system isn’t just compliant – it’s future-proofed. From unstable soil to a rock-solid result, this project reinforces SBS Tanks’ role as a trusted partner in engineered fire protection solutions across the USA.
It’s another proud example of how SBS Tanks USA builds more than water storage – they build confidence, resilience, and safety from the ground up.
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SBS Tanks® is a leading manufacturer and supplier of modular steel panel water storage tanks fitted with an internal liquid storage liner. SBS Tanks USA, our office in the United States, services the USA, The Caribbean and Central and South America market directly from Conroe, Texas. With ISO accreditation (ISO 45001 and ISO 9001), collaborating with a trusted supplier like SBS Tanks USA, can offer professional advice and a variety of premium tank alternatives to satisfy your various commercial needs.
Contact Brian or Allan today and simply Request a quote here.
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