For over 30 years, Nordstone has been a leading manufacturer of high-performance industrial vessels, delivering precision-engineered fire-fighting storage tanks designed for critical safety applications.
delivering precision-engineered fire-fighting storage tanks designed for critical safety applications. As trusted fire-fighting storage tanks: reliable water storage for fire protection systems manufacturers in Italy, we engineer custom solutions that fulfill the stringent water reserve requirements of heavy industry, commercial complexes, and hazardous infrastructure.
Our storage solutions are fully compliant with European safety standards, including UNI EN 12845:2020 (the definitive Italian standard for automatic sprinkler systems) and UNI 10779 (hydrant networks).
By integrating three decades of manufacturing mastery with advanced materials like S235JR carbon steel and robust anti-corrosion coatings, Nordstone ensures that your emergency water reserves remain structurally sound and pressure-ready for decades. Whether your project demands complex structural engineering for seismic zones (NTC 2018) or specialized anti-vortex plates to maximize suction efficiency, our certified engineering team delivers. We handle everything from design to final testing across Italy, backed by our rigorous API, ASME, and ISO quality controls to guarantee unconditional system reliability when it matters most.
Key Technical Specifications
Our structural and mechanical engineering processes adhere strictly to Italian and European manufacturing frameworks.
| Attribute | Standard Configuration | Compliance Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Material Quality | S235JR Carbon Steel / Zinc-Magnesium Coated Steel | UNI EN 10025 / EN 1090 |
| Tank Configurations | Above-Ground (Da Esterno) / Underground (Da Interro) | EN 12285-1 / EN 12285-2 |
| System Rules | Dedicated Fire Water Supply Integration | UNI EN 12845 / UNI 10779 |
| Seismic Design | Structural Calculation for Seismic Risk Zones | NTC 2018 / Eurocode 8 |
| Corrosion Protection | Internal Heavy-Duty Epoxy / External RAL Industrial Finishes | ISO 12944 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What certifications do Nordstone fire-fighting storage tanks carry for the Italian market?
Our manufacturing facility operates under strict ISO 9001, ASME, and API quality management systems. For fire protection installations in Italy, our water storage vessels comply with UNI EN 12845 and UNI 10779 standards. Structural steel elements are CE-certified under EN 1090, ensuring that every storage tank meets the strict safety and legal benchmarks required by local European inspectors and fire authorities (Vigili del Fuoco).
2. How does Nordstone ensure compliance with the UNI EN 12845 standard?
The UNI EN 12845 standard dictates precise requirements for fire-fighting water reserves, specifically regarding the net effective volume, autonomous filling systems, and protection against freezing or vortexing. We design our vessels with dedicated suction chambers, integrated anti-vortex plates (piastre antivortice), and code-compliant plumbing connections. This ensures that your fire pumps receive a steady, continuous water supply without risking air intake during an emergency.
3. Can your fire water storage tanks withstand seismic activity in Italy?
Yes. Italy has highly specific structural regulations outlined in the NTC 2018 (Nuove Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni). Our engineering team performs full static and seismic calculations according to Eurocode 3 and Eurocode 8. We configure the tank shell thickness, structural welds, reinforced concrete foundation anchors, and base plates to absorb localized ground accelerations safely.
4. What types of fire-fighting storage tanks do you manufacture?
We specialize in industrial-grade steel storage vessels tailored to your site’s spatial constraints:
- Above-Ground Cylindrical Tanks (Serbatoi da Esterno): Built using heavy-duty welded carbon steel sheets or modular paneled systems, ideal for open spaces or dedicated utility yards.
- Underground Tanks (Serbatoi da Interro): Engineered with reinforced structural ribs to handle external soil pressure and traffic loads, making them perfect for sites looking to minimize architectural and spatial footprint.
5. How do you protect the interior of the steel tanks against corrosion?
Water stored for fire protection systems often sits stagnant for long periods, which can accelerate rust if left unprotected. Nordstone prevents this by applying a specialized internal coating consisting of high-build, solvent-free epoxy-bright linings (typically 120 microns or thicker). This non-porous layer completely isolates the carbon steel from moisture, preventing oxidation and maintaining long-term water clarity to keep your pump filters clear.
6. What external finishes do you offer for above-ground installations?
For outdoor tanks exposed to UV radiation, maritime humidity, or industrial atmospheres, we apply a multi-layer protective coating in accordance with ISO 12944 corrosion classes. This includes an epoxy primer followed by a highly durable polyurethane industrial enamel coat (such as standard RAL 7030 grey or custom corporate colors). This protects the vessel from weather-induced degradation and extends its operational life.
7. What is an anti-vortex plate, and why is it mandatory for your tanks?
An anti-vortex plate (piastra antivortice) is a mechanical horizontal baffle installed directly over the pump suction intake at the bottom of the tank. When fire pumps draw water at high velocities, a whirlpool or vortex can form, pulling air into the piping. Air intake can cause pump cavitation, loss of pressure, and total system failure. Our plates eliminate this risk, allowing the system to safely drain the tank down to its absolute minimum design level.
8. Are Nordstone tanks equipped with internal maintenance access points?
Yes. Regular inspections are mandatory under Italian safety laws. Our above-ground vertical tanks feature a heavy-duty Ø600 mm lower inspection manhole (passo d’uomo) for safe technician entry, alongside an upper inspection hatch (typically Ø500 mm). Underground variants are built with at least two elevated inspection access manholes to allow easy maintenance from ground level.
9. Can your fire tanks be customized for extreme industrial environments?
With our extensive 30-year heritage in the Oil & Gas, chemical, and Defence sectors, we excel at customizing vessels for extreme conditions. We can engineer our tanks with customized flanged connections, integrated immersion heaters to prevent freezing in alpine regions, dual-compartment configurations, and heavy-wall designs capable of enduring harsh chemical atmospheres or high-vibration zones.
10. Do you provide turn-key installation and foundation engineering support?
We deliver the complete, certified storage vessel along with its structural calculation documents and connection schematics. While the physical on-site civil works (such as pouring the reinforced concrete foundation slab or executing the excavation) are typically handled by local contractors, our engineers work closely with your structural team. We provide exact anchor-to-ground load profiles and plumbing tolerances to guarantee seamless integration.
11. What capacities and dimensions are available for your fire protection tanks?
Because we specialize in bespoke engineering, we don’t force you into a one-size-fits-all model. We manufacture single-wall and double-wall vessels ranging from small 10 m³ (10,000 liters) reserve units up to massive 200 m³ (200,000 liters)+ heavy industrial storage systems. Dimensions, diameters, and heights are fully optimized to match your facility’s spatial limits and required flow rates.
12. How do your steel tanks compare to concrete or fiberglass alternatives?
Industrial steel tanks offer superior structural predictability, easier field testing, and structural compliance under seismic stress compared to other materials. Unlike concrete, steel vessels will not crack or leak due to microscopic settling over time. They also provide significantly higher impact resistance, structural durability, and fire resistance than fiberglass or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) when exposed to extreme industrial hazards.
13. What accessories are supplied with a standard Nordstone fire-fighting tank?
Our fire protection tanks come fully equipped with all mandatory accessories required by mechanical installers:
- Compliant filling and overflow connections with integrated mechanical buoyancy mechanisms.
- Visual external level indicators and electronic low-level alarm sensors.
- Drain valves for complete water evacuation during maintenance cycles.
- Heavy-duty lifting lugs for safe transit and installation.
- Rigid access ladders with safety cages matching European fall-protection standards.
14. How often do these fire water storage tanks require inspection?
According to Italian fire regulations and safety guidelines, visual external inspections of piping, valves, and water levels should occur monthly or quarterly. A formal internal structural integrity inspection—checking for coating wear, sediment accumulation, and internal sacrificial anodes—should be carried out by qualified engineers every 5 to 10 years to preserve your safety certifications.
15. How can I request a technical proposal for a project in Italy?
Our engineering team is fully prepared to review your specific project requirements, footprint constraints, and target flow rates. To receive a detailed structural and financial proposal tailored to your fire protection needs, please visit our dedicated page and submit your design parameters through our Contact Us link. We will provide a comprehensive engineering assessment complete with standard certifications.