What Is Tank Gauging?

Sight gauges are a common method to determine tank levels.

Tank gauging is determining the liquid contents of a tank. Manual or electronic gauges are common methods of determining fluid levels in tanks. Measuring fluid level determines fluid usage or whether the tank is leaking.

Manual

A graduated rod will measure the contents of a tank. It's common for gas stations to use a rod for inventory control of their underground tanks. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, requires periodic testing and allows this method to be used on tanks up to 1,000 gallons to determine if there is a leak.

Sight Gauge

A sight gauge attached to the tank allows a visual inspection of tank volume. This type of gauge is a glass tube with a graduated scale. Liquid in the tube indicates the level of fluid in the tank.

Electronic Measurement

Electronic measurement systems use floats to determine tank level. These may trigger audible or visual alarms when the volume is too high or low. Another method is visual with numerical representations on a computer screen. These systems vary according to the manufacturer and the gauge's intended purpose.

References

• Environmental Protection Agency: Manual Tank Gauging
• Varec: Varec Tank Gauging