GRP Water Misting Tanks
Tricel Water Ireland supplies water misting tanks Ireland-wide — GRP water storage tanks that provide the dedicated water reserve for water-mist fire-suppression systems. Tricel manufactures the GRP storage vessel only; pumps, pipework, nozzles, controls and detection or activation equipment form part of the wider, project-specific water-mist system, designed and supplied separately. Tank capacity and configuration are set by the approved system design, and GRP construction offers corrosion-resistant storage suited to commercial, healthcare, hospitality, education, data-centre and other appropriate applications
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What Are GRP Misting Tanks?
A misting tank is a water storage vessel that supplies a fixed water mist fire protection system. When the system activates, water is pumped from the tank to automatic nozzles on the pipework, which discharge fine water droplets into the protected area. The mist cools the fire and displaces oxygen at the flame front, helping to control, suppress or extinguish it. Sprinkler systems are designed around a water application density. Water mist systems are designed around the nozzle layout, the number of nozzles in the design area and the pressure and flow at each nozzle. As a result, water mist is often considered where water supply or storage space is limited. The required duration of supply is not a single standardised value and must be set for each project, so tank capacity follows from the system design. BAFSA: water mist systems.
Tricel supplies GRP misting tanks for projects in Ireland. They are available insulated for the storage of wholesome water, or uninsulated for non-wholesome applications. Tricel misting tanks are available in standard capacities from 5 m³ to 1,300 m³. Tanks can be fitted with:
- a hydrostatic contents gauge
- an AB air gap to prevent water returning to the mains supply
- internal and external access ladders
- overflow and warning pipes
- a drain-down facility
- a vortex inhibitor
- an immersion heater to protect against freezing
Typical applications include data centres, hotels and residential buildings, offices, healthcare and care settings, schools and universities, and museums and archives. Whether the project involves a new building or an existing property, the tank should be selected around the confirmed water mist system design, available footprint and space needed for inspection and maintenance. Tricel Ireland: misting tanks.
GRP Misting Tank - Key Parameters
Application
Water reserve for water-mist fire-suppression systems
Material
Glass-Reinforced Plastic (GRP)
Construction
One-piece or sectional, subject to project requirements
Published fire-protection range
5 m³–1,300 m³
Insulation
Insulated configurations available
Installation
Internal or external, subject to specification
Access
Manway and side-access options
Drainage
Full-drainage options available
Fire-system interface
Project-specific
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GRP Misting Tank Specifications
Tricel’s published sprinkler and misting fire-protection tank range extends from 5 m³ to 1,300 m³; final availability, dimensions and fittings for a given water storage tank for misting system are project-specific and confirmed at enquiry stage.
Useful information for your enquiry
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Specification
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Details
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Construction
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One-piece or sectional GRP construction, depending on capacity and site requirements
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Tank material
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Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP)
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Fire-protection capacity range
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5 m³ to 1,300 m³ across Tricel's published fire-protection range
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Water storage
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Wholesome or non-wholesome depending on specified configuration
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Insulation
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Insulated tank options available
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Drainage
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Full-drainage facility available
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Internal access
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Access manway available
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Side access
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Side-access hatch available
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Vortex control
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Vortex inhibitor available
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Frost protection
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Immersion heater available where required
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Tank dimensions
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Project-specific
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Inlet / outlet connections
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Project-specific
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Installation
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Internal or external, subject to project design
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Tank configuration
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One-piece or sectional, subject to capacity and access
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System interface
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Connections coordinated with project-specific water-mist system
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Manufacturing quality
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ISO 9001 quality-management system
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Specification note
Final tank capacity, usable water volume, dimensions, water type, connections, access requirements, pump interface and any certification requirements must be confirmed against the project’s water-mist/fire-protection system design before manufacture.
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Benefits of GRP misting Tanks
The following points describe the practical characteristics of GRP sectional construction for dedicated water storage serving fixed water-mist fire-protection systems. Tank capacity, configuration and fittings should be confirmed against the approved water-mist system design and project requirements. Tricel supplies both insulated and uninsulated GRP tank options for misting applications.
restricted access Installation
Because a sectional GRP tank is assembled on site from individual panels, it can be installed in locations where access may prevent a complete factory-assembled tank from being brought into position. This can make sectional construction suitable for plantrooms, basements and other restricted-access locations, subject to the required installation and maintenance clearances.
Project-specific capacity
Water storage for a misting system should be sized around the confirmed fire-protection design, including the required system flow and operating duration. Tricel fire-protection tanks for sprinkler and misting applications are available across a broad capacity range, allowing the storage volume to be matched to the project rather than relying on a standard tank size.
Corrosion Resistance
GRP does not corrode in the same way as carbon steel and does not require an internal lining or painting simply to protect the tank material from water contact. This makes GRP well suited to dedicated fire-water storage where water may remain in the tank for extended periods between system operation and maintenance activities.
Configurable Footprint
Sectional panel dimensions can be arranged to provide different tank lengths, widths and depths. This allows the tank footprint to be coordinated with the available plantroom space, access routes and required water-storage volume, while allowing for the structural and maintenance clearances specified for the installation.
Divided-tank configuration
Where the project specification calls for separate storage compartments, a divided or twin-compartment GRP sectional tank can be considered. This arrangement can allow one compartment to be isolated for inspection or maintenance while the other remains available, subject to the requirements of the approved fire-protection design. Tricel also offers tank-divider options within its fire-protection tank range.
Long service life
GRP combines corrosion resistance with durable composite construction and is widely used for long-term water storage. Unlike materials that depend on protective coatings for corrosion control, the GRP tank structure itself is resistant to corrosion, helping reduce coating-related maintenance requirements over the service life of the tank.
Insulated or Uninsulated Options
Tricel misting tanks can be supplied insulated for wholesome-water storage or uninsulated for non-wholesome applications. The appropriate construction should be selected according to the stored-water requirements, installation environment and project specification.
DESIGNED FOR MISTING-TANK FITTINGS
Tricel misting tanks can be configured with fittings required for the water-storage installation, including a hydrostatic contents gauge, AB air gap, internal and external access ladders, overflow and warning pipes, drain-down facility, vortex inhibitor and immersion heater for frost protection, depending on the project specification.
The benefits above describe the general characteristics of GRP water-storage construction for water-mist fire-protection applications. The misting tank forms part of the water-supply arrangement; pumps, pipework, nozzles, controls and detection or activation equipment form part of the separately designed water-mist system. Final tank capacity, configuration, fittings and installation requirements should therefore be confirmed against the approved system design and project specification.
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Applications and Industries Served
GRP water misting tanks may be specified across a range of building types wherever a water-mist fire suppression strategy calls for a dedicated water reserve. The following sectors reflect where a water storage tank for misting system is commonly considered; specification in every case depends on the project’s own fire strategy and system design.
Commercial Offices & Retail
Office and mixed-use developments may incorporate water-mist suppression where specified by the fire-protection strategy.
Industrial & Manufacturing
Manufacturing and process facilities may use water-mist systems for suitable hazards where defined by the fire-protection design.
Data Centres
Water-mist systems may be specified in critical facilities where controlled suppression and operational resilience are important. Where dedicated stored water forms part of the system design, a GRP tank can provide the required project-specific reserve.
Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics and care facilities may use water-mist suppression as part of a project fire strategy. Tank capacity and configuration must be determined by the system designer.
Hotels & Hospitality
Hotels and accommodation developments may incorporate water-mist systems where required by the fire strategy or project specification.
Education
Schools, universities and campus buildings may use water-mist systems for specific fire-protection applications, with storage selected around the approved system design.
Museums & archives
Water-mist systems may be selected in applications where controlled water discharge is desirable for protecting sensitive assets.
Residential Developments
Residential or mixed-use developments may incorporate water-mist systems where appropriate to the applicable project design and fire strategy.
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GRP WATER MISTING TANK RANGE
Tricel supplies sectional and one-piece GRP water storage tanks for water-mist fire-protection systems. The final tank arrangement is selected according to the required storage capacity, water quality, available footprint, site access and installation conditions. Insulated and uninsulated constructions, divided tanks and alternative access arrangements can be incorporated where appropriate. Tricel’s standard fire-protection tank range for sprinkler and misting applications is stated as 5 m³ to 1,300 m³.
Large storage / restricted access
STANDARD GRP SECTIONAL MISTING TANK
A sectional GRP misting tank is assembled on site from individual moulded panels. This allows the tank dimensions to be configured around the required water-storage volume and available plantroom footprint, while also providing an installation option where a complete tank cannot be brought into position. Tricel’s sectional tanks are designed for on-site assembly and can be configured for restricted-space applications.
Smaller storage / complete-unit delivery
ONE-PIECE MISTING TANK
A one-piece GRP tank is supplied as a complete moulded unit for positioning and connection on site. Tricel specifically includes one-piece tank options on its water-misting tank page, making this configuration suitable for projects where the required storage volume and delivery route allow the complete vessel to be brought into position. Final capacity and suitability must be confirmed against the approved water-mist system design.
Temperature protection
INSULATED MISTING TANK
Tricel offers insulated misting tanks for the storage of wholesome water. Insulation reduces heat transfer through the tank construction and can form part of the project’s temperature-protection strategy. The required insulation, inlet arrangement and any supplementary frost-protection measures should be coordinated with the installation environment and project specification.
NON-WHOLESOME WATER STORAGE
UNINSULATED MISTING TANK
Uninsulated GRP misting tanks are available for applications where the stored water is classified as non-wholesome. This option avoids specifying insulation where it is not required by the water-storage or environmental conditions, while retaining the corrosion-resistant characteristics of GRP construction.
COMPARTMENTALISED STORAGE
DIVIDED SECTIONAL MISTING TANK
Internal tank dividers can be incorporated into sectional GRP tanks where the project requires separate storage compartments. A divided arrangement can assist with inspection and maintenance planning by allowing compartments to be isolated independently, subject to the water-mist system designer’s requirements for available water storage and system operation. Tricel lists internal tank dividers among the options available for its sectional and fire-protection tanks.
RESTRICTED HEADROOM / ALTERNATIVE ACCESS
MISTING TANK WITH SIDE-ACCESS HATCH
A side-access hatch provides an alternative means of entering the tank where access from above is restricted. Tricel specifically lists a side-access hatch among the ancillary options for its misting tanks, and its installation guidance identifies side access as an option where headroom above a sectional tank is limited. Hatch position must be coordinated with pipework, surrounding structures and the required maintenance clearances.
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Installing a GRP misting Tank
Installing a GRP fire misting tank requires the same site preparation discipline as any commercial GRP water storage tank: a suitable structural base, adequate access for delivery or panel assembly, and clear coordination with the wider water-mist system installer.
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Requirement
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Guidance
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Tank selection
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Confirm required storage volume and construction type before ordering
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Site access
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Check delivery route and working space for either complete tank delivery or panel assembly
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Base preparation
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Provide a level structural base suitable for the filled tank load
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Installation clearance
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Allow sufficient access for installation, inspection and maintenance
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Tank connections
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Coordinate inlet, outlet, drain and system connections with approved project drawings
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Access equipment
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Confirm required manways, side hatches and ladders
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Pump interface
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Coordinate outlet arrangement with the water-mist system designer
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Frost protection
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Confirm insulation or immersion-heater requirements for exposed locations
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Filling and testing
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Inspect tank installation and watertightness before commissioning
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Commissioning
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Tank commissioning must be coordinated with the wider water-mist system
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Installation note
Installation must follow Tricel’s instructions, approved project drawings and the fire-protection system specification. The complete water-mist installation should not be placed into service until the tank and wider system have been appropriately inspected and commissioned.
Base, support and clearance requirements for sectional GRP tanks are set out in more detail in tank support & clearance requirements and tank installation. These general sectional-tank pages cover the same construction method used for larger water mist tank Ireland installations, though final clearance and access figures for a fire-protection duty are always confirmed against the specific project layout.
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Compliance for Misting Tanks in Ireland
Compliance for a water-mist installation depends on the complete fire-protection system, not the water-storage tank in isolation. Tricel manufactures GRP water misting tanks to a defined quality-management system and offers FM Approved fire-protection tank configurations within its published range; the wider water-mist system — pump, pipework, nozzles, detection and activation — must be designed, approved and certified separately by the project’s fire-protection specialist.
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standard/approval
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Scope
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ISO 9001
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Tricel operates an ISO 9001 quality-management system across its GRP tank manufacturing, covering the water misting tank range.
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FM Approval
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Tricel identifies FM Approved fire-protection tank options within its published sprinkler and misting range (5 m³–1,300 m³). The exact approval scope for a specific tank configuration must be checked against current FM Approvals documentation before it is written into a specification.
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Water-mist system design standard
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The design standard governing a specific water-mist installation depends on the project, occupancy and system type.
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Irish Building Regulations
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Where a project's fire strategy or Technical Guidance Document B assessment identifies a requirement for water-mist protection, the system design, including stored-water volume, must follow that project-specific assessment.
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Compliance note
compliance depends on the complete fire-protection system and project design, not the water-storage tank in isolation. Tank capacity, usable volume, pump arrangement, discharge performance, controls, installation and applicable product or system approvals must be confirmed by the competent project designer before the system is specified, ordered or installed.
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Misting TANK CASE STUDIES – IRELAND & UK INSTALLATIONS
Tricel’s water mist tank projects demonstrate how reliable water storage can be incorporated into a wide range of developments. Tank configurations are designed around the required mist system demand, available footprint, access constraints and site-specific installation requirements.
The projects below showcase different water mist storage applications, highlighting how tank design, capacity and installation requirements vary between buildings. Together, they provide practical examples of the considerations involved when specifying a GRP water mist tank system.
Tricel Water UK
Potable Water & Water Mist Tank Installation – Johnnie Walker Experience
Food & Beverage
Misting Tanks
Edinburgh
Tricel supplied and installed sectional GRP potable water and water mist storage tanks for the Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh, delivering a combined storage capacity of over 34,000 litres to support a major visitor attraction and distillery facility.
frequently asked questions
What size GRP water mist tank do I need for my project?
The required size of a water mist tank depends on the design demand of the water mist system, including the protected area, discharge duration, flow rate and applicable fire protection standard. Water mist systems typically require less water than traditional sprinkler systems, but storage requirements vary significantly between projects. Tricel can manufacture sectional tanks to suit the required storage volume and available installation space.
How is a water mist tank sized for a fire suppression system?
Water mist tank sizing is determined by the fire protection design prepared by the system designer or fire engineer. Factors such as hazard classification, nozzle arrangement, required operating time and pump performance all influence the final storage volume. The tank must provide sufficient water to support the system for the full design duration.
Can a GRP water mist tank be installed in a restricted-access plant room?
Yes. Sectional GRP tanks are frequently specified where access is limited or a one-piece tank cannot be installed. Individual panels are brought into the building and assembled on site, making sectional construction ideal for basements, rooftops, plant rooms and refurbishment projects with restricted access routes.
What is the difference between a water mist tank and a sprinkler tank?
The tank itself is often similar in construction, but the storage volume and supporting equipment are designed specifically for the fire suppression system it serves. Water mist systems typically use specialised pumps and high-pressure equipment to produce fine water droplets, whereas sprinkler systems operate using larger water volumes delivered through sprinkler heads.
Can a water mist tank be supplied with a dedicated pump set?
What standards apply to water mist systems and water storage tanks?
Can sectional GRP tanks be specified for water mist applications?
How much space is required for a water mist tank installation?
Space requirements depend on the required storage volume and site constraints. One advantage of sectional construction is that tanks can be designed in a wide range of lengths, widths and heights, allowing the solution to be adapted around structural elements, access routes and plant room layouts.
REQUEST A QUOTE FOR A GRP WATER MISTING TANK
Tricel Water Ireland supplies GRP water mist tanks for projects across Ireland, supporting commercial buildings, hospitality venues, public facilities and specialist fire protection applications. To receive an accurate quotation, please have the following information ready: required storage volume (m³), water mist system specification, pump requirements, available installation space, site access details and any project-specific compliance requirements. Our technical team will respond promptly.