This aluminum tank cover specification (CSI Section [13 33 12]) is ready to insert into project documents. It covers RPS interlocking extruded aluminum plank covers for wastewater tanks, wet wells, channels, and troughs: 6005A-T5 planks with 6061-T6 framing, Type 316 stainless hardware, design loads tied to our published plank load table, PE-sealed calculations, removable access sections, and field testing.
SECTION [13 33 12] — EXTRUDED ALUMINUM PLANK TANK COVERS
PART 1 — GENERAL
1.1 SUMMARY
A. Section includes custom-fit flat cover systems of interlocking extruded aluminum planks, with aluminum structural framing, perimeter seals, removable access sections, penetrations, and all attachment hardware, for wastewater tanks, wet wells, channels, and troughs.
B. Cover systems are fabricated by RPS Engineering, Elgin, Illinois, from materials selected for continuous service in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other corrosive wastewater atmospheres.
1.2 REFERENCES
- Aluminum Association, Aluminum Design Manual, current edition.
- ASCE 7-22, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures.
- ASTM B209, Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate; ASTM B221, Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes.
- ASTM F593 and F594, Stainless Steel Bolts and Nuts.
- AWS D1.2, Structural Welding Code — Aluminum.
1.3 DESIGN CRITERIA
A. Uniform live load: [50] psf, or as shown on the drawings, plus dead load. Deflection of planks and framing under live load shall not exceed L/240 of the span.
B. Concentrated load: [400 lb applied over a 6 in. x 6 in. area] at any point on the walking surface, without permanent deformation.
C. Plank selection shall be based on the manufacturer’s published plank load table for the 5 in. x 6 in. interlocking plank and the 2 in. x 7 in. low-profile plank. Allowable loads are based on a factor of safety of 1.65.
D. Wind, snow, and seismic loads per ASCE 7-22 for the project location: wind [___] mph, exposure [___]; ground snow [___] psf; seismic design category [___].
E. The cover shall be substantially airtight to contain odors and allow connection to odor control equipment. The cover is not intended to be watertight.
1.4 SUBMITTALS
- Shop drawings showing cover layout, plank profiles, framing, removable sections, penetrations, seal details, and anchorage.
- Structural calculations demonstrating compliance with Article 1.3, with calculations and drawings sealed by a professional engineer licensed in the project state.
- Material certifications for aluminum alloys and stainless steel fasteners.
- Leak test results from a previous installation of the proposed cover system, when requested by the Engineer.
- Installation instructions and the manufacturer’s warranty.
1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Manufacturer shall have at least ten (10) years of experience designing and fabricating extruded aluminum covers for wastewater service, and shall provide a list of comparable installations on request.
B. The manufacturer shall field-measure tank openings and existing conditions before fabrication.
C. Welding shall be performed by welders qualified in accordance with AWS D1.2.
1.6 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING
A. Ship components marked to correspond with the shop drawings. Store off the ground, on a level surface, protected from damage.
1.7 WARRANTY
A. Manufacturer shall warrant materials and workmanship against defects for [one (1) year] from the date of substantial completion.
PART 2 — PRODUCTS
2.1 MANUFACTURER
A. RPS Engineering
- 1300 Crispin Drive, Elgin, IL 60123
- Phone: 847-931-1950 | Fax: 847-931-4274
- www.rpsengineering.com
- WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise #WBE2601717
B. Substitutions: Alternate systems shall be submitted to the Engineer for approval before bid, with calculations and test data demonstrating equal plank load capacity, alloy, slip resistance, and corrosion resistance.
2.2 MATERIALS
A. Planks and flashing: Extruded aluminum alloy 6005A-T5, mill finish, per ASTM B221.
B. Structural framing, including channels, wall angles, and mounting brackets, and plate: Aluminum alloy 6061-T6, per ASTM B221 and B209.
C. Fasteners and anchors: Type 316 stainless steel throughout, including wedge anchors into concrete. No carbon steel components.
D. Perimeter seal: Neoprene gasket between the cover structure and concrete walls, mechanically retained and replaceable.
E. Gaskets and flashing seals: EPDM, extruded, flat, or formed as required.
F. Dissimilar materials: Aluminum shall be isolated from concrete and dissimilar metals by gaskets or isolators.
G. No acrylic shall be used in the cover system.
2.3 COVER SYSTEM
A. Planks: Interlocking male and female extruded aluminum planks, 5 in. x 6 in. for longer spans and heavier loads, or 2 in. x 7 in. low-profile where vertical clearance is limited, as shown on the drawings.
B. Walking surface: Integral bi-directional non-skid striated surface extruded into every plank. Coatings, tapes, or applied grit are not acceptable as the non-skid surface.
C. Access: Planks shall be removable by lifting, in sequence, without pins or tools other than for removal of flashing.
D. Removable sections: Welded aluminum removable sections with integral lifting handles, sized and located as shown on the drawings. Individual removable panels shall not exceed [150] lb.
E. [Access hatches: integral hatch, [describe type and sizes], located as shown on the drawings.]
F. Penetrations: Aluminum stub-ups for vents, pipes, and odor control connections, located as shown on the drawings. Vents and odor control equipment by others.
G. [Insulation, where specified: Extruded polystyrene insulation panels (Foamular 150 or approved equal) beneath the planks.]
PART 3 — EXECUTION
3.1 FABRICATION
A. Fabricate covers in the manufacturer’s facility to field-verified dimensions. Shop welds per AWS D1.2.
3.2 INSTALLATION
A. Installation by the Contractor, in accordance with the approved shop drawings and the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
B. Field adjustments at penetrations and irregular walls shall be made as shown on the shop drawings.
C. The manufacturer’s representative shall be available to review materials on site, supervise installation, and witness field tests.
3.3 FIELD QUALITY CONTROL
A. Load test: After installation, the Contractor shall apply the concentrated load of Article 1.3.B at locations selected by the Engineer and measure deflection.
B. Leak test: The Contractor shall perform a smoke test of the installed cover. [Acceptance criterion: ______.]
END OF SECTION [13 33 12]
Using This Aluminum Tank Cover Specification
Covering a tank, channel, or trough with aluminum flat panels? RPS provides complete aluminum tank cover specification sections, works directly with the engineer of record on RFIs and submittals, and field-measures before production. Extruded aluminum flat covers are fabricated in our Elgin, IL shop and BABA compliant for SRF and federally funded projects — and specifying RPS, a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (#WBE2601717), can count toward WBE participation goals. Material sourcing can change — contact RPS directly to confirm current sourcing for your project.
gina-wwtp@rpsengineering.com · 847-931-1950
Related: Aluminum Flat Tank Covers · Plank Load Table · FRP Tank Cover Spec – Section 13300 · Aluminum Launder Cover Spec – Section 13221 · All Wastewater Spec Sheets
