Portland, Oregon, is an eco-friendly region. In 2004, the region got its first LEED-certified convention center. Although the city has a high number of hybrid cars, gasoline is still a necessity. The hybrid cards need to be refilled after 400 to 600 miles. These hybrid cars have changed the way gas stations need to be built. The future of automotive fueling stations will require electric outlets for car charging.
But just how do you construct a gas station to manage this new modern vehicle type?
Ensure You’re a Petroleum Specialist
The petroleum market is quite demanding, and there are exacting permitting requirements, business imperatives, and environmental standards. This is a niche industry and hiring the right gas station construction company is important for legal reasons.
As an example, with a Chevron facility based in Oregon, the current petrol station was deconstructed. Some critical stages had to be adhered to before the new facility was constructed. Fortunately, the field-supervisor staff is responsible for installation of new tanks and fuel-tank removal of the existing tanks.
Decommission and Tear Down the Entire Fuel System
The permitting process usually takes six months. The gas station was first demolished with precision. The underground fuel lines and tanks were triple-flushed using a cleaning solution disposed of carefully away from the site. The fiberglass tanks that were being used at the gas station were crushed and disposed of properly. The steel tanks were cut up and recycled.
Excavate and Install a New Fuel System
The fuel -tank storage area will need to be excavated broader and deeper to accommodate the larger and new tanks. A filter fabric comes in handy as it helps to ensure the pea gravel backfill is separated from the native soil which surrounds the tanks. The tanks were anchored by rectangular concrete weights. Such measures help ensure the tanks can move when there is seismic activity, and they would not float when there is a flood. The gasoline would also not be released into the environment. The tank connections’ integrity was tested alongside the air pressure.
The Tanks Are Then Fitted with Piping and Trim
Before the fuel station construction company buries the new fuel tanks, each of them was equipped with fiberglass manholes, automatic tank-gauging equipment, and turbine sumps certified by DEQ and EPA. Flexible product piping, a double-wall, vapor lines, and reinforced plastic vents made of fiber were also connected to the dispenser islands. The double-wall and sumps fuel system were water and pressure-tested before establishing the final connection during the final construction stages.
Construction of the Main Building
The station convenience store typically is developed at the same time. Since the structure is somewhat complex and electrical conduits to the concrete foundations, fuel area, plumbing, refrigerated units, interior finishes, and monitoring systems, require working alongside numerous subcontractors working on fuel-dispensing portions and the convenience store. The project manager must do his best to ensure that everything is organized while avoiding any form of chaos. A reputable gas station construction company will be familiar with managing multiple stages and employees throughout this process.
Installing the Canopy
The roof present over the fuel area usually serves two purposes; it protects the pumps from the weather elements, and it acts as signage. The canopy is large, and it can accommodate green-roof and solar components. The canopy is also well suited to withstanding possible earthquakes and strong winds. The footing is usually seven feet deep, and the column can rise even 17 feet.
Catching the Rain and Rays
The fuel dispensers, pavement, and the ground landscaping are typically the final elements to be constructed.
A considerablepercentage of the roof should be covered by photovoltaic solar panels. Although many regions are famous for heavy rains, the solar panels manage to power the signage and lighting at the new gas facility. They also supply power to the E (electric-vehicle) charging station.
There should be a geothermal well that is 425-foot deep, and it acts as an energy source for the refrigeration units and the HVAC systems in the building. The eco-roof occupies at least 40 percent of the canopy’s surface area. The environmental features present on the roof and also below the ground are not visible. However, the entire world is focusing on the facility since it is a green gas station prototype.
