EN 978:1997

Underground tanks of glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) - Determination of factor alpha and factor beta

This European standard specifies a test method for the determination of the factor alpha and the factor beta of test specimens of tanks of glass reinforced thermosetting resins for the underground storage of liquids.

Unterirdische Tanks aus textilglasverstärkten Kunststoffen (GFK) - Bestimmung des Faktors a und des Faktors b

Diese europäische Norm legt ein Prüfverfahren zur Ermittlung des Faktors Alpha und des Faktors Beta von Probekörpern aus Tanks aus textilglasverstärkten Reaktionsharz-Formstoffen zur unterirdischen Lagerung von Flüssigkeiten fest.

Réservoirs enterrés en plastiques renforcés de verre (PRV) - Détermination du facteur a et du facteur b

La présente norme européenne prescrit une méthode de détermination du facteur alpha et du facteur béta des éprouvettes de réservoirs réalisés en résine thermodurcissable renforcée de verre pour le stockage souterrain de liquides.

Podzemni rezervoarji iz armiranega poliestra - Določitev faktorjev α in ß

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Jul-1997
• ICS: 23.020.10 - Stationary containers and tanks
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 210 - GRP tanks and vessels
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 210/SC 1 - Underground GRP-tanks for non-pressure storage of liquids
• Current Stage: 9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 04-Mar-2023
• Completion Date: 04-Mar-2023
• Directive: 2008/68/EC - Directve 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of the dangerous goods
• Directive: 89/106/EEC - Construction products
• Directive: TRRTP121 - Sklep o objavi prilog A in B k Evropskemu sporazumu o mednarodnem cestnem prevozu nevarnega blaga (ADR)
• Mandate: M/EXP - Expected mandates in CPD field.
• Ref Project: SIST EN 978:2000 - Underground tanks of glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) - Determination of factor alpha and factor beta

Overview

EN 978:1997 is a European Committee for Standardization (CEN) standard that defines a test method for determining the factor alpha and factor beta of test specimens made from glass‑reinforced thermosetting resins used in underground storage tanks (GRP) for liquids. The standard addresses material and specimen testing to obtain reproducible coefficients used in assessment and quality control of GRP underground tanks. (ICS 23.020.10 - stationary containers and tanks)

Key topics

• Scope: Test procedure for determination of factor alpha and factor beta for GRP (glass‑reinforced plastics) tank specimens intended for underground liquid storage.
• Test specimens: Requirements for preparing and handling representative samples of glass‑reinforced thermosetting resins used in tank manufacture.
• Measurement method: Prescribed test steps to obtain the alpha and beta values (as reproducible factors for material evaluation).
• Results interpretation: How measured alpha and beta factors are recorded and reported for use in downstream assessments.
• Quality control: Use of the test method for production control, material qualification and verification of tank performance.

Note: The standard provides the test methodology; specific numerical values, formulas or design limits are determined by manufacturers, designers or complementary design standards.

Applications

• Manufacturer quality assurance: Producers of GRP underground tanks use EN 978 test methods to verify material batches and ensure consistent production quality.
• Product development: Material engineers rely on alpha and beta determinations during resin and reinforcement selection, and when qualifying new GRP formulations for underground service.
• Third‑party testing labs: Independent testing laboratories apply the standard to supply documented material factors for certification and compliance testing.
• Designers and certifiers: Structural designers and certification bodies use measured factors as input for safety assessments, long‑term performance estimation and conformity evaluation.
• Fuel stations and chemical storage: Operators and procurement teams reference test results when selecting GRP tanks for liquid storage to support regulatory compliance and environmental protection.

Who should use this standard

• GRP tank manufacturers and product engineers
• Testing and certification laboratories
• Regulatory authorities and conformity assessors
• Procurement and asset managers for underground liquid storage installations

Related standards

• EN 978 is part of the suite of CEN standards covering glass‑reinforced plastics (GRP) tanks and underground storage. Consult other CEN/EN documents on GRP tank design, manufacturing and testing for complementary requirements and design guidance.

Keywords: EN 978:1997, GRP underground tanks, glass‑reinforced plastics, factor alpha beta, test method, thermosetting resins, underground storage tanks, CEN standard, tank testing, material qualification.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2000
3RG]HPQLUH]HUYRDUMLL]DUPLUDQHJDSROLHVWUD'RORþLWHYIDNWRUMHYĮLQ‰
Underground tanks of glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) - Determination of factor alpha and
factor beta
Unterirdische Tanks aus textilglasverstärkten Kunststoffen (GFK) - Bestimmung des
Faktors a und des Faktors b
Réservoirs enterrés en plastiques renforcés de verre (PRV) - Détermination du facteur a
et du facteur b
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 978:1997
ICS:
23.020.10 1HSUHPLþQHSRVRGHLQ Stationary containers and
UH]HUYRDUML tanks
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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