John E. Niesse: About the Author

Shortly after World War II, the FRP industry expanded rapidly into many areas. Chemical tanks were first fabricated in the 1950s. A comprehensive standard was needed and in 1969 a consensus standard was issued by the National Bureau of Standards: NBS PS 15-69 "Custom Contact-Molded Reinforced-Polyester Chemical-Resistant Process Equipment."

All FRP tanks should be fabricated to a national standard as a basic requirement. Additional requirements may be appropriate and should be agreed to by the purchaser and fabricator. Very acceptable basic standards are...

In today's environmental and legal climate, industry is looking for guaranteed high reliability of vessel quality for most chemical fluids. Failures are more costly than in the past due to: 1. environmental laws and requirements 2. emphasis on safety and plant/personnel protection 3. exposure to civil suits and fear of high cost judgments 4. increasing cost of shut downs