freeze protection for a water storage goose-neck

[Dakkon]

Hello all. I am dealing with ice buildup on the top of our fire water tank. It has a 12" dia goose neck on top that is insulated and has heat trace in it. Over the winter due to the "breathing" of the tank we get large chunks of ice build up on the slopes roof. Eventually the ice comes loose and falls to the ground destroying equipment on the ground. I have been tasked with rectifying this issues. The company wants a cheap option. I was curious what other people have seen done or perhaps there is something on the market.

I was thinking of cutting off the goose-neck and having a conical hat put on top with some bird screen so that everything just drains back into the tank and not down on the roof of the tank.

 

[bimr]

If you do not use a gooseneck, the debris from the bird nest will fall into the tank and contaminate the water.

You should be using a #24 insect screen.

Increase the amount of applied heat so that the water evaporates rather than drains off.

Consider installing the overflow on the side of the tank so that ice will not build up on the roof.

Consider installing some type of maintenance platform.

One last comment, consider increasing the inspection frequency so that if there is a buildup of ice, it may be taken care of before it is an even bigger problem.

 

[LittleInch]

I wouldn't start messing about with an open vent.

Just add something like this under the vent

http://www.heatmat.co.uk/news/2013/10/31/keep-work-in-winter-on-a-building-site/

You probably only need to turn the heating on once a day at say midday for an hour to melt whatever has grown overnight.

Or just lay some TH cables onto the top of the tank and do the same thing.

Have a conversation with a couple of TH vendors and see if they have some sort of mat type material you can attach to the tank.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[mk3223]

It's similar to the icing issue of the house roof/gutter in winter. Check the de-icing heating cable per link below which may suit your need.

https://www.emerson.com/en-us/commercial-residential/easyheat

 

[IFRs]

AWWA D-100 vendors may have solutions for you.

 

[chicopee]

Aside from potential contamination of the water which in your case is not for public consumption, have you considered into looking at the de-icing solution used on airplane wings.