---
title: How a Roth Double Wall Oil Tank Prevents Leaks
description: A Roth double-walled tank offers a secure, long-term solution for preventing oil and chemical leaks. Here is information for people considering buying one.
---

[Keller-Heartt News Blog](https://info.kellerheartt.com/blogs)

# [How a Roth Double Wall Oil Tank Prevents Leaks](https://info.kellerheartt.com/blogs/how-a-roth-tank-can-prevent-oil-leaks)

 Written by [Brian McGrath](https://info.kellerheartt.com/blogs/author/brian-mcgrath) | Oct 20, 2026, 7:30:00 PM

A Roth double-wall storage oil tank prevents leaks by putting two barriers between your oil and your floor. The inner polyethylene tank holds the oil, and the galvanized steel outer tank is sized to hold 110% of that volume, so if the inner tank ever leaks, the oil is caught and flagged by the optical leak alarm before it reaches the floor.

If you store lube oil, hydraulic fluid, or used oil in a shop, fleet garage, or plant, the tank you pick affects floor space, inspections, and EPA spill-prevention compliance. Here's how Roth tanks work, which size fits where, and what to watch for.

## Key Takeaways:

- A Roth tank is a tank inside a tank: polyethylene inside, galvanized steel outside.
- The outer tank holds 110% of the inner tank's volume.
- Keller-Heartt carries Roth tanks from 110 to 400 gallons, including a 275-gallon low-profile model.
- According to the EPA, facilities storing more than 1,320 gallons of oil aboveground fall under the SPCC rule, and a double-wall tank can serve as secondary containment.

## How Does a Roth Double Wall Oil Tank Work?

A Roth tank nests a polyethylene storage tank inside a galvanized steel containment tank. The inner tank does the storing; the outer tank only comes into play if something goes wrong.

### What Is a Double-Wall Oil Storage Tank?

A roth double-wall oil tank is a tank built with two separate walls, where the outer wall acts as built-in secondary containment that captures any fluid leaking from the inner wall.

Here's what each layer does:

- **Inner tank:** Blow-molded, seamless, high-density polyethylene. No welds or seams means fewer failure points, and polyethylene won't rust or corrode from the inside out.
- **Outer tank:** Weld-free galvanized steel with a roll-seamed, oil- and fire-resistant seal. It's rust-resistant inside and out.
- **Optical leak alarm:** A float-type indicator that monitors the space between the two walls (the interstitial space) and pops a visible red signal if oil collects there.

A Roth double wall tank stores oil in a seamless polyethylene inner tank surrounded by a galvanized steel outer tank sized to hold 110% of the inner tank's capacity. If the inner tank leaks, the steel shell captures the oil and an optical alarm signals the problem, so the leak is visible before it reaches the floor or soil.

Why does that matter? A single-wall tank leak usually gets found when someone steps in it. With a Roth tank, you find out from the alarm.

## What Size Roth Tank Do You Need?

Most operations land on the 165- or 275-gallon Roth tank, but the right size depends on how fast you go through product, how often you want deliveries, and how much floor and ceiling clearance you have. Roth double wall tanks come in five sizes.

| ### Roth Double Wall Tank Sizes Compared |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Capacity** | **Dimensions (W x D x H)** | **Footprint** | **Typical fit** |
| [110 gallon](https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks/products/fluidall-110-gallon-double-wall-tank) | 28 x 29 x 44 in. | Smallest | Small shops, single-fluid stations, tight corners |
| [165 gallon](https://www.kellerheartt.com/products/fluidall-dwt165-tank-plus-package) | 28 x 29 x 65 in. | Same as 110, taller | Our most requested size; auto and fleet bays with moderate oil use |
| [275 gallon](https://www.kellerheartt.com/products/fluidall-dwt275-tank-plus-package) | 28 x 43 x 65 in. | Medium | Fleet garages, plants running several machines on one oil |
| [275 gallon low profile](https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories/products/fluidall-275-gallon-low-profile-double-wall-tank) | 30 x 51 x 54 in. | Wider, shorter | Spaces with limited overhead clearance |
| [400 gallon](https://www.kellerheartt.com/products/fluidall-400-gallon-double-wall-tank) | 30 x 64 x 68 in. | Largest | High-volume users who want fewer, larger bulk deliveries |

*Dimensions from* [*Keller-Heartt product listings*](https://www.kellerheartt.com/pages/search-results-page?q=roth%20tank)*.*

Notice that the 110- and 165-gallon tanks share the same 28 x 29 inch footprint. If floor space is your constraint but you have the height, the 165 gets you 50% more storage in the same spot.

| **Our Take:** Size for your delivery cycle, not just your current usage. If you're reordering a 110-gallon tank every two weeks, moving up to a 275 often cuts delivery frequency in half and opens the door to bulk pricing. Running two fluids, or need more than 400 gallons? Two tanks can be joined with the[Roth Double Wall Tank Manifold Kit for Joining 2 Tanks](https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories/products/fluidall-double-wall-tank-draw-kit). |
| --- |

<https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories/products/fluidall-double-wall-tank-draw-kit>

<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VRB7pNYpNz553t7lgexiliRz7hv3wyTD/view?usp=drive_link>Can You Use a Roth Tank Indoors or Outdoors?

Yes, Roth tanks are listed for both indoor and outdoor installation, with a few conditions. Roth's installation guidance calls for a Roth tank cover on outdoor tanks and says indoor tanks should keep their plastic components out of direct sunlight.

A few placement basics apply either way:

- Set the tank on a flat, level, stable surface, such as a concrete pad.
- Keep at least 2 inches between the tank and any wall or obstruction.
- Keep it away from heat sources, corrosive conditions, and spots where forklifts or carts could hit it.
- Check local fire code setbacks before you pick a location.

## How Long Do Roth Oil Storage Tanks Last?

With proper installation and regular inspection, a Roth tank typically lasts around 15 years. The materials are the reason. The polyethylene inner tank can't rust, and the galvanized outer shell resists corrosion from both sides.

| **Our Take:** The tanks we see fail early usually weren't set up right: an outdoor tank installed without a cover, a tank sitting on uneven ground, or a leak alarm nobody ever looked at. A two-minute visual check during your regular PM rounds goes a long way. Look at the alarm indicator, the fill cap, the fittings, and the ground or floor around the base. |
| --- |

## Does a Double Wall Tank Meet EPA SPCC Secondary Containment Rules?

A double wall tank can help you meet the secondary containment requirement in the EPA's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule. The EPA's own [SPCC regulation guide](https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/spccbluebroch.pdf) says containment needs to hold the full capacity of the container plus possible rainfall, and that "a double-walled tank may also suffice."

### What Is the SPCC Rule?

The [SPCC Rule](https://www.epa.gov/oil-spills-prevention-and-preparedness-regulations/spill-prevention-control-and-countermeasure-19) is an EPA regulation (40 CFR Part 112) that requires certain facilities storing oil to prepare and follow a plan for preventing, containing, and responding to oil spills.

So who has to comply? As of its April 2026 update, the EPA's[Who Is Regulated by the SPCC Rule page](https://www.epa.gov/oil-spills-prevention-and-preparedness-regulations/who-regulated-spcc-rule) says a facility is covered if it's non-transportation-related, has an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons, and could reasonably expect a discharge to reach navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.

| **Our Take:** That 1,320-gallon line is easier to cross than most shops think. Under[40 CFR Part 112](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-112), you count every container of 55 gallons or more, and you count capacity, not what's in it today. A 400-gallon tank, a 275-gallon tank, and twelve 55-gallon drums add up to 1,335 gallons. That's over the threshold, even if half the drums are empty. |
| --- |

Facilities with 10,000 gallons or less of total aboveground storage may qualify to self-certify their SPCC plan instead of hiring a Professional Engineer, per the same EPA guide. State rules still apply, so confirm your site's requirements with your EHS lead or environmental consultant.

**Not sure which tank setup fits your SPCC plan?** [**Talk with our team**](https://www.kellerheartt.com/pages/request-a-quote)**, and we'll help you compare options. →**<https://www.kellerheartt.com/pages/request-a-quote>

## What Roth Tank Oil Problems Should You Watch For?

Most Roth tank oil problems come from installation and operation, not the tank itself. Watch for these:

- **A tripped leak alarm doesn't always mean a failed inner tank.** Roth notes the alarm signals oil in the space between the walls. An overfill or spill at the fill point can trigger it too, so investigate before you assume the worst.
- **Overfilling.** Roth's literature calls for a vent alarm (a whistle that sounds during filling) unless another UL-approved fill-level system is used, and says it's needed to keep the warranty valid. A [fluid level gauge](https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories-1) also lets you check volume without opening the cap.
- **Fluid compatibility.** Roth tanks were originally designed for heating oil. Before storing hydraulic fluid, gear oil, or used oil, confirm compatibility for your specific fluid. Not sure? Call us.
- **Sun and weather exposure.** An uncovered outdoor tank exposes plastic fittings to UV damage.

What's the takeaway? A Roth tank fails safe by design, but only if someone responds when the alarm pops.

## Which Roth Double Wall Tank Setup Is Right for Your Operation?

For most industrial buyers, a Plus Package is the simplest way to get a complete, ready-to-use system. Every Plus Package includes the double wall tank, optical leak alarm, fluid level gauge, and a lockable fill cap with vent.

- [**Roth Double Wall Tank Plus Package, 165 Gallon**](https://www.kellerheartt.com/products/fluidall-dwt165-tank-plus-package)**:** Our most popular choice for shops and fleet bays.
- [**Roth Double Wall Tank Plus Package, 275 Gallon**](https://www.kellerheartt.com/products/fluidall-dwt275-tank-plus-package)**:** Good for plants and fleets running several machines or vehicles on the same oil.
- [**Roth Double Wall Tank Manifold Kit**](https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories/products/fluidall-roth-double-wall-tank-manifold-kit)**:** A draw kit for pulling fluid from a single tank into your dispensing setup. A pump and additional fittings are sold separately.

<https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories-1>

 

| **Browse every tank, cage, gauge, and dispensing accessory in our** [**Double Wall Tanks collection**](https://www.kellerheartt.com/collections/double-wall-tanks-packages-and-accessories-1)**→** |
| --- |

## Frequently Asked Questions About Roth Tanks

 

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