Baffled Water Tank Anatomy
Understand the key components, fittings and features of a baffled water tank.
A baffled tank is designed with internal baffles to help reduce water movement when the tank is being transported or moved. But what are the different parts and what do they do?
In this guide, we’ll explain the main components of a baffled water tank and the common fittings you may encounter.
What is a Baffled Water Tank?
A baffled water tank contains internal walls that significantly reduce the movement of water when a tank is being transported. This helps to improve vehicle manoeuvrability and handling as well as reducing wear and tear on the vehicle.
Baffled water tanks are most commonly used where water needs to be transported in a vehicle, trailer or other mobile equipment.
Baffled tanks are available in a range of sizes. Our range starts from 160 Litres upwards.
How is a tank baffled?
There are a number of ways in which a water tank can be baffled.
Internal structure
Most commonly, the baffles are designed into the tooling as part of the moulding process which ensures a strong, one-piece mould. You will see the internal structures of the wall when you open up the inspection cap. It will also be obvious from the outside as often, the baffles are designed as cut outs.
Baffle balls
Baffle balls can be added to a plain water tank, to perform the same function as the baffling walls above. They are a good retro fit for a standard water tank but can be expensive per litre of water and does reduce the capacity of the tank. However, they can be removed to offer dual use for the tank.
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Baffled water tank applications
Baffled water tanks are used across a wide variety of industries and applications where water needs to be safely stored and transported.
Water transportation
Window Cleaning
Car Valeting
Agricultural Use
Emergency Water Storage
Baffled water tank components explained
Below you will find a useful infographic explaining the key parts of a baffled water tank. Tanks will vary based on the supplier and method of manufacturer but most will resemble the below in most parts. The key components of a baffled water tank include the inspection lid, vent, baffle, outlet and tank wall.
Baffled Water Tank Shapes – Upright, Tower and Flat
Baffled water tanks are available in both upright, flat and tower designs, allowing you to choose a tank that best suits the available space within your vehicle or installation.
Upright tanks offer a good balance between capacity and footprint. Tower tanks maximise capacity where floor space is limited while flat tanks provide a lower-profile option where height is restricted.
Choosing between the options will depend largely on where the tank is being installed and how you need to use the space around it.
Upright Baffled Tanks
- A good balance between capacity, height and footprint.
- They are vertical in design and are space-efficient based on their narrow design.
Tower Baffled Tanks
- Also vertical but taller and narrower in order to maximise floor space.
- Compact footprint – greater water capacity whilst leaving the floor space available.
Flat Baffled Tanks
- Lower profile with the weight spread over a larger floor area.
- Useful where height is restricted or equipment needs to be mounted above/around the tank.
Common Baffled Water Tank Fittings
A baffled water tank can be supplied with a wide range of accessories depending on the application;
There are many water tank accessories to suit the multitude of applications. You can view our full Water Tank Fittings here.
Tank weight and payload
It is important to consider the total weight of a baffled water tank when filled. Whilst the baffles help to control the flow of water, the volume of the body of liquid can have a considerable weight.
Water weighs approximately 1kg per litre so the water alone in a 1000 litre baffled tank will weigh around 1,000kg (1 tonne). Alongside this, you also need to account for other equipment, tank fittings and any framing as an example.
If the tank is being transported in a vehicle or trailer, always check the combined weight of the water, tank, equipment and any other mass, to ensure that load stays within the vehicles permitted payload and weight limits.
Full information on securing loads in HGV and goods vehicles can be found here.
💡Always check the manufacturer’s tank weight and your vehicle or trailers permitted payload limits before transporting a full tank in a vehicle.
Example on a 1000 Litre Baffled Tank when full
Water: ~1,000kg
+ Tank empty weight ~65kg
+ Fittings/equipment, additional weight
= Total loaded weight
Choosing the right baffled water tank
Selecting the correct baffled water tank ensures that you get the best performance and value for the task you have. There are a number of things to consider;
- Capacity – how much water do you need or plan to use?
- Dimensions – will the tank fit in the available space?
- Application – transport, static supply, pumped outlet etc.
- Water type – potable (drinking water) or non-potable use.
- Fittings – what inlets/outlets or accessories do you require?
Not sure which baffled tank you need?
Our team can help you choose a tank based on your available space an required capacity.
Contact Us Browse Baffled Water TanksWhy Choose A Baffled Water Tank?
The benefits of a baffled water tank.
- Reduces vehicle movement
- Improves transport safety
- Suitable for mobile use
- Various sizes & options
- Configurable fittings
Baffled Water Tank Anatomy FAQs
Do baffles completely stop water from moving inside the tank?
No, baffles will reduce the movement, not stop the water moving completely. Movement will always occur particularly when a tank is only partially filled. The baffling disrupts this movement, helping to limit the effect of water surge during acceleration, braking and cornering.
Are all baffled water tanks constructed in the same way?
No. The method of baffling varies depending on the tank design and manufacturer.Some tanks have baffles moulded directly into the tank during manufacture, while others use internal baffle systems designed to break up water movement.
The principle is the same: dividing or interrupting the body of water so that it cannot move as freely inside the tank.
Does a baffled tank still need to be secured?
Yes. Internal baffles control the movement of the water inside the tank; they do not secure the tank itself. A baffled water tank must still be appropriately positioned and restrained for the vehicle and installation. The weight of the tank, water and other equipment must also remain within the vehicle's permitted payload and axle limits.
Do baffled water tanks work when partially full?
Yes. In fact, baffling is particularly useful when a tank is partially filled because there is more space for the water to move. The internal baffles interrupt this movement and help reduce the surge of water from one end or side of the tank to another. They do not, however, completely eliminate water movement.
Are baffled water tanks more difficult to clean?
Internal baffles can make access to some areas of the tank more difficult than in a completely open tank. How easy a tank is to inspect and clean will depend on its design, lid size and type of baffling. If regular cleaning is important for your application, these should all be considered when choosing a tank.
Does the shape of a baffled tank affect how the baffles work?
Upright, tower, slimline and flat baffled tanks use different shapes to suit different installation spaces, but the purpose of the baffling remains the same: to reduce uncontrolled water movement during transport. Tank shape can, however, affect the tank's footprint, height, centre of gravity and positioning within a vehicle, so the overall installation should be considered rather than choosing a tank based on capacity alone.