Explosion-retardant containment vessel for storage of flammable liquids

An above-ground containment vessel for the storage of a flammable liquid, said containment vessel comprising:

• a substantially rigid primary storage tank capable of storing the flammable liquid, said primary storage tank having a predetermined volumetric capacity;
• and
• a substantially rigid containment dike completely surrounding said primary storage tank, said containment dike forming an interstitial space between the exterior of said primary storage tank and the interior of said containment dike, said containment dike being substantially air-tight and liquid-tight to contain any leakage from said primary storage tank within the interstitial space;
• a working vent from the interior of said primary storage tank to the exterior of said containment dike, said working vent including a device to restrict the flow of liquids therethrough, said working vent to allow vapor communication between the interior of said primary storage tank and the exterior of said containment dike;
• an emergency vent operatively attached to a top portion of said primary storage tank, said emergency vent to allow conditional fluid communication between the interior of said primary storage tank and the interstitial space in the event the amount of fluid within said primary storage tank exceeds the predetermined capacity thereof;
• and
• a pumping compartment integrally connected to said containment dike, said pumping compartment capable of either pumping liquid into said primary storage tank or drawing liquid therefrom.