FAQs on storage tanks
What sort of oil storage tank do I need?
There’s now a huge choice of oil storage solutions in every conceivable shape and size! The 2 main different types are metal and plastic. Metal tanks have to sit on piers off the ground, whereas plastic tanks can sit on the ground. Your OFTEC Registered Technician can advise on the appropriate tank size. It’s sometimes worth considering investing in a larger tank so you can fill up in the summer when oil prices may be cheaper.
My OFTEC Registered Technician has told me I need a bunded tank – what’s that?
Integrally bunded oil tanks are either steel or plastic oil storage tanks which are constructed with an integral bund. The integral bund must be able to hold at least 110% of the tank’s contents in the unlikely event that the inner tank leaks or is overfilled. Your OFTEC Registered Technician will be able to perform an individual site assessment, which includes a standard set of criteria to determine whether an oil storage tank needs to be of a bunded type. For an overview of oil storage installations, please visit the Publications section of our website.
I forgot to order oil, and my tank ran dry. I've had a delivery, but now the boiler won't work. What can I do?
Call your local OFTEC Registered Service and Commissioning Technician (you can search for a Registered Technician in your area by using the “Locate a Registered Technician” facility here on the OFTEC website). The oil line system will require bleeding and venting, and it’s also advisable to check the filter. When this has been done your OFTEC Registered Service and Commissioning Technician will fire the boiler and carry out a combustion analysis to check that it is operating safely and efficiently.
There are several types of sight gauges suitable for domestic oil storage tanks. Also, many plastic oil storage tanks are now fitted with an electronic sight gauge that displays the oil level on a readout indoors, and warns you when the oil level is getting low. Ask your OFTEC Registered Technician which type they recommend.
The electronic gauge can be linked to a new computerised oil ordering system that automatically reports the level of oil in your oil storage tank direct to your supplier via the telephone. They can then arrange for a delivery without your even having to order. More and more oil companies are using this system. Ask your supplier if they offer it.
I am a Church Warden based in England and we have a 2500L single skin oil storage tank at our parish church and I have been informed that it will need secondary containment by 1st September 2005. Can you confirm this?
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 states that all oil storage tank installations above 200L being used for commercial/industrial, places of public entertainment or assembly and domestic (above 3500L) installations deemed at risk must have had secondary containment provision by 1st September 2003. Installations which are not deemed to be immediately at risk are required to be updated by 1st September 2005.
There is additional guidance in OFTEC Information Sheet – The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 which is available in the Publications section of the OFTEC website.
I am a householder in Scotland and live in a terraced house, after my last oil delivery my fuel company told me that they would no longer be able to fill my oil storage tank by bringing the hose through the property. Is there a way to overcome this?
You can have an extended fill line installed, this can be run either under the property in approved plastic pipework or through the building in concealed positions using 50mm black steel tubing. Any joints that are made must be accessible and consideration should be given to running the line through an oil proof sleeve incorporating a leakage detector.
Where the oil storage tank and its contents gauge cannot be seen from the fill point, the oil storage tank must have secondary containment and an overfill alarm be installed. Your OFTEC Registered Technician can advise you further on this.
Further help
We also produce a series of FREE downloadable Easy Guides. You may find one of these is helpful.
If you can’t find the answers you are looking for here you can contact the OFTEC Technical Helpline on 0905 757 0135 (calls are charged at 95p a minute, but some service providers may vary) and speak to a member of the OFTEC Technical Team.
Alternatively, you can send in a technical enquiry form. We aim to respond to technical enquiry e-mails within 3 working days.