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Heating Oil Tank FAQs

If you use heating oil to provide energy to your property, there are a number of factors that it is important to be aware of.

From knowing how to correctly use and maintain your tank, to ensuring you comply with relevant legislation regarding the type of tank you use and where it is sited on your property, there are a number of common queries people have about heating oil tanks.
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Here you can find answers to the most frequently asked questions people have about the use of heating oil tanks for domestic use.

Where Can I Place A Heating Oil Tank?

There are two main aspects to consider when deciding where to position your heating oil tank – safety and practicality.
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Safety issues can be identified by carrying out a risk assessment, and a heating engineer will be able to do this for you. You will need to consider proximity to buildings and property boundaries. Clearly, your tank should be sited in a place where if a leak were to occur it would cause minimum damage.

High-risk locations, such as flood zones, are not suitable. There are also legal restrictions on where you can locate your heating oil tank. For example, your oil tank must be at least 1.8 metres away from any part of a building that could be combustible. This includes eves as well as doors, window frames and cladding.
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In terms of practicality, you will need your tank to be accessible to delivery drivers for filling up your tank. Therefore, it should not be too far from the road or your drive where the tanker will need to be parked during refilling.

What Type Of Base Does My Tank Need To Be Placed On?

Your heating oil tank must be placed on a solid level base made of heat-resistant materials. Materials such as concrete or stone slabs are ideal for constructing the base for your tank. If your base is made from stone slabs, they must have a minimum depth of 50mm, and they should be laid on a substantial layer of hardcore. If the base is made of concrete, it should be at least 100mm deep. The base must extend beyond the width and length of the tank by a minimum of 300mm on all sides.

Can I Install A Tank Underground?

It is possible to install an oil tank underground, but there are special requirements that must be met. You need a reinforced bunded tank that can withstand surrounding pressure when the tank is not full, and it needs to have a protective layer of concrete around it. If you plan to use an underground tank, you must first check with your local planning authority. There are regulations relating to this type of oil tank and you will need to have planning permission in place before you can go ahead with the installation. This is because of the additional risk of damage to the environment in the event of an escape of oil.

If you live in an area where an oil leak could have a more significant impact, such as close to an area of conservation interest, you may find that the planning application process will take longer, as the planning authority may need to refer the case to the Environment Agency or in Wales to Natural Resources Wales. These agencies have the right to object to your plans if they are perceived to be unsuitable and risks cannot be mitigated.

Can A Tank Be Stored Inside A Building?

Yes, an oil tank can be installed inside a suitable outbuilding. You should not install a tank in an indoor area that is inhabited. An indoor oil tank must be housed in a non-combustible chamber, and it must be fitted on the lowest level of the building.

There are a number of other regulations to be aware of, which are particularly relevant if you are planning to install a heating oil tank inside a building:
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- The tank must be at least 1.8m away from non-fire rated eaves of a building.
- The tank must be at least 1.8m away from openings including all doors and windows if located inside a fire rated building.
- The tank must be at least 1.8m away from appliance flue terminals.
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It is not usually suitable to store a heating oil tank inside a combustible building, such as a regular wooden shed, unless all regulations are adhered to.

What Types Of Fuel Can Be Stored In A Tank?

While a good quality heating oil tank would certainly be capable of storing other fuels, it is recommended that your tank should be used only for heating oil. The most common type of heating oil used for domestic applications is kerosine, or burning oil. A domestic oil tank is defined as a tank used to supply oil to a single dwelling for heating and/or cooking purposes.

If you store another type of oil in your heating oil tank, it would be necessary to have the oil tank cleaned out completely before it could be used for storing heating oil, to avoid any risk of contamination which could be harmful to your heating system. Using your heating oil tank to store any other type of oil may also mean needing to comply with a different set of regulations and restrictions which would need to be carefully checked.

If you regularly need to store other types of oil or fuel on your property, such as gas oil or diesel for agricultural use, it is recommended to use a dedicated fuel storage tank specifically for that purpose.

Do Heating Oil Tanks Require Maintenance?

Yes, oil tanks need to be inspected regularly for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Your oil tank should be included in the overall maintenance plan for your heating system. Oil boilers should be serviced annually as a minimum, and as part of this service the engineer should carry out an inspection of your oil tank. If there are any problems identified, the engineer will suggest what remedial work should be carried out. It is your responsibility to take the necessary action to ensure that your tank is in good condition.

Oil leaks need to be avoided at all costs. They present a fire hazard, they are harmful to the environment, and the cleanup service is costly. As the owner of the oil tank, you are responsible for the costs of cleaning up spillages and any consequential damage, so it is worth carrying out an occasional check of the tank and acting on any recommendations from your engineer for repairs to be made to the tank. In between services, you should keep an eye out for cracking, and if you have a metal tank, check there are no patches of rust.

What Is A Bunded Heating Oil Tank?

A bunded heating oil tank is a contained tank or a tank within a tank. The oil is stored within the inner tank, and the outer shell acts as an additional layer of protection for the tank and a means of preventing external leaks and damage to the environment in the event of an escape of oil from the main or inner tank.
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The outer container of a bunded tank must have at least 110% of the capacity of the inner tank.

For most domestic customers, a bunded tank is not a requirement. However, if you choose to have a tank with a capacity of 3,500 litres or more, you must have a bunded tank. If the tank is on commercial or industrial premises, it must be bunded if it holds 200 litres or more. This requirement is part of the oil storage regulations set by the Environment Agency. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to prosecution and a substantial fine.

Do Heating Oil Tanks Need To Be Bunded?

In many cases, a heating oil tank doesn’t have to be bunded, but bunded tanks do have obvious advantages over a single-skin tank. Bunded tanks keep the risk of an oil spillage to a minimum because any oil which escapes from the tank will stay in the outer tank or shell instead of being released into the environment. In certain circumstances, you are required to have a bunded or contained tank in accordance with oil storage regulations. These circumstances include the following:
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- The tank is situated in an area where an oil leak could reach an open drain or a loose manhole cover
- The tank is sited within 10 metres of controlled water (see below)
- The tank is positioned on a hard surface which could result in spilt oil contaminating controlled water
- The tank is within 50 metres of a well, borehole or other source of drinking water
- The vent pipe outlet of the tank is not visible from the fill point
- The capacity of the tank is 3,500 litres or greater.
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When it comes to selecting a heating oil tank for domestic use, most homeowners opt for a bunded version in order to take advantage of the additional safety and security advantages they offer.

What Is Controlled Water?

The term “controlled water” refers to a lake, pond, stream, river, canal or coastal water. If you want to locate your oil tank within 10 metres of controlled water, it must be a bunded tank, not a single skin tank.

Are Single Skin Oil Tanks Legal?

Yes, single skin fuel tanks are legal and can be used without issue in many domestic settings. However, the design of bunded tanks means they offer greater safety for storing oil. If you are not restricted by regulations, it is just a matter of choosing which type of tank best meets your requirements. Whether you opt for a single skin tank or a bunded tank, choose a model which is made to a recognised British or European industry standard. This will give you assurance of the quality and safety of your tank.

It’s recommended to opt for tanks that are manufactured to OFTEC standards, which includes OFS T100 for plastic heating oil tanks or OFS T200 for steel heating oil tanks.

How Long Does A Heating Oil Tank Last?

A heating oil tank should last for at least 10 years and may well last for 20 years. This timescale is based on the assumption that the tank is not damaged in any way. Regular checks and maintenance from your heating engineer can help to prolong the life of the oil tank.

You should check regularly that there are no signs of damage to your tank. Things to look out for include bulging, rust, and hairline cracks. If you spot any of these signs or other indications of wear and tear, contact your local oil heating specialist for a full inspection. Replacing your tank will be less costly and far less damaging than dealing with an oil leak and the associated clean-up process.

Can I Install My Own Heating Oil Tank?

It is not against the law to install your own heating oil tank, but it would only be advisable if you have the necessary knowledge and skills. If you do decide to install your own tank, bear in mind that you will need to liaise with Building Control Services for inspection and approval of the installation.

The recommended option is to arrange for an OFTEC registered company to fit your heating oil tank. OFTEC, or Oil Firing Technical Association, is the trade body that promotes high standards in the industry. Installers of oil-fired heating systems are not legally obliged to be OFTEC-registered, but when you choose an installer who is registered with OFTEC, you are assured of certain quality and safety standards.

What Size Oil Tank Do I Need?

Your oil tank should suit your individual needs as a household, and your location.
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Factors to consider include the size of your property, how well insulated it is and therefore how much oil will be required to heat it, and your hot water demands. If you use heating oil to power your oven, you will need to take this consumption into consideration too.

If you live somewhere very remote, you may wish to have a larger tank installed as delivery timescales may be longer for your area. It is also worth bearing in mind that there may be discounts available on the price per litre of heating oil when you order in larger quantities. For that reason, you might choose to have a 2000 litre tank installed rather than a 1000 litre tank. On the other hand, if you are short of space in your garden, you might want to opt for a smaller tank.

How Long Does Heating Oil Last In A Tank?

Heating oil will last for at least 18 months in your tank and will usually still be good to use after two years. Many people will use their tank all year round because of the demand for hot water, but even if you don’t use your heating system during the summer months, the oil stored in the tank will not deteriorate and can be used without any problems when you switch your heating back on.

Oil will usually only deteriorate quickly if it becomes contaminated. Impurities in the tank can have an impact on the properties of the oil and affect its efficiency. For example, if the viscosity of the oil is altered by impurities, it can affect its ability to flow into the boiler. In order to avoid the risk of impurities contaminating your heating oil, it is recommended that you have your tank cleaned every few years. It’s also recommended to use an oil tank filter in your system to remove contaminants such as water or air, which can prevent your system from operating at its best.

How Can I Tell How Much Heating Oil Is In My Tank?

Thankfully the days of dipping a stick into the tank are long gone. There are a range of gauges suitable for oil tanks which can let you quickly see how much oil is remaining in your tank. These include hydrostatic gauges and float type gauges, as well as digital gauges which are perhaps the ultimate in convenience. A device is fitted inside the tank to monitor the oil level. This transmits a signal to a receiver inside your home, which shows you the quantity of oil remaining on a small LCD screen. For example, bars on the display may be used to represent fractions of the oil tank, giving you an “at a glance” indication of the oil level. Monitors usually incorporate a low-level warning, so when the level falls below a given percentage of the tank’s total capacity, a warning light will flash to remind you to book an oil delivery.

For Further Information & Advice

If you need advice or information about the right heating oil storage solution for your needs, get in touch with our expert team. You can also take a look at our guide to heating oil tanks for more information about the options available.
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With decades of combined experience in the industry, we can help guide you through the various options and ensure you are able to find the most suitable heating oil tank and related equipment for your individual requirements.

At Northern Tank Store we supply high quality products from a range of leading brands, and also have our own in-house design team available to produce bespoke solutions if needed. So no matter what kind of heating oil requirement you may have, here at Northern Tank Store we can deliver the perfect solution for your property.