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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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    What Size Oil Tank Do I Need?

    Your oil tank should suit your individual needs as a household, and your location.

    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.


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