Domestic Oil Storage Brochure

This easy guide applies to oil storage tanks up to 3,500 litrecapacity supplying single family dwellings.All about tanksModern oil storage tanks come in all shapes and sizes, andcan be made from steel or plastic. Both single skin andbunded tanks are available.When choosing a tank, it’s important to make sure it meetsminimum quality standards such as the OFCERT scheme.A comprehensive list of tank manufacturers can be found inequipment directory on the OFTEC website atwww.oftec.orgComplyingwith regulationsOil storage tank installations in the Republic of Ireland mustmeet the requirements of approved document J of thebuilding regulations (2006).Safe oil storageIt’s very unlikely that a fire could be started by a domestic oilstorage tank and it’s contents. However, it needs to beprotected from a fire that originates nearby.An oil storage tank may be sited next to a building providingthe walls are fire rated, without any openings – including airbricks. In addition, tanks should be sited:• 1.8m away from non fire rated eves of a building• 1.8m away from a non fire rated building or structure (eggarden sheds) which have openings such as doors orwindows• 1.8m away from appliance flue terminals• 760 mm away from a non fire rated boundary such as awooden boundary fence.If it’s impossible to comply with these requirements, then afire rated barrier of at least 30 minutes should be provided,extending 300mm higher and wider than both ends of thetank.Protecting the EnvironmentTo minimise the risk of pollution from an oil spill, someinstallations must have a secondary containment (a bund).A bund can be a catchpit beneath the tank, without a drain,constructed of non-combustible materials and capable ofholding the contents of the tank plus an additional 10%.There are also integrally bunded plastic tanks available,which are effectively a tank within a tank.All oil storage tanks over 2500 litres supplying a domesticdwelling should be bunded. Tanks under 2500 litres shouldbe bunded if the tank:• Is located within 10m of inland freshwaters or coastalwaters; or• Is located where spillage could run into an open drain orto a loose fitting manhole cover; or• Is located within 50m of sources of potable water such aswells, bore holes or springs; ordomestic oil storageTheOFTECeasy guide to...• Is located where oil spilled from the installation couldreach the waters listed above by running across hardground; or• Is located where tank vent pipe outlets cannot be seenfrom the intended filling point.Any oil storage installation should carry a label in aprominent position giving advice on what to do if an oil spilloccurs, together with the telephone number of theEnvironment Agency’s Emergency Hotline.Back to basesProper support is vital for your tank, which will be very heavyonce it’s full of oil. Steel tanks need to be supported off theground by purpose built brick piers. Depending on the typeof installation, plastic tanks can sit at ground level, but mustbe supported adequately by a proper, level base. Anuneven base can cause considerable stress on the tank,leading to damage and increasing the risk of oil spillage.Internal domestic oil storageIn some situations, the oil storage tank can be sited inside abuilding such as a garage or outhouse. For thoseinstallations, the tank must be self contained within a 60minute rated fire chamber, with a self closing door thatopens outwards, and is openable from the inside withoutthe use of a key. In addition, the tank should be bunded.OFTECOil Firing Technical AssociationFoxwood House, Dobbs Lane,Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 2QQTel: 0845 65 85 080 Fax: 0845 65 85 181www.oftec.org PUB/43 Issue 2 11.11.2008