Oil Tank Replacements / Installations
Information and OFTEC guidelines
There are many considerations when purchasing an oil tank, whether it being a replacement or a new tank, plastic or steel, bunded or single skin. All of these can leave us a little confused as to which is the best tank for your configuration. Once the decision has been made as to which tank is right, there's the decision where the oil tank will be installed and whether it complies to OFTEC and British Fuel Storage Standards. Here at Fuel Tank Shop we make sure all our Oil Tanks are compliant d we can even quote for an OFTEC registered technician to install in your area, if this is required.
Who or What are OFTEC?
OFTEC (Oil firing Technical Association) is a UK organization which maintains a register of trained and assessed technicians who can install oil, solid fuel and renewable heating equipment, safely and competently, to the required standards. OFTEC also have recommended standards in regard to the manufacture of oil storage tanks. (OFS T100 for plastic or OFS T200 for Steel).
Where’s the best location to install my oil tank?
Oil is a highly flammable liquid and although a fire is highly unlikely to originate in a fuel storage tank, it is very important to comply with fire separation distances to protect the stored fuel from a heat or fire source nearby.
Tank Base Support
It is important that oil tanks are adequately supported to help prevent any safety concerns and for environmental protection. The base material for your oil tank should be level and either of the following – concrete – at least 100 mm thick, paving stones or stonework – at least 50 mm thick. The OFTEC base construction guidelines are (in brief) –
- Adequate for the weight of the tank when fuel
- Non-combustible, imperforate and level
- Constructed of Concrete, paving stones or stonework
- Large enough to extend 300 mm beyond ALL sides of the tank.
Tank Location
Tanks should be sited, as recommended by OFTEC, to protect them from an ignition source. Tanks should be sited –
- 1.8 m away from non-fire rated eaves of a building
- 1.8 m away from a non-fire rated building or structure (e.g. Garden Shed)
- 1.8 m away from openings (such as doors and windows) in a fire rated building or structure (e.g. brick-built house/ garage)
- 1.8 m away from liquid fuel appliance flue terminals
- 760 mm away from a non-fire rated boundary, such as a wooden boundary fence
- 600 mm away from screening (e.g. trellis and foliage) that does not form part of the boundary.
If it is impossible to comply with the separation distances, then a fire protection barrier (with a minimum of 30 minute fire rating) should be provided. 30 Minutes fire protection enables the installation of an oil tank a minimum of 300 mm from other buildings and structures. Where access is required (e.g. at the front of the tank to fill it) then a minimum distance of 600 mm is required.
However, it is the responsibility of the competent person installing the tank, or the building inspector certifying the installation, to ensure a site-specific risk assessment has been conducted.
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Oil Tank Installer
Do you need an installer? We can help you find an OFTEC approved engineer. Please complete a simple form using this link or give us a call and we will be happy to help you.
OFTEC resources provde advice on oil tank installation and maintenance
GOV.UK information regardng domestic and commercial oil Storage:
- Oil Storage overview
- Storing oil at you home (Domestic)
- Storing Oil at your business (Non-Domestic/ Commercial)
GOV.SCOT information regarding domestic and commercial oil storage:
- SCOTLAND: Domestic Technical Handbook (refer to section 3.24)
- SCOTLAND: Non-Domestic Technical Handbook (refer to section 3.24)
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) information regarding oil storage in Scotland:
GOV.WALES information regarding domestic and commercial oil storgage:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Every effort is made to keep this area of the site up to date. However, Fueltankshop.co.uk cannot be held liable for errors and omissions. Legal compliance is the user's responsibility. If you have concerns over compliance, you must seek professional advice, or contact your or local building standards or environmental authority. Additionally, Fueltankshop.co.uk recommends that all oil tanks should be installed only by a competent person, registered with The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC). Please note that Fueltankshop.co.uk will not be responsible for any oil tank installation which is non-compliant with prevailing statutory requirements.