Oil Tank Servicing

Types of Oil Tank

Plastic

A moulded polyethylene container for storing fuel. Normally green.

Steel

A fabricated steel container for storing fuel that’s protected with an oil resistant coating before installation. You’ll need to maintain this protection to prolong the life of the tank.

Single-skinned

An oil storage tank with only one layer of steel or plastic to contain the fuel.

Integrally-bunded

An oil storage tank within a larger secondary containment tank (or bund). The bund can hold 110% of the inner tank’s contents and contains other oil tank fittings, including its vent.

Refuelling station

An integrally-bunded plastic or steel tank system for dispensing fuel, usually for vehicles.

Double-skinned

Otherwise known as a twin-walled tank. Normally made of steel with an inner tank surrounded by an outer skin for extra strength. Don’t confuse double-skinned tanks with integrally-bunded tanks; they don’t give the same protection against oil loss from overfilling or damage to tank and pipework, and require extra secondary containment when installed above ground.

Underground

A tank specifically constructed for underground use; can be steel or plastic. This guide doesn’t cover this type of tank.

Fittings On Your Oil Tank

Fill point

A threaded pipe (usually 2"/50mm diameter) that the delivery driver connects onto to fill the tank. This may be on, or at, the tank or piped to a remote fill location.

Vent

A means of releasing vapour and air from the tank into the atmosphere when the tank is being filled, and air into the tank when fuel is drawn off.

Contents gauge

A device that indicates the quantity of oil in the tank. Gauges can be manual, visual or wireless. The reading may be seen at the tank, next to the tank or even at a remote location (e.g. in the kitchen).

Isolation valve

Otherwise known as a service valve which shuts off the oil supply from the tank. Normally found at the tank outlet.

Overfill alarm/prevention device

A device to avoid oil spillage from overfilling; it can either sound an alarm and/or give a visual warning, or automatically stop the oil delivery into the tank.

Bund (also called secondary containment)

An area around the tank designed to contain any loss of fuel to prevent pollution. It can be manufactured as part of an integrally-bunded tank or built separately to the tank. It can be constructed from reinforced concrete or masonry and rendered impermeable to oil. Secondary containment should hold at least 110% of the tank’s contents. This may be a legal requirement for some tanks.

Your tank may need to have secondary containment by law depending on where it is and what it’s used for but, to protect the environment, you should consider having it provided anyway, even if it isn’t a legal requirement.

Tank maintenance and repair

You should have your oil tank and fittings (such as valves, gauges and pipework) inspected by a suitably-qualified competent person at least once a year. If they find any leaks, damage or defects with the installation, you’ll need to arrange a repair or replacement immediately to keep the equipment in a satisfactory condition. You’ll also need to arrange removal of any accumulated water or sludge found in the tank. In between annual inspections, your fuel supplier may identify defects with the installation and can, in some cases, issue an ‘Unsafe Delivery Point Report’. If defects are identified, however small, you should get them fixed immediately to minimise risk of a pollution incident.

If you see a problem with your tank, gauge or pipework when you’re checking it, get it fixed urgently by a professional.

 

Site Map:

| Homepage | Compare Heating Oil | Compare Oil Tanks |

| Get Listed | Recent Heating Oil News | Oil Consortiums |

| About Us | Contact Us |