Oil Tank Regulations

[Phil White]

Hi All,

Sorry all. I am in a major mode of despair at the moment, and I'm not sure what I can do about it - thus hoping someone here can offer a few pointers... (posted in C/H, because I thought it would fit here better. Apologies if it should be in planning, or somewhere else.)

I live in a 1930's 3-bed ex-council house semi. Remote location - thus we rely on oil-fired C/H. The tank is steel, approx one-point-something thousand litres. No idea how long it has been there, but there are distinct signs of corrosion about the base of the tank, with pitting & bubbling.

Yesterday, since the tank is almost empty, I decided to get a new tank - but also decided it would be nice to move it 3 feet sideways, to tidy the layout of the garden - so I prepared the new site...

Then, last night, I started doing research, and discovered Oftec book 3 and TI/131- which stipulates a minimum distance of 760mm between the tank and any boundary.

Here's the problem. There is absolutely no way I can find a suitable location that would allow me to meet the regulations. The current location is hard up against the boundary (a wooden fence) - so even if I replaced the tank but kept it in the current location, it is not going to meet regulatory requirements. If I shift it by 76cm, I am going to loose the garage (not yet built, but that space is currently occupied by two large wooden sheds.) We simply do not have a garden large enough without putting the damn thing in the middle of the lawn.

I could shift the thing closer to the house - but then it would be right next to the boiler flue! And I don't really want it closer to the house - it is (or was planned to be) in the ideal place, as far from every residential property as possible.

So - I'm looking for ideas, tips and advice. I do not want to go for an underground tank (They cost too much, and I understand that you need to have regular specialist inspections to certify that they still meet specifications - for a fee, of course).

All I can think of is that I continue with the old idea of keeping it next to the boundary fence, but build a 30-minute fire wall around it. Alternatively, I put it inside the garage. This may be good for security, but I cannot find copies of TI/127 on the 'net to let me know what the regulatory requirements are - or if this is a cost feasible option. Cost is an issue, but more importantly is that I get some heating in place before autumn, as we have a sprog about to arrive...

Thanks all.

 

[Bosswhite]

I would have thought as you are just replacing the tank "New for Old" new regulations would not be enforcable as to location . Leave it as it is .

 

[crockett]

They are regulations, not the law...... you could spend money on a fire rated oil tank which would satisfy the regs, but they are expensive...... other than that, you would have to fire rate the surrounding wooden fencing, etc. to regs.

 

[Phil White]

Thanks Guys.
So I have some hope for optimism?
I am hoping to move location by 3', because it makes more sense, and easier access for deliveries. Also better when a brick garage put beside it. Keeping it EXACTLY where current location is will be slightly difficult, as it is a steel tank on two piers, raised 3/4m off ground level. Plan was to purchase MDPE tank - and prepare the base prior to getting the Oftec guy to plumb everything in and provide necessary paperwork.
Nothing ever seems simple these days. I'll start to fish around for some quotes (North Shropshire, if anyone here is interested).

Cheers.

 

[Danoil]

Your tank may well be sited wrong now and while it doesn't comply to building regs as long as nothing changes it's fine as they aren't retrospective, but as soon as you move it (or fit new) it HAS to comply to the current building regulations (incorporating BS5410 part 2) which are very much law. This even includes if you take the tank off the supports to do repair work to the base before refitting the tank.

Any new tank now has to have secondary containment as well and as it is a notifiable work will need to be self certified by an OFTEC registered tank installer or by a Building Control Officer - neither of which will sign it off and put their name to it if it doesn't comply.

It sounds like you wish to do some or all of the work yourself in which case my advice to you would be either:

1. Install a metal bunded tank (always a first choice as so much more robust than a tupperwear box plastic tank) where you would like it near the fence with a 30minute fire protected wall between tank and fence and get either OFTEC reg installer or BCO to sign off.

Or

2. Install a plastic integrated fire protected bunded tank (Tuffa Tanks-check them out) wherever you like outside and have the BCO sign it off- OFTEC registered installers cannot sign these off for you.

If you do get someone to install for you make sure the signing off and certificate is included in the quote.

 

[Phil White]

Hi Danoil,

Thank you for that clarification. It looks like I am going to have to have the wall...
Can you confirm what a 30min firewall will consist of? Will using a single skin of 100mm 3.6N concrete block suffice? What distance must the wall extend from the limits of the tank?

Also, I note that you talk about a bunded tank. I was under the impression that bunded tanks are NOT required - so long as the volume is less than 3,500L and it is a domestic installation (both of which apply here).

There is still the possibility of complying to TI/127 with the tank inside the garage - but I still cannot find the requirements for this...