Fuels such as diesel and oil are part of our everyday lives and are used for everything from running our vehicles to heating our homes. However, these products are volatile substances and can be very dangerous if they’re not looked after properly. Failing to properly store your fuel can have serious environmental consequences and lead to heavy fines. It is therefore important that you follow regulations and protect against the risk of pollution. Below, we are going to provide you with some tips on how to make sure your fuel is stored safely. Remember – your fuel is ultimately your responsibility!
Choose a reliable tank
All of the tanks we stock here at Tanks For Everything are selected due to their unrivalled quality and expert manufacturing. We stock tanks from many leading manufacturers, including Atlas, DESO and Titan. A reliable fuel storage tank from a leading manufacturer and a trusted supplier is truly the cornerstone of ensuring fuel storage safety.
Choose a safe location for the tank
Now that you have selected a tank, the bunded diesel tank should be positioned somewhere that minimises the risk of it being damaged, for example away from driveways. Or you must make sure that any impact won’t damage the tank and cause a leak, for instance by placing barriers around the tank. Access to the tank should be limited to only those who need work on it for refuelling or maintenance. You should also always avoid installing storage tanks near a water source if at all possible or any area at risk of flooding - this will help protect the environment in the case of a fuel spillage or leak.
Diesel is highly flammable and so must be kept in a cool, dry area. You can have diesel storage tanks installed in a building or under a lean-to, so long as they meet fire safety requirements. This location helps prevent water ingress and also means that the fact that fuel is stored in a more discreet fashion and is less obvious to prying eyes.
Remember that fuel theft is on the rise, especially in rural areas. You should therefore store oil and diesel in a secure, hidden area, and have safety and security precautions in place, such as a padlock and alarm systems.
Ensure the tank complies with OFTEC regulations
Legally you must store all fuels in a safe, responsible, and environmentally friendly way. Bunded oil tanks are the safest way to store fuel as they are designed to collect any fuel in the event of a leakage. If your tank has a capacity of less than 205 litres, you can place a drip tray beneath the tank to catch any fuel that leaks. In order to comply with the current regulations, the drip tray must hold 110% of the capacity of the tank.
Bunded diesel tanks are available in both plastic and steel.
It is important to remember that even the smallest fuel spillage can cause pollution and have negative effects on the local environment. Your storage must therefore always meet minimum legal requirements. If you want to know more about the regulations, there is a lot of information in OFTEC’s Guide to Domestic Oil Storage.
Complete maintenance of tanks
Your storage tanks should be checked annually by an OFTEC certified engineer as part of your heating system’s regular service visit. You should also visually check your tank at least once a week for early signs of any problems including, corrosion or rust on the side of the tank, or sudden changes in the level of fuel. Failing to regularly check the storage tank will mean that issues such as leaks are likely to go unnoticed. This could be costly to you as well as the environment.
Ensure no source of ignition close to the tank
Diesel and oil are highly flammable substances that can be extremely dangerous when not looked after properly. You must store them away from any source of ignition - failing to do this could have catastrophic consequences.
Under OFTEC regulations all fuel storage tanks must comply with fire separation distances in order to adequately protect the stored fuel from any fire or heat source, that may originate nearby. If it is not possible to comply with these requirements, then a fire protection barrier may be used. Fire resistant oil tanks are Local Authority Building Control registered products which enable the Fire Resistant tank to be located closer to recognised fire hazards than a conventional oil storage tank. Fire resistant tanks often prevent the need to install costly and often unsightly fire screen walls. The regulations that cover necessary clearances are different depending on whether your installation is considered to be domestic or commercial.
Final thought
It is important that you store your fuel in a responsible, safe, and environmental friendly way. Failing to do this can be extremely dangerous and have serious environmental consequences. OFTEC regulations are in place to protect you, your family, and the environment from harm. It is therefore essential that you follow these guidelines and protect against the risk of pollution by storing your oil or diesel safely.
'To find out which bunded oil tank would be best for you - click here'
