A bunded oil tank is the safest way to store oil at a home or business. Of course, you have to make sure that the tank is installed and maintained in a safe manner, in much the same that way you do with other additions to your property, such as boilers or other heating system components.
Normally, as the owner of the property, you are responsible for the safe positioning and upkeep of the tank, so you need to be aware of everything that you need to consider. When it comes to positioning a new tank on your property, you obviously have to pay attention to the size of the tank and where it will physically fit. Importantly, you also need to think about fire regulations and local building regulations that will need to be taken into account when deciding on the right place to locate the tank.
Why a bunded oil tank?
By their manufacture and design, these tanks are a safe and secure way to store oil on your property, for use if you are using oil for cooking at home or using the oil in heating your home. The bund that surrounds the storage tank provides additional protection against any potential leaks or spillages. However, you still have to comply with certain rules that are put in place to provide an additional layer of safety, in much the same way as regular boiler inspections do.
OFTEC fire regulations
If you have a bunded oil tank that is connected to a boiler in your home, you have to comply with OFTEC fire regulations when you are positioning it. These tanks are a safe means of storing oil for use in this way, but they are still subject to these rules.
- Bunded oil tanks must be located on a non-combustible base which covers an area that extends at least 300mm around the exterior of the tank.
- Your tank needs to be a specific distance away from non-fire rated parts of your property; for example, 1.8m away from eaves, sheds and gazebos and 760mm away from boundary fencing.
- You should not place a bunded oil tank within 1.8m of the doors, windows or any other construction openings.
- If you have oil fired appliances, the tank should be located at least 1.8m away from their flue terminals.
- Any trellis work, or other forms of screening, should be at least 600mm away from the tank.
This may sound complicated but it only requires one lot of measuring in order to find the ideal spot for the tank.
Complying with building regulations
If you are storing oil on your property, and the tank that you have purchased is connected to a boiler, local building regulations are your biggest concern, when it comes to deciding where to position the tank. The regulations are different in various parts of the UK, so it's best to check locally, to make sure you are compliant.
The best way to do this is to choose an installer who is registered with a Competent Person Scheme, such as OFTEC or APHC. Members of the schemes are assessed for competence and they are able to self-certify the fact that their work complies with any building regulations that are in place.
If you are taking responsibility for the installation yourself, you will need to speak to your local council and arrange for the inspections and certificates to be completed. Doing this means that you have complete peace of mind that your bunded oil tank is located in a legitimate position, and that you will not encounter any potential legal issues when you sell the property.
A bunded tank is a safe means of storing oil that means you have complied with best environmental practice. If you decide to invest in one of these tanks, you need to ensure that it's positioned in the right place. You need to consider the size of the tank, and the convenience that you require, alongside the regulations that you have to comply with. Once your tank is in place, you should take note of the sticker which is placed on the outside of the tank. It contains all of the information you need about taking care of your tank on an ongoing basis.
To help you decide what size bunded oil tank you need for your property, we've put together a helpful guide which you can read here.
