All fuel tanks including bunded oil tanks have the potential to leak, which can result in expensive damage; however, leaks from underground fuel tanks are considerably more likely to cause contamination since they are hidden from view.
People who live in older homes with their primary heat source switched from oil to something else in recent years are also at risk. This is because many homeowners abandoned their buried oil tanks when they changed to an alternative form of heating or when they transitioned to the above ground without proper drainage and disposal.
What Exactly Is an Underground Oil Tank?
Tanks used to store oil are typically located near heating systems on commercial and residential properties. Before natural gas and at rural locations where there is no mains gas infrastructure, most residential properties burned fuel oil in a tank on the property. From the 1960s up to the 1980s, underground oil tanks were very common. Tanks were frequently buried because of their imposing bulk and unsightliness, the possibility of vandalism, and theft.
How Far Away from a House Can an Underground Oil Storage Tank Be Located?
Because of the fire risk, regulations - for above ground and underground tanks storing up to 3500 liters - have been implemented to shield the fuel from any surrounding flames or other heat sources. Tanks should be sited in the following manner so that they are protected from an ignition source:
● 1.8 metres away from the building's eaves that are not fire-rated.
● 1.8 metres' distance from the nearest non-fire-rated building or structure (e.g., garden sheds)
● 1.8 metres away from the flue terminals of any appliances that use liquid fuel
● Six hundred millimetres away from screening that is not a component of the border (such as trellis and foliage) and 760 millimetres away from a non-fire rated boundary (such as a timber boundary fence).
If the required distances cannot be met, a fire protection barrier with a 30-minute or higher fire rating should be erected. If the tank manufacturer requests a greater separation distance, the minimum space between the tank and the fire barrier is 300 millimetres (mm).
How Do You Check the Oil in an Underground Oil Tank?
The quantity of the oil that is kept in a tank buried underground can be difficult to ascertain. So here are three different approaches that you can take to reach that goal successfully.
Oil gauge
Your oil tank should feature a gauge to track usage. Waiting until the needle hits "E" is a bad idea. Instead keep an eye on the gauge to determine the rate at which it is consumed..
Visually check
Visually inspecting the oil level is ideal. Unscrew the tank's cap and shine a flashlight inside. If light reflects off the tank, there's oil. If you detect sludge and dirt, refill the tank.
Dipsticks
Grab a dipstick or broom handle. Lower the stick until it hits the tank's bottom, then let it sit to absorb oil. Next, examine the oil line like you would on an vehicle.
What Can You Do to Prevent Underground Oil Tank Problems?
Although underground oil tanks are rare, they're a great option for those with little outside area or for those who wish to keep their property's aesthetic. As a bonus, they may be less vulnerable to harm from the elements thanks to their underground location.
But there are other things to think about before burying an oil tank. It must be durable enough to resist being buried and be placed far from any trees or plants whose roots could potentially crack the tank.
You must also check the tank's condition before filling it and keep it in tip-top shape as you use it. They are double walled, which is a good start, but they also typically have an electronic contents oil tank gauge so you can keep an eye on the oil levels inside the tank.
Additional elements of an underground tank include a top outlet for the safe and efficient removal of oil, a de-aeration tiger loop to eliminate the possibility of air entering the system, and a bund monitor for inspection of the tanks before they are filled.
The Underground Heating Oil Tank Removal Process
A professional tank removal service usually removes an oil tank because their trained technicians have the right knowledge and tools. Also, you typically need special permits to take out an underground oil tank.
Before an underground oil tank can be removed, it must be cleaned and emptied of any oil still in it. Once it's ready to go, it will be dug out of the ground and put on a trailer to be taken away. From there, the tank is thrown away correctly and, if possible, reused or recycled.
