Need assistance or advice with a product or lead time? Call our friendly Customer Services Team on 0117 244 4099 for expert help.....oh and don't forget we price match on most products!
When a property is off the mains gas network some properties need to have an oil tank to store the oil that is needed to provide fuel to feed the central heating boiler. If you have an oil tank on your property, it is important that the oil is kept safe, reducing the risk of fire, and ensuring that it complies with planning regulations. Safe storage can also be an insurance requirement.
The rules and regulations around where your oil tank can be stored are set out by Local Area Building Control (LABC)and OFTEC.
Oil Tanks
There are two main types of oil tanks that can be used for the storage of oil – single skin oil and bunded oil tanks.
Single skin oil tanks are usually made from either plastic or steel. Although steel single skin tanks are generally more robust than plastic, they can be bulky and are at risk of corrosion. Plastic single skin oil tanks are often more lightweight and will not suffer from corrosion but they are not as secure as a steel version.
Bunded oil tanks are similar to double skin oil tanks in that there is essentially one tank set inside another tank. You can normally find both plastic bunded oil tanks and steel bunded oil tanks, adding another layer of protection and helping to reduce the possibility of contamination into the local area.
The Difference Between Bunded Oil Tanks and Double Skin Oil Tanks
Bunded oil tanks are normally stored overground, but there are some double-skin oil tanks that can be stored under the ground. The main difference between the two kinds of oil tanks relates to their capacity. A bunded oil tank will normally have an overfill capacity of 110% - which is not necessarily the case with a double skin oil tank.
It is important that, if you are installing a home oil heating system, you check your local regulations to ensure that it complies with them. It is recommended that you use a qualified technician to fit the tank and ensure that it is done properly and safely, especially as there is a fire risk when oil is being stored.
Underground Oil Tanks
Although underground oil tanks are not particularly common, they are often a popular choice for people who have limited outside space, or indeed, those who are wanting to preserve the look of the outside of their property. They can also be well protected as they are under the ground and better protected from outside damage.
It is important to note, however, that there are some other considerations that must be made if you are going to put an oil tank underground. It should be made of materials that can withstand the pressures of being underground and planted well away from plants and trees with roots that can cause damage to the tank.
It is also important that you ensure that the tank is in excellent working order both before it is filled, and also well-maintained as you are using it. The fact that they are double-walled is a good start, but they are also normally fitted with an electronic contents oil tank gauge which allows you to keep a close eye on the oil levels within the tank.
Other features to an underground tank include a top outlet that allows you to safely and effectively draw the oil out of the tank, a de-aeration tiger loop that ensures that there is no air within the system, and a bund monitor that can be used to check the tanks before they are filled.
