How do you connect two oil tanks together?
The most common setup involves a connector pipe on top of the two tanks. The oil comes in through the fill pipe into the first tank. Once the first tank is filled to the top, the oil is then forced up and out of the first tank, into the second tank.
How far does an oil tank have to be from a boundary?
1.8m away from liquid fuel appliance flue terminals. 760mm away from a non-fire rated boundary, such as a wooden boundary fence. 600mm away from screening (e.g. trellis and foliage) that does not form part of the boundary.
Does my oil tank need to be bunded?
Yes, bunded tanks are a legal requirement for all new domestic, commercial, and agriculture tank installations. This means if you are due an upgrade or replacement, your new tank must be bunded to comply with local and national regulations.
Can I fit my own oil tank?
Oil tanks may be installed inside a building, but will require secondary containment; this may be a legal requirement. The tank should be contained within a fire resistant chamber located at the lowest possible level in the building.
What is an oil tank whistle?
An oil tank whistle is also known as a vent alarm. It is a physical part that is located in the vent pipe above your oil tank. As your tank is filled, the oil tank vent whistle is designed to make a continuous whistling sound. When the tank is nearly full, the sound will stop.
What is a vent alarm on an oil tank?
A vent alarm is a small device, usually a tube, which is typically installed between your tank and the vent pipe. It signals that the tank is full, thereby minimizing the chance of overfilling.
What are the regulations for an oil tank?
Internal siting requirements
- The tank must be under 3,500 litres to store inside a building.
- The tank must be contained in a one-hour fire resistant chamber within the building.
- The building must contain nothing but the tank.
- The building must be vented and the boiler sited at the lowest possible point.
Can a bunded oil tank leak?
The benefits of installing a bunded/double-skinned tank are clear, with very few incidents of oil leaks occurring from these. Spillages during oil deliveries. Lightning strikes. Subsidence causing damage to buried pipework.
What is the lifespan of an oil tank?
20 years
An industry average for the life span of an oil tank is 20 years, some tanks last longer and some shorter. This time frame is greatly dependent on the type of oil tank, construction of the tank (meaning thicker walled tanks generally can last longer).
Do oil tanks have to be double skinned?
In commercial installations all oil storage tanks above 200 litres in capacity must be bunded. The first is a single skin tank which is situated in an open bund which is constructed from masonry and then sealed with an oil proof render. The bund must hold 110% of the primary tanks capacity.
Do oil tanks make noise?
As the oil driver begins putting oil in your tank, you will hear a whistling sound. But don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. Besides your tank, your heating oil storage system includes the fill pipe, vent pipe and vent alarm.
There are a number of regulations about the location of domestic oil tanks and once your tank is connected to a boiler it is covered by the OFTEC regulations. These regulations are in place to reduce the risk of fire. While the risk of fire is relatively low, it’s important that these distances are complied with.
When do you need a bund for an oil tank?
You’ll also need a bund if your tank can hold more than 3,500 litres of oil in England or if it can hold over 2,500 litres in Scotland. Please see our bunded tanks FAQ for more information on bunded tanks. A typical oil storage tank has a functional life of 20 years. Do not hesitate to replace an ageing tank.
Can you self certify an oil tank in the UK?
All oil storage tank installations should comply with local Building Regulations. OFTEC registered technicians are able to self certify their oil tank installations in England and Wales, without approval from your Local Authority Building Control.
How often should oil storage tanks be checked?
Domestic oil storage tanks are easy to forget about once installed, but the Environment Agency and the FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers) recommend that homeowners have their oil tanks checked once per year by an OFTEC inspector.