Is a Bunded oil tank a legal requirement?
While in some cases it may be a choice to opt for a bunded oil tank over a single layer tank, in many cases it is a legal requirement. A bunded oil tank is required by law for commercial and industrial premises. It is also a legal requirement for a domestic setting for a wide range of reasons. In Wales, all oil tanks must be bunded by law.
Do I need a bunded or single ski tank?
In some cases, such as if you need a tank that can hold more than 3,500 litres of oil in England, or over 2,500 litres in Scotland, a bunded tank will be your only option under current regulations anyway. Required or not, these tanks are without doubt the safest and most compliant way to store oil. Their advantages over single ski tanks include:
Is it legal to install an oil tank?
Installation of an oil tank needs to comply with building regulations, which differ slightly depending on whether you are in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. While in some cases it may be a choice to opt for a bunded oil tank over a single layer tank, in many cases it is a legal requirement.
What is an outer-bunded tank?
Bunded tanks have an ‘outer-bund’, so they have two ‘skins’. A Bunded tank is essentially a tank within a tank. The oil is held in the inner tank or ‘skin’ and the outer-skin is a secondary tank that offers protection.
Why do you need to bund a tank?
How long does a bunded tank last?
What is a bunded tank?
What are the benefits of bunds?
Positioning Your Bunded Oil Tank | Tanks For Everything
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.
Oil storage regulations for businesses - GOV.UK
How to store oil, design standards for tanks and containers, where to locate and how to protect them, and capacity of bunds and drip trays.
Why do you need to bund a tank?
The new requirement was put in place because Bunded Tanks offer more environmental protection than single-skins (tanks without a bund) and are by far the safest way to store fuel.
How long does a bunded tank last?
You often get more guarantees and perks with a bunded tank, such as longer manufacturer warranties that can last up to 10 years, as long as installed by an OFTEC-accredited engineer. Overall, they are a much safer and popular option for domestic heating oil users.
What is a bunded tank?
A Bunded tank is essentially a tank within a tank. The oil is held in the inner tank or ‘skin’ and the outer-skin is a secondary tank that offers protection. This bund must be able to take the contents of the inner tank plus 10 % so in other words 110% of the tanks capacity in order to comply.
What are the benefits of bunds?
What Are The Benefits of Bunded Tanks? Bunded tanks offer added protection against contamination, leakages, and oil replacement, making them the safest way to store fuel. If the inner-skin cracks, the bund will retain the fuel and it can be reused, preventing environmental damage to the surrounding area.
2. Longer warranty
While single skin tanks are significantly cheaper than bunded oil tanks, they also have much shorter warranties. Generally a bunded oil tank will have a 10-year warranty, while a single skin tank will have just a two-year warranty.
3. Avoiding environmental damage
Oil is one of the most common causes of pollution – accounting for 15% of pollution incidents every year. Oil spillages can be devastating to the local environment – from polluting waterways to destroying natural habitats and killing trees with preservation orders.
4. Cost of an environmental clean-up
Most insurance companies won’t cover a policy holder for an oil spill. With no built-in protection from oil leaks in a single skin tank, a leak is far more likely and would more than cancel out any savings made in buying a cheaper single skin tank.
5. Additional safety features
With domestic heating oil tanks capable of holding well over £1,000 worth of kerosene, it’s not surprising that oil tanks are a target for thieves. To make matters, heating oil theft can also lead to spillages, a difficult phone call to the Environment Agency and the possibility of big clean-up fees.
7. Oil can be reused if you have a leak
If a bunded oil tank leaks, the oil is captured in the second skin. Not only does this prevent environmental damage and a costly environmental clean-up, it also means you don’t lose the oil and can reuse it.
8. Protection against rainwater
Bunded oil tanks are carefully designed to prevent rainwater entering the tank. Water can cause a lot of damage, but it can be difficult to tell if you have water in your heating oil tank until something goes wrong with either your boiler or AGA, which ends up with an expensive call-out when there is a problem.
9. Cost savings
The price of kerosene fluctuates dramatically throughout the year, so it makes sense to buy in bulk when the price is low, which is far easier to do if you have the biggest oil tank you can at your home – and of course a tank over 2,500 litres must be bunded.
Why bundle a tank?
Tanks that are specially located close to environmental areas such as a river or stream will have to be bunded. This can prevent any hazards from the tank and ensures that all parts of the area are protected from possible contamination.
Why are oil tanks positioned near the home?
Tanks that are positioned near the home must comply with fire regulation to ensure that it does not pose as a major safety hazard.
How far apart should a fire barrier be?
If it is impossible to comply with these requirements, then a fire protection barrier with at least a 30 minute fire rating should be provided. A minimum separation distance of 300mm is required between the tank and fire rated barrier unless specified by the tank manufacturer. An OFTEC registered technician can advise further on this type of installation.
What is a bunded tank?
A bunded tank consists of two tanks, one placed inside the other. The inner tank is the main storage facility, while the outer tank acts as a safety net if there is any spillage. If a spillage occurs the contents will be stored within the outer tank in a safe and secure place, avoiding any pollution incidents that can cause damage to the environment and surroundings.
How many litres of oil can be in a single skin oil tank?
However, in England and Scotland, their installation is allowed only if the following conditions are met: The capacity of the oil tank must be less than 2500 litres.
What is a single skin oil tank?
Single Skin Oil Tanks. A single skin tank has just one skin within which the oil is held. One layer of plastic is all that separates the stored oil from the outside world. They are generally the cheaper option when it comes to storage tanks, but that comes at the cost of being the least secure solution out of the two.
Why is oil theft so common?
Oil thefts have been on the rise in recent years due to exceptionally harsh winters and higher fuel prices. Therefore, protection against it should be considered when planning the placement of your tank.
Why is it important to store oil?
Key amongst these is the fact that having your own supply of oil means you can be less reliant upon, or completely free from, the national supply.
Where is a tank not allowed to be located?
The tank must not be located where oil spills could run into an open drain or a loose manhole cover. The tank must not be located within 50 metres of a drinking water source, for example wells, boreholes or springs.
What Is A Bunded Tank?
Bunded tanks are like a tank within a tank, this adds both structure and strength preventing any accidents or damages to your tank. Regulations state that the outside shell of the tank must be able to hold 110% of the contents from the main tank to comply.
What does a heating tank supply?
The tank only supplies heating oil to a single-family dwelling
What is the phone number for Kingspan tanks?
If you require a tank replacement you can view our range of Kingspan Tanks. To order, or for more information give our office a phone on 01563 525215
Where should an oil tank not be located?
The tank must not be located over the hard ground where oil spills could run over and reach coastal waters, inland freshwaters or a drinking water source
How many litres of oil is needed for a tank?
The capacity of the oil tank must be less than 2500 litres
Is it safe to bundle oil?
Having your oil tank bunded is one of the safest ways to store your heating oil at home. It’s also important to take into consideration the positioning of the tank, fire regulations, local building regulations and maintenance of the tank.
How far away should you put an oil tank from a door?
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 ...
What is bunded oil tank?
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.
What is the safest way to store oil?
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.
What do you need to know when putting a tank on your property?
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.
How far away should a trellis be from a tank?
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.
Is it safe to use a bunded oil tank in a boiler?
These tanks are a safe means of storing oil for use in this way, but they are still subject to these rules.
Where are bundled oil tanks located?
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.
How Long Does an Oil Tank Last?
In most cases, an oil tank will last between 15 and 20 years — roughly two or three times the length of the average residential occupancy. Therefore, if a tank is approaching its 15th year at the time you sign your lease agreement or close on your home loan, you could be facing an additional expense to all your other move-in costs.
Should I Replace an Old Oil Tank?
If the oil level ever gets low, the sludgy sediment could gradually make its way into the oil lines and cause the system to clog. Therefore, replace a tank that is 30 years old as a preventive measure, even if it appears to be functional at present.
Should an Unused Oil Tank Be Removed?
On some older homes, an active oil tank will be attached to the house on the outside, yet an old, inactive tank will still sit in the basement. If this describes the tank situation in your house, you probably can't help but wonder whether the inactive tank is truly benign.
What to do if your oil line is cracked?
Unprotected oil lines — Inspect the lines that carry oil between the tank and the furnace. If the rubber tubing is split or cracked at any point, have the unit serviced immediately.
What to do if your tank legs are unstable?
If the legs appear unstable in any way, have the tank inspected immediately. Exposure to frosty elements — If the tank is outside your house, or situated in an area where winter conditions like snow and ice could make their way into the tank, have the tank inspected for possible signs of damage.
What does rust and dent on a car mean?
Rust and dents — Corrosion and dent marks indicate something is wrong with how the oil tank operates.
How to protect oil tank from snow?
If your oil tank is located outside your house, perform the following safety precautions when snowstorms hit your area: Remove snow — Anytime a bout of snowfall concludes, use a broom to brush all sitting snow off the surface.
Why do you need to bund a tank?
The new requirement was put in place because Bunded Tanks offer more environmental protection than single-skins (tanks without a bund) and are by far the safest way to store fuel.
How long does a bunded tank last?
You often get more guarantees and perks with a bunded tank, such as longer manufacturer warranties that can last up to 10 years, as long as installed by an OFTEC-accredited engineer. Overall, they are a much safer and popular option for domestic heating oil users.
What is a bunded tank?
A Bunded tank is essentially a tank within a tank. The oil is held in the inner tank or ‘skin’ and the outer-skin is a secondary tank that offers protection. This bund must be able to take the contents of the inner tank plus 10 % so in other words 110% of the tanks capacity in order to comply.
What are the benefits of bunds?
What Are The Benefits of Bunded Tanks? Bunded tanks offer added protection against contamination, leakages, and oil replacement, making them the safest way to store fuel. If the inner-skin cracks, the bund will retain the fuel and it can be reused, preventing environmental damage to the surrounding area.
