The Oil Tank Installation Regulations | Expert Guide

Have you ever thought about what will happen to the environment if oil tank installation regulations are not followed? They are imposed to ensure the safety of your dwelling, neighbourhood, and environment. They play a key part in eliminating calamities such as fires and ecological disasters due to oil spills and leakage.

If you have an oil tank installed at your home or commercial property, it is of utmost importance to make sure that your oil tank adheres to the strict regulations. This article provides guidance on construction and installation regulations that you must adhere to during installation.

Oil Tank Installation Regulations

• Planning permission is unwarranted if your oil tank is not positioned in front of the main elevation fronting the highway. This prevents tanks for not hampering traffic or being a hazard for pedestrians and vehicles.
• The height of the oil tank should be 3 metres maximum. This way, we can keep a neat visual look without affecting the surrounding area.
• Bunded tanks (within a distance of 2 meters) must not exceed in total height of 2.5 meters.
• The selected location must facilitate easy refill of the tank.
• A secondary containment unit, such as a drip tray or bund, must be installed.
• The tank must meet its corresponding OFS standard.
• The tank must be at least 10m away from a freshwater source and 50m away from a drinking water source.

Regulations for Secondary Containment Units

Fuel tanks are to be fitted with a secondary system of containment, which must be impermeable by oil. Those features may comprise detention ponds and drip trays that get engineered so that they may contain any accidental spills and protect the environment from the potent effects related to them. There are two types of secondary containment that are written below:

• Bunds: The storage tank can be safeguarded by bunds to enclose the tanks. However, bunds must be at least 110% of the tank’s capacity to meet ISO 9000 standard. This ensures that the environment and the surrounding area remain safe in case of any accidental leakage.
• Drip Trays: Drip trays play a vital role not only in capturing accidental spills and preventing environmental pollution but also in implementing responsible fuel handling procedures. Safety regulations dictate that they must be at least 25% of the capacity of the tanks they are housing.