Magazine · Heating oil
Storing heating oil: tank, rules and safety
Anyone storing heating oil carries responsibility for tank and environment. We show what matters factually.
To the rules
What this is about
Heating oil is a water-hazardous substance
Heating oil counts as a water-hazardous substance, which is why storage in Germany is clearly regulated, among other things through the AwSV. The aim is that no oil reaches the soil or groundwater.
How strict the requirements are depends on tank size, location and design.
What to watch for
- Containment system: tanks need protection against leakage, such as a catch basin or a double-walled tank.
- Location: cellar, underground and above-ground tanks follow different rules and distances.
- Inspection duties: above certain sizes and in protected areas, regular inspections by specialist firms are mandatory.
- Notification and specialist firm: installation and larger works belong in the hands of a specialist firm, partly with a duty to notify.
Said honestly
Storing heating oil is no rocket science, but it is not purely a private matter either: the rules protect soil and water and are to be taken seriously. The exact duties depend on your system and the location, so when in doubt a specialist firm or authority can clarify what applies to you. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Heating oil , Wikipedia