Tanks & storage: safe and compliant
Storing heating oil means responsibility: for safety, the environment and the law. We explain the tank types and your duties.
Your dutiesWhere and how the oil is stored
Most common are plastic battery tanks in the basement, often several connected containers. Besides these there are steel tanks and underground tanks in the garden. Modern tanks are double-walled or stand in a catch tray.
What always matters is effective protection in case oil escapes , because heating oil is hazardous to water.
Duties you must know
- Containment: single-walled tanks need a catch tray that can hold all the oil (water protection rules).
- Inspection duty: larger systems and tanks in water protection areas must be inspected regularly by experts.
- Overfill protection: a limit sensor stops filling in time, mandatory during delivery.
- Location & ventilation: the installation room must meet fire-protection and ventilation requirements.
The exact rules depend on tank size, location and region. If in doubt, the chimney sweep or a specialist firm advises.
Said honestly
Storage is no side issue. A leaking tank can contaminate soil and groundwater; the clean-up quickly gets very expensive and you are liable. Do not save on inspection and maintenance here. Also check whether your building insurance covers oil damage. Better to check once too often than once too little. We give you the facts, the decision stays with you.
Sources and further reading
- Heating oil tank , Wikipedia
More about heating oil
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