oil tank location

Dan-Dan

Hi

Our oil tank could possibly do with replacing in the not to distant future , currently its sited not to current regs (as are thousands of others in the area) , it cant really go anywhere else , when i replace it, can i just have it put where the current one is , without any issues?

Cheers

brightontraveller

It sort a comes down where you live as regs do vary slightly distance is the normal stumbler most would add fire proof barrier 30mins 100mm away etc but that also depends of tank makers specs, Size of tank 3500 lt or less, why it doesn't meet regs near bore hole etc, They need to comply with building regs, Oftec registered tech can self certify without involving them so really down to how well you get on with Tech and how much a leeway they give to an extent who’s removing and installing new tank...
Its also not unknown for jobs worth oil delivery guys to refuse to deliver to some tanks they believe don't meet regs, suspect leaks etc so if you don't get on with them it maybe a factor also ?
Might help
http://www.oftec.org.uk/consumers/domestic-oil-tanks-and-storage

Davesnave

It will most probably be under 3500 litres, so just get some quotes from installers, stressing that it has to go where the old one was, and see how it goes. You are in the country now (sort of!) where people tend to be less rigid in their approaches.

If you're having a bunded tank, (I would) then the installer may be more flexible, as there's less chance of spillage. They will likely see adequate support being at least as important as meeting the fire regs, so you might have to upgrade that.

I built a new oil tank stand last year and it's somewhat stronger than the average nuclear bunker, but you should (or rather won't) see all the crap I buried in/under it!

jungliemac

We've just had a new one fitted but they were very strict about measuring it from all the boundaries. If they weren't they couldn't sign it off or something. The specifications can be found on the oftec page I think. Something like 760mm from a fence and 600mm from foliage. I had another quote from a bloke who told me it might be worth looking at a fireproof tank. I'm sure he said they were called tuff tanks or something. More expensive but he seemed to think they could go anywhere.
We've had ours done and it's ok. Ugly but ok.

moneyistooshorttomention

That had me googling out of interest - and thinking "Thank goodness I havent got one". The one my house used to have wouldnt have matched a single specification they've given.

www.oftec.org.uk/consumers/domestic-oil-tanks-and-storage

looks pretty comprehensive to me.

jungliemac

Yeah, it is a bit strict. Considering loads of my neighbours have them all over the place that now couldn't be done. Suppose it's for good reasons but it's really messed up my garden plans and they aren't pretty to look at!
Just looked at the fireproof tank page and I think they have to be placed according to the strict rules as well.

moneyistooshorttomention

I had wondered why I've seen some oil tanks round here stuck out "on their own-io" and looking like a right eyesore. I can see why now - having read these regulations. I guess the best one can do is to plant some suitable small trees to screen them from view - at a suitable distance from house/shed/etc.

Mygawd - if my house still had one (with all the rule-breaking it involved) I'd have felt more than a little "over a barrel" at my house breaking all those regulations and knowing anyone could have readily spotted that fact. Whew! - for being in the clear on that <relief smilie>

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Mygawd - if my house still had one (with all the rule-breaking it involved) I'd have felt more than a little "over a barrel" at my house breaking all those regulations and knowing anyone could have readily spotted that fact. Whew! - for being in the clear on that <relief smilie>

It wouldn't have made a scrap of difference.

Just as your electrics now no longer comply with the regs current last year, so existing tanks don't need to comply with regs enacted after their installation.

And as soon as the building inspector has gone for good, I'll be disguising mine any way I want!

Waterlily24

We live in 'countryside' and they were very strict on where we put ours. The old one was very near to the bungalow. It had to be bunded because we've got water nearby, distance from there and the bungalow was important too. It's fairly near a hedge and obviously the branches grow so there probably isn't enough space between the two now. We won't be cutting the hedge yeat because of the birds.

Dan-Dan

for interest sake...

http://imgur.com/oxfkIND


Just to the right of the tank is a downpipe from neighbours guttering , which i think makes us near water

I think i`ll just get a couple of people to have a look and go from there , the tanks at least 14 years old so i knew i had to do something when i bought the house

cheers all

Davesnave

No installer will like the wooden deck it's on, I'm afraid.

Council wanted me to put mine on reinforced concrete lintels: about £150 worth of them! I responded by constructing my stand from concrete block on a raft of 120mm reinforced concrete and topping it with council sized paving slabs, all materials I had to hand/needed rid of.

My countryside comment was really more in relation to 'alternative' installers. i.e. farmers and similar who have the relevant experience, but obviously, it's situation and attitude dependent.