Building regs replacement oil tank

northwest1965

We are soon to be exchanging contracts on a property. The owner is having the oil tank replaced. However, the company fitting the tank say it will not comply with building regulations. He said he fits them for other clients without building regulations 😲.
He has suggested seeing if the council will ok it. Basically, it's currently in a stone shed with another stone shed attached to it.
Thoughts please. P.S I thought this would be my dream forever home.

Rodders53

oftec.org/consumers/off-gas-grid-guides/home-guide-to-domestic-liquid-fuel-storage-up-to-3500-litres

The building it is in may need additional fire protection to contain a fire, but such tanks can go inside buildings.

Competent persons (such as Oftec members) can self-certify with Councils if the install complies. 

If Building Regs can't be met by the current owner/installer the Council Building Control Officers are very unlikely to approve the installation.

This installer sounds shady at best.  Current owner needs to get alternative quotes that will meet BR.

northwest1965

Rodders53 said:

oftec.org/consumers/off-gas-grid-guides/home-guide-to-domestic-liquid-fuel-storage-up-to-3500-litres

The building it is in may need additional fire protection to contain a fire, but such tanks can go inside buildings.

Competent persons (such as Oftec members) can self-certify with Councils if the install complies. 

If Building Regs can't be met by the current owner/installer the Council Building Control Officers are very unlikely to approve the installation.

This installer sounds shady at best.  Current owner needs to get alternative quotes that will meet BR.

They are a reputable company. The problem is the stone building attached to the shed with tank in.

user1977

Does replacement of the tank trigger a need to make the whole thing comply with current regs? Can't see an answer to that on the link provided 

WIAWSNB

Hi NW.

I recall looking into this around 4-5 years back, as a house sil was looking at had no means of getting oil delivered directly to the tank in the enclosed back garden (The owners currently used a neighbouring plot, but permission could be withdrawn at any time).

One solution was to install a new tank inside the attached garage, which had a bedroom above it. It did require a specific type of tank designed for this - metal, obvs, and some additional enclosure. But, it indicates it can be done.

All you need to do is insist on it.

I'd contact other OFTEC(?) installers and ask them; give them the details - not necessarily the address - and ask what solutions there are. 

It should go without saying that the new tank will need to conform. Must. 

Do you know what the non-compliance issue is? What are these 'stone sheds'? Do folk tend to convert them? Any other possible locations? 

Section62

WIAWSNB said:

...

It should go without saying that the new tank will need to conform. Must. 

...

^This.

As well as keeping building control happy, oil tank owners need to be aware that the heating oil delivery companies are regulated and are limited in how oil is delivered at the property, and what it is delivered into.

This doesn't mean the oil companies won't deliver to a tank which doesn't comply with current building regs, but it is the absolute discretion of the driver whether to proceed with the delivery... if they have concerns the tank isn't safe then they can just say 'no'.

You don't want to be out on the driveway on a cold December day, with only a day or two of oil left, finding yourself arguing with a delivery driver who says they can't make the delivery because the tank isn't safe/compliant.

northwest1965

WIAWSNB said:

Hi NW.

I recall looking into this around 4-5 years back, as a house sil was looking at had no means of getting oil delivered directly to the tank in the enclosed back garden (The owners currently used a neighbouring plot, but permission could be withdrawn at any time).

One solution was to install a new tank inside the attached garage, which had a bedroom above it. It did require a specific type of tank designed for this - metal, obvs, and some additional enclosure. But, it indicates it can be done.

All you need to do is insist on it.

I'd contact other OFTEC(?) installers and ask them; give them the details - not necessarily the address - and ask what solutions there are. 

It should go without saying that the new tank will need to conform. Must. 

Do you know what the non-compliance issue is? What are these 'stone sheds'? Do folk tend to convert them? Any other possible locations? 

The oil tank i behind the brown door. The white door is another stone outbuilding which was converted to studio (shower etc) Doesn't have any use on it for living in. It's classed as a shed

youth_leader

Good luck, at least the new tank is steel bunded which should be allowed in an enclosed space.  Could you take the wooden door off  so it is an 'open' shelter?  At least it is protected from high winds in there - my newly installed double bunded Titan 1000L oil tank was up against the railway line, very exposed, and I had to get 'straps' like you would see on a lorry load to make sure it couldn't blow over.   Very difficult to fit on your own, I don't recommend it. 

PS Always worth building a good relationship with the oil delivery person.    We had a new man who wouldn't deliver to us in 2010 in the very heavy snows.   The tank was on the station platform involving dragging the huge pipe up a slope and steps.  He just didn't want to do it.  We didn't have any heating for two weeks as the lorries couldn't get through after his visit.

silvercar

What does ‘it’s classed as a shed’ mean? And why does that make a difference? Can you explain why there is a building regs problem? 

WIAWSNB

northwest1965 said:

WIAWSNB said:

Hi NW.

I recall looking into this around 4-5 years back, as a house sil was looking at had no means of getting oil delivered directly to the tank in the enclosed back garden (The owners currently used a neighbouring plot, but permission could be withdrawn at any time).

One solution was to install a new tank inside the attached garage, which had a bedroom above it. It did require a specific type of tank designed for this - metal, obvs, and some additional enclosure. But, it indicates it can be done.

All you need to do is insist on it.

I'd contact other OFTEC(?) installers and ask them; give them the details - not necessarily the address - and ask what solutions there are. 

It should go without saying that the new tank will need to conform. Must. 

Do you know what the non-compliance issue is? What are these 'stone sheds'? Do folk tend to convert them? Any other possible locations? 

The oil tank i behind the brown door. The white door is another stone outbuilding which was converted to studio (shower etc) Doesn't have any use on it for living in. It's classed as a shed

Thank you.

I am not qualified in this area at all, but all I can say is that some 4-5 years ago, there was a solution which allowed an oil tank to be located within an enclosed and attached garage, with a bedroom above! 

It required a specialised tank, but it was doable. 

I cannot believe - and won't without evidence - that there isn't a 'conforming' solution to your much lesser situation there. So, insist. And carry out your own investigation by sending that pic to other qualified installers. 

Once you have evidence, give it to the vendor.

This is nuts! The correct solution will cost - what? - another £500-£1k? Why is your vendor not simply doing the right thing?! 

Is there room behind that wee shed where a tank could sit? And would that make any difference? 

northwest1965

WIAWSNB said:

northwest1965 said:

WIAWSNB said:

Hi NW.

I recall looking into this around 4-5 years back, as a house sil was looking at had no means of getting oil delivered directly to the tank in the enclosed back garden (The owners currently used a neighbouring plot, but permission could be withdrawn at any time).

One solution was to install a new tank inside the attached garage, which had a bedroom above it. It did require a specific type of tank designed for this - metal, obvs, and some additional enclosure. But, it indicates it can be done.

All you need to do is insist on it.

I'd contact other OFTEC(?) installers and ask them; give them the details - not necessarily the address - and ask what solutions there are. 

It should go without saying that the new tank will need to conform. Must. 

Do you know what the non-compliance issue is? What are these 'stone sheds'? Do folk tend to convert them? Any other possible locations? 

The oil tank i behind the brown door. The white door is another stone outbuilding which was converted to studio (shower etc) Doesn't have any use on it for living in. It's classed as a shed

Thank you.

I am not qualified in this area at all, but all I can say is that some 4-5 years ago, there was a solution which allowed an oil tank to be located within an enclosed and attached garage, with a bedroom above! 

It required a specialised tank, but it was doable. 

I cannot believe - and won't without evidence - that there isn't a 'conforming' solution to your much lesser situation there. So, insist. And carry out your own investigation by sending that pic to other qualified installers. 

Once you have evidence, give it to the vendor.

This is nuts! The correct solution will cost - what? - another £500-£1k? Why is your vendor not simply doing the right thing?! 

Is there room behind that wee shed where a tank could sit? And would that make any difference? 

Yes you can get fire safety tanks - the problem with that is the size, it won't go through the door. Behind the shed, is another shed, owned by a neighbour