If the tank is near to a drain, bore hole, river or other water watercourse, and a pollution incident would occur if the tank leaked or was overfilled, the chances are that a bunded tank is needed by law.
Oil tanks should be sited in accordance with building regulations, which protects then from a fire that may be started near by. Siting is typically 1.8m from openings into building and 760mm from a combustible boundary. If this can’t be achieved, a fire barrier can be erected between the tank and hazard.
As an oil boiler service technician you have a responsibility to not only service the oil boiler but to carry out checks on the oil tank.
At the time of the boiler and tank service, a technician can use a CD/11 form to record observations relating to the condition of the oil tank and report these to the tank owner.
Checking the tank, including its age, condition and location is a vital part of a service visit and crucial in determining whether it may pose a risk.
If you have any concerns you should report them to the customer following the tank at risk procedure below and recommend that the tank be replaced. Remember, as the last man onsite, you have a duty of care to your customer and you could be liable should the tank fail.
A tank failure could also cause considerable inconvenience and cost for the customer, damage the environment and the reputation of the oil heating industry. It could also result in loss of future business and have legal and insurance implications for both parties.
If you deem following an inspection that the tank may be unsafe you should attach a warning tag or waning label and leave a post card with the occupier.
The label may recommend to the homeowner that the tank should be replaced and point them to further information so that they can understand why their tank hasn’t been filled, what their responsibilities are as the owner, the problems a leak could cause and how to resolve the issue.
It will also provide contact details for the technician’s own replacement services.
Oil firing technical Association
www.oftec.org
UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA)
www.ukifda.org
Oil Care
www.oilcare.org.uk
Environment Agency for England
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
http://www.sepa.org.uk/
Natural Resources Wales
https://naturalresources.wales/splash?orig=/
Get to know your oil tank booklet
http://www.oftec.org/Media/Default/DocGalleries/Marketing/OFTEC_Get_to_know_your_oil_tank.pdf