04/06/2024
Ultimate Guide to Oil Tank Location
Are you having a new oil tank installed? Or are you relocating your current oil tank? If so, there are several things to consider about the new location of your oil tank.
The UK government has various regulations and rules surrounding your tank’s location to ensure its longevity and safety. In this blog, we will explore what you need to consider when choosing the location of your oil tank and all the benefits of finding a suitable location.
What can a good oil tank location do for you?
Putting your oil tank in a good location can provide you with several benefits:
- Tank Longevity
- Helps prevent damage
- Helps prevent spillages
- Ensures you follow government regulations and rules
So, what is a good oil tank location, and how does a good location achieve these benefits?
Domestic Tank Regulations
For domestic tanks, you need to follow several regulations the government and OFTEC set up.
- Your oil tank must be on a platform or stand with at least 300mm around the edge, away from a fire or heat source.
- Oil tanks should be at least 1.8m away from the non-fire-rated eaves of a building
- The location of your oil tank must be 8m away from a non-fire-rated building or structure, like a garden, gazebo, or shed.
- Foliage that is not part of the boundary, such as screening or hedges, must be around 1.8m away from the oil tank.
- Openings of a fire-rated building or structure, for example, windows or doors in a brick house or garage, should be 2.8m away from any oil tank.
Weather Conditions
Extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall, snow, or intense sun and heat, can cause many problems for your oil tanks.
Positioning your oil tank away from guttering or areas where rainwater could collect can prevent issues such as water contamination, which can then deteriorate the quality of oil and functionality of your tank appliances connected to the tank. Drier areas can also prolong the lifespan of your tank by preventing natural occurrences such as rust or corrosion.
Try to position your oil tank in a sheltered area from the sun during the hottest days of summer. This will help reduce the chances of condensation forming in your tank and contaminating the oil. Be mindful that placing a tank directly under shrubbery or trees for shelter can pose the risk of damage from falling debris and dirt.
Maintenance
As an oil tank owner, you must schedule annual inspections to ensure you are still up to date with regulations and rules, your tank is healthy, and it is performing at full functionality. With this in mind, it is a great idea to install your oil tank in an area that is easily and readily accessible for your OFTEC technician.
In order to provide an effective inspection, a technician will need full access to all areas of your tank and be able to see the whole thing visibly. Pipelines and entry points must also be clear to be checked and tested.
You’ll also need the tank to be accessible for regular maintenance. This includes cleaning debris and inspecting the full surface area for cracks, bulges, and splits, as well as spills outside on the floor area. You need to be able to check the oil tank’s base.
Delivery Access
Most average UK households require a minimum of 2 oil deliveries a year, but this is also dependent on the tank capacity, age of the property, number of residents in the property, the number of rooms in the house and personal preference.
When choosing the new location of your oil tank, there are several factors to take into consideration:
- Is there room for the delivery truck to get to your property?
- Is there an easily accessible space for technicians to feed the hose from their truck to your tank?
- Will you need to be home to the engineer to access your oil tank?
General Locations
Now that you know what to consider, you can begin looking at your property and determining a good location for your oil tank. You can locate your oil tank inside, underground, or outside. Let’s examine the benefits and disadvantages of each location.
Inside
Installing your oil tank inside your house, in a space such as a shed, garage, or basement reduces the risk of vandalism and theft. It can also provide protection from weather-related deterioration, such as rust, corrosion, or condensation. Additionally, in the rare occasion your oil tank leaks, the surrounding wildlife and environment will be unharmed, and you may avoid costly clean-up fees and fines. Having your oil tank inside can essentially prolong its lifespan.
However, with indoor oil tanks, you will need to find a big enough space inside for your oil tank to fit in, and with space around it for regular maintenance and inspections. It also needs to be positioned so it doesn’t disrupt any of the existing pipework on your property. Your oil tank must be located on a support base with a drip tray to prevent spillages, and on inspection or oil delivery days, you must be home to provide full access to your tank.
Underground
If you decide to install your tank underground, it will be hidden away, not taking up any house or garden space. However, finding space for your tank without disturbing any existing pipework can be tricky since it is already there! You must also consider the installation cost; it is not an easy task, so it can sometimes come with lots of labour costs. Ensuring that the location is also accessible for technicians to carry out inspections and re-fills is essential.
Outside
We recommend that our customers simply install oil tanks outside their property, in the garden. Here, you can easily access your tank for maintenance, inspections, refuelling, and monitor it for theft. Outside oil tanks are often considered safer as they are located further away from your house and other potential fire hazards.
The main downsides to an outdoor oil tank are clean-up costs and fines, which can be expensive in the case of a spillage. Your tank will also be exposed to the elements outside, such as the cold, which can cause damage, though regular maintenance and exceptions should keep these issues at bay.
Key Takeaways
If you are looking to install a new oil tank, consider the government’s rules and regulations, whether you want to install your tank inside, outside or underground, and ensure your tank is accessible for inspections, maintenance and refilling. Contact a member of our team today if you are ready to install an oil tank, today.
