Oil Tank
Inspections

For home oil tanks under 3,500 litres, there’s no legal requirement to get your oil tank inspected; however, it is good practice to do so once a year, as you are responsible for complying with environmental safety laws. Regular oil tank inspections may also be a condition of your home insurance policy.

When it comes to commercial oil tanks, the rules are much stricter as you have to follow specific oil storage rules set out by the government, and you’re legally required to have a bund which can hold 110% of your oil tank’s capacity.

You should get your oil tank inspected every year, at least! Servicing your oil tank annually will prevent any costly oil spillages, which can harm the environment, and will ensure your tank is performing at optimum levels. Our team are here to help identify any problems and prevent any costly repairs in the long run.

Problems with oil tanks can be deeper than physical appearance. Issue may not be invisible and leaving your tank just because it ‘looks’ fine, can potentially cost you lots in repairs later on. Oil tank inspections consist of physical examinations of filtration systems, valves, alarms, guages, and pipelines as well as the exterior, to ensure it is functioning properly.

Oil tank leaks can contaminate surrounding soil and groundwater, creating health risks for people, pets and local animal and wildlife. Leaking oil can alsso create a fire hazard if it comes into contact with an ignition source. Inspection are essential for dinsing small issues that can stem into big problems that cause potential issues and leak risks.

Having a trustworth and certified technician is crucial for ensuring your tanks longevity.

OFTEC is a trade association that represents manufacturers of liquid fuel heating equipment and training providers.

OFTEC offer training and assessment to all of their technician to ensure they are staying up to date with rules and regulations providing you ultimate peace of mind.

By chooing an OFTEC technician, you can benefits from:

• Regular Assessments: OFTEC Technicians have their work checked regularly to ensure they are up to standard.
• Essential re-certification: All qualifications expire after 5 years. To re-qualify and continue practising as a technician, individuals must go through re-assessment.
• Insurance and documentation: Using certified OFTEC technicians leaves you with a paper trail, so if you have any problems with your oil tank, you can get in touch and find a resolution.
• Peace of mind: Using a certified OFTEC Technician can give you peace of mind.

Oil tank bases have their own set of rules and regulations that you nee to keep up to date with. Regular oil tank inspection will help you to stay on top of this. Oil tank bases are essential for longevity, functionality and regulations.

Base regulations summarise as the below:

• Base Material: These need to be made of Concrete, Paving / concrete slabs, Pre-cast concrete, or Stonework.
• Base Location:
  • 8m away from non-fire-rated buildings, eaves, structures or boundaries
  • 1.8m away from the flue terminals of oil-fired appliances
  • 600mm away from foliage
  • 1.8m away from openings in fire-rated buildings

During an oil tank inspection, the oil in your tank typically remains undisturbed. The inspection will focus on assessing the tank’s condition, structure, and integrity without necessarily interfering with the contents. A Technician may visually inspect the oil level and look for any signs of leaks or contamination around the tank but won’t usually alter the oil itself. If any issues are detected during the inspection that require the oil to be removed your technician will remofilter your oil and store it in their tank lorry, and filter it back in once the service is complete.

Signs that you may need an oil tank inspection include visible rust or corrosion on the tank, unexplained increases in fuel usage, strong odours of oil around the tank, signs of oil leaks or spills near the tank, and irregularities in the tank’s structure such as bulging or sagging. Additionally, if your tank is over 10 years old or if you’ve experienced recent severe weather events, it’s advisable to schedule an inspection to ensure the tank’s integrity and safety. Even if you have not noticed any of these signs, but your tank is due its annual inspection, it is very important to get it checked!