Heating Oil Tank

[johnny max]

I.v been asked to fab up a tank for heating oil.
It.s to go underground and what would be best materials to use.
Have axcess to mild steel up to 6mm or s/s up to 2mm.
Tank is to hold 1000 ltrs.

 

[rikrobson]

What did the customer specify? S/S would be a bit expensive. 1000l is a metre cubed. thats not a big tank so why is it needed to go underground? Mild steel would probably be best, but you'll need to protect the outside from rusting away.
Surely a plastic one would be cheaper.

 

[colnerov]

Why not just use an IBC?

 

[MCKDAVID]

Agree with the above, going underground opens up all sorts of issues with leakage / environmental agencies etc etc. I would say that if it's to go underground it would be better to use the prefabricated "plastic" tank designed for the task, rather than fabricated. Possibilities for non ending "administrative" grief / BS later is too high I would have thought, not worth the agro especially since it's for oil.

 

[Mr Fro]

I'd check the regs carefully on this one - you'll probably find there will be building control issues and it will have to be bunded and need a leak detection device on it.

 

[rusty weld]

Oil companies round here wont fill your tank unless it conforms to regulations

 

[colnerov]

How do they know if it's underground?

 

[gordon stephenson]

An IBC holds a 1000 ltrs, If a metal tank was to be made to go underground it would have to resist the pressres if it was to be back-filled.

 

[colnerov]

That's why they're usually cylindrical.

 

[johnny max]

Were he wants the tank is at top of garden and a bit of slope up to it.
He.s in the building trade and wants it out of sight.
He priced up a plastic one and it comes in at €1700.
I.ll get him to ask the oil company about what regs he has to stay within.
Theres a mass concrete retaining wall at back of property and he going to
put tank against this then build another block wall in front and make it look
like a terraced planted area.

 

[Kent]

I honestly think it a can of worms. I once looked at buying a de- commissioned petrol station and lost all interest when the talk of ground testing etc came in

Far better to build over a tank than bury it
Tiny leak couldn't be detected quick enough and could land the guy with a humongous fine and clean up bill

 

[Mr shiney]

He won't get a home made tank filled unless it meets regs which include it needing to be bunded. As me how I know....

The regs are quite complex on what is required to be bunded and whats not. So most oil companies now require new tanks to be bunded. If memory serves me right the law is actually non domestic over 200.

In some cases, for DOMESTIC purposes, fitting a single skin oil tank can be suitable.

In ALL cases, an oil storage risk assessment should be carried out (this can be carried out by an OFTEC approved engineer). In brief a Bund is required in domestic situations if...

• You are storing over 2500 litres.
• Your tank is near an open drain or loose fitting manhole.
• Your tank is within 10m of controlled water such as a river, stream etc.
• Your tank is located where any spillage could travel over hard ground to reach controlled water.
• Your tank is located within 50m of a borehole, spring or well.
• Your tank vent is not visible from the fill point (such as an extended fill point)
• Your oil use is for a building other than a single family dwelling.
• Any other unique hazards to your site.

My 1200l GRP one is self bunded to the environment agency required 110% of the internal volume.

1200l fully approved tanks start at £360.

You won't get a buried tank filled either, the delivery driver has a legal responsibility to visually check the installation prior to filling it which requires all round access.

OFTEC Base Construction Guidelines (in brief):

• Adequate for the weight of the tank when full
• Non-combustible, imperforate and level
• Constructed of concrete, paving stones or stonework
• Large enough to extend 300mm beyond ALL sides of the tanks

 

[octo0072000]

do the UK regs apply to Ireland not sure if he's in the north or south

 

[johnny max]

I have the guy looking into what needs to be done here.
I.m in the south so more than likely different regs.

 

[MCKDAVID]

If the guys in the building trade, I'm sure his idea of digging into the hill to create an exposed terrace for the tank would be a lot easier to manage / achieve than underground. He could always put a hedge up in front of it to camouflage it.