Are you storing fuel on your business premises?
Because if you choose not to, you could be in big trouble.
Over 15% of pollution incidents each year are reported to be caused by oil spillage, and it’s one of the most common culprits. Oil can damage rivers and groundwater, harm marine life and plants and destroy natural habits.
There are set regulations in place that you must follow to ensure safe oil storage. If you don’t, you can be served an anti-pollution works notice or, even worse, be prosecuted. There are different fuel storage regulations depending on where you store your oil, which we discuss below.
How much fuel can I store in my business?
If you have a storage container that can hold over 200 litres at your business, you must follow the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001.
The legislation denotes storing:
- White Diesel
- Biofuels
- Kerosene
- Vegetable oil and plant-based oils, e.g. sunflower oil
- Lubricants or hydraulic oils
- Synthetic oils, e.g. motor oil, waste oil
- Liquid bitumen-based products, e.g. damp proofing or road surface products
Exemptions from the legislation:
- At a single private dwelling where less than 3500 litres are stored, however, Building Regulations do apply for replacement and new tanks
- At premises used for onward distribution of oil to elsewhere
- Waste mineral oil storage
- Oil is stored underground
- Agricultural use of oil on farms for the production of heat and power. The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations, 1991, covers this.
What are the design standards for storage containers?
Whoever installs your tank must ensure the work complies with building regulations and inform you if your tank requires a secondary containment (a bund) to protect from spillages.
Remember, it’s your responsibility for any pollution caused by fuel storage problems, so be sure to choose a registered company or ‘Competent Person’ to do the work for you.
Containers include:
- Fixed tanks and oil drums
- Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
- Mobile browsers
- Some generators and transformers
Fixed tanks meet British Standard 5410 and are bunded – a drip tray isn’t suitable to prevent spillage on these tanks. Plastic containers need to comply with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) standard OST T100, and metal containers must comply with OFTEC standard OFS T200 or British Standard 799-5 and ideally be used above the ground
Oilfast UK’s red diesel barrels are made from welded mild steel. Our barrels and storage tanks are perfect for storing a wide range of fuels tailored to suit your specifications. They vary in size, shape and capacity and can also come hand in hand with a selection of dispensing equipment to help get your fuel safely out of your tank.
Are you looking for a new fuel tank?
Oilfast UK has partnered up with Envirostore to offer an extensive range of fuel tanks and dispensers from 650L – to 10,000L, so no matter your requirements, we can help. Each one of our tanks comes with a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Where should my tank be located?
You must store your fuel in a container:
- Where there’s minimal risk of damage by impact, weather or machinery
- In areas that are away from danger from flooding
- At least 10 metres are clear of inland or coastal waters and 50 meters of a spring.
- Away from roof height and above
- On an impervious surface, if close to where deliveries are made and oil is dispensed.
To avoid any spillages, you must also only fill the container up to 85% to allow room for expansion.
Oilfast UK’s 205 litre fuel barrel drums comply fully with UN regulations. We’re proud to offers nationwide delivery on our fuel barrels throughout the UK at an excellent price.
If you can’t avoid these areas? Contact our friendly sales team on 01291 324 019 or alternatively email us at enquiries@oilfast-uk.co.uk and a member of the team will discuss your options for safe storage
For more information on fuel storage regulations visit here