Regulations

New regulations with effect from 1st March 2002 mean that care is needed when storing fuel oils, as non compliance of the regulations can lead to hefty fines and pollution to the environment.

Both Oil Storage Regulations and Building Regulations apply to domestic storage.

Oil Storage Regulations state that if you are storing below 3500 litres you are exempt. If you are considering storing more than 3500 litres any new installation must be bunded. Existing installations have up to four years to comply (dependant upon location).

Building Regulations state that if you are installing a new tank or changing an old one, any tank with a capacity of more than 2500 litre’s MUST be bunded.

Tanks should be sited:

• 1.8m away from non-fire rated eaves of a building

• 1.8m away from a non-fire building or
  structure e.g. garden shed

• 1.8m away from openings such as doors or
  windows in a fire rated building or structure
  e.g. brick built house/garage

• 1.8m away from oil fired appliance flue terminals

• 760mm away from a non-fire rated boundary
  such as a wooden boundary fence

• 600mm away from screening e.g. trellis
  and foliage that does not form part of the
  boundary.

If you have any queries regarding the current oil and fuel storage regulations, please feel free to contact us with your enquiry.

For further information on up-to-date regulations on storing oil for home heating, please visit The Environment Agency or OFTEC.