PRESTON'S SPECIALISTS IN TANK REPLACEMENT
Since we opened our doors back in 1957, we have been asked countless questions about our range of oil tanks, water tanks and other installation services. Whether you're a commercial client or a domestic customer, we always to our best to assist. Take a look at our most commonly asked questions below, and feel free to speak to our team today for a competitive quotation. We carry out tank replacements and new installations throughout the North West of England.
CHECK OUT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
An OFTEC T/133 risk assessment will determine what type of tank can be installed to meet current regulations. To err on the side of caution, we would always recommend a bunded tank.
A bunded tank is required in the following instances:
- When you need a tank capacity in excess of 2500 litres
- When you need a tank within 10 metres of controlled water (e.g. drainage, ditches and septic tanks)
- If the tank will be located where spillage could run into an open drain or to a loose fitting manhole cover
- Installations within 50 metres of a borehole or spring
- Installations over hard ground or hard ground that could enable spillage run-off to reach controlled water
- If the position would mean the vent pipe outlet is not visible from the fill point
- The tank would supply heating oil to a building other than a single family dwelling
- If the tank is located within an England and Wales Source Protection Zone 1 (check your postcode in at The Environment Agency and then select groundwater from the other topics from this area)
- If there are any other potential hazards unique to the site
Also be aware that all single skin plastic tanks now only carry a 2-year warranty as standard and most bunded plastic tanks still have a 10 year warranty so this is worth taking into consideration even if you answer no to all of the above questions.
The fire protection of tank must also be considered and fire protection may be required if your tank is:-
- Located within 1.8 meters of a non-fire rated building or structure (less than 30 mins) this includes sheds, garages and outhouses
- Located within 760mm of a non-fire rated boundary (less than 30 mins)
- Located within 1.8 meters of non-fire rated eaves (less than 30 mins)
- Located within 1.8 meters of any opening on a fire rated building (e.g. window or door)
- Located within 1.8 metres of a boiler flue termination
Your oil tank MUST also be on a fire proof base which extends 300mm around all the sides of the tank, unless it is against a fire rated structure or wall. If this is not possible fire protection is required.
This is intended for information purposes only and may be subject to change. Full guidance should be sought from a competent person or your local building control department.
Unsure what you need? Give us a call! We'll advise over the phone, or you can send pictures into us via WhatsApp (01772 338892). If you're in the North West, we'll even pop round to have a look ourselves. This will enable us to provide you with a free no-obligation quotation!
In most cases for bunded tanks, yes. We would always advise that you confirm this prior to purchase. All single skin tanks now only carry a 2-year warranty.
OFTEC are the governing body for oil, much like how Corgi/Gas Safe are for gas.
Yes, but it must be done to the current building regulations, and you need to get your local building control department in to sign it off. An OFTEC-approved installer can sign their own installations off.
Please note, installing the tank yourself may affect your insurance policy/premium.
No planning permission is required, unless the tank is to be situated at the front of your property or alongside a road, then planning permission will be required under the Town & Country Planning Act.
Where J Seed & Co Ltd are installing the tank, the customer is responsible for seeking planning permission at their own expense. J Seed & Co Ltd will only advise on the matter.
Upon completion of the installation, J Seed & Co Ltd will register the installation with OFTEC, who will then post a certificate of conformity out to the customer.
A single skin tank is a plastic or steel container which holds the fuel; a bunded tank is basically a tank within a tank. In the event the inner tank fails, which is where your fuel is stored, the bund will trap the escaping fuel- the bund is capable of containing at least 10% of the internal tank's overall capacity, and is to safely contain the fuel and prevent an environmental spillages.
Medium density polyethylene (MDPE) which is rotationally moulded.
760mm away or less if you put fire protection in between the tank and boundary. Tanks should have at least 300mm clearance all around it to allow for inspections.
Alternatively, we offer a unique triple skinned fire protected tank. These tanks can be installed and signed off by an APHC Engineer, or signed off via your local building authority. Give us a call to discuss and we'll advise you on the process.
The base should extend 300mm extra around the tank on all sides - this is for fire protection. The rationale behind this is if there was a fire, it would be delayed in spreading across the base to the tank, as the base should be non-combustible.
The tank base must be flat/level and constructed from solid non-combustible material, such as concrete flags.
No, all gauges must be within the bunded area and a sight gauge is installed external to the bund, thus compromising the spillage prevention measure.
To mitigate this, we offer a range of electronic and manual gauges which sit on top of your tank- fully compliant and easy to read.
1830mm
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