Bunded or not?

[sclb]

We need a new oil tank for the house, should we go bunded or not, or are there regulations about this? They are about twice the price.
Also, are there any rules or guidelines as to how close to the house said tank should or shouldn't go?

 

[frustratedfarmer]

Google it.

Has to be bundled I think. Can't have flammable materials (screening fence) within 1m I think

 

[Err0l]

We bought a second hand one five years ago and it's been perfect. It's only plastic so I suppose there's not much to go wrong and it was about 10% the price of a new one.

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

We bought a new bunded one last week . Our heating engineer who was also plumbing in a new boiler said it had to be bunded as he couldn't sign it off if it wasn't . If you're plumbing it in yourself you'll probably get away with it , a new one carries a 10 year warranty .

 

[YorkshireAndrew]

We bought a new bunded one last week . Our heating engineer who was also plumbing in a new boiler said it had to be bunded as he couldn't sign it off if it wasn't . If you're plumbing it in yourself you'll probably get away with it , a new one carries a 10 year warranty .

 

[Adeptandy]

1.8m from a building, bunded, 760mm from a boundary and 600mm from combustible material, 50m from controlled water/drain/spring/borehole.....but thats from memory, so might be a bit off.

 

[Wiltshire-Lad]

OFTEC publish guidance, don't think it needs to be bundled below about 2500l for domestic use. Otherwise why would unbunded oil tanks even be for sale? Here you go:
http://www.oftec.org.uk/consumers/faqs-on-oil-storage-tanks

 

[Adeptandy]

New regs came in 1st Jan 2016, just because you can buy it, don't mean its to regs I'm afraid

 

[Wiltshire-Lad]

New regs came in 1st Jan 2016, just because you can buy it, don't mean its to regs I'm afraid

Point me to the regulation. Government website shows the same limits as I posted above.

 

[Hard Graft]

Dad has dealt with insurance clams for oil spills from bust tanks I would recommend getting a bundled as it was eye watering cost

 

[Adeptandy]

Must confess to not checking if the new regs had been published, but not installed a tank since before Christmas so not needed to check, but were supposed to come in 1st Jan 2016 in my defence

Just had a dig in mi info and found this, yes under 2500l is allowed, but only if you can meet all the criteria below, and single skin are still available as there is the route of constructing a bund around the storage tank to 110% of tank capacity.

Do I need a bunded tank?
If you answer YES to any of these questions then a bunded tank is required.

• Tank capacity in excess of 2500 litres?
• Tank within 10 metres of controlled water (e.g. drainage ditches, surface water drains and septic tanks)?
• Tank located where spillage could run into an open drain or to a loose fitting manhole cover?
• Tank within 50 metres of a borehole or spring?
• Tank over hard ground or hard surfaces ground that could enable spillage run-off to reach controlled water?
• Tank located in a position where the vent pipe outlet is not visible from the fill point?
• Tank supplying heating oil to a building other than a single family dwelling?
• Tank located within an England and Wales Source Protection Zone 1 (put your postcode in at The Environment Agency and then select the groundwater from the other topics from this area?
• Any other potential hazard individual 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 terminatiom?

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.


Hope this helps

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

Buy a larger tank. Fill up with kero at 22p and put the savings toward a bunded tank, which will be a better option than a single skin tank irrespective of any regulation.

 

[sclb]

Buy a larger tank. Fill up with kero at 22p and put the savings toward a bunded tank, which will be a better option than a single skin tank irrespective of any regulation.

This seems to be the way the way I am heading. Too many "unknowns" with a single skin. Belt and braces!

 

[Philip Watkins]

Must confess to not checking if the new regs had been published, but not installed a tank since before Christmas so not needed to check, but were supposed to come in 1st Jan 2106 i my defence

.....

We don't need to worry for a while then.

 

[Adeptandy]

We don't need to worry for a while then.

Its my birthday, not fully with it today 1st day off for ages

 

[rich8100]

Bunded over 2500l.

You will also have to check if the delivery company will fill where you put it and if its bunded or not.

A plastic double skin tank is more than good enough. So ite bunded anyway. Also can be cheap as well.

 

[Adeptandy]

You may find the bunded steel works out cheaper than the bunded plastic and will last a lot longer