Oil tanks with a capacity of 3,500 litres or less should be fitted at least 1.8 metres from non-fire rated walls or from flu outlets.
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.
We recommend your oil tank is installed outside, above ground within a secondary containment system. Position your tank to minimise risk of pollution and maximise its security. Consider placing it in view of a frequently occupied room so you can keep an eye on it. Theft from oil tanks is becoming increasingly common.
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 liquid fuel appliance flue terminals. 760mm away from a non-fire rated boundary, such as a wooden boundary fence.
The fill openings shall be separate from the vent opening. Tanks shall be kept outside and at least 50 feet from any building or combustible storage.
There is nothing to stop you disguising your oil tank in a little yard. You can match your fencing to that already used around your garden. If the oil tank is close to a building this is a little less work. If you're enclosing your tank be sure to install a door or gate.
(c) Each fuel tank must be separated from the engine compartment by a firewall. At least one-half inch of clear airspace must be provided between the tank and the firewall.
Building a fence around or in front of the tank is probably one of the most common, cheapest and easiest fixes. Whether you choose to use wooden panels, bamboo or reed, these fences can be bought ready-made making installation easy.
Oil storage tanks should never be installed in a habitable area. If installed internally, they should always be contained within an enclosed chamber.
Oil tanks with a capacity of 3,500 litres or less should be fitted at least 1.8 metres from non-fire rated walls or from flu outlets.
Never let the tank touch a wall because this may cause rust. The Fill and Vent piping must terminate outside the house, at least 2 feet from any window, door or opening into the home. The tank must have a gauge to indicate the level of oil in the tank.
A typical above-ground, horizontal oil tank is about 275 gallons. The amount in the tank is measured by a dipstick with inch increments on it, which is essentially a ruler for your tank. Your furnace or boiler will most likely stop running if you let the oil level get down to about four inches, or about 32 gallons.
Access to the tank, both for filling and for maintenance, means the size of the 'shed' will need to be substantially larger than the tank. This may not be a major problem for the enterprising home owner, but it still needs to be taken into consideration.
Surrounding your oil tank with garden trellis can be a highly effective way of prettifying it up a bit. By growing various plants and flowers up the trellis, or adding a few hanging tools, this will help draw the eye away from the tank and almost form a barrier between the tank and the garden.
Depending on the type of installation, plastic tanks can sit at ground level, but must be supported adequately by a proper, level base. An uneven base can cause considerable stress on the tank, leading to damage and increasing the risk of oil spillage.
Heating oil will generally last between 18 and 24 months inside a residential oil tank. As long as the tank is clean and free of impurities, the oil should flow fine and heat your living quarters efficiently.
Cover your heating oil tank — Build a shed around your heating oil tank to insulate it against the elements. Bury your fuel line — If you have an aboveground heating oil line, consider burying it. The ground will naturally insulate the lines. Install a wider fuel line — A wider fuel line can minimize gel blockages.
In general, you shouldn't be able to smell heating oil inside your home. If you're smelling a distinct oily odour, it could be a sign that there's a problem. The smell shouldn't be a cause for concern if you've: Recently refilled your tank.
Add a layer of gravel
Adding a layer of gravel around your tank is a quick, easy and cost-effective deterrent. Anyone walking on the gravel will draw attention to themselves and protect you from oil theft.
The only effective way to protect a tank against internal corrosion is to treat it with a corrosion inhibitor, like TANK-GUARD®, that mixes with the water and sludge – not with the oil. TANK-GUARD® is chemically engineered to fight the electrolysis and corrosion on the tank bottom.
Why Do Fuel Tanks Need a Double Wall? All hazardous liquids, including diesel fuel, transformer oil, and heating oil, could leak and cause major environmental damage. Double-wall fuel tanks provide secondary containment features without additional construction on-site.
The distance between any two flammable liquid storage tanks shall not be less than 3 feet.
The normal thickness of firewalls are 2 inches that are installed at least 3/4th of an inch away from the wood-studs or the steel-stud framing.
Maintaining your fuel / oil tank's safety
You must only fill the tank up to 85% to leave room for expansion and to avoid any spillages.