Does My Oil Tank Need To Be Bunded?

Having your oil tank bunded is one of the safest ways to store your heating oil at home. It’s also important to take into consideration the positioning of the tank, fire regulations, local building regulations and maintenance of the tank.

What Is A Bunded Tank?

Bunded tanks are like a tank within a tank, this adds both structure and strength preventing any accidents or damages to your tank. Regulations state that the outside shell of the tank must be able to hold 110% of the contents from the main tank to comply.

What Are The Benefits?

Bunded tanks offer that extra layer of protection against leaks and contamination, making them the safest way to store fuel. If the inner skin of the tank cracks, the bund will catch the fuel which can then be reused, preventing environmental damage to the surrounding area. This can save you from costly fines in the event of a leak/spill.

With bunded tanks, you often get a better guarantee when purchasing. Manufacturer warranties that can last up to 10 years, as long as it is installed by a registered OFTEC Engineer. Overall, they are a much safer and popular option for domestic heating oil users.

Do I Need A Bunded Tank?

Single skin oil tanks can still be suitable in certain domestic situations. However, in England and Scotland, their installation is allowed only if the following conditions are met:

• The capacity of the oil tank must be less than 2500 litres

• The tank must not be within 10 metres of coastal waters or inland freshwaters like lakes or streams

• The tank must not be located where oil spills could run into an open drain or a loose manhole cover

• The tank must not be located within 50 metres of a drinking water source, for example, wells, boreholes or springs

• The tank must not be located over the hard ground where oil spills could run over and reach coastal waters, inland freshwaters or a drinking water source

• The tank must not be located where the tank vent pipes cannot be seen when the tank’s being filled, for example, because the delivery tanker is parked too far away

• The tank only supplies heating oil to a single-family dwelling

• The tank isn’t located within the inner zone of groundwater source protection zone 1

• The tank is not in an area where regional regulations require mandatory bunding

If you require a tank replacement you can view our range of Kingspan Tanks. Our experienced OFTEC engineer specialises in tank services and oil tank replacement solutions to help keep your tank operating smoothly throughout the year. To order, or for more information give our office a phone on 01360 660264.

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