• Domestic tanks up to 3500 litres must be sited at least 1.8 metres away from non-fire rated eaves of a building,
• 1.8 metres away from non-fire rated building or structure such as a shed or car port,
• 1.8 metres away from appliance flue terminals
• 1.8 metres away from openings (such as doors or windows) in a fire rated structure
• 760 mm away from a non-fire rated boundary such as a wooden fence
• If it is impossible to meet all of the criteria above, then a fire barrier rated at 30 minutes must be installed, extending 300 mm higher and wider than both ends of the tank.
• Plastic tanks should be sited on a solid base which should be strong enough to support the weight of the tank when full
• Steel tanks should be supported off the ground by masonry built piers or purpose built supports to allow for maintenance and inspection.
• Non-domestic tanks under 3500 litres must be sited at least 2.0 metres away from any buildings or boundaries. If this is impossible, then a fire barrier rated at 60 minutes must be installed, extending 900 mm higher and wider than both ends of the tank.
• Non-domestic tanks over 3500 litres must be sited at least 6.0 metres away from buildings and boundaries. Otherwise a fire barrier rated at 120 minutes must be installed, again extending 900 mm beyond the top and sides of the tank.

The Environment Agency is the leading UK body responsible for protecting the environment in England and Wales. They enforce the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001.

Visit their website for full information at www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Alternatively, the main points to consider are as follows.

A domestic tank must have secondary containment if :-

• It has a capacity of more than 2500 litres
• It is sited within 10 metres of controlled water such as a stream, ditch, river, pond, etc
• It is sited where any spillage could run into an open drain or manhole cover
• It is sited within 50 metres of sources of drinking water such as a well, borehole or spring
• It is sited over hard ground that could allow spilled oil to enter “controlled water”
• It is sited where the vent pipe outlet cannot be seen from the fill point.

Any non-domestic tank over 200 litres capacity must have secondary containment.

Secondary containment can either be provided in the form of a self bunded tank, or by constructing a bund from masonry or concrete (see website for full guidance on this). This secondary containment must be designed to house any ancillary equipment including tap, sight gauge, pump, hose and nozzle, etc.

If you have a spill, call the Environment Agency on their 24 hour emergency pollution hotline on 0800 807060.

Other useful links

The Control Of Pollution (Silage, slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations 1991
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1991/Uksi_19910324_en_1.htm

Water Environment (Oil storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006
www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2006/20060133.htm