What is a Bunded Tank?

A Bunded oil tank encompasses two layers: an inner tank that stores the fuel and an outer tank that performs the function of a failsafe. In case of a spillage, the outer tank, known as the bund, contains any extra fuel. These tanks are mandatory for commercial, industrial, and institutional sites, though single-skin tanks may still be permissible in certain domestic settings.

How To Know If You Require a Bunded Tank?

For non-residential oil storage, any tank with a more than 200 litres capacity must be bunded. For domestic properties, you will need to perform an oil storage risk assessment (available from OFTEC as form TI/133D).

In summary, a bunded tank is necessary for domestic use if:

• You are storing more than 2,500 litres of oil.
• The tank is close to an open drainage system or a loosely fitted manhole.
• It is within 10 metres of controlled water bodies, such as a rivers or streams.
• The tank’s location could allow spillage to travel over hard ground surface for reaching controlled water body.
• It is within 50 metres of boreholes, springs, or wells.
• The vent of the tank cannot be seen from the filling point, such as with an extended fill point.
• The oil is used for a property other than a single-family home.
• There any other unique risks specific to your site.

For more information, you can have a look at the following guide:

Guidelines for Locating a Liquid Fuel Tank

There are strict regulations regarding the placement of liquid fuel tanks to ensure fire safety. While fires starting in storage tanks are rare, proper siting is crucial to protect the fuel from nearby heat sources or potential ignition points.

To comply with fire safety guidelines, tanks should be positioned:

• At least 1.8m from the non-fire-rated eaves of a building.
• A minimum of 1.8m from non-fire-rated structures, such as garden sheds.
• 8m away from openings (e.g., windows or doors) in fire-rated buildings like brick houses or garages.
• At least 1.8m from the flue terminals of liquid fuel appliance.
• 760mm from non-fire-rated boundaries, such as wooden fences.
• 600mm from screening (e.g., trellises or foliage) that is not part of a boundary.

How Close to a Boundary Oil Tank be Placed?

For oil tanks with a minimum capacity of below 3,500 litres, the least distance from a boundary must be 760mm. It is acceptable if no buildings or flue outlets are located between the tank and the boundary. If it’s not possible to meet these distance requirements, you must follow the guidelines outlined in OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3 and British Standard BS5410. According to those guidelines, it is recommended to install a 30-minute fire-resistant wall extending almost 300mm above and beyond the tank’s ends.

For tanks with a capacity of 3,500 litres or more, consult your local Building Control Officer or OFTEC for specific advice.

How Close to a Building Can An Oil Tank be Placed?

For oil tanks with a capability of as many as 3,500 litres, a least distance of 1.8 metres should be retained from non-fire-rated walls or eaves (those with not more than 30 minutes of flame resistance). If this clearance cannot be accomplished, you should obey the regulations in British Standard BS5410 and OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3. These specify establishing a fireproof wall with no less than 30 minutes of safety, expanding a minimum of 300mm above and beyond the tank.

Moreover, any exposed eaves within 1.8 metres of the tank’s top must be protected to offer 30 minutes of flame resistance. Cladding can be used for accomplishing this and preventing the spread of fire to the roof. For tanks of more than 3,500 litres capacity, it is better to consult your local Building Control Officer or OFTEC for guidelines.

Fuel Storage Rules for Your Residence or Business

You have to obey certain provisions, provided you have an oil holding tank at any of the following places:

• Home
• Business
• Farm

Oil storage containers encompass the following:

• Tanks
• Drums
• Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) 
• Mobile Containers (named ‘bowsers’)

The individual accountable for the property or facilities is, as a rule, legally liable for oil holding tanks, such as:

• Homeowner
• Business Owner
• Site Manager

Which Rules to Follow?

At Your Business

You must obey fuel storage rules for businesses in case the oil storage container you have is able to accommodate 201 litres or more of specific types of fuel.

The rules for businesses apply equally to publicly owned buildings such as:

• Schools
• Hospitals
• Churches
• Residential Care Homes

At Your Home

You usually need to conform to building codes for your residence in case you have a fuel storage tank installed.

If your storage tanks have a capacity of accommodating 3,501 litres or greater than that, it is necessary for you to obey the rules for businesses.

At Your Farm

You need to conform to various rules based on whether you are storing fuel:

• For generating heat and energy in agricultural settings, such as powering tractors or running grain dryers.

• To warm your farmhouse – comply with the rules for your residence.

• For a discrete element of your business, such as to fuel automobiles you let out on hire – comply with rules for businesses.

Examining and Labelling Your Container

You ought to get your fuel storage tank examined each year by a person who is certified with the ‘Competent Person’ scheme. The individual examining your container will notify you at what time you must replace it.

Our specialists at Oil Spill Kit recommend that you examine your fuel container monthly to ensure that it is not impaired or seeping.

Few Exemptions from This Regulation

• Oil stored underground.
• Oil utilised for the forward dispensation to another place.
• Waste mineral oil storage.
• At a sole personal space storing under 3,500 litres of oil. Having said that, you need to refer to the construction rules in order to replace/install new tanks.
• Agricultural usage of fuel on farmlands for heat and energy generation.