08 January 2009This guidance is taken from Approved document J to the Building Regulations and BS5410-1:1997 Sections 8.2 and 8.3. and is for domestic oil storage systems of above ground or semi buried tanks of 3500 litres capacity or less.
Generally
Oil fuel storage tanks including their pipe work must be located and constructed so as to be protected from fires in buildings or beyond the property boundaries.
Protective measures against fire
Oil fuel tanks must not be located in a place that is likely to become overgrown. This can be achieved by siting the tank on a hard standing extending at least 300mm beyond the external skin of the tank.
| Fire protection for oil storage tanks | |
| Location of tank | Protection required |
|
Within a building |
The tank is considered to be a place of special fire risk and should hazard and should comply with See Approved Document Part B |
|
Less than 1800mm from any part of any building |
a) Building walls must be imperforatable (1) if within 1800mm of tanks, and have at least 30 minutes fire resistance (2) to an internal fire. Eaves within 1800mm of tank, must be constructed with at least 30 minutes fire resistance to an external fire with non-combustible cladding this must extend 300mm beyond each side of the tank (this will have an implication on roof ventilation); or |
|
b) Provide a fire wall (3) between the tank and any part of the building within 1800mm of the tank and construct eaves as above. The fire wall should extend at least 300mm higher and wider than the tank. |
|
|
Less than 760mm from a boundary |
Provide a fire wall between the tank and the boundary or boundary wall with at least 30 minutes fire resistance to fire on either side. The fire wall or boundary wall should extend at least 300mm higher and wider than the top and sides of the tank |
|
At least 1800mm from the building and at least 760mm from a boundary |
No further provisions necessary |
Notes:
If a fire wall is to be built it should be stable and be constructed so as not to pose a danger to people around them.
Oil supply pipe systems: means of automatic isolation
Fuel feed pipework
The pipe should be be of a suitable size so that the fuel pressure at the burner is within manufacturers limits at maximum fuel flow rate.
Materials and jointing
Fire valves
Fire valves must be fitted to cut off the fuel supply (at the tank) remotely from the heating appliance in the event of a fire.
Provisions where there is a risk of oil pollution
An oil storage installation must carry a label in a prominent position giving advice on what to do if an oil spill occurs and the telephone number of the Environment Agency’s Emergency Hotline. See the oil spill pages in the Environment Agency website for details.
Domestic oil storage tanks between 2500 litres and 3500 litres in capacity must be provided with a bund with a capacity of at least 110% of the capacity of the tank, if any of the following apply:
a) has a total capacity of more than 2500 litres;
b) is located within 10m of inland freshwaters (Inland freshwaters include streams, rivers,reservoirs and lakes, as well as ditches and ground drainage (including perforated drainage pipes) that feed into them) or coastal waters;
c) is located where spillage could run into an open drain or to a loose fitting manhole cover;
d) is located within 50m of sources of potable water, such as a wells, bore-holes or springs;
e) is located where oil spilled from the installation could reach the waters listed above by running across hard ground; or
f) is located where tank vent pipe outlets cannot be seen from the intended filling point.
