How to Safely Store your Home Heating Oil

If you use home heating oil or are thinking about making the switch, read on to find out more about the regulations and how to safely store your oil. 

The law states that homeowners can store up to 30 litres of petrol without having to inform the Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA). However, there are laws which dictate which type of container to use, depending on the amount of fuel. A plastic container must be used to store up to 10 litres of fuel, a metal container for up to 20 litres and a demountable fuel tank for up to 30 litres. 

Never store home heating oil inside your house; use a shed, garage or simply store the tank out in the open. You should also make sure that the tank is stored in an area away from any sources of heat or ignition that could set it alight. 

Tanks must be stored at least 10 metres away from inland or coastal waters and 50 metres away from a spring. Tanks must also be at ground level (or below ground) and in a place which can be easily accessed for fuel deliveries and maintenance. 

These cover the legal requirements for the installation of a storage tank within a building. It includes rules such as, all tanks must be installed on a surface strong enough to support a full tank and the surface must be flat and fire resistant. The rules also state that the tank should be situated at least 1800mm away from any potential hazards, such as doors, windows, appliance flue terminals and non-fire rated structures such as garden fences.

It is a criminal offence to keep a tank which doesn’t abide by these regulations and owners can be liable for fines, penalties, or the cost of cleaning up an oil spill. 

If you’re looking for domestic heating oil for your home in Nottingham, Leicester or Derbyshire, get in touch with the experts at Northern Oil. We’re proud to offer affordable home heating oil delivery at competitive prices, to ensure you stay warm and dry all year round. We also supply fuel for the commercial and agricultural sectors, so give us a call today or visit our website to find out more.