With oil pollution incidents down for the fourth year running, OFTEC is reminding commercial users to make sure they are prepared for new regulations coming in one month’s time.

The third and final phase of the Control of Pollution Regulations for England will take effect on September 1st, and applies where more than 200 litres of oil is stored in tanks and containers, outside and above ground at commercial premises.

Those affected include businesses, schools, hospitals, churches, hospitals, museums, offices, warehouses and banks and others who store oil in substantial quantities for oil-fired central heating. It also applies to domestic premises (single family dwellings) storing over 3,500 litres of oil.

Essentially, the new regulations signal a move towards secondary containment (e.g. bunding) of all oil storage tanks at commercial premises.

Regular maintenance checks on oil storage and ancillary equipment should help detect any potential problems before they occur. Looking after your oil storage will help to reduce the risk of oil pollution occurring and can save you money from lost oil and clean up costs.

All new oil stores were required to comply with the Regulations by 1 March 2002. Existing oil stores “at significant risk” had to comply by 1 September 2003. All remaining existing oil stores must comply by 1 September 2005.

“The first two phases of the Control of Pollution Regulations have had an extremely positive effect in terms of reducing oil spillages. This new third phase should help continue this downward trend, supported by all the positive work that OFTEC does by working with oil tank and appliance manufacturers to design out any potential problems.”

Preventative methods we can help you with;

  • We can drill a 13.5mm hole though the cap and tank lip and in the 13mm bolt a hole was drilled to take a padlock, we also made up a metal strap for added strength.
  • Watchman Alarm – £ 132 inc vat & p&p free fitting with service

Oil Tank Security

Oiltec has been made increasingly aware of a growing number of thefts from domestic oil tanks. With many oil tanks sited in quiet rural backwaters, thieves often have the chance to drain tanks completely unnoticed. Usually it is only when people run out of oil that the theft becomes apparent.