the environment

Watson Fuels aims to keep customers informed on environmental matters. This occurs most often in the installation and maintenance of storage tanks and related equipment.

A new document produced by the Environment Agency, Oftec and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers called Get to Know Your Oil Tank gives details of how to look after your existing oil tank and what is the best practice when installing a new one. The document is available to read here.

There are three main areas of regulation and legislation that refers to Tanks:

• Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) ( England) Regulations 2001 - These relate mainly to industrial, commercial and institutional installations and require tanks at such locations to be "bunded". The regulations also cover ancillary equipment - such as gauges, hoses, and overfill prevention devices.
• The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations 1991 - apply to tanks and equipment on farms and one of the main requirements is again bunding or secondary containment of tank contents.
• Building Regulations (Part J) apply to domestic installations. The regulations cover tank location and sets out the circumstances under which tanks must be bunded. The easiest way to ensure your new tank complies is to have it installed by an OFTEC registered installer.

The above information attempts only the briefest outline of regulations referred to. For further information contact your local Watson Fuels depot or visit the Environment Agency web-site http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ . Information on Installations and Registered Installers can be found on the OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry) web-site http://www.oftec.co.uk/.