Bunded Tank Regulations

UK Legal Requirements for Bunded Fuel Tank Installation and Management

Fuel tank regulations 2025/2026

Fuel storage regulations in the UK exist to protect our environment, prevent costly pollution incidents, and ensure public safety. Whether you're a business owner needing on-site diesel storage, a farmer requiring red diesel tanks, or a homeowner installing heating oil storage, understanding these legal requirements is essential – non-compliance can result in fines up to £20,000 and unlimited clean-up costs. This guide explains exactly what you need to know about bunded fuel tank regulations, helping you stay compliant while avoiding the expensive mistakes that catch out thousands of UK property owners each year.

When installing and managing bunded fuel storage tanks in the UK, both businesses and domestic properties must comply with a comprehensive framework of regulations designed to prevent pollution, ensure fire safety, and protect the environment. The requirements differ significantly based on storage capacity, location, and property type.

What is a Bunded Tank?

A bunded tank is a tank within a tank. The outer tank acts as a secondary containment system that holds the fuel should the inner tank fail or if it is overfilled.

Bund Capacity Requirements

By law the secondary containment system (the bund) must hold at least 110% of the tank's maximum capacity.

For multiple tanks, the bund must hold either 110% of the largest tank or 25% of total storage capacity, whichever is greater. The bund must be impermeable to both oil and water, constructed from non-corrosive materials, and regularly inspected for leaks.

For more information read 2026 oil storage compliance guide.

What legislation covers the storage of fuel?

The main legislation covering fuel storage in England is the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001. These regulations apply to businesses storing more than 200 litres of fuel and domestic properties storing more than 3500 litres of fuel. For domestic installations storing less than 3500 litres building regulations apply.

When must you install a Bunded Tank for your fuel storage?

Business Storage Requirements:

If you are storing over 200 litres of fuel Bunded tank is REQUIRED.

Domestic Storage Requirements:

• Under 2,500 litres: Bunded tank not required (unless special conditions apply)
• 2,500-3,500 litres: Bunded tank REQUIRED
• Over 3,500 litres: Classified as commercial storage

Also, a bunded tank is required in a domestic setting if any of the following conditions apply:

• The fuel storage tank is located near 10 meters of coastal waters or inland waters such as lakes, streams or rivers.
• Your storage tank will be sited within 50 meters of drinking water sources such as wells, boreholes or springs.
• Where oil spills could run into open drains or loose manhole covers.
• Where oil spills could go over hard ground and reach controlled water.
• Where tank vent pipes cannot be seen from the filling point.
• If your tank will be sited within 'Zone 1' of a ground water source protection area.

Fire safety Distance Requirements

Oil tanks must be positioned at specific distances from potential fire hazards:

• 1.8 metres from non-fire-rated buildings, structures, eaves, windows, doors, and appliance flue terminals
• 760mm from non-fire-rated boundaries (wooden fences)
• 600mm from screening elements like trellis or foliage

If these distances cannot be achieved, a fire protection barrier with at least a 30-minute fire rating must be installed with a minimum 300mm separation from the tank.

Planning Permission and Height Restrictions

Most domestic oil tank installations do not require planning permission provided:

• The tank is not located in front of the main elevation facing a highway
• Height does not exceed 3 metres
• Total height is no more than 2.5 metres if within 2 metres of a boundary

Listed buildings require specific planning permission regardless of these criteria.

We always recommend checking the local planning regulations at your local authority.

Installation Requirements

All fuel tanks must be installed by a competent registered person. Ideally, this would be an OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) registered technician. These professionals can self-certify that their work complies with Building Regulations, avoiding the need for separate building control inspections.

Tank Base Requirements

All tank bases must be constructed from solid non combustible materials such as concrete, paving stones or leveled secure stonework.

Remember tanks are heavier when fully filled. The base must be able to support the full filled weight of the tank, approximately 1 tonne per 1000 litres.

• The base must be impermeable to protect the underneath ground from spills or leakage.
• The base should extend at least 300mm beyond all tank sides
• Precast concrete slabs must be at least 50mm thick on a hardcore base. Poured concrete must be at least 100mm thick.

Maintenance and Inspection

You must conduct weekly visual inspections of your tank to look for signs of damage or issues such as corrosion, oil stains, leaks, shape changes.

An annual detailed inspection must be performed by a qualified technician the inspection should include the following:

• Checking tank surfaces, secondary containment, and pipework supports
• Testing the operation of pipework and fittings
• Removing condensation water or sludge from tanks
• Providing a written report detailing any required repairs

Labelling and Signage

All tanks must display a durable notice that is placed in a prominent visible location explaining what to do in the event of a spill. This signage must be replaced if it is damaged or if it becomes unreadable.

Petroleum Storage Certificates

For petrol storage, different rules apply:

• Up to 30 litres: No notification required
• 30-275 litres: Written notification to local Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA) is required
• Over 275 litres: Petroleum Storage Certificate and licence required from the PEA
• Over 3,500 litres: Must follow business regulations

Penalties and Fines

If you fail to store fuel or oil securely and safely or if you don't follow the legal regulations you will be committing a criminal offence and you could face severe legal and financial penalties:

• Non-compliance fines: Up to £5,000 per incident
• Pollution incident fines: Up to £20,000 at magistrates' court, unlimited at crown court
• Company directors may face legal action for serious breaches
• Enforcement agencies can serve anti-pollution works notices requiring immediate remedial action
• Businesses may lose operational permits or licences
• Property owners are liable for all clean-up costs from oil spills

Environmental Agency Enforcement

Different environmental bodies handle enforcement depending on your location - the Environment Agency covers England, while SEPA operates in Scotland and NRW in Wales. These organizations carry out regular site visits and have the authority to issue enforcement notices if storage facilities don't meet required standards. They stress how crucial prevention is, pointing out the remarkable contaminating power of oil: a mere two litres can pollute enough water to fill an entire Olympic swimming pool.

What Records Should You Keep?

Tank owners need to keep track of several important items:

• Documentation proving your installation meets regulations and any certificates received
• A log of every inspection and maintenance visit, including when they happened
• Details of who carried out the work - names of engineers or technicians
• Notes on any repairs made or changes to the system
• Copies of risk assessments you've completed

We Are Happy to Help

Need help ensuring your fuel storage meets UK regulations? We are always happy to give you free, no obligation advice. We have over 30 years experience of manufacturing, installing and maintaining BS 799-5 compliant fuel tanks. Contact UK Bunded Fuel Tanks on 01200 400980 for expert guidance on compliant tank solutions.

About UK Bunded Fuel Tanks

UK Bunded Fuel Tanks manufactures BS 799-5 compliant tanks that exceed all these regulatory requirements. We have over 30 years experience in the industry and our tanks are trusted to supply the fuel needs of industries throughout the UK. View our compliant tank range