Fuel tank fires get out of control quickly. One small leak and a spark is all it takes. Getting fire safety right for bunded fuel tanks protects your staff, your site, and keeps you compliant with UK regulations.
Regular Inspections
Most problems start small. A bit of rust, a loose connection, water sitting where it shouldn't be. Do monthly visual checks yourself and get a professional in once a year.
Have a look at the tank body, welds and pipe connections for leaks or corrosion. Check the foundation for cracks or subsidence. Metal supports tend to rust near ground level where moisture builds up, so keep an eye on those. The bunded area needs to stay clear of leaves, debris and vegetation.
Also check your pumps, hoses and valves for wear. If you spot any fuel seepage, get it fixed straight away.
Where to Position Your Tank
Your tank needs to be at least 6 metres from buildings, ignition sources and public roads. For bigger setups, 10 metres gives you more breathing room.
Think about access too. Emergency vehicles need a clear route in. Put your fill points and shut-off switches somewhere easy to reach, and make sure vents direct any overflow into the bund.
Emergency Kit
You need the right equipment close by:
- Fire extinguisher, minimum 10kg ABC type, within 10 metres of the tank (this is a legal requirement for petrol storage between 50 and 200 litres)
- Spill kit matched to your fuel type, with absorbents and PPE, kept in a weatherproof container
- Emergency shut-off switch, clearly labelled and tested every month
Put up emergency contact numbers where everyone can see them.
Secondary Containment
Your bund is there to catch spills when something goes wrong. It needs to hold at least 110% of your largest tank's volume to meet UK regs.
Check it regularly for cracks. Keep it clear of rainwater and rubbish. A bund full of water is no use when you need it to contain fuel.
Training Your Team
Good equipment is useless if nobody knows how to use it. Make sure everyone working near the tanks knows:
- How to use a fire extinguisher properly
- Where the emergency shut-offs are and how to activate them
- What hazards to look out for, like ignition sources or signs of corrosion
- Evacuation routes and where to assemble
Run drills regularly and keep records of all training for at least five years. Inspectors will want to see them.
Signage
Good signage does the talking when you're not around. Put up hazard warnings, no smoking signs and emergency procedures where people can see them. Your tank should have a data plate showing when it was built, its capacity and what it's made from.
Keep a log of all inspections with dates, what you found, what you did about it and who did the check.
Buying the Right Tank
Go for a BS 799-5 compliant steel bunded tank with proper secondary containment. Spending a bit more upfront on quality makes maintenance easier and keeps you on the right side of regulations for years to come.
Summary
It comes down to three things: inspect regularly, have the right equipment ready, and train your people properly. Stay on top of these and you'll keep your site safe and compliant.