Diesel Storage Guidelines
We have given the following Diesel storage guidelines but if you would like to read the regulations in full we have links to the governing websites.
Storing petrol, diesel or any other fuel at home or in the workplace represents a potential risk. Fuel gives off vapours which are extremely flammable and must be dealt with in the most responsible fashion. The UK’s Oil Storage Regulations apply to all new domestic and commercial installations across the country. It is said that oil-related accidents account for one-quarter of all emergency incidents. This is often caused by inadequate storage of fuels above ground.
Most parts of the UK are bound by legislation to reduce pollution caused by the incompetent storage of oil:
Control of pollution (oil storage) (England) regulations 2001
The Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The regulations in Wales are different from 2016 and are available below.
Guidance on the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Oil Storage)
(Wales) Regulations 2016
The below regulations apply to anyone who stores more than 200 litres of oil in England:
The legislation requires that all oils except waste mineral oil are covered; including biodegradable oils. Waste mineral oil is an oil that has been drained from used vehicle engines. Storage of such fuels is protected by a non-registerable exemption within the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) 2010.
While England’s Environment Agency may attempt to use other regulatory powers to control pollution risks from fuels such as liquid petroleum gas, solid and aromatic hydrocarbon products and non-oil-based solvents, they are not protected under the Control of Pollution 2001 act.
Houseboats and barges
Houseboats and barges are deemed private dwellings and are not therefore applicable under the Control of Pollution 2001 act, providing any oil storage tanks on-board contain less than 3,500 litres of fuel.
Airports
Oil stored above ground at English airports must also comply with the above regulations unless it is an oil that has been sold to airline companies and is being stored for onward distribution. Oil stored by airports and commercial airlines that is used to fill their own planes is covered by the regulations and must be housed in bunded containment.
Water pollution
Any site which is deemed a potential risk of polluting surface waters and groundwater with fuels will be served an ‘anti-pollution works notice’, informing site owners to take immediate action. Oils are poisonous to fish and other wildlife in our environment. It is said as little as two litres of oil could pollute the size of a freshwater Olympic-sized swimming pool, so you can see exactly why the Environment Agency takes cases of contamination so seriously.
The Environment Agency are also within their rights to impose an uncapped fine on anyone who causes an oil spill.
It is therefore extremely important to store your fuels responsibly.
Bunded fuel tanks or fuel containers offer the safest and most reliable fuel storage possible. They are designed to be easily moved around whether at home or on-site in the workplace, and are ideal for scenarios where you may have considerable amounts of machinery or plant equipment that requires regular refuelling. We’re ISO 9001-2015 registered.
If you have any questions, not covered by these Diesel storage guidelines please give us a call on 01200 400980.
