One of the most efficient ways of heating your home is to use heating oil. In order to install a heating oil tank in your home, it is important that the tank itself is installed in a place which is easily accessible for the delivery tank hose. There are strict building regulations with code rules which require that heating tanks be installed by fully certified licensed professionals. Enforcement of these codes and rules is very rigorous meaning that heating oil tanks are just as safe as any other form of residential heating. Check the rules in the town or city in which you live as each area is likely to have its own regulations regarding the installation of heating oil tanks.
Confirm rules and regulations regarding the location of heating oil tanks on your premises before going ahead with an installation. Your local officials will have all of the information that you need. Consider using a storage room or garage which has easy access to the outside so that the heating oil delivery truck can safely and easily run a hose through to the inlet pipe. Storage locations which are inside such as your garage or store room protect the tank from potential damage caused by harsh weather such as corrosion, prolonging the life of the tank. In addition, by being inside, the tank is less likely to be accidentally damaged by vehicles or vandals.
Another advantage of locating the tank on the inside is that you have more control over the temperature at which the tank is kept. Maintaining the tank at a uniform temperature means that you can help to maintain its performance in the long run and reduce maintenance costs. Keeping the tank at a steady temperature minimises the risk of the tank developing frozen lines which can cause serious damage. Locating the tank inside also means that you are more likely to notice potential leaks before they develop into more serious issues.
Inspect your tank at regular intervals in order to maintain optimal performance. Place your tank at least five feet from any fuel-fed appliance and from any kind of heat source. You need to be able to walk around the tank and see all four sides of it clearly. 18 inches of clearance all the way around the tank should be sufficient but do verify this with your local building official. If the rules require you to provide more clearance space around the tank then comply with the building code.
Check your local building code very carefully to confirm how far off the ground the tank needs to be. At least six inches is usually acceptable, but it may be more depending on the area in which you live. Concrete retains water, so placing the tank directly on concrete with no clearance will cause rust to build up. This is part of the reason why sufficient space is needed between the floor and the tank. Place a catch pan suitable for holding heating oil in it underneath the heating oil tank. The pan needs to be deep enough to hold any oil that may leak continuously during times when you are not around to check on it, for example, while you are away on holiday.
Wherever you decide to install your tank, the floor must be level. Check that the floor is level using an instrument such as a laser level. If the floor is not level, your installer may be required to level the floor before installing the tank. Stack some concrete blocks in front of the tank as a barrier if you decide to install it in your car garage. This will prevent you from potentially damaging the tank by using it as some sort of parking stop.
Oil tank replacement becomes necessary, when the existing tank is worn out or has leakages. There are several homes that use underground oil tanks for heating purposes, and most of the installations have taken place over a decade ago. Neglected oil tanks can wreck a life-time investment, as an average person probably invests in an oil tank only once or twice in a lifetime. Since the past few years, the number of oil tank failures has been astonishing, as old steel tanks continue to wear out. Condensation causes water and slush to collect at the bottom, resulting in rust formation, due to which most steel oil tanks corrode from within. Sadly, the damage is not detectable right way, and the tank gives in all of a sudden. Leakage is also caused by dampness, external damage and poor maintenance.
Oil tank leaks lead to highly expensive clean-up procedures, sometimes exceeding the property’s worth. The government has set forth additional regulations for installation and maintenance of oil storage tanks, in order to avoid oil spills. Oil tank makers have enhanced their products and widened their warranties. Steel tanks have progressed to better gauges to diminish corrosion and enhance their life expectancy. The debut of non-metallic tanks has eliminated the problem of internal corrosion. Polyethylene tanks placed in galvanized steel receptacles is yet another innovative design. Manufacturers are encouraging customers to switch over to better standards by offering rebates for oil tank replacement. Further, many insurance companies do not give insurance coverage for oil tanks buried in the ground.
The replacement should be done when the old tank is nearly empty, so as to save time and extra work. Inspection by a professional helps determine if an oil tank replacement is required. Having determined the local regulations, the size of the new oil tank and the installation location, the next step is to seek a licensed installer. The tank will have to be registered as oil delivery companies can supply oil only if the tank has a registration label. Hence, the installer, the oil company and the consumer are all responsible for effective maintenance of the replaced tank.
Oil tank replacement involves certain regulations pertinent to the local government, and the regulations imposed on the installation procedure are for the benefit of consumers. Improperly positioned installations or irrelevant base support could lead to hazardous incidents. Annual inspection is essential in order to curb potential problems that could lead to major mishaps. Every year, more than a quarter of the pollution hazards in the United Kingdom are known to be caused by oil, which drains into rivers or lakes polluting the watercourse. Oil is more economical when compared to gas, due to which many consumers opt for oil storage tanks, but maintenance is the key to its utility and longevity.
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Oil tank installation involves several considerations, including local regulations and safety norms. The task should be pursued only after obtaining the necessary permits for installation. It is also important to find out whether the completed work requires inspection by appropriate authorities. The foremost thing is to consider the location of the tank, whether it would be in the basement or garage or some other location. The installation must be such that there is adequate room around it, and if it is installed outside, it should be safe from rainfall, snowfall or dampness.
While a garage or a basement is considered to be spacious with minimal intervention from furniture or other items, outdoor installation is preferred by some homeowners if the aforementioned places are not accessible. Therefore, it is important to calculate the area required for the installation, including the pipe lengths that will run from the furnace. In the case of outdoor installation, a slab foundation is essential to prevent the tank from sinking into the soil. The tank must be lifted and placed carefully in the appropriate location, and not dragged or dropped. The pipelines that run from the furnace are flexible PVC lines of low pressure. The pipes can be slid onto valves on the tank and if the tank is in the basement, as hole might have to be drilled in the wall to run the line. The flexible nature of the pipe is a favorable feature, as minor undulations will not pose a problem. Once the oil tank is connected to the furnace, a professional will inspect it to see if the regulations are met. Bleeding the oil line by opening the bleed screw lets out a little bit of oil to seep through, so as to remove air blocks.
Underground tanks are permitted in some instances, provided a few stipulations are adhered to. They need to be cathodic-protected tanks made of steel with a coating of epoxy resin. A zinc anode attached to the tank enables cathodic protection and electrical leads from the zinc anode allow for periodical testing to ensure optimal performance. Fiber glass tanks are also permitted, but they are more expensive and demand a tough installation procedure.
Oil tank installation is a detailed procedure with stringent regulations, involving risks as well. Incorrect installation could bring about devastating effects and hence, it must be done by experienced professionals.
Need answer for your OIL TANK INSTALLATION question, then:
One of the most efficient ways of heating your home is to use heating oil. In order to install a heating oil tank in your home, it is important that the tank itself is installed in a place which is easily accessible for the delivery tank hose. There are strict building regulations with code rules which require that heating tanks be installed by fully certified licensed professionals. Enforcement of these codes and rules is very rigorous meaning that heating oil tanks are just as safe as any other form of residential heating. Check the rules in the town or city in which you live as each area is likely to have its own regulations regarding the installation of heating oil tanks.
