Wrong Oil Tank - what's the point?

[Best]

Just been to a job where the customer has just had an oil company supply and fit a brand new oil tank to replace an old plastic tank that was apparently in poor condition.
They have just used a single skinned oil tank. Think nearly every regulation is broken. If it leaks it will go into neighbours lower property & no doubt into drains & sewers.
I can't believe she has been given an invoice for all this work. I would have sleepless nights if I had done the work & given it on paper. What is the point in regs if big company's flout it?

 

[lame plumber]

you say no doubt into sewers etc, but if it doesnt have a risk of run off then they havent broken any rules. However, I do just install bunded tanks unless there is an access/room issue and one isnt needed.

 

[Best]

you say no doubt into sewers etc, but if it doesnt have a risk of run off then they havent broken any rules. However, I do just install bunded tanks unless there is an access/room issue and one isnt needed.

I didn't look carefully, but I am certain if that oil tank floods oil, it will run into gulleys. The ground falls very slightly towards front of bungalow & to neighbours. The tank is too close to roof I think.
Thankfully not my problem, but my thinking is, say this brand new tank bursts open due to factory defect & floods sewers, storm drains, neighbours, etc. Who is responsible for the damage? I think the installers. And in a less likely scenario, if there was a fire at the house, the tank is too close to the roof.

 

[gassafe]

I'm not an often oily but you guys do seem to have some crazy regs on these tanks lol!!

How often has a plastic tank ever split anyway? Plus it's made out that oil is the most flammable liquid on earth, but I remember reading in my textbook at college that if you threw a match in a tank of oil it would go out!!! I do understand the risk to it leaking in the ground etc tho as its nasty stuff & can soak into any water mains & water streams I guess!

 

[bright spark]

Just been to a job where the customer has just had an oil company supply and fit a brand new oil tank to replace an old plastic tank that was apparently in poor condition.
They have just used a single skinned oil tank. Think nearly every regulation is broken. If it leaks it will go into neighbours lower property & no doubt into drains & sewers.
I can't believe she has been given an invoice for all this work. I would have sleepless nights if I had done the work & given it on paper. What is the point in regs if big company's flout it?

I'd b the same as you Best. You worry cos u hav a conscience ( not sure it that spelt right). A lot of lads out there don't give a fiddlers

 

[Best]

The oil contaminating the ground, especially a neighbours, will likely cost many £1000s for a proper health & safety clean up. But if it gets into sewers, rivers or other drains, then I bet the insurances will be looking for the installer if it is the wrong tank, or fitted badly.
A lot of new tanks have leaked - even nearly new. Titan had to replace them & no doubt pay out for any damage. I just think if oil does run everywhere due to a new tank failing, that means the maker has to provide a replacement tank, but surely if it wasn't a bunded tank then the installer is at fault for the spillage which would have been prevented if proper tank was used.

 

[Dotty]

I'm not an often oily but you guys do seem to have some crazy regs on these tanks lol!!

How often has a plastic tank ever split anyway? Plus it's made out that oil is the most flammable liquid on earth, but I remember reading in my textbook at college that if you threw a match in a tank of oil it would go out!!! I do understand the risk to it leaking in the ground etc tho as its nasty stuff & can soak into any water mains & water streams I guess!

You're right in a way, oil is incredibly hazardous to the environment and does have a low flash point. But what happens when adjacent structures catch fire through accident or arson?

ARSON PROBE AFTER SHED AND OIL TANK SET ON FIRE | Belfast Daily