| What
is the relevant Legislation? |
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England)
Regulations came into force in 2001 and requires
from 1 September 2005 that where oil is stored
in tanks and containers (outside and above
ground) that adherence to strict design and
monitoring requirements is necessary.
The regulations cover oil of any kind including
petrol, solvents, mineral oil, heating oil,
lubricating oil, vegetable oil except where
waste oil is within the meaning of regulation
1(3) of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations
1994 (amended). There are special additional
requirements for flammable liquids with a
flash point of less than 32ºC under the Highly
Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum
Gases Regulations 1972.
Underground fuel tanks, such as those at
fuel retailing stations are not regulated
by the legislation.
For commercial properties the regulations
are triggered where more than 200 litres
of oil are stored. For domestic premises
the guidance is 3500 litres.
Relevant bodies which will be affected by
the regulations include businesses, hospitals,
churches, museums, offices, warehouses, banks,
schools, works depots etc.
Failure to comply with the regulation can
now lead to a fine of £5000. If however
an oil incident is caused, the polluter can
be fined up to £20,000 in a magistrate’s
court.
What are the key points of the Oil
Storage Regulations?
 There
must be a bund or drip tray to intercept
any leaks from the container
and its pipework.
The bund surrounding the tank should
have sufficient capacity to contain 110%
of the maximum content of the tank.
Above ground pipework should be
supported and underground pipes should be
protected from incidental damage and have
leakage detection.
Rainwater drainage should not be
allowed to enter the bund.
The tank bund walls and base should
be periodically inspected and must be constructed
from impermeable materials.
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REC is able to provide expert
advice in the auditing of above ground tanks,
identification of remedial measures, specification
and costing of repairs and the investigation
of contamination within the ground.
Any ground investigation incorporating contamination
testing is placed into the context of a site
specific risk assessment, which details
the theoretical risk posed by the presence
of hydrocarbons on site users and the local
environment. Remedial measures are only
recommended when the risk posed by the
presence of contamination poses a significant
risk to human health or controlled waters
or is an aesthetic nuisance.
REC is also able to provide the following
services;
Integrity testing
Drain Cleaning
Drilling of boreholes
Chemical testing
Maintenance Checks Emergency
Emergency
Development of Oil Spill Response Procedures
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