Technical data

Industry regulations
Current oil storage regulations apply to all new installations
in the UK (domestic, agricultural, commercial and
industrial).
The regulations are comprehensive but they are not
complicated.
Oil is the most common form of pollutant in the UK, accounting
for almost one quarter of all incidents. The guidelines prepared
by the UK and Ireland environment agencies are intended to
help reduce pollution caused by inadequate storage of oil in
above ground fuel oil tank installations.
Regulations are covered by the Control of Pollution (Oil
Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 or the Water Environment
(Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Wales and Northern
Ireland are exempt but other specific legislation may apply.
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Is it any kind of oil?
ie, petrol, diesel, kerosene?
No
Many drains lead directly to rivers, streams or lakes. If oil is
allowed to enter these drains, it has the same effect as pouring
it directly into the watercourse.
Oil is poisonous to fish and other wildlife and it overwhelms
plant life. Just two litres of oil could pollute the volume of
fresh water needed to fill an olympic-size swimming pool and
make it completely undrinkable.
An environmental regulator can serve an 'anti pollution works
notice' if a site gives rise to, or is at risk of giving rise to,
pollution of surface waters or groundwater. This notice will
require the site owner to undertake remedial action.
Site owners can be prosecuted and fined if oil from the site
enters the ground or watercourses. Site owners may also incur
substantial clean-up costs.
Yes
No requirement
Is it waste mineral oil?
Yes
No
Waste management licensing regulations apply
Is the oil stored
inside a building?
Yes
No
No requirement under Oil Storage Regulations. Check fire safety section of Building
Regulations. Guidance available in Pollution Prevention Guidance Note PPG2 and PPG26
Is the oil stored wholly
underground?
Yes
No
Refer to the Groundwater Protection Code for Underground Fuel Storage
Are you storing less than
200 litres of oil?
Yes
No
No legal requirement. Guidance is available in PPG2 and PPG26
Are you storing less
than 3500 litres solely
for domestic use?
Yes
No
Is the oil stored at
a refinery?
Yes
No
Building regulations require the tank to be bunded if the
new/replacement storage exceeds 2500 litres.
Other factors may still require you to bund the oil store, refer to
section J of the building regulations and OFTEC guidelines
Is the oil being stored for
onward distribution?
Yes
No
Institute of Petroleum – Environmental Guidelines for Petroleum Distribution Installations.
ISBN 085 293 41662
Is the installation for
agricultural use?
Yes
No
Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations require secondary containment for
>1500 litres where the oil is used for the production of heat or power, but does not
include oil intended for use exclusively as a fuel for heating a farmhouse or other
residential premises on a farm and stored separately from other oil
Is the oil storage facility
in England or Scotland?
No
Yes
Guidance is available in PPG2 and PPG26. Similar regulations are due to be
introduced in Northern Ireland and Wales
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 apply
or
The Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 apply
Is it a new or
replacement
installation
Yes
No
IPC legislation applies
Oil storage regulation relevance chart
Source: Environment Agency