It is said “prevention is better than cure”. That is definitely the case with storage tank installations. Failures often result in clean up costs totalling tens of thousands of pounds. Some failures also result in prosecutions by the Environment Agency.

Our OFTEC registered tank technicians are trained to identify faults with storage tanks and the ancillary equipment associated with the tank.

As part of an ongoing maintenance contract at a commercial property we check the following:

1. Condition of the tank. For example if it is steel does it need repainting? Is it too rusty and needs replacing. If it is a plastic tank is it showing any signs of distress such as stress fractures.
2. Condition of the tank supports and base. Is the tank leaning or are the piers sinking? Does the base fully support the tank (plastic tank only)?
3. Is the tank installed to the current regulations? If not we make recommendations on how to make the installation safer.
4. Condition of the pipe work (by carrying out a visual inspection). Is the pipe work weeping or damaged, is the copper starting to go green? Has a fire valve been fitted?
5. Are all the fittings on the tank secure? Check over the fill pipes and the vent along with any other fittings on the top of the tank, which could let water into the tank.
6. An isolation valve has been fitted to the tank and that it has not seized. Check over the valve to ensure that should a leak in the pipe work occur the tank can be isolated to prevent further oil loss.
7. The gauge is working correctly. A functioning gauge or an easy to read gauge reduces the chances or you running out of fuel, causing inconvenience and additional cost when the boiler needs to be bled through.
8. Bunds. On bunded tanks we also check the condition of the bund to ensure it would hold oil in the event of a tank failure and also that the bund doesn’t contain any fuel, as this may be the sign of a tank failure.
9. Security. Can the tank be locked? Suggestions on how to make oil theft more difficult.

This is not an exhaustive list, but contains the main points. Basically we aim to highlight any potential problems before they happen.

Any defects we spot we will try to remedy whilst we are on site, with only a small additional charge made for additional labour, materials or replacement fittings. Should the installation require substantial repairs we would provide a written quotation before carrying out this work.

As specialist tank installers our service vehicles carry a range of spare tank filters, fittings and gauges. We are also able to source items not held in stock.

Having an annual service of your tank, demonstrates that, should an oil pollution incident occur, you have taken every reasonable precaution.

Contact us now to arrange a tank inspection – for added peace of mind.