30 Minute Fire-Resistant Steel Oil Tank Installation in Solihull

Overview

LV Fuel Services were called out to a domestic property in Solihull to replace an ageing 2500L plastic single-skin oil tank with a modern 30-minute fire-rated steel tank.

The existing plastic single-skin tank had started to crack as the slabs supporting the tank had cracked, creating stress fractures on the tank.

The project involved removing the old tank and base, laying a new subbase of type 1, followed by 50mm thick paving slabs and steel-reinforced concrete lintels to meet current Building Regulations, and installing a compliant 1650L fire-rated tank connected to the existing fuel line.

This solution was required due to the tank being located within 1.8m of a timber clad building.

This case study walks through the full scope of works, from initial site visit through to completion, and includes important guidance for homeowners considering a fire-rated oil tank installation.

The Challenge

The existing tank was a 2500L plastic single skin oil tank, containing approximately 600L of fuel at the time of the job. The old base of slabs no longer met current Building Regulations requirements for a fire-rated tank installation, meaning a full base rebuild was necessary alongside the tank replacement itself.

A pre-installation site visit was required to confirm access, base dimensions, and compliance requirements before work could begin.

Site Access and Protection

Truck access to the work area was only possible via the customer’s lawn. To prevent damage to the grass during delivery and installation, protective matting was laid down before any vehicles or materials crossed the lawn. This is standard practice for LV Fuel Services whenever site access requires driving over soft ground or landscaped areas.

Scope of Works

• Remove existing 2500L plastic single skin oil tank
• Remove existing base slabs from site
• Apply Type 1 sub-base to create a new base area of 1.5m (W) x 2.4m (L)
• Lay new base of slabs and lintels to Building Regulations standard
• Install new 1650L steel fire-rated tank on the new base
• The tank was lifted into position using our HIAB-equipped truck, operated by our OFTEC-certified engineer.
• Connected the new tank to the existing fuel line to transfer kerosene into the newly installed tank.
• The works took 3 engineers 8 hours to complete.

Materials Used

• 3x 2.4m concrete lintels
• 4x 900 x 600mm concrete slabs
• 4x 600 x 900mm concrete slabs
• Type 1 sub-base material
• Whacker plate (for sub-base compaction)
• Protective lawn matting
• 1650L steel fire rated oil tank (30-minute fire rating)

Installation Process

Once the old tank and base slabs were cleared from site, the team compacted a Type 1 sub-base across the full 1.5m x 2.4m footprint using a whacker plate to create a firm, level foundation.

A new base of slabs and lintels was then laid to the same 1.5m x 2.4m dimensions, built to current Building Regulations standards to support a fire-rated tank installation.

The new 1650L steel fire-rated tank was positioned on the completed base and connected to the customer’s existing fuel line, restoring their heating oil supply with a modern, compliant, fire-rated solution.

Result

The customer now has a fully compliant 30-minute fire-rated steel oil tank, installed on a Building Regulations-standard base, with no damage to their lawn thanks to the protective matting used throughout access and installation.

The new tank replaces an older plastic single skin tank with a more robust, fire-resistant solution suited to their property.

Get a Fire Rated Oil Tank Installed in Solihull

LV Fuel Services regularly carries out fire-rated oil tank installations and replacements across Solihull and the surrounding areas, including full base construction to meet Building Regulations. If you have an ageing plastic oil tank or need a compliant fire-rated tank installed, get in touch with our team for a site visit and quote.

PS – Important notes on fire rated oil tanks:

1. There are two options available depending on the installation: a 30-minute fire resistant oil tank is required for external installations, while a 60-minute fire rated tank can be provided for internal installations such as outbuildings or garages.
2. For fire rated tank installations, the tank must be sited at least 300mm from a house, structure, boundary or wall. The tank must also sit on a concrete base that extends 300mm beyond the tank on all four sides, to allow for inspection purposes.