Once an oil or fuel tank reaches the end of its working life, it must be permanently decommissioned. And there are two choices for doing this – filling it in on-site to make it safe or physically removing it.
While removing tanks is widely considered the industry standard, there are times when physical restrictions mean removal isn’t a viable option. When deciding between these processes, you’ll need to take a number of key things into account.
When an oil tank should be filled and left in place
Unused tanks are typically filled with sand, concrete, or inert foam; the latter it is lightweight and allows the tank to be extracted later on if necessary.
- Accessibility: It may be that excavators or heavy lifting machinery simply can’t reach the tank to remove it without damaging hardscaping, landscaping or surrounding properties.
- Potential structural issues: These arise if a tanks is sited directly under the foundation of a property, in which case excavation to remove it could put the building’s structural integrity at risk.
- For a high level of safety: When you fill in an old tank with something like specialist resin foam, the empty space inside becomes inert. A filling like this also absorbs any residual hydrocarbons while preventing the soil from collapsing, without extensive digging.
When you should remove a tank
- Age and lifespan: If the tank in question is more than 15 years old, there’s a risk it could corrode and fail. Complete removal is therefore the best option in such situations.
- Soil contamination: If your tank has been leaking, you need to remove it to excavate and put right the contaminated earth. Indeed, environmental regulations mean you can’t leave it where it is.
- Property value: With residential properties in particular, tank removal can enhance attractiveness to prospective buyers, reassuring them that there is no historic contamination.
What are the regulatory processes and requirements in the UK?
If you’re decommissioning an oil tank, it’s a legal requirement to first empty residual fuel and sludge safely and for this to be done by an authorised specialist. (Any leftover oil is classed as hazardous waste.)
Equally, whether you fill or remove your tank, you’ll need to keep verifiable records proving you’ve followed proper process in terms of waste handling and correct decommissioning.
Your redundant tank must also be assessed by an OFTEC-registered engineer or certified local tank contractor to decide the most appropriate way forward. They’ll ask about your tank’s approximate age, whether it’s above ground or underground, and whether you’re planning to sell the property.
Oil tank decommissioning from LV Fuel Services
At LV Fuel Services, we provide professional oil and tank services to domestic and commercial clients with great customer service and at reasonable rates.
We work with tanks of all sizes, while our OFTEC-trained team can decommission them in various ways including full tank removal or filling with RG22 foam or concrete. What’s more, we’ll make the whole process straightforward from start to finish.
Get in touch and request a quote today or make a booking.
