Don’t be a fool with you oil this April, warns TankDepot.co.uk

PRLog (Press Release) – Apr 03, 2008 – Scottish companies who have failed to comply with the latest deadline for compliance with the Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 this April could be left feeling rather foolish. Non compliance not only could result in a fine of up to £40,000 but is also a criminal offence, warns leading online tank supplier TankDepot.co.uk.

Since Tuesday 1 April 2008, oil tanks installed in Scotland at agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional and larger domestic installations, within 10 metres of surface water, or within 50 metres of a borehole should have complied with the new Regulations. All remaining oil tanks must comply no later than 1 April 2010.

The Regulations have established minimum design standards for the storage of oil at above ground installations. They apply to all types of oil, including diesel, mineral oil, heating oil, lubricating oil, waste oil, vegetable and plant oil, and biodiesel.

Requirements for owners of oil tanks above 200 litres include, positioning the tank to minimise the risk of accidental damage; the provision of a secondary containment area (sometimes referred to as a ‘bund’) to catch spills or drips; the provision of protection against possible pollution originating from ancillary equipment; and the provision of adequate protection of above and below ground pipework.

Anyone storing BioDiesel should take special notice of the new Regulations, says TankDepot.co.uk. The Regulations require that any container used for the storage of BioDiesel should be of sufficient strength and integrity. Many traditional grades of plastic are unlikely to be suitable for storing higher concentrations of the environmentally preferred fuel. TankDepot.co.uk strongly advises that BioDiesel should only be stored in a container that is purpose designed for the storage of BioDiesel, such as a Harlequin BioFuel Station or Titan BioMaster.

To assist companies in achieving compliance with the Regulations, TankDepot.co.uk can offer a comprehensive range of oil storage tanks from leading oil tank manufacturers including Harlequin and Titan. For heating oil installations, a full range of Bunded Oil Tanks are including Harlequin’s unique Polyrock range of Bunded Oil Tanks, which is now available in a choice of 5 capacities and sandstone and granite effect colourways.

For diesel storage, TankDepot.co.uk offers dedicated bunded storage and dispensing tanks. The range includes Fuelmaster diesel storage tanks from Titan; together with Fuel Station and Fuel Point models from Harlequin. Irrespective of model, manufacturer or capacity chosen, all TankDepot.co.uk Diesel Tanks incorporate integral bunding and are supplied complete with a choice of electric pump, fuel resistant delivery hose and fuel dispensing nozzle – complete with automatic shut off.

And for waste oil, TankDepot.co.uk can now offer legally compliant Waste Oil Tanks and Oil Recycling Banks. Manufactured from corrosion resistant materials, they are ideal for use at workshops, vehicle dealerships, factories, marinas or anywhere else there is a requirement to store and contain waste oils and lubricants.

To assist with the implementation of the new Regulations, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has produced a useful guidance note to assist oil storage tank owners. Copies can be downloaded from the SEPA website at www.sepa.org.uk which also contains copies of the Regulations, and a useful FAQ section.