Frequently Asked Questions

As one of the UK's leading storage tank suppliers, our Customer Support Team receives dozens of enquiries about safe, secure and environmentally responsible fuel storage. To find answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions... just click the relevant question. If however, you've a question we haven't answered then please do not hesitate to contact us for further assistance.

 

 

 Are tanks supplied by TankDepot.co.uk suitable for the storage of aviation fuel?

 

 Is an Apollo gauge compatible with a Watchman / Full Stop Handheld Unit?

 

 Are Fuel Stations, Fuel Points or Fuelmasters suitable for dispensing 'Adblue'?

 

 Are Single Skin Tanks or standard Bunded Tanks suitable for storing 'Adblue'?

 

 

A single skin oil tank consists of a single container in which fuel is stored. Single skin oil tanks are not suitable for the storage of fuel at commercial, industrial or institutional premises; or at domestic installations with an installed capacity of over 2,500 litres - unless installed within a suitably bunded area. For all other installations, an Oil Tank Risk Assessment must be undertaken by a competent person prior to installation and in accordance with the requirements of OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3.

 

In anticipation of future possible regulations, serious consideration should be given to fitting a Bunded Tank, even where a single skin tank may currently suffice.

 

 

A Bunded Tank simply consists of an 'oil tank within a oil tank'. In the event of a spillage, surplus liquid will collect in the outer tank, thus averting a pollution incident. Bunded Tanks are now required at commercial, industrial, institutuonal, commercial and most domestic premises.

 

 

If the oil tank has a nominal capacity of less than 3,500 litres, it should not be placed any closer than 760mm to a boundary. This assumes that there are no flu outlets or buildings between the tank and the boundary. Where these distances cannot be achieved, the protection measures noted in OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3 and British Standard BS5410 must be provided by means of a 30 minute fire resistant wall which extends a minimum of 300mm above and beyond the ends of the oil tank.

 

For oil tanks with a nominal capacity of 3,500 litres or greater please contact your local Building Control Officer or OFTEC.

 

 

Oil tanks with a nominal capacity of less than 3,500 litres should not be placed within 1.8 mtres of a flu outlet. Where these distances cannot be achieved, the protection measures noted in OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3 and British Standard BS5410 must be provided by means of a 30 minute fire resistant wall which extends a minimum of 300mm above and beyond the ends of the tank.

 

For oil tanks with a nominal capacity of 3,500 litres or greater please contact your local Building Control Officer or OFTEC.

 

 

Oil tanks with a nominal capacity not exceeding 3,500 litres should not be fitted any closer than 1.8 metres to a non fire rated (30 minutes minimum fire resistance) wall or eaves. Where these clearances cannot be achieved, the measures noted in British Standard BS5410 and OFTEC Technical Instruction Book 3 must be provided i.e. the provision of a 30 minutes (minimum) fire resistant wall which extends at least 300mm above and beyond the ends of the oil tank.

 

It will be necessary to protect exposed eaves forming part of a roof within 1.8 metres of the top of an oil tank to provide a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance. Cladding can be applied to the eaves in order to prevent fire from spreading to the roof.

 

For oil tanks with a capacity of 3,500 litre or greater, please contact your local Building Control Officer or OFTEC.

 

 

Internal oil storage tanks should never be installed in a habitable area and if installed internally, should always be contained within an enclosed chamber. Detailed requirements exist for internal oil storage installations. For more information contact your local Building Control Officer or OFTEC.

 

 

A definite no.

 

 

All oil tanks supplied by TankDepot.co.uk are manufactured from Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) - a material that displays excellent chemical and impact resistance properties, making it ideal for external fuel storage.

 

Fittings vary according to tank type and supplier. However, in general fill points are made from either coated mild or stainless steel, outlets from coated mild steel, and vent points are manufactured from plastic. All materials used in the manufacture of oil tanks supplied by TankDepot.co.uk are resistant to the potentially damaging long term effects of fuel.

 

 

All oil tanks must be installed on a flat, level and fire resistant base capable of supporting the weight of the tank when fully laden. If concrete slabs are used they should be a minimum of 50mm thick. The base should extend at least 300mm beyond the widest points of the tank and fully support the base of the tank in its entirety. Piers are not suitable for this purpose and can cause irreperable damage to the tank.

 

 

Technically, sight gauges can still be fitted to a single skin oil tank - subject to prevailing statutory requirements. However, it should be noted that a sight gauge is a potential leak point and as an environmentally responsible supplier we do not supply them and do not recommend them. Preference should instead be demonstrated to fitting an electronic oil tank contents gauge which unlike a sight gauge, is positioned above the maximum level of fuel in the tank, thereby dramatically reducing the likelihood of an environmental pollution incident.

 

An Apollo or Watchman type electronic oil tank gauging system is fitted as standard to all Harlequin Advance and Talking Titan Single Skin Oil Tanks supplied by TankDepot.co.uk - eliminating the requirement to fit a sight gauge.

 

No. Please note however that all Harlequin Bunded Tanks (except 350BND/ENV), Harlequin Polyrock Bunded Oil Tanks, Harlequin BioBund Bunded BioDiesel Tanks, Titan Ecosafe Bunded Tanks, Harlequin Fuel Stations, Titan BioMaster 30 and Titan Fuelmaster Tanks are pre-supplied with an electronic oil tank contents gauge, which removes the requirement for a sight gauge to be fitted.

 

This permits an LRC enabled delivery driver to plug in his overfill prevention equipment and is not for consumer use.

 

 

Yes. Every tank sold by TankDepot.co.uk is manufactured from a material which incorporated UV inhibitors. These prevent UV rays from permeating the structure of the tank, thus preventing fuel degredation.

 

 

No.

 

 

No. Today, no openings (other than the tank outlet) are permitted below the maximum level of fuel in the tank. This reduces the risk of accidental spillage. In the event that contaminants (e.g. water) need to be removed from the tank, they should be removed by an appropriately licensed contractor via the inspection apperture fitted to each tank.

 

 

Please contact your local fuel distributor who will be able to provide advice on how best to remove it.

 

 

Yes.

 

 

This is perfectly normal and is simply the fuel venting through the weatherproof vent fitted to the oil tank.

 

 

No. For advice on how to dispose of petrol and any other similarly dangerous liquids, please contact your local authority.

 

 

The Tiger Loop is a de-aeration device which removes air from the fuel prior to combustion. The result is a cleaner, more-efficient burn, with reduced emissions and enhanced cold weather performance.

 

Additionally, the Tiger Loop can permit the tank to be positioned lower than the burner and up to 30 metres away. Therefore when connected to a pressure jet burner, it is ideal for Top Outlet Bunded Tank installations and eliminates the need for an undesirable return line.

 

Please note that Tiger Loops are unsuitable for use with installations incorporating a vapourising burner.

 

 

No.

 

 

The Tiger Loop is self priming.

 

 

No, as an environmentally responsible manufacturer we do not supply these kits, due to the high risk of accidental damage / discharge associated with their use. Additionally, at many installations today their continued use is illegal. If you require a tank to store diesel fuel for vehicular use, we would advise you consider a Harlequin Fuel Station, Fuel Point or Titan Fuelmaster.

 

For BioDiesel applications, Harlequin BioFuel Stations are suitable for BioDiesel blends of up to B100 and Titan BioMaster 30s are recommended. Alternatively, for connection to remote pedestal type dispensing units, Harlequin's BioBund range is ideal. Please note that all BioDiesel tanks supplied by TankDepot.co.uk are suitable only for use wit BioDiesel produced in accordance with European Standards.

 

 

No - not as separate items.

 

However, dipsticks are supplied as standard on all Harlequin tanks with a capacity between 650 litres and 2700 litres as standard.

 

 

Kerosene (C1/C2), Agricultural Fuel Oil (A2), Diesel (D) and Water.

 

 

No.

 

 

Thirteen amp, single phase mains power supply with a Residual Current Device (RCD) fitted at the connection point to the power supply. All mains electrical installations must only be undertaken by a qualified electrician and must be inspected and tested regularly in accordance with statutory requirements.

 

 

Diesel (D) to British Standard BS2869. Additionally, Harlequin Fuel Stations and Harlequin Fuel Points are also suitable for the storage and dispensing of BioDiesel with a bio-element of up to 5% concentration.

 

 

No. The pumps and ancillary equipment fitted to these products are suitable only for use with Diesel. Dispensing a non-approved fuel from this equipment could result in serious injury or death.

 

 

No.

 

 

No.

 

 

No.

 

 

No. For Adblue storage we would suggest Titan's BlueMaster range.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Every effort is made to keep this area of the site up to date. However, TankDepot.co.uk cannot be held liable for errors or omissions. Compliance with statutory requirements is the responsibility of the person(s) who install, use and maintain products supplied by TankDepot.co.uk. If you have concerns over compliance, you must seek professional advice, contact your local Building Control Officer, your local environmental authority or OFTEC. TankDepot.co.uk strongly advises that all oil storage installations should be installed and maintained only by an OFTEC Registered Technician. TankDepot.co.uk wll not be responsible for installations which do not comply with prevailing statutory requirements.