TI/133D Oil Storage Tank Risk Assessment

OFTEC recommends a TI/133D assessment when installing a new tank, replacing an existing tank, carrying out a tank inspection, or whenever there is concern about oil spill risk or fire protection. It is good practice during annual servicing.

It depends on where you live. In England, a home with a tank of 3,500 litres or less needs a bund where Approved Document J paragraph 5.8 finds a significant pollution risk: more than 2,500 litres, within 10 m of a watercourse, within 50 m of a well, borehole or spring, in Zone 1 of a groundwater source protection zone, and a few others. Larger tanks and other premises come under the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001. In Wales, the 2016 Oil Storage Regulations mean any new or replacement tank over 200 litres needs a bund, homes included. In Scotland, oil storage comes under SEPA’s general binding rules 27 and 28. The TI/133D assessment records how your tank measures up.

Building Regulations Approved Document J specifies minimum distances from oil tanks to buildings, boundaries, and non-fire-rated structures. Non-fire-rated tanks typically need 1.8m from a building and 760mm from a boundary. The TI/133D form records these measurements.