Danger
Leaked fuel oil tanks lead to serious fire and environmental hazards. Even if the tank is inside or outside the house, the outflow may contaminate private wells and ground water affecting nearby drinking water.
A cup of fuel oil can contaminate enough water to fill an Olympic size swimming pool and in many cases hundreds of liters of oil will penetrate the ground before spills are discovered.
Fuel oil that has flowed out to residential areas also can cause serious health damage and threaten indoor air quality.
People who own fuel oil tanks have a legal responsibility to properly maintain fuel oil tanks and to clean out spills and leaks that may occur. Home owners report leaks and leaks from tanks that may cause property damage, health, safety, and environmental problems under the Environmental Protection Act.
Removing spillage from the home heating oil tank is an expensive operation. Elimination of oil from the basin, or purification of contaminated water and water can cost more than the value of property and damage may not be completely covered by homeowners insurance.
Avoiding problems
Only the registered contractor installs tanks and regularly inspects it, so you can avoid problems related to oil spills and leaks.
Housing owners need to ensure that the tanks are CSA or ULC approved, properly installed and accessible for inspection.
Performing the following procedure helps to avoid problems and ensure safe use of fuel oil tanks.
- Check the tank at least once a year.
- Please change the tank regularly.
- Empty all unused tanks
Inspection of oil tank General 1000 liter fuel oil tank
1. Is the tank foot unstable or unstable foundation?
2. Are there signs of rust, harvest, wet spots or dents in the tank?
3. Is the bottom of the tank black and the drainage is black? (This indicates that water in the tank is displayed and corrosion may occur in the tank.
4. Are there signs of water droplets or leaks around fuel lines, filters or valves?
5. Is there danger of snow and ice falling into the tank?
6. Does the vent become clogged or blocked due to snow, ice, or insect nest? (Screened vents will help prevent insect nest problems.)
7. Is the ventilation quiet when the tank is filled? (Ask the fuel delivery personnel)
8. Are there signs of leakage or leakage around filling pipe or vent pipe?
9. Are fuel level gauges cracked, stuck or frozen? Are there signs of oil around it?
10. When installing outdoors, is the tank used outdoors?
11. What is the age of the tank? (Usually it will not appear after 1998).
Recall the facts of these fuel oils
- More than 40% of all oil spills reported annually are from domestic oil tanks of private ownership.
- 1 cup fuel oil can contaminate enough water to fill the Olympic size swimming pool.
- Housing owner's insurance may not cover all the expenses of clean up.
Purification of contaminated soil and water may cost more than the property is worth.
Handling of spills and leaks
Housing owners need to take the next step as soon as a spill or leak is discovered.
1. Remove all ignition sources.
2. Stop the leak if it is done without risk.
3. Ask the fuel oil supplier or heating company for assistance.
4. Do not let spilled oil or polluted substances flow into the floor drain pipe or sewer pipe. Septic system.
5. Notify the Ontario State Environmental Affairs Notice to the Center for Environmental Pollution Accidents (SAC) if the outflow is caused or there is a possibility of a cause. There are adverse effects such as groundwater and groundwater pollution, damage of neighboring houses etc. SAC provides 24 hours of support for outflow situations.
6. Transfer the remaining oil from the leakage tank to a healthy tank or other licensed container made of leakproof material such as a 45 gallon drum.
7. Clean the spilled oil and dirty dirt and put it in a suitable container such as a plastic trough or a rugged garbage bag. For large outflows, professional cleaning contractors may be required.
8. Properly discard the recovered oil, contaminated soil and other pollutants and containers. Local governments' working groups and the Ministry of the Environment can provide information on acceptable waste management practices.
9. The homeowner needs to contact the insurance agent as soon as possible.
New regulations
When fully implemented, the newly revised state regulations ensure that fuel tanks are installed and inspected by authorized personnel and that tanks are periodically replaced according to tank design .
Containment system
Inexpensive and effective secondary containment to prevent leakage of fuel oil tank can be used in the form of geomembrane bag like S. Bag approved by UBC. Leak of one type of oil tank diaper including tank refilling and outflow from fuel tank.
For details on the residential fuel oil tank and the Ontario law governing it, please contact below.
Technical standards and safety agencies (TSSA)
Fuel safety department
3300 Bloor St. W.
West Tower 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M8X 2X4
(416) 325 - 1615
http://www.tssa.org
To report leaks or obtain detailed information on spill cleanup procedures, please contact the following.
Ministry of Environment
Outflow behavior center (SAC)
1-800-268-6060 (24 hours)
Egypt (416) 325 - 3500
In other states, we look up the government list in the local phone book and find the appropriate department. To obtain immediate assistance, contact the fuel supplier or heating contractor or contact an approved specialized cleaning service.
