Don’t Miss the InstallerSHOW – The Vital Event for Our Industry – Richo Arena, Coventry 28th – 30th September 2021

Isn’t it fantastic being able to meet up again at events for our industry? These last 18 months have been difficult in many ways, but one of the biggest challenges for us has been missing out on opportunities to rub shoulders with our installers and merchants at events like the InstallerSHOW. We’re now looking forward to getting back to meeting you all again – and be assured that any shoulder-rubbing will be COVID-safe!

What is the InstallerSHOW?

The InstallerSHOW is one of the best places for tank industry professionals to learn about the latest innovations and network with big names in the business. It’s also the place to go to grab some excellent bargains when it comes to essential tools – you’re buying straight from the manufacturer in many cases so expect the best prices on the market.

This year there are over 150 of the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers exhibiting over the three days. If you’re in the heating business, you can’t afford to miss it. As well as getting a head start on your competitors by finding out about all the newest developments and innovations ahead of the pack, there are debates on some hot industry topics to attend. We’re particularly looking forward to attending The Future of BioFuels for the UK Properties discussion. It’s on Thursday 30th September at 1pm on the Main Stage. So, we’ll hopefully see you there.

Drop-in on the Atlantis Tanks Stand

Atlantis Tanks will be on Stand P230 this year so make sure you say hello! We’re there to show you the latest tanks in our EasyTank range, along with all the accessories. We’re also always happy to give you technical and installation advice. As well as the business side of things, we always look forward to seeing you in person at shows and events. It’s what makes it fun!

And of course, as always the InstallerSHOW provides great hospitality, loads of freebies and ‘just for fun’ activities. Don’t forget to drop into the Elite Visitor lounge, where you can fuel up on free tea and coffee and fast-track access into the show.

Register and Get Your Ticket Now

Entry to the InstallerSHOW is free! Just register on the website to find out more about the event and get your free tickets: https://www.installershow.com/

The earth is in trouble. We are overpopulated, and there isn’t enough room for everyone to live comfortably. To make matters worse, we keep burning fossil fuels like oil and gas which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This causes our planet to warm up, leading to climate change that could eventually lead to famine or disease outbreaks. Fortunately, there’s a way you can help – HVO biodiesel fuel!

What is HVO Fuel?

HVO biodiesel is an excellent, environmentally friendly biofuel, produced from 100% renewable resources. It is a second-generation drop-in alternative to mineral diesel. You don’t have to modify existing diesel engines to use it. You can even top up a tank already containing mineral diesel with HVO as the two liquids mix together without any problems.

It meets EN 15940 standards and Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC Annex II.

HVO stands for hydro processed vegetable oil; it is made from waste fats, soybean oil or canola oils that have been refined using hydrotreating technology at high temperatures (thus removing all impurities). Unlike other biofuels, HVO does not need food crops (like corn) as input material. It also doesn’t use up valuable farmland that could be used for food production.

HVO meets bio content requirements with no FAME included this avoids the instability and operational issues caused by some low blend diesel fuels and high blend biofuels.

What does Second-Generation Biofuel Mean?

First-generation biofuels were less reliable in extremes of temperature, especially in the cold. Cold filter plugging, water damage and diesel bug attack were all issues. These problems can cause fuel contamination and tank corrosion. Innovations in biodiesel technology and production means that the new HVO has been developed to eliminate these issues. It also produces less harmful emissions than first-generation biofuels.

HVO biodiesel is the only biofuel with a carbon footprint lower than regular diesel, making it an excellent choice to reduce your environmental impact and fight climate change! It can be used in diesel running engines and there are no modifications needed to either the engine or to vehicle exhaust systems.

Road Tax Exemption

HVO fuel in the UK is subject to a road tax exemption, which makes it an excellent choice for all environmentally conscious drivers but it’s also a good choice for the construction and farming industry.

This effective second-generation biodiesel is approved by the world’s leading engine manufacturers including Cummins Inc., Detroit Diesel Corp and MAN SE as well as other European car manufacturers like Volkswagen Group, BMW AG and Daimler AG. This is great news for those of you that want to fill up the family car too!

Storing Green Diesel

HVO fuel, also known as Green Diesel or Green D, can be stored for up to 24 months and doesn’t need mixing with any other fuel.

We stock HVO storage tanks and fuel dispensers. Our standard range of StoraFuel HVO tanks is available in various sizes up to 20,000 litres – but if you need something bigger, we can manufacture tanks that can hold up to 100,000 of HVO fuel.

Make the Switch to HVO Today!

Take a look at our range of HVO steel bunded tanks and HVO dispensers.

For those building a home, or moving to somewhere more ‘off the grid’ than usual, you might need to consider where your wastewater and sewage will go and how it will be processed. It’s possible that the closest sewer system is too far away or just not feasible financially. You have three options in these cases: cesspools, septic tanks and sewage treatment plants (STP).

A cesspool, a septic tank and a sewage treatment plant are all used to get rid of wastewater. However, the main difference between these three types is how they treat this waste.

Cesspools

A cesspool is nothing more than a large storage tank. These pits do not process solid wastes. It only has one pipe connection, so all waste from the property flows into it and remains there until removed by a sewage disposal professional. This removal process needs to be carried out every few months, depending on the cesspool’s capacity and how many people are using it.

Over time sludge builds up in this type of holding system which requires regular removal to prevent contamination of groundwater below your home with harmful bacteria.

Septic Tanks

A septic tank, unlike a cesspool, has two pipe connections, one for the inlet and another for the outlet to ensure that there are no blockages. The baffles job inside the primary chamber is to hold back any solids until they settle. At this point, the effluent enters a secondary chamber where liquid waste can flow out unhindered. This occurs through a soakaway onto gravel beds via perforated pipes before being filtered out through soil layers.

This kind of tank still needs to be regularly emptied by a tanker but less often than a simple cesspool as some of the effluent is discharged during the treatment process.

Sewage Treatment Plants

A sewage treatment plant, like a septic tank, has an inlet point and an outlet point. It also has two internal chambers. The primary chamber will store the waste coming from the property before it moves to the secondary chamber for the actual treatment. Oxygen is introduced which boosts natural bacteria that break down solids at increased rates within the secondary chamber.

Once the sewage has been treated, it’s discharged into a soakaway. If the quality of this discharged effluent is high enough to cause no damage to the environment, it may be discharged to a watercourse.

A sewage treatment plant will still need to be emptied but, as the treatment process is more effective in this kind of plant, it may only need to be emptied every 12-18 months.

More and more people are choosing to build their dream home in the countryside as cities across the world are becoming increasingly crowded. This trend will continue as the population increases. Therefore, it is important homeowners and home builders understand what sewage systems exist on today’s market so they can choose which system best suits their needs.

Take a look at our PuraTank range of waste treatment tanks and give us a call if you need to discuss which option is best for your property. 

It makes sense that tanks with adequate fire protection are essential for storing any liquid that has the potential to ignite during storage.

Our fireproof oil tanks are manufactured and fully tested to ensure the safe storage of heating oil in line with building control regulations. Peace of mind for tank installers and their customers.

What are the Benefits of Fireproof Tanks?

Of course, a fireproof tank has obvious safety benefits, but it goes further than that when it comes to installation…
Under building regulations, conventional heating oil storage tanks are required to be installed in an isolated location with strict ‘fire separation distances’ ensuring a minimum distance from other structures. This can be quite restrictive when planning an installation, especially if outdoor space or minimising visual impact is an issue.

Choosing a fireproof oil tank means that you have much freedom concerning the site of installation. Fireproof tanks can be sited closer to recognised fire hazards than conventional tanks. This often means that the tank can be located in a more ‘out of the way’ location to keep your garden view free of ‘unsightly heating equipment’ – although we love all our tanks, we’re the first to admit that oil tanks are never going to win beauty prizes!

With more scope on the placement, including a relaxation on minimum distances from windows, doors and garden boundaries, it’s easier to tuck your oil tank away behind the garden shed! That’s more good news when you’re considering visual impact or saving outdoor space.

Installing a conventional tank within close proximity to buildings often means installing a costly fire screen wall with it… another garden feature you can probably do without. Due to the use of inbuilt fireproof material combined with a robust bund in a fireproof tank, a fire screen wall isn’t needed.

Are Fireproof OilTanks OFTEC approved?

This is a question we’re often asked. Fireproof tanks are not OFTEC approved. But far from that causing a headache for our installers, it just means that the tank can be signed off by Building Control.

Remember, it’s still mandatory that OFTEC’s regulations for the siting of your tank are followed. Your oil tank must be a minimum of:

• 1.8m away from non-fire rated eaves of a building
• 1.8m away from a non-fire rated building or structure (e.g. garden sheds)
• 1.8m away from openings (such as doors or windows) in a fire-rated building or structure (e.g. brick-built house/garage)
• 1.8m away from liquid fuel appliance flue terminals
• 760mm away from a non-fire rated boundary, such as a wooden boundary fence
• 600mm away from screening (e.g. trellis and foliage) that does not form part of the boundary.

If you’re in any doubt or need advice – always consult an OFTEC registered installer.

What about the Atlantis Tanks Range of Fireproof Oil Tanks?

Fireproof oil tanks are clearly a good choice for many customers and are becoming increasingly popular. That’s why we stock a range of both plastic and steel tanks manufactured to comply with the relevant fireproofing standards. Take a look at the range on our website: https://atlantistanks.co.uk/products/easytank/oil-tanks/fireproof-plastic-oil-tanks/

Why Atlantis Tanks’ Fireproof Tanks are Market Leading

Triple-Skinned

Whereas many tanks on the market are double-skinned, our fireproof tanks are triple-skinned. This is because in a double-skinned tank, the bund isn’t protected from fire, only the inner tank benefits from the protection. Three skins mean the bund as well as the inner tank are protected.

Non-absorbent Insulation

The wool-type insulation used in some tanks on the market is absorbent. This means that, should the inner tank leak for any reason, the insulation would absorb that kerosene. In effect, it would no longer act as fire barrier. The visual examination to check if this problem has occurred is tricky and involves removing all the material to see if it has absorbed any liquid. Trust us, it’s no an easy task but there really is no other way of doing it.

Our special non-absorbent insulation is a game-changer in this respect. It doesn’t need to be visually inspected. It’s not stored inside the bund, so in the unlikely event of the inner tank leaking into the bund, the liquid wouldn’t come into contact with the insulation.

Need some more answers? Give our team a call, we’re always happy to help our family of UK installers. Or, visit the website now to see our range of fireproof tanks

There are many different types of oil tanks on the market, they come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and capacities. One of the most important decisions you must make before you shop for your tank is whether to install a single skin or bunded oil tank.

We think that a bunded tank is the best option in most cases. Here are some reasons why:

Compliance with Regulations

For commercial installations where the tank has a capacity of 200 litres or more, a bunded tank is mandatory.

Domestic Installations

Regulations applying to domestic installations can vary between regions and are subject to change frequently, so it’s important to know whether you even have the option of using a single skinned tank.

The installation of an oil tank is classed as notifiable work by Building Regulations. This means that it must be installed to the correct standards. An OFTEC registered oil tank installer can self-certify their own installation. If you decide to do your own installation, it’s your responsibility to ensure the tank you install is legal.

There is always a good chance of regulations being updated and tightened. You could find yourself having to replace a newly installed single-skinned tank when the law changes. To avoid falling foul of the regulations and futureproof against changes, installing a bunded tank is usually your best option.

What are the Regulations?

In general, you need to install a bunded oil tank in the following circumstances:

• You are storing over 2500 litres of oil
• Your tank is sited near to an open drain or a loosely fitting manhole
• Your tank is within 10m of a controlled waterway, such as a river or stream
• Your tank is sited where any spilled liquid could travel over ground to reach a controlled waterway
• Your tank is sited within 50m of a well, borehole or natural spring
• Your tank vent is not visible from the fill point
• You use oil for a building other than a single family dwelling
• There are any other hazards unique to your site

If you’re in any doubt about compliance, contact an OFTEC registered installer for advice.

Protecting the Environment

Looking after our planet and preventing damage to the environment is crucial. Leakages of oil and other hazardous substances can easily enter natural waterways where plant and animal life pays a huge and devastating toll. Pollution that enters waterways can also find its way into supplies for arable land and even reservoirs where our own drinking water is processed.

A bunded oil tank is far less likely to leak. Any damage or corrosion would have to affect the two layers of the tank before any fluid could escape. Regular inspection and maintenance mean that this is highly unlikely to occur. In the event of a leak from the interior into the bund, the second layer will buy you valuable time to sort out the problem and retrieve the oil before it escapes and causes damage to the environment.

If the worst happens and oil from your tank does damage to the environment, expect a big bill for the cost of cleaning up the problem.

Stopping Fuel Theft

Sadly, the theft of valuable fuel oil is on the increase. Many thefts from single-skinned tanks involve the skin being penetrated and the liquid simply siphoned off.

A bunded tank offers an extra layer of protection against theft or tampering. It’s more complicated to penetrate a bunded tank and the extra work slows thieves down who will often want to steal your fuel and get away as quickly as possible. Thieves are far more likely to target oil stored in a single-skinned tank for this reason.

Reduce the Cost of Waste from Leaks

As well as being damaging to the environment, oil leakages cause damage to your bank account! If your home or business stores oil, leaks and spills can be costly. A bunded oil tank contains any leakage inside the bund. This means it can be safely removed and returned to storage, providing it has not been contaminated.

Buy More Oil to Save Money

The fuel oil market is notoriously volatile. Prices can fluctuate dramatically throughout the year. It makes sense to buy your oil in bulk when the price is at its lowest. Any tank with a capacity of 2500 litres or more must be bunded by law. Use a bunded tank with a higher capacity to store larger volumes of oil and save money.

Even if you don’t legally need to install a bunded oil tank, we think these are some really good reasons why doing so is a good idea. If you have any questions we haven’t covered, please give us a call. If you’re ready to buy your new oil tank, take a look at our range: https://atlantistanks.co.uk/products/easytank/oil-tanks/

What’s in the Report?

Surface water drainage – What is it?

Why Does that Affect Climate Change?

You will pay for surface water drainage in your bill in one of three ways:

• a fee in the standing charge
• a charge based on the rateable value of your property
• through a charge related to the type of property you live in

Solutions to Help You and the Environment

Rainwater Harvesting

How Does Rainwater Harvesting Help Prevent Climate Change?

• Collecting rainwater massively reduces any run-off into sewers. This reduces the energy needed to process this water.
• Using rainwater reduces your usage of water supplied via the water companies. This reduces the energy required to process and pump that water to your home.
• Rainwater that runs off into the sewerage system inevitably ends up in our natural waterways. This causes environmental damage that requires energy to rectify.

Surface Water Drainage Rebates

Atlantis Tanks’ PuraTank Rainwater Harvesting Systems