Oil Tank Regulations | How to Certify Installations

As part of UK’s oil tank regulations, your heating oil tank installation must comply with UK Building Regulations – https://www.gov.uk/oil-storage-regulations-and-safety

There are 3 ways to secure the necessary compliance certification for new, replacement or moved heating oil tanks:

1. Self-Certification by Your Installer – Your heating engineer can ‘self-certify’ the installation for you IF they are members of a trade association that is part of the Government’s Competent Persons Scheme. Authorised Scheme members include APHC, BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, Certsure, NAPIT and OFTEC and are listed in full here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised#current-schemes
Many oil-fired heating systems and storage tanks are installed by  OFTEC registered engineers and installers.

2. Certification by Building Control Companies – If your installation firm is not a member of any of the above associations listed in the scheme, you (as tank-owner and home-owner) can employ a ‘building control inspection company’ who will inspect your fireproof tank installation and certify it for you assuming it is compliant with Building Regulations. There will be a cost associated with this service.

3. Certification by your local authority Building Control Department – You can approach your local council and request a building notice from their building control department. This is similar to Option 2 as you will have to arrange an inspection before obtaining the Building Notice certificate. A similar cost and longer timespan is therefore likely.

The certification process refers to all oil tanks 3500 litres in volume and below. So the process will be relevant to most of the Atlantis oil tanks sold and installed in these 6 product categories:

Plastic Bunded Oil Tanks
Steel Bunded Oil Tanks
Plastic Single Skin Oil Tanks
Steel Single Skin Oil Tanks
Fire Resistant Steel Oil Tanks
Fire Resistant Plastic Oil Tanks