Steel Bunded Oil Tanks

Steel Bunded Oil Tanks | Heating Oil Storage

If you have an oil-fired heating system, the oil is likely to be stored in a plastic or steel tank outside your property. Both have advantages that make them suitable for different situations.
Maybe you’ve also read about single-skinned and bunded (double-skinned) oil tanks and are wondering what the difference is. Follow our guide to see whether a steel tank may be your better option and why you should consider using a bunded, rather than single-skinned tank.

Why Choose a Metal Oil Tank for Your Heating Needs?

Metal is stronger than plastic

Because of its greater strength, steel is more resistant to physical damage and less likely to be pierced by a sharp impact. It also is more tolerant of extreme temperatures, which can cause plastic to swell or crack. UV radiation from sunlight is another factor to consider; this will degrade a plastic tank that is situated in a spot exposed to constant sunlight, but steel is unaffected.

Metal offers greater security

Heating oil theft is on the increase, but a metal oil tank is a greater deterrent to thieves than a plastic tank, as cutting metal takes more time and creates more noise.

A metal tank can hold more oil

Plastic tanks are rotationally moulded, so the size of the tank is limited to the size of the moulding equipment. As our metal tanks are fabricated from structural steel plate, they can be manufactured to much larger
dimensions. The additional strength of metal also means the tank can withstand the higher pressure of a larger tank capacity.

A metal tank can be made to measure

The moulding process used to manufacture plastic oil tanks means that the size and dimensions you can choose from are limited. Metal oil tanks are frequently fabricated to order, giving the customer more choice of size and shape.
If there is insufficient room for a conventional, off-the-shelf oil tank, or if the tank has to be installed in an irregularly shaped space, a metal tank can be designed and fabricated for space-efficient oil storage.

The Durability of Steel Oil Tanks: A Long-Lasting Solution

As we can see from the previous section, steel oil tanks offer many advantages over plastic oil tanks, making them the most durable option for long-term oil storage.
As oil tanks are mostly positioned outdoors, and often in exposed spots, they must be able to withstand the degrading effects of sunlight and the constant fluctuation of heat and cold between day and night, summer and winter. Steel offers far greater protection against the elements.
In some instances, such as where they are situated on a farm or industrial site, they may also need to be more resistant to physical impacts from moving vehicles and materials handling equipment. With its additional strength, steel is more capable of withstanding blunt or sharp forces that would buckle or pierce plastic.
This is why, despite higher purchase and installation costs, a steel oil tank will always be the better choice for long-term heating oil storage.

What is a Bunded Steel Oil Tank & Why You Need One

In simple terms, a bunded steel oil tank is a ‘tank within a tank’, with a gap between the inner and outer skin. That’s why it’s also called a double-skinned tank.
A bund is an area used to contain spilling or leaking fluids. Often this is constructed as a separate tray or pit that the tank stands in, but with a bunded tank the bund is contained between the inner and outer tanks.
In many ways, a bunded tank serves the same purpose as a separate tank and bund, but there are significant differences.
For a start, a bunded tank is more compact than a separate bund. It also contains any lost oil within a sealed area, which means the area around the tank is cleaner, safer and free of unpleasant smells. Oil captured by the bund can often be drained off and reused, as it won’t have been contaminated by contact with the outside.

A bunded tank also offers a second line of defence against external damage. In the event of a minor collision, the outer skin will bear the brunt of the impact and the inner tank will be unscathed; its contents will be contained and usable. A similar collision with a single-skinned tank would likely puncture the steel, causing a major leak.
Bunded tanks are now a legal requirement in most parts of the UK, where stringent environmental regulations are enforced. These apply to storage tanks with a capacity of 2,500 litres or more.

Choosing the Right Bunded Oil Tank for Your Installation

When you’re considering which bunded oil tank to buy, you should consider how frequently you wish to buy oil, how much oil you are likely to use in this period and what space is available for the tank, bearing in mind that there are also regulations concerning where an oil tank can and can’t be installed.
There are tools available to help you calculate how much oil you might consume, based on the size of your property; your oil tank supplier will also help you. However, it’s always advisable to allow extra capacity, for two reasons.
– First, your oil consumption might increase if a hard winter or additional occupants place a higher demand on the system.
– Second, you don’t want to be forced to wait until your oil tank is almost empty before ordering another supply, if it means you risk running out of fuel. If your oil supplier offers preferential prices for a minimum delivered volume, you want your tank to have enough capacity for a full delivery while there is still sufficient oil in the tank.
If you have the space for a larger tank without it becoming an eyesore or an obstacle, a high-capacity oil storage tank will mean you can take advantage of special price deals and buy cheaper fuel in bulk.
Finally, before you order your oil tank, check that its placement complies with regulations.

We Answer Your Steel Oil Tank FAQs

Q: Do Steel Oil Tanks Need To Be Bunded?
A: Yes, to comply with environmental regulations, steel oil tanks must be bunded if they exceed a 2,500-litre capacity. We share this and other factors that determine whether a bunded steel oil tank is either required or advisable. Click on the heading above to access the decision tree.

Q: Are Plastic or Steel Oil Tanks Better?
A: Both materials have their advantages. Steel oil tanks are more durable and better suited for long-term use, while plastic tanks are often more affordable and lighter, making them easier to install in certain situations.

Q: What is the Life Expectancy of a Steel Oil Tank?
A: With regular maintenance, a steel oil tank can last over 20 years. Even 30 years and older are not unheard of. Steel’s resilience against damage and deterioration ensures that it remains a reliable storage solution for decades if installed properly and maintained regularly. Click on the Q. heading above to access our dedicated article on this topic.

Q: Are Single Skinned Oil Tanks Legal?
A: Single-skinned oil tanks are legal in some areas, but many regions require bunded oil tanks for added safety, particularly for larger storage capacities.