Oil Tank Failures

The failures of oil tanks, used for home heating, are on the rise. Why? Coal use to be the dominant means of home heating prior to oil. Coal was also the fuel by industries to produce heat and steam. But during the 1930's, fuel oil for furnaces started to become more commonplace as the coal units were converted. Today, those oil tanks would be about 60 to 70 years old and those installed during the building boom of the 1950's & 1960's would be approaching 40 years in age. That means they're likely in need of replacement. Even tanks 25 years old or younger may need replacement too.

This has become a very big issue for homeowners but the same holds true for farmers and other property owners too…and it's not just oil tanks, it's all fuel storage tanks.

The problem? -- Many of the oil tanks are corroding from the inside out, where the failure is not readily visible. This often occurs from condensation that builds up inside the tank. Since oil is lighter than water, the water goes to the bottom of the tank where they rust / corrode. The first sign of a bad tank could be an odour of oil in the air. There might be rust or corrosion where the legs are welded to the tank. It could be the fuel filter that begins to leak or nozzle plugging that could be a symptom.

If they do leak, an oil spill in your basement can be a smelly and messy clean up. If it finds its way into a sump pump or floor drain though, it will undoubtedly make it a very expensive clean up, especially if it gets into wells or ground water systems. If it's an outside storage tank, where rust and corrosion are more common, a spill can contaminate the soil or make its way into nearby streams or rivers. Buried oil tanks are even a greater problem.

Monitoring and regular inspections of existing fuel storage tanks is a must. Replacement of existing tanks with corrosion resistant ones or ensuring the tanks are located within confinement areas is another possible solution. In an initiative to prevent leaks and spills, a partnership involving the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Dalhousie University and private-sector research scientists has resulted in the development of a polymer based coating for new domestic oil tanks that is expected to be in use by late 2002. You can even purchase a sensor for your oil tank that will alarm you when it begins to leak.

Did you know? -- If you own a fuel tank on your property you have a legal responsibility to properly maintain it and to clean up any spills or leaks that may occur. You are also responsible under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act to report any leak or spill from your tank that causes, or could cause, property damage or health, safety or environmental problems. Compensation resulting from damage to your property (or anyone else's for that matter) as a result of an oil spill can be costly and you may not be fully covered for it under your homeowners' insurance policy.

How can you reduce your chances of an oil spill? -- [1] Have new tanks installed by a registered contractor (under the Energy Act of Ontario). Inspecting it regularly can help you avoid the problems associated with oil spills and leakage. Homeowners are required to ensure their tanks are approved, that is, that they fulfill minimum requirements to avoid tank failure as stipulated in the Energy Act. All basement and above-ground tanks should be accessible for inspection. [2] For existing basement and above-ground tanks (a) inspect your tank for leaks at least once every year (b) replace your tank if it is more than 30 years old or if you are unsure of its age (3) empty any unused tanks [3] For existing underground tanks it is recommended that you replace your underground tank with an above-ground tank to allow for easier detection of problems. If your tank is underground (a) hire a registered contractor to inspect your tank for leaks at least once a year (b) empty unused tanks (c) if your underground tank has not been used for two or more years or you no longer intend to use it, you are legally required to remove it and also remove any contaminated soil.

As of May 2002, all fuel storage tanks must be inspected before they are filled unless they were inspected during the past ten years.

Related Website Links

CTV News / W5 Oil Spill -- http://www.ctvnews.com/content/sitesections/1025/855199.asp

Ministry of Environment -- www.ene.gov.on.ca

Technical Standards & Safety Association -- www.tssa.org

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