R.I. DEM: Maintaining oil fuel tanks
Published: December 5, 2008
- Check the condition of the tank and lines. The life of the tank depends on variables such as tank construction, tank installation, soil and ground water conditions, and maintenance of the tank.
- Make sure the fill cap and the vent cap are in place and tightly secured.
- Keep all pipe connections clean and tight. Check for drips and from the fittings and the filter.
- Know how to properly measure your tank and calculate the volume in the tank.
- Know when and how much to order from your fuel oil delivery company.
- Keep the fill pipe accessible and visible for the delivery company.
- Keep the vent line clear of any snow, ice or insect nests to prevent pressuring.
- If you take your tank out of service, remove the tank and lines completely. Many fuel oil delivery companies have delivered heating oil to homeowners’ fill pipes that had no tanks attached to the other end, resulting in spills and damage that cost thousands of dollars.
- Check the stability of the legs and the ground beneath your above-ground tank. Many tanks have buckled or tipped due to instabilities.
- Buried tanks can corrode and leak without obvious signs on the surface. Be alert for unexplained fuel losses that might point to leakage.
- For inside tanks, be alert for signs of oil in the sump pump pt and floor drains, and for any oil smell in the basement or crawl space.
- All indoor tanks should have a vent alarm that alerts the fuel deliverer before the tank is full. When you receive oil, you can ask the deliverer to verify that the whistle is operating.
- Look for signs of spillage near the fill and vent pipes. Stained oil and rock or distressed vegetation could indicate that a spill has occurred.
If you discover a fuel oil spill, report it to DEM’s Office of Compliance and Inspection weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 222-1360, or after hours, weekends or holidays call DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement at 222-3070.
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Reader Reactions
I was very disappointed over the segment of the Channel 10 News cast. They gave the segiment on the oil tanks 10 seconds and the Emue Bird 3 minutes.
One bird vs. over 150,000 home heating oil customers, what a laugh.
The public was not told about any EPA, DEM, NFPA and local building departments codes or regulations, nor were they told about their home owners insurance requirments on spill coverage.
In addition they were also not made aware of the various tank pads and materials made available to them to prevent oil spills. The Dept. of DEM wants to make all oil heat users aware of the pros and cons of oil heat.
Unfortunanely Channel 10 News felt that the Bird was more important?
P.S. Speaking about the Bird tell me whose the Turkey?
I am very disappointed on your airing of oil tanks this evening. The purpose was to educate people to understand how critical it can be if a spill occurs. People need to know a tank cannot be patched, the life expectancy of a tank and most importantly making sure they check their insurance policies in the event of a spill that they are covered because it can be so very costly.
The State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is trying to help people and that minute session you showed did nothing to help what happens to people everyday.
Channel 10 help out by showing that segment in full.
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