Getting an lpg tank removed

sheepers

I bought a house 18 months ago that has a calor lpg heating system with a bulk tank out the back. I decided to change the heating system to natural gas and get rid of the lpg tank. I called calor and they came out and drained the tank and disconnected it. Unfortunately they said the clearance at the side of the house was too narrow and that they'd need to get a crane to lift it out over the house.

6 months later, they called and said they'd be sending a crane around the following day, and that they'd need to block off the road for an hour to get the job done. They told me to inform my neighbours myself! I explained that I live in a busy cul de sac and I'd be denying 30 houses access to their homes, and I simply wouldn't be able to get permission from all of them to do that. At that point they told me they'd try and get permission themselves and they'd get back to me at a later date, but it very much felt like a fob off.

12 months later and I haven't heard back from them since. I really don't think they're ever going to take the tank away.

My back garden is small, and the ugly tank takes up a huge portion of it. What options do I have?

I realise it's calor's property, but they're never going to come for it so I don't care about that. I'm more concerned about whether it would be dangerous to let someone cut it up for scrap for example? As I said, it's been emptied by calor, but I guess there could be a small amount of gas remaining in the tank?

Dtp1979

sheepers wrote: »

I bought a house 18 months ago that has a calor lpg heating system with a bulk tank out the back. I decided to change the heating system to natural gas and get rid of the lpg tank. I called calor and they came out and drained the tank and disconnected it. Unfortunately they said the clearance at the side of the house was too narrow and that they'd need to get a crane to lift it out over the house.

6 months later, they called and said they'd be sending a crane around the following day, and that they'd need to block off the road for an hour to get the job done. They told me to inform my neighbours myself! I explained that I live in a busy cul de sac and I'd be denying 30 houses access to their homes, and I simply wouldn't be able to get permission from all of them to do that. At that point they told me they'd try and get permission themselves and they'd get back to me at a later date, but it very much felt like a fob off.

12 months later and I haven't heard back from them since. I really don't think they're ever going to take the tank away.

My back garden is small, and the ugly tank takes up a huge portion of it. What options do I have?

I realise it's calor's property, but they're never going to come for it so I don't care about that. I'm more concerned about whether it would be dangerous to let someone cut it up for scrap for example? As I said, it's been emptied by calor, but I guess there could be a small amount of gas remaining in the tank?

I think you've answered Your own question. Yes it would be extremely dangerous and it is still they're property. You'd want a serious set of balls and lack of brains to put a grinder or oxy/acetylene torch to any gas tank in my opinion

sheepers

I'm desperate but not stupid!

I saw some videos online where people (who know what they're doing) fill old propane tanks with water to expel any remaining propane, then cut it afterwards. Trying to find someone who is experienced and competent with this exact job in this country might be hard. I'm just getting frustrated at the thought of having it out my back forever more.

Dtp1979

sheepers wrote: »

I'm desperate but not stupid!

I saw some videos online where people (who know what they're doing) fill old propane tanks with water to expel any remaining propane, then cut it afterwards. Trying to find someone who is experienced and competent with this exact job in this country might be hard. I'm just getting frustrated at the thought of having it out my back forever more.

Ring Calor every day until they sort it. Can they not use a teleporter to bring it to the front of the house?

Wearb

I don't know where you would go to find it, but in Cork, some years back. A welder did just that with a diesel tank on a lorry and was killed working on it next day. So what might seem obviously safe, might just kill you. It was decided afterwards that metal shows a certain porousness towards diesel and even thought the tank had been cleaned out, it leached back combustible gases, which exploded when it got a spark.

You might be able to find details on the HSA (HSE, I never know which one)

sheepers

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Ring Calor every day until they sort it. Can they not use a teleporter to bring it to the front of the house?

My driveway has a steep decline towards my house, so I'm guessing they couldn't station a transporter there? The road outside my house is quite narrow, so stationing it there would probably mean blocking the road for the rest of the cul de sac.

sheepers

Wearb wrote: »

I don't know where you would go to find it, but in Cork, some years back. A welder did just that with a diesel tank on a lorry and was killed working on it next day. So what might seem obviously safe, might just kill you. It was decided afterwards that metal shows a certain porousness towards diesel and even thought the tank had been cleaned out, it leached back combustible gases, which exploded when it got a spark.

You might be able to find details on the HSA (HSE, I never know which one)

Fair enough. Scratch that idea then!

Dtp1979

sheepers wrote: »

My driveway has a steep decline towards my house, so I'm guessing they couldn't station a transporter there? The road outside my house is quite narrow, so stationing it there would probably mean blocking the road for the rest of the cul de sac.

A teleporter is much smaller than a crane