Advice Req: Oil Tank Move

stooge

I am starting the process of getting quotes to move an oil tank which is currently situated in the attic of my garage, almost directly above the boiler (i know i know, extremely unsafe....but we didnt build the house).

The question is where to move it to, given that we dont want to move the boiler, and also there is another oil feed into the house for a range. Reading the guidelines on oil tank location it seems I have a couple of options but it is difficult to interpret to say the least.

I have a crude layout attached. The oil tank currently resides above the doorway beside the Boiler in the double garage. Ideally for me, option 3 would be best since it involves least pipe work. However as I understand, since this is inside the garage it will require some 60min fire wall protection?

Water John

Don't know the regs on that, but they can be relatively close outdoors.
Is the centre wall, a block wall? Then a fire door between the two.

stooge

yep, centre wall in garage is a block wall. the problem is that the attic is not floored sop presumably if I put in a fire door I would also have to fireproof the attic floor/ceiling?

dathi

stooge wrote: »

yep, centre wall in garage is a block wall. the problem is that the attic is not floored sop presumably if I put in a fire door I would also have to fireproof the attic floor/ceiling?

http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C37240%2Cen.pdf
page 47 of the above you would have to provide a concrete bund under the tank and totally enclose it with concrete walls and ceiling and have a self closing fire door above the bund level

stooge

dathi wrote: »

http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad%2C37240%2Cen.pdf
page 47 of the above you would have to provide a concrete bund under the tank and totally enclose it with concrete walls and ceiling and have a self closing fire door above the bund level

If I buy a bunded tank would that negate the need for a bund built below the tank?

dathi

stooge wrote: »

If I buy a bunded tank would that negate the need for a bund built below the tank?

Bund: a catchpit beneath the tank, without a
drain, constructed with non-permeable
materials and capable of containing the
contents of the tank, plus an additional 10%
(see CIRIA Report 163 for the construction of
masonry and concrete bunds).
Chamber: a fully enclosed ventilated space,
bounded by non-combustible 60 minutes fire
resisting construction (see Technical
Guidance Document , including a self
closing fire door wholly above the bund level.

mickdw

I'd put it at position 2 unless security is an issue.
Oil line to range should be easy to find in the lawn then run around in lawn to new location.
Oil line to burner could be run around the rear of the shed and in at the dividing wall.

stooge

thanks for all the feedback lads, builder is thinking inside the garage (3) is best as he thinks (1) is too close to boundary wall and 2 involves too much pipe work.

mickdw

stooge wrote: »

thanks for all the feedback lads, builder is thinking inside the garage (3) is best as he thinks (1) is too close to boundary wall and 2 involves too much pipe work.

And is he considering that the tank if placed in the shed would need to be fully enclosed in fireproof construction?
As for pipework, an oil line is simple to run around the place.
Your insurer will have serious issues with the proposal imo but not until you have a claim!
Never trust a builders decision to be in your best interests.

Tom44

The building regulations are the law.
The goal is to keep fire from oil tank, no matter what, wherever possible tank should be outdoors.
Oil is explosive at 50°c

Firebirgade will not expect internal oil tank.

Think "worst case scenario "
Rare, but does happen.

See if you can get approval from your insurance company. (In writing)

stooge

The main thinking is that having oil lines running around the place give risk to crack and thus leakage which is obviously not as bad as a fire but still costly to cleanup. So the aim is to minimize oil line length, with tank placement inside the garage giving more security. The tank itself will be a bunded tank inside 60min fire rated enclosure with a fire door.

I think the above is within the building regulations mentioned?

dathi

stooge wrote: »

The main thinking is that having oil lines running around the place give risk to crack and thus leakage which is obviously not as bad as a fire but still costly to cleanup. So the aim is to minimize oil line length, with tank placement inside the garage giving more security. The tank itself will be a bunded tank inside 60min fire rated enclosure with a fire door.

I think the above is within the building regulations mentioned?

no the bund must be built from concrete a bunded tank is plastic and is used outside to prevent oil spillage into water courses

Newport81

Looking to do this in galway as well can you PM me a number of someone who does this please