Bunded Oil Tank Regulations

Fuel Storage Regulations for your home or business

You have to follow certain regulations if you have an oil storage container at your home, business or farm.

Oil storage containers include tanks, drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and mobile containers called ‘bowsers’.

The person responsible for the property or premises is usually legally responsible for the oil storage container, for example the homeowner, business owner or site manager.

Which regulations to follow

The regulations are different depending on where you store your oil.

At your home

You normally have to follow building regulations for your home if you have an oil storage container installed.

If your storage container can hold 3,501 litres or more, you must follow the regulations for businesses.

At your your business

You have to follow oil storage regulations for businesses if the container can hold 201 litres or more of certain types of oil.

The regulations for businesses also apply to public sector buildings like schools, hospitals, churches and residential care homes.

At your farm

You have to follow different regulations depending on whether you’re storing oil:

Checking and labelling your tank

You should get your oil storage container inspected every year by someone who’s registered with a ‘competent person’ scheme.

The person inspecting your tank will let you know when you should replace it.

Oil Care suggest that you check your oil tank is not damaged or leaking at least once a month.

Learn what to do if you have an oil leak or spill.

Your tank should have a sticker that tells you how to look after your oil. If it does not, you can order a new sticker.

There are some exemptions from this legislation

  • Oil stored underground
  • Oil used for the onward distribution to another location
  • Waste mineral oil storage
  • At a single private dwelling storing less than 3,500 litres of fuel, however, you must refer to the Building Regulations for replacement/new tanks
  • Agricultural use of oil on farms for heat and power production. This is also covered by the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil), 1991

No fuel storage on site? Compass Fuels have a range of fully bunded steel tanks from 1000 litres up to 10,000 litres available for long or short term hire all over the country, Our most popular unit is the CFT1500, shown above.

Farm Walk at Rhual Dairy: An Evening of Learning and Collaboration

Farm Walk at Rhual Dairy: An Evening of Learning and Collaboration

Apr 14, 2025

Thursday, 10th April was a special evening at Rhual Dairy, a strategic farm nestled in the North Wales countryside. Farmers, industry folks, and community members gathered for a guided farm walk organized by The Farmart Magazine and proudly sponsored by Compass...

5 Benefits of Using Heating Oil for Your Home

5 Benefits of Using Heating Oil for Your Home

Dec 17, 2024

Introduction: As the chilly months set in, finding the most efficient and cosy way to keep our homes snug and warm becomes essential. One popular choice among many homeowners is heating oil. But why is it the go-to option for so many? In this blog, we'll explore the...

Quick Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Deliveries

  • What areas do you deliver to?

    We deliver to most regions in the UK. To check if we service your area, please use our delivery postcode checker or contact our support team 01772 619 461 

  • What is the minimum order quantity for delivery?

    The minimum order quantity varies depending on the fuel type. For most orders, it is 500 litres, but smaller deliveries may be available upon request for example barrels of 205l fuel.

  • How long does delivery take?

    Standard deliveries typically take 3–5 working days. We also offer express delivery options for urgent orders.

  • What should I do if my tank is overfilled or damaged during delivery?

    Please report any issues to our customer service team immediately. We will investigate and resolve the issue promptly.

  • Can I change or cancel my delivery?

    Yes, you can modify or cancel your delivery by contacting us at least 24 hours before the scheduled delivery time.

  • Do you charge a delivery fee?

    Standard delivery is included in the fuel price for most orders. Express deliveries or orders below the minimum quantity may incur additional fees.

  • What types of vehicles are used for delivery?

    We use a fleet of fuel tankers suitable for residential, commercial, and agricultural deliveries. For restricted access locations, we may send a smaller vehicle.

  • What if my delivery is delayed?

    While we strive to deliver on time, delays can occur due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. If your delivery is delayed, we will notify you as soon as possible.

  • What should I do to prepare for a delivery?

    Ensure your tank is easily accessible, remove any obstructions, and secure pets or gates. If your tank has a lock, please make sure it is unlocked.

  • How will I know when my delivery will arrive?

    You will receive a notification with an estimated delivery date once your order is confirmed. On the day of delivery, our driver may contact you directly.

  • Do I need to be present during the delivery?

    In most cases, you don’t need to be present as long as your tank is accessible and ready for filling.

  • What happens if I’m not available during the delivery?

    If you’re not available, our driver can deliver the fuel to your tank as long as it is accessible and safe to do so. If access is restricted, we will contact you to reschedule.

  • Can I schedule my delivery?

    Absolutely. You can choose a preferred delivery date during the order process. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

  • Do you offer same-day or next-day delivery?

    Yes, same-day and next-day delivery options are available in select areas. Additional charges may apply.

Payments

  • What currency are payments processed in?

    Payments are processed in GBP (British Pounds). If you are paying from outside the UK, your bank may apply conversion fees.

  • Is my payment information secure?

    Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption and secure payment gateways to protect your payment details.

  • Can I request an extension on my payment due date?

    Yes, payment extensions may be available upon request. Please contact our billing team to discuss options.

  • Do you offer refunds?

    Refunds are processed in accordance with our refund policy. Please contact our support team for further assistance.

  • How can I update my payment details?

    You can update your payment details by contacting our customer service team. 

  • Can I split my payment across multiple methods?

    Unfortunately, we do not support splitting payments across multiple methods at this time.

  • What should I do if my payment is declined?

    If your payment is declined, double-check your payment details and try again. If the issue persists, contact your bank or our support team for assistance.

  • How do I receive my invoice or receipt?

    Invoices and receipts are sent to your registered email address or by letter.

  • Is there a surcharge for using a credit card?

    No, we do not charge additional fees for payments made using a credit card.

  • Do you offer credit terms for businesses?

    Yes, we provide credit terms for eligible business customers. Please contact our sales team to discuss account setup and terms.

  • Can I set up a direct debit or recurring payment?

    Yes, you can set up direct debit or recurring payments to ensure timely and hassle-free billing.

  • What payment methods do you accept?

    We accept a variety of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, direct bank transfers. For business customers, we also offer account-based billing.

  • I paid for my order by card, I received less fuel than I paid for due to the tank being full, what happens now?

    We have a couple of options available, we can refund your payment card, this takes 3-5 working days from the date we process your refund. Alternatively, we can leave the credit sat on your account and adjust this amount from the payment for your next order.