In those circumstances,your fuel specification can have a real impact on the economy and environmental performance of the building –without the comfort factor of using tried and tested natural,or mains,gas.What are your realistic fuel options in an off mains area? It’s a conundrum that’s been given added focus with the advent of new environmental regulations governing the storage of oil and diesel.It’s clear that the traditional perception of oil as an ‘easy’ heating option has taken a serious knock.

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England)Regulations 2001 were introduced in 2001 and come into full effect from 1September 2005.Separate but similar regulations are being considered for Scotland and Wales.New oil tanks have had to comply since March 2002 and tanks at significant risk - those within 10m of a watercourse or within 50m of a well or bore hole -since September 2003.From 1 September 2005,all existing oil tanks will have to comply and, clearly,there are implications for architects,specifiers and building managers.

Oil in the wrong place causes serious and long term damage to wildlife and the environment,as well as disrupting businesses, damaging reputations and potentially contaminating the drinking water supply.There are over 5,000 oil pollution incidents each year in England and Wales.In 2003,oil leaks were responsible for 18 per cent of the most serious pollution incidents.For these reasons,the Environment Agency has consistently targeted reduction of oil pollution – hence the new storage rules.

Failure to comply with the Regulations is a criminal,not a civil, offence,and businesses are liable for oil leaks however they are caused – whether due to poor design,installation,maintenance,or even vandalism.Companies and individual directors can face hefty fines – even an unlimited fine in a Crown Court – as well as substantial clean up costs or even a custodial sentence.

Interestingly,the Environment Agency also makes it clear that it regards the current level of fines for ‘environmental crimes’ as too low,neither reflecting the seriousness of the offence,nor acting as a deterrent.The Agency states that:“We need to see penalties that really impact” and that it is “pressing for stronger sentencing for environmental crimes”.

Prosecutions for oil pollution have already seen substantial fines and clean up costs imposed on companies,typically under the Water Resources Act 1991.Such amounts can be substantial – last year one company faced a £1.2 million clean up bill,with another spending £100,000 each on two separate incidents – quite apart from the fines and legal costs.It’s also a prevalent problem – one could list numerous successful prosecutions against businesses.

The fact is that it is the oil tank’s owner that is liable – not the company that carried out the installation.If oil is a fuel being stored on your premises,you need to take early action to ensure that you comply with the law.If you are designing or specifying a heating system,your priority must be to assess the risks associated with the fuel you choose,how it’s stored,and the potential exposure of your client.

Fortunately,help is at hand.The Environment Agency,for example, recently held a series of free seminars to advise businesses on the new regulations and the necessary measures to be taken.

The regulations are freely available on the Agency’s web site.

At the very least,you should undertake an audit of all existing oil storage tanks and equipment and prepare a full risk assessment.

The ‘Oil Facts’ summary outlines the key areas to address but you should visit www.environmentagency.gov.uk/oilcare for a full copy of the new regulations as well as guidance on pollution prevention. Naturally,such a process is potentially large scale and costly.But given the current focus on ‘environmental crime’and the specific targeting of oil as a serious polluter,it’s in your – and your clients’ - best interests to ensure compliance.

It’s also worth considering available fuel alternatives.For example, LPG – liquefied petroleum gas – offers a cleaner,more convenient fuel alternative that delivers all the advantages of mains gas. Crucially,LPG provides the full package of heating,hot water, cooling,and even catering from a single fuel source.

It’s an option that’s worth considering.LPG is tried and tested,with an increasing range of heating and cooling equipment available, whatever the scale of a project.LPG is available from a bulk tank supply and can be used in the same types of commercial and industrial space and water heating systems as natural gas,including warm air heating,strip and plaque radiant heaters,radiator systems and industrial unit heaters.Calor LPG can also be used in gas powered absorption type air conditioning systems,replacing electric compressors.

Aside from this,however, are the economic,environmental and – importantly,given the new storage regulations – liability advantages.Despite traditional preconceptions,LPG’s installation, fuel and running costs stack up against oil as an attractive package.Importantly, as the tank remains the property of the fuel supplier,all maintenance costs,safety issues and associated liability regarding the tank rest firmly with the gas company.

In addition to these benefits,Calor has developed a number of recent technical innovations that are finding favour in the construction sector.Developments include underground bulk LPG storage – allowing tanks to be sited unobtrusively – and the Think Tank telemetry system,which monitors the level of gas in the tank and informs Calor as soon as a delivery is required.Metered systems can be installed to deliver LPG to multi-occupancy sites with a central storage tank serving all users.

Calor’s technical specialists work with specifiers, contractors and installers to deliver the best solution based on the available space,gas off-take of the appliances and the amount of storage required –making life easy for the architect,specifier,contractor and installer.

Yes,oil storage is one more piece of environmental legislation to add to the list.But it’s an important one,and gaining increased interest from the authorities,the media and the public.More importantly,it’s an area that is relatively easy to address provided sufficient focus on compliance and full consideration and assessment of the options is undertaken.

When the oil runs out Oil storage facts

Environmental legislation has been in place for some years.For example,Section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991 already provides for fines of up to £20,000 or three months in prison for causing pollution.

The new Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England)Regulations 2001 apply to all oil containers with a capacity over 200 litres at an industrial, commercial or institutional site.

New oil tanks have had to comply since March 2002; tanks at ‘significant risk’ - those within 10m of a water course or within 50m of a well or bore hole - since September 2003; and all existing oil tanks from 1 September 2005.

Secondary containment is compulsory to minimise spillage:tanks and bowsers,for example, must have a bund with a capacity of 110 per cent.Oil drums must have a bund with a capacity of 25 per cent of the total amount. Secondary containment must be impermeable to oil and water, with no drain valves, and any holes where pipes pass through the wall must be carefully sealed.

Oil tanks should be sited to minimise risk of damage through impact and other steps taken,such as bollards or collision barriers installed.

Regulations also cover ancillary equipment and oil pipe work,such as fill and draw pipes,and compulsory regular testing and maintenance of pipes servicing fixed tanks.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure the oil store installation meets the regulations and is checked regularly.

The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing the regulations and reports to Defra.Failure to comply with the regulations is a criminal,not a civil,offence.

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