Above-ground proprietary prefabricated oil storage tank systems

In 2000 there were 6215 substantiated pollution incidents involving oil, a 15 per cent increase on the number of incidents in 1999. Environment Agency data indicate that that a large number of these could have been prevented if the oil had been stored in adequately bunded tank systems. This guide explains the design, construction and use of proprietary prefabricated above-ground bunded oil storage tank systems for use in domestic, agricultural and industrial applications. Oil storage tank systems of steel or plastic construction up to 140 000 litres are reviewed and the use of mobile oil storage bowsers is also included. The guide offers good practice recommendations, which are designed to minimise the risk of oil pollution. It identifies several objectives that the oil storage industry needs to pursue, which include legislative requirements governing the manufacture of oil storage tank systems and fitting of overfill protection devices.