Heating oil 'must be stored safely'

22/09/2009

People that purchase heating oil and buy in bulk from domestic heating oil suppliers in preparation for the winter months have been advised to ensure that they store it safely.

The Environment Agency advice is due to the noticeable trend for people to buy as a group and in bulk to achieve lower domestic heating oil prices during challenging financial times.

David Hutchinson, of Environment Management in Lincoln, said: "While we recognise that it makes sense for householders to join together to negotiate better deals for their heating oil, we would advise against anyone ordering more oil than they can safely store."

He added that the tank and pipework should be regularly inspected and that the heating oil tanks should be in good condition.

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations were introduced in September 2005 and apply strict rules for all domestic heating oil tanks of more than 3,500 litres.