The control of pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001

NB These notes are for guidamce oly. For a copy of the regulationsapply o the Stationery Office Ltf, PO Box 590, Norwich MLO, NR3 1QZ.

These reguletions come into full force for existing equipment in 1st September 2005. Failure to comply with these regulations after notice has been served is a criminal offence.

General Requirments
The oil container must be strong enough to ensure that it will no leak or burst with ordinary use.

Secondary Containers
The oil container must be enclosed in a secoundary container which must have a capacity of 110% or more of the container's storage capacity. (if more than on container is used, the secondary container must be 110% or more largest containers storage capability or 25% of the aggreage storage capacity - whichever is greater). It must be positioned so as to minmise the risk of damage by impact and should be impermable to water and oil. It must not have a valve, pipe or other opening which is used to drain the system.

Fill and Dram off pipes
The junctions of and fill or draw off pipes must be properly sealed to prevent oil leaks.

Valves, filters, gauges, pipes and other ancillary equipment
Any valves, filters, gauges, pipes and other ancillary equipment (except a fill, draw of pipe, or pump if the oil has a flashpoint of less than 32°c ) must be within the secondary containment system. When there is a fill pipe that is not in the secondary conatinment system, a drip tray must be used.

Drums and drip trays
A drip tray can be used as the secondary copnatinment systemof a drum , provided this tray has a capacity of 25% of more of the drums storage. If more than one drum is in used with the same tray, it must be 25% of the total storahe capacity of the drums.

Fixed Tanks

Sight gauges
Sight gauges must be supported and must be fitted with an automatic shut-off valve.

Pipes
Fill, draw off or overflow pipes must be carefully placed so as to minmise the risk of damage by impact. Pipes which as above ground must be support. Underground pipes can only have mechnical joints where they can be inspected by removing a hatch or cover. they must be protected from physical damage. Adequate facilities must exist for detecting leaks ( if pipes are fitted with leakage detection device, this st be maintained and tested. If they are not the pipe must be for use. After that pipes with mechanical joints must be tested once every five years - oher pipes once every ten years.) Pipes must be protected from corrosion if apporpiate.

Automatic overfill prevention devices
An automatic overfill prevention device must be fitted if the tanks and any vent pipe cannot be observed during filling.

Coupling
A screw fitting or other fixed coupling must be used for filing

Flexible Pipes
If oil from the tank is delivered througn a permanently fitted flexible pipe, the pipe must have a tap or valve at the delivery end which closes automatically when not in use and which cannot be fixed open (unless fitted with an automated shut off device). The pipe must be enclosed in a secure cabinet which is locked when not in use and which is equipped with a drip tray, or the pipe must have a lockable valve where it leases the container which is locked shut when not in use and be kept within a secondary container system when not in use.

Pumps
Pumps must be fitted with a non-return valve in its feed line must be carefully placed to minmise risk of damage by impact. All taps or valves must be fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use.

Permenent vent pipe taps or valves
Permenent vent pipe taps or valves must be situated within the secondary containment system. They must be arranged so that the oil is discharged vertically downwards and must be contained within the system. Taps or valves must be fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use.

Mobile Bowsers
Permanent taps or vales must be fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use. When oil is delivered through a permanently fitted flexible pipe, the pipe must be fitted with a manually operated pump or with a valve at the delivery end which closes automaticlly when not in use. The pump or valve must be locked shut when not in use. The pipe must befitted with a lockable valve at one end where it leaves the container and must be locked shut when not in use.