Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

• HOME
• AIR CONDITIONING
• ELECTRICAL
• EXTERIORS
• HEATING
• HOME INSPECTION
• INTERIORS
• PLUMBING
• ROOFING
• SEPTIC SYSTEMS
• STRUCTURE
• WATER SUPPLY

• ENERGY SAVINGS
• ENVIRONMENT
• INDOOR AIR IAQ
• INSULATION
• MOLD INSPECT TEST REMOVE
• NOISE
• ODORS
• SOLAR ENERGY
• VENTILATION
• EXPERTS DIRECTORY
• CONTACT US

Home heating oil bulk storage - petroleum oil storage tanks, regulations, issues, requirements for reporting the presence of an oil storage tank at a property.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Reporting Requirements on the Discovery of Leaking Residential and Other Oil Storage Tanks

In this document, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation informs home inspectors of their reporting requirements when an oil tank is observed to be leaking. This information was presented to the New York Metro ASHI Chapter Seminar (American Society of Home Inspectors) in May, 1993 by Jacqueline Sibblies, a chemical engineer with the NYS DEC Offered a slide presentation on "Petroleum Bulk Storage" at the April NY Metro ASHI Educational session. Edits and illustrations by InspectAPedia.com. Sketch at page top courtesy of Carson Dunlop.

This article deals primarily with bulk fuel storage tanks that are larger than 1,100 gallons. Such tanks fall under the NYS Petroleum Bulk Storage Law. However, much of what was covered had implications for home inspectors.

According to Ms. Sibblies, leaking petroleum storage tanks are a major source of groundwater contamination. Fuel leaking from damaged tanks can seep through the ground, get into an aquifer, and contaminate a water supply, causing wells to be shut down.

The DEC estimates that there may be as many as 160,000 tanks in New York State storing petroleum and subject to DEC regulations. Many of these tanks were installed underground in the 1950's and 1960's, and are bare steel. DEC authorities and other experts believe that many have become weakened by rust and have a 50% chance of developing leaks.

When inspecting a house, if the tank is larger than 1,100 gallons, the buyer should be advised that the DEC requires registration and periodic testing of such tanks and their piping. Inspectors should advise their clients that tank testing should be performed by the present owner and results be made available to the buyers.

It is prudent to advise buyers to have even smaller tanks tested, even though it is not a requirement. If there is room in the basement or garage, it would be wise to recommend that the existing tank be deactivated and a new tank be installed indoors.

If leakage is detected during a home inspection, it should be reported within two hours to the DEC. The toll-free, Spill Hotline number is 800-457-7362.

Free publications dealing with this topic are available from the DEC. For a list of such publications call the NYS DEC help line at 800-242-4351.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

.

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

• InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

OIL TANK REGULATIONS
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING BASICS
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING REGULATIONS - ALL
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING, NEW JERSEY
  OIL TANK LEAK & SIZE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
  OIL TANK LEGAL ISSUES
  OIL TANK REGULATIONS - CANADA
  OIL TANK LEAK & SIZE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
  BULK STORAGE OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• NFPA - the National Fire Protection Association can be found online at www.nfpa.org

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• ...