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OIL TANK HOME
  HOME BUYERS GUIDE TO OIL TANKS
ABANDONING OIL TANKS
ABOVE GROUND OIL TANK INSPECTIONS
BURIED OIL TANK ADVICE
BURIED OIL TANKS, FINDING
FLOATING UP OIL STORAGE or SEPTIC TANKS
FUEL OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
HEATING OIL SHELF LIFE
OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE
  ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS
    EPA OIL TANK ABANDONMENT GUIDE
    OIL TANK ABANDONMENT DETAILED STEPS
    OIL TANK LEAK PREVENTION GUIDE
    OIL TANK TEMPORARILY OUT OF USE
  AVOIDING CAVE-INs at OUTDOOR OIL TANKS
  INDOOR OIL TANK ABANDONMENT
  OUTDOOR OIL TANK ABANDONMENT
  REMOVING OLD FUEL FROM OIL TANKS
OIL TANK FAILURE CAUSES
OIL TANK FAILURE RATES
OIL TANK GAUGES
OIL TANK INSPECTION REPORTS
OIL TANK DEFECT INSPECTION
OIL TANK PIPING DEFECTS
OIL TANK LEGAL ISSUES
OIL TANK LEAK ADVICE
  FREQUENCY of OIL TANK LEAKS
  OIL TANK LEAK ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
  OIL TANK LEAK IMPACTS
  WHAT IF AN OIL TANK IS LEAKING?
  HOME INSPECTOR SHOULD DO
  OIL TANK LEAK CAUSES
  OIL TANK LEAK CLEANUP GUIDE
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING BASICS
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING REGULATIONS - ALL
  OIL TANK LEAK TESTING
  LEAKY OIL TANK FILL PIPES
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING BASICS
OIL TANK LIFE
OIL TANK PIPING DEFECTS
OIL TANK PRESSURE
OIL TANK REMOVAL COs
OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID
OIL TANK REGULATIONS
OIL TANK SLUDGE
OIL TANK STANDARDS
OIL TANK TESTING
OIL TANK TESTING COs
OIL TANK WATER CONTAMINATION

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Above ground oil tank leak (C) Carson Dunlop

Abandonment, Closure, or Removal of Heating Oil Tanks (on conversion to natural gas) in New Jersey - 1993 update
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  • Guide for Oil Tank Abandonment, Closure, or Removal of Heating Oil Tanks (on conversion to natural gas) in New Jersey - 1993 update
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New Jersey Regulations update following accidental discharge of fuel oil from tanks during conversion to natural gas

State of New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes and Standards
Construction Code Element
CN816
Trenton, NJ  08625-0816
609-530-8820

Date: April 1, 1993

Subject: Abandonment-Heating Oil Tanks less than 2,001 gallons

Reference: N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14
           Building Subcode
           Bulletins 88-3 and 91-4
           BFPC/90 F-2806.11


It has recently come to the Department's attention that them have been several
accidental discharges of fuel oil resulting from oil tanks that have been
placed out of service. These incidents commonly occur when home-owners convert
from oil to natural gas for their heating needs. The problems have centered
around tanks that have not been removed and have been "forgotten about" and
subsequently leaked due to corrosion. 

In other cases the tank has been removed
but the fill pipe has been left in place. Fuel oil deliveries made to an
incorrect address in these cases have resulted in fuel oil being pumped into the
basement of the home.


Previously in Bulletin 88-3, we indicated that abandoned oil tanks that had
become unsafe were to be removed. In addition, section P-2906.11 requires any
tank that has not been used for 90 days to be safeguarded. 

Although F-2906.11 allows 90 days to elapse before action in taken, in cases 
where conversions are performed it is clear that the abandonment is better performed 
during the conversion to ensure that safeguarding the tank will not be forgotten.

Therefore, either the permit for the conversion, or a separate permit issued as
a prerequisite to the permit for the conversion shall include safeguarding of
the tank itself (see Bulletin 91-4 for proper abandonment procedures) and
removing or permanently capping all and vent pipes associated with the tank. 

It may be noted that all work covered under the permit will be inspected upon
completion without regard to the 90 days referenced in F-2806.11 for
abandonment.


The only exception to this would be where the home-owner can demonstrate that
there will be a legitimate continued use of the tank after the conversion to
natural gas or other fuel is completed. Such legitimate use would be the use of
the tank to supply an oil appliance (i.e. oil fired hot water heater, oil
burner to heat a garage, etc.), or the use of heating equipment that can use
either fuel. 
 
In the case of [oil] tanks which will remain in place it should be noted
that the fill caps on oil tanks am required to be painted green unless the fill
pipe is fitted with fill-tightness systems and clearly marked with the words
"FUEL OIL." Any tanks to remain in service shall meet these requirements in
order to avoid accidental pouring of fuel oil into storm drains, sanitary
drains, etc.

                   #########

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OIL TANK HOME
ABOVE GROUND OIL TANK INSPECTIONS
BURIED OIL TANK ADVICE
BURIED OIL TANKS, FINDING
FLOATING UP OIL STORAGE or SEPTIC TANKS
FUEL OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
HEATING OIL SHELF LIFE
OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE
  ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS
    EPA OIL TANK ABANDONMENT GUIDE
    OIL TANK ABANDONMENT DETAILED STEPS
    OIL TANK LEAK PREVENTION GUIDE
    OIL TANK TEMPORARILY OUT OF USE
  AVOIDING CAVE-INs at OUTDOOR OIL TANKS
  INDOOR OIL TANK ABANDONMENT
  OUTDOOR OIL TANK ABANDONMENT
  REMOVING OLD FUEL FROM OIL TANKS
OIL TANK FAILURE CAUSES
OIL TANK FAILURE RATES
OIL TANK GAUGES
OIL TANK INSPECTION REPORTS
OIL TANK DEFECT INSPECTION
OIL TANK PIPING DEFECTS
OIL TANK LEGAL ISSUES
OIL TANK LEAK ADVICE
  FREQUENCY of OIL TANK LEAKS
  OIL TANK LEAK ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
  OIL TANK LEAK IMPACTS
  WHAT IF AN OIL TANK IS LEAKING?
  HOME INSPECTOR SHOULD DO
  OIL TANK LEAK CAUSES
  OIL TANK LEAK CLEANUP GUIDE
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING BASICS
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING REGULATIONS - ALL
  OIL TANK LEAK TESTING
  LEAKY OIL TANK FILL PIPES
  OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING BASICS
OIL TANK LIFE
OIL TANK PIPING DEFECTS
OIL TANK PRESSURE
OIL TANK REMOVAL COs
OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID
OIL TANK REGULATIONS
OIL TANK SLUDGE
OIL TANK STANDARDS
OIL TANK TESTING
OIL TANK TESTING COs
OIL TANK WATER CONTAMINATION

  • Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, 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

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OIL TANK HOME

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