APPROVALS & TESTING
As you’d expect from a safety-critical product, oil tanks sold today should be engineered to exceed the most demanding technical, safety and environmental requirements. And the good news is that both industry and national standards exist, to ensure your heating oil is stored safely and responsibly..
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In the UK and Republic of Ireland, there are 3 key product design and manufacturing standards - BS / IS EN 13341, OFS T100 and OFS T200. All are designed to help consumers to determine whether or not a heating oil tank complies with applicable industry standards and statutory requirements.
British Standard BS EN 13341 and Irish Standard IS EN 13341
British Standard BS EN 13341 and Irish Standard IS EN 13341, are based upon European Standard EN 13341. Since June 2013, it has been a legal requirement under The Construction Products Regulations 2013 in the UK, and the European Union (Construction Products) Regulations 2013 in the Republic of Ireland, for all plastic heating oil tanks, to be compliant with this standard.
The EN 13341 standard applies only to plastic tanks, with a capacity between 400 litres and 10,000 litres. Tanks with a lesser or greater capacity, are outside the scope of the standard. The standard does not apply to tanks manufactured from steel. Manufacturers of compliant plastic tanks will be able to provide you with a Declaration of Conformity to demonstrate compliance.
Supplying a non-compliant product or providing false certification is an offence.
OFTEC OFCERT OFS T100 and OFS T200
The Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) operates the OFS T100 and OFS T200 product testing and licensing schemes. These schemes are a voluntary, industry-led initiative, and are not a legal requirement. Both schemes independently assess the compliance of plastic (OFS T100) and steel (OFS T200) aboveground fuel oil storage tanks with predetermined design, performance and manufacturing standards. Additionally, all plastic heating oil tanks that have been tested to OFS T100 are also compliant with EN 13341.
The UKCA mark on a tank demonstrates compliance with BS EN13341 in Great Britain i.e. England, Scotland and Wales.
A CE marked tank demonstrates with BS EN13341 in the UK and IS EN13341 in the Republic of Ireland.
A typical CE Declaration of Conformity for a plastic oil tank. Image Credit: Carbery Plastics
Determining Compliance
Choosing a non-compliant tank will prove an expensive mistake. So, how can you tell whether a tank is compliant with these standards?
- In Great Britain, plastic tanks compliant with BS EN13341 can be easily identified through either a UKCA and / or a CE mark affixed to the tank - normally adjacent to the fill area. If a tank does not incorporate either mark, it may not be approved for installation in England, Scotland, or Wales;
- In Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, plastic tanks compliant with EN13341 will incorporate a CE mark, again normally adjacent to the fill area. If a tank does not incorporate this mark, it is non-compliant;
The manufacturer of a UKCA and/or CE marked compliant plastic tank, will also be able to provide a Declaration of Conformity, detailing its compliance with the construction products regulations. This should always be requested from the supplier when purchasing, specifying or installing any new or replacement plastic heating oil tank and is frequently available to download online, from the manufacturer's website.
Tanks assessed as compliant with OFS T100 (Plastic) and OFS T200 (Steel) will be licensed by OFTEC and will display an OFCERT License Number. But beware… just because a company is an OFTEC Member and displays an OFTEC logo does not necessarily mean all the products they supply are OFCERT licensed. So even if you see an OFTEC logo, unless you also see an OFCERT license number, proceed with caution.
Despite BS/IS EN13341 being a legal requirement for aboveground, plastic, storage tanks, OFTEC has previously expressed concern that a number of manufacturers were supplying non-compliant products to British and Irish consumers. Usefully, OFTEC has a list of plastic oil tank manufacturing members, whose products are licensed in accordance with OFS T100 (so verified as either CE and/or UKCA marked), together with steel tank manufacturing members who products are licensed in accordance with T200. Licensed products demonstrate compliance with all current and expected product regulations.
To verify a license number, call OFTEC in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man on 01473 626 298, or 01 864 5771 in the Republic of Ireland.
The good news is that all major brands, including Atlas, Carbery Plastics, Deso and Kingspan Titan, are known to comply - so you can buy and install their products with confidence.
Our Take...
It should go without saying that when installing a tank, you’ll wish to ensure it’s been tested and approved by the experts. So, when purchasing a plastic tank, make sure it’s OFCERT licensed to OFS T100. In Great Britain, you’ll also want to look out for a CE or UKCA mark, whilst in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, you’ll want to check for the presence of a CE mark.
CE and UKCA marks signify compliance with EN 13341. This can additionally be verified by requesting a Declaration of Performance from the manufacturer or supplier. If you're considering a plastic tank, choose a market leading brand such as Atlas Tanks, Carbery Plastics, DESO, or Titan - all of whose products are understood to be OFCERT licensed and CE / UKCA certified, and you won't go far wrong.
Choosing a steel tank? Then check it’s OFCERT licensed to OFTEC’s OFS T200 standard.
Header Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
Brand Image Credits: Atlas Tanks, Carbery Plastics, DESO Engineering and Titan Tanks
