New measures were introduced in Wales on the 15th March 2020, the last of 3 stages of legislation dating back to 2016 and covers all above-ground fuel storage tanks with a capacity of 200 litres or more. This now includes IBCs, mobile bowsers and tanks.

Here at Speedy Fuels, safety is paramount. With our nationwide delivery network, we need to be up-to-date with all of the latest legislation no matter where it is implemented in the UK.

These measures have been designed to standardise how fuels and oils are stored, helping users to store their liquid fuels safely and hold them to account if they don’t.

What are the new fuel storage rules in Wales?

This final stage of legislation means that all fuel tanks with a capacity of 200 litres or more must be 110% bunded – meaning that they must have a secondary layer of containment or “bund” that is capable of holding 110% of the tank’s volume in the event of a leak.

For example, if your tank holds 200 litres, the bund must be capable of holding 220 litres of fuel safely – and any ancillary equipment (e.g. valves, vent pipes, gauges etc.) must also be contained within the bund to capture any leaks.

Please note that a double-skinned tank may not necessarily be bunded – the tank must be integrally-bunded for this to be the case.

For added security, the tank must also have a functioning lock that secures the access point when the tank isn’t in use. In addition, an automatic overfill prevention device must be installed to help prevent accidental spills during refuelling.

Above-ground pipework must be protected against physical damage, whilst below-ground pipework must be protected from damage and corrosion and have their own leak detection measures that adhere to EN13160-1 – 7.

Will the new storage rules affect my business / home oil tank?

The new regulations apply to any above-ground fuel tanks that store fuel or oil, including:

  • Red diesel
  • White Diesel
  • Petrol
  • Heating oil
  • Vegetable oil
  • Lubricants
  • Waste oil
  • Plant oil

Remember: it’s the storage capacity of the fuel tank that’s taken into account, not the amount of fuel in the tank.

How will I know if my fuel tank is compliant?

If your tank was installed after 15th March 2016, it will most likely already comply with the new oil regulations from when the first phase of the regulations was put into place.

However, as the legislation now covers all tanks and oil storage solutions, you may need to upgrade your tank to ensure you’re compliant.

To find out if your fuel tank is compliant with the new regulations, feel free to contact one of our fuel experts on 0330 123 3773.

What happens if I fail to comply with the new rules?

In addition to being a criminal offence, in the event of non-compliance, National Resources Wales can levy a fine of up to £5,000. There are a range of civil sanctions that can also be enforced.

If you’re concerned about your fuel storage, contact Speedy Fuels to ensure that you stay within the law.

Our team of experts are on hand to provide specialist advice on fuel storage tanks, in addition to offering a range of tanks that are fully compliant with the Welsh regulations and ISO 9000 standards.

If you have any further questions, you can get in touch with our knowledgeable fuel experts today by calling us on 0330 123 3773 for peace of mind from Speedy Fuels!