Double Wall Home Heating Oil Tanks and Secondary Containment

New law goes into affect July 1st 2009.

Double wall tanks or secondary containment is required on all new or replacement tanks within the wellhead protection zone of community drinking water wells. See our fact sheet (MS Word format) (pdf format) for more information.

 

These tanks have a polyethylene inner tank (1) that is enclosed by a galvanized, sheet metal outer jacket (2). The outer jacket is designed to hold and contain the contents of the inner tank, should a leak develop. The space between the inner tank and outer jacket is monitored by a gauge. Typically, these gauges use a sponge-like material which expands greatly when it comes in contact with a liquid, be it water or oil. The material swells and pushes a long, thin rod up so that the rod becomes visible at the top of the tank. It looks much like the pop-up indicator on some Thanksgiving turkeys that tell you when the turkey is completely cooked (3).

(1)

(2)

(3)

To learn more about double wall home heating oil tanks, contact your local oil delivery company or your local licensed heating technician.

Secondary Containment

A Secondary Containment vessel is a large polyethylene container that completely encloses the standard, steel, single wall 275 or 330 gallon home heating oil tank. It provides secondary containment to catch leaks and protects the tank from the weather. Make sure the secondary containment vessel is UL Listed under Underwriters Laboratories standard UL 2258.

Contact your local oil delivery company or your local, licensed heating technician for more information on secondary containment vessels.

 

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