200 Brown's Line,
Toronto, ON, Canada
M8W 3T4
[email protected]
416.259.8833
1.877.742.5253 (1.877.SICKBLD
An Oil Tank can Blow the Deal …
Real Estate transactions can be put on hold or Insurance can be denied if an underground fuel oil storage tank is found and not registered or an aboveground storage tank is found leaking this also can pose a serious problem.
Immediate action is required, the removal or replacement of the tank must follow or according to the Insurance bureau of Canada a place of residence or commercial facility with an exterior tank older than 15 years or an interior tank older than 25 years will not be insured.
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SELF- INSPECTION LIST
Print this page and place a check mark beside all statements that apply to you.
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The legs of my fuel oil tank are resting on a questionable footing, are bent (unstable), or appear badly corroded.
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There are signs of leakage around the fill or vent pipes, or by the tank itself.
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There is a strong smell of fuel oil near my fuel oil tank.
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There are signs of dripping oil from the
bottom of the tank.
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The filter and/or fuel line located at the base of the tank is not protected from falling ice or snow.
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The fuel oil line for the tank runs under a concrete floor, or is encased in concrete.
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The vent whistle is silent when the tank is being filled (ask the delivery person).
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Oil consumption seems higher than normal.
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The fuel oil gauge for the tank is broken, missing, or faulty.
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I did not have my fuel oil tank, connection lines and furnace inspected by a qualified oil burner technician last year.
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If you placed a check mark in any of the boxes above, contact your oil burner technician or fuel oil supplier to arrange for a more detailed inspection.
PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT YOUR HOME
Heating a house with fuel oil continues to be a common source of heating for rural residents. However, some home owners tend to overlook their responsibility for the maintenance of both the furnace and the fuel oil tank. Some home owners assume that the fuel supplier will ensure that the tank and fuel lines are maintained and safe. This is not a safe assumption.
Every home owner using fuel oil should adopt the following preventative measures to protect their home, family, and neighbours:
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Be aware of the smell of oil. Contact your heating contractor immediately if you smell the odour of fuel oil.
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Check to ensure that your oil tank is approved by Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
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If your tank is 15 years of age or older, consider replacing the tank with a new tank.
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Never buy or install used fuel oil tanks. Never transfer oil from an old tank to a new tank, as water and contaminants can also be transferred.
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Oil tanks should be located at least 100 ft. from the nearest well. Tanks located beside drive ways should be protected with concrete posts.
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Ice shields are available to protect your tank and lines from falling snow or ice. If your tank is at risk, have a shield installed.
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Oil tanks should rest on a solid, non-combustible, level surface.
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Oil tanks should not be touching a wall, resting on wood or wood supports, or raised on stacked blocks.
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Have your oil tank, fuel lines and furnace inspected by a certified oil burner technician at least once a year
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Fuel Oil is an excellent source of energy, it is less expensive compared to natural gas and electricity, it is very safe and clean if the storage tanks are properly maintained and inspected regularly.
The new regulations require fuel oil distributors to conduct inspections on all fuel oil heating systems. This includes all underground and aboveground tanks, associated piping, venting and heating appliances such as furnaces, boilers and water heaters. The fuel oil distributor must inspect all equipment to which they deliver fuel, whether it is located above or below ground. Fuel oil cannot be delivered to equipment that poses an immediate hazard.
What homeowners or commercial establishments don’t realize is that most tanks corrode from the insight out which is not visible to the naked eye. This is due to condensation build up in the tank, since oil is lighter than water, the water goes to the bottom of the tank which causes it to corrode. Most insurance companies are concerned about this, because they are afraid that the tank has the potential of spilling all of its contents into the environment (soil, ground water).
If you own a buried fuel oil tank, or aboveground storage it must be upgraded with leak and spill-protection equipment or removed. Your first step is to register your tank, free of charge, with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Your fuel supplier may refuse to fill your underground tank if it is not registered with TSSA This does not include oil tanks in basements and aboveground fuel storage tanks. The provincial regulations include a phased-in, multiyear program to upgrade or remove these tanks
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