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Home heating with fuel oil continues to be a common source. Many homeowners however assume that the fuel supplier will check to make sure that the tank and fuel lines are properly maintained when it is in fact the homeowners responsibility. To protect your family, home, property and neighbors there are several preventative measures you should consider. Check to see that your oil tank is approved by the Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC). If your tank is 15 years of age or older you should consider replacing it with a new tank and not a used one. Do not transfer oil from the old tank to the new one as water and contaminants could also be transferred. Oil tanks should rest on a solid, non-combustible level surface and should not be touching a wall, resting on wood or wood supports or be placed on stacked blocks. Tanks located outside near a driveway should be protected from impact by concrete posts. If your oil tank is placed in an area where there could be falling snow or ice it should be protected by a shield. Also, be aware of the scent of oil and contact your heating contractor immediately if you detect the odor of fuel oil. Finally, you should have your oil tank, fuel lines and furnace inspected by a certified oil burner technician each year. Why do oil spills occur? Oil tanks are composed of metal and, as with other metal products whether located inside or outside your home, it will deteriorate over time. Water and other contaminants located in the bottom of your oil tank or corrosion of the exterior will eventually lead to the development of small pinhole leaks. Oil tank legs are also subject to corrosion. Fuel lines and filters can become damaged by falling snow and ice. A leak could also develop in the pump, atomizer or fuel oil filter or in an underground tank. If a vent pipe becomes blocked the valves or fuel lines could burst from pressurization during the filling process. The tank could overturn if it has been placed on an unstable base or footing. A spill could also occur if the tank is overfilled at the time of delivery or if it is impacted by a vehicle. Impacts of oil spills Oil spills frequently result in a significant quantity of leaked oil. Leaks from underground tanks can remain undetected for months or even years. Oil from a spill can spread up to several hundred meters contaminating wells, water tables and waterways. In fact, one litre of oil can contaminate one million litres of water. Fuel oil is comprised of a small amount of benzene which is a known carcinogen. If you smell fuel oil in your home you should take immediate action to find the source as prolonged exposure could affect your health. Canadian mutual companies have spent millions of dollars covering the costs of cleaning up oil spills in recent years. Clean up costs can range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Many of these spills are attributable to tanks that are 15 years of age and older. Coverage for fuel oil spillage is not a part of every insurance policy. Ask your agent or insurance company to check if you are unsure if you have coverage. Without coverage you could be responsible for all clean up costs. |
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