Part No. 5106463
21
Storage Requirements and Tank Sizes
Tanks are available in a wide variety of sizes and
capacities. For boilers of up to 13 kW (45,000 Btu/h)
tanks with a capacity of 1200 litres (250 gallons) are
satisfactory. Above that size of boiler a larger capacity
tank should be considered.
Some typical tank sizes and capacities are noted below
Length
Width
Height
Capacity
Metres
Metres
Metres
Litres
Steel Tanks
1.52
1.22
0.61
1130
1.83
0.61
1.22
1360
1.83
1.22
1.22
2700
2.44
1.22
1.22
3650
Polythene Tanks
2.03
0.69
1.36
1150
1.37
1.06
1.25
1250
2.02
1.36
1.36
2500
Tank Fittings
TANKS REQUIRE TO BE PROVIDED WITH THE
FOLLOWING FITTINGS:
Fill Pipe
A 50 mm diameter black steel fill pipe terminating with
a 50 mm male BSP thread hose coupling connection
and non ferrous screw cap and chain.
Extended Fill Pipe
Extended fill pipes can be used when the location of
the tank is such that access for filling would be difficult
for a delivery tanker carrying 30 metres of hose.
Extended fill lines must be run in 50 mm diameter black
steel tube with proper support. They must be arranged
so as to be self draining, preferably in to the tank.
Where tanks are located lower than their filling
connection care must be taken to ensure that the
pressure head of oil applied during filling is not
excessive.
Where the use of an extended fill pipe means that the
delivery driver cannot see the oil tank, an audible alarm
should be fitted to indicate that the tank is nearly full.
Vent Pipe
A separate vent pipe with an internal diameter at least
equal to that of the fill pipe must be fitted. The open
end of the vent is fitted with a return bend and an open
wire mesh balloon.
A mushroom type vent may be fitted provided its free
area is at least equal to the cross sectional area of the
fill pipe. The vent should normally rise no higher than
600 mm above the top of the tank.
If the vent pipe rises more than 600 mm above the
tank a pressure relief outlet must be provided in the
vent at the 600 mm level. This is normally a horizontal
branch off the vent with a flap at its end. This is hinged
at the top and fitted so that it is normally closed but
will open easily if oil rises up to the level of the branch.
Isolating Valve
A valve is fitted in the tank outlet in an accessible
position so that the oil supply to the burner can be
shut off if required.
The valve must be of a type suitable for use with oil.
The outlet from the tank must be above the level of the
bottom of the tank to prevent water and sediment being
drawn in to the oil supply pipe.
Drain Valve
In order to enable the sediment and water to be
removed from the tank a gate valve and plug are fitted
in the bottom plate of the tank.
Contents Gauge
The most commonly used gauge is the sight tube type.
These are simple and have some advantages for
domestic use. An isolating valve must always be
provided and is often incorporated in the gauge
connection. The top of the gauge must be fixed to the
top of the tank and provided with a cap to protect the
oil from foreign matter. Integral gauges using internal
floats are also available. These are less likely than sight
gauges to give rise to leaks.
Overfill Alarms
Audible alarms can be fitted in tanks to indicate that
they are nearly full. These are an essential requirement
when the delivery point and tanker access are remote
from each other.
Oil Supply Pipe Layout
Oil can be run from the storage tank to the burner by a
single pipe gravity flow if there is a sufficient height
difference between the bottom of the tank and the
burner. Otherwise a two pipe system is needed.
a) Single Pipe Supply Systems - Tanks serving
Pre-Installation Requirements
