©
EUROHEAT
DISTRIBUTORS (H.B.S) LTD.April 2007
E&OE Instructions Part Number IN1190 Ed B
H11##0105A
12
Fuel and Fuel Oil Storage
All stoves are calibrated for commercial Class C2 kerosene to B.S. 2869:suitable for vapourising pot burners.
The oil metering valve can be replaced to allow for operation with 35 second gas heating oil. With 35 second
fuel the coal effect is not advised to be used.
The Oil Storage Tank
Many fuel companies allow discounts on an oil delivery of more than 500 gallons (2300 litres), and by installing
a tank with a capacity of at least 600 gallons (2750 litres) your customer will be able to take advantage of this
arrangement whilst having the security of an adequate reserve. An easily read level indicator fitted to the tank
will help to establish your customers pattern of fuel consumption and so avoid “topping up” the tank with small
premium priced deliveries or indeed running out of fuel. It is important that this level indicator is calibrated in
volumetric units enabling the oil delivery driver to ensure he does not overfill your tank.
Type of Tank
Contaminated fuel may do irreparable damage to the installation and as it is impossible to determine whether
or not an oil tank is free from contaminates by visual inspection, we strongly advise not to fit a second-hand
oil tank. A steel tank will provide an annual opportunity to paint and treat any signs of rust with the knowledge
that even a well maintained steel tank will eventually develop rust holes - usually at the inaccessible areas
of the tank where it rests on its supporting piers. A polyethylene tank, will never rot or rust, are maintenance
free and it is possible to render them inconspicuous with suitable permanent screening.
Position of Tank
Avoid sitting the tank where it will be subjected to direct sunlight. Warm tanks invariably smell when localised
oil spillages vaporise. Sunlight will also create problems by causing condensation within the tank. This
condensate falls through the oil (water being more dense than oil) to the bottom of the tank where it will either
flow into the stove which may damage the metering valve, or during severe weather freeze and stop all flow
from the tank. The majority of delivery vehicles are equipped to deliver 30 metres beyond the limits of vehicle
access but expecting the heavy and unwieldy delivery hose to be threaded neatly through border plants and
ornamental hedges is unrealistic. Try to make the path from delivery vehicle to storage tank as straight and
as uncluttered as possible. To provide the stove with fuel at the correct pressure it will be necessary to have
the tank outlet at least 300mm above the stove’s metering valve top. The highest fuel level must never be
allowed to exceed 3 metres above the valve top. If these limits cannot be achieved a secondary reservoir with
a lift pump or pressure reducing valve must be fitted. You will need to refer to the relevant building regulations
and local bye-laws for any restrictions on tank position relative to buildings and boundaries together with the
provision of barrier walls that may exist in your area. Whatever type of tank you fit it must be equipped with
two outlets, one to supply the stove and one at the opposite end through which to drain off any accumulation
of dirt or condensate from the tank. To facilitate this the tank must be mounted to allow a fall, away from the
stove outlet end and towards the drain, of 20mm for every 1 metre of tank length.
If a metal tank is installed it may be supported on brick piers insulated from the tank with a waterproof membrane.
A polythene tank must be supported over its entire base area. Do not underestimate the weight of a full oil
tank, it is heavy and must be supported with adequate foundations and plinth. All cemented supports must be
allowed sufficient time to cure before fitting the tank.
Tank Fittings and Pipe work
An isolating valve must be fitted directly to the tank outlet, allowing for the maintenance of the other components
in the pipeline. These components should include a metal bowl oil filter mounted to allow adequate room for
the removal of the sediment bowl and filter element without difficulty. The filter element should be cleaned or
replaced at least annually. Filtration of the fuel is very important, we recommend a replaceable cartridge filter
with a water separation bowl is installed. Whilst the pipe work from the tank to the stove may be in either steel
or copper, the fitting of steel pipe necessitates regular maintenance, therefore, the use of plastic covered copper
pipe is recommended because it is easily installed and virtually maintenance free. The use of galvanised steel
pipe is prohibited because zinc reacts with the fuel. Where it is possible it may be desirable to bury the pipe,
and whilst this is perfectly acceptable it must be done with the utmost attention to the protection of the pipe
from damage, both during the installation and throughout its life, as it will not be possible to make inspections
for leaks after installation. Before the pipeline enters the building a fire valve should be fitted which will cut
off automatically the oil supply in the unlikely event of a fire within the property. This valve is controlled by
a remote sensing element situated within or near the stove and above the metering valve. Finally, another
manual isolation valve should be positioned as close to the stove as possible to enable all supply to be turned
off for stove maintenance. It is possible to bury oil tanks, install them in house cellars and send oil pipe work
over a tortuous route of many hundreds of yards, but any oil installation other than the most simple should be
attempted only by suitably qualified and experienced personnel, with the written approval of your insurance
