Environment and Conservation
July 17, 2015

Public Advisory: Provincial Government Announces New Requirements for Heating Oil Storage Tanks

The Provincial Government will be adopting the 2015 version of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)-B139 code referenced under the Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) Regulations. As of July 29, 2015, the new code requirements will be in place for installations or replacements of heating oil storage tanks.

The new code will not affect homeowners who have already registered their tanks and upgraded or replaced their oil tank systems to meet the current standard. However, individuals purchasing heating oil tanks should ensure that the tank meets the new requirements.

The Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) Regulations, 2003 were developed in consultation with industry and the general public, following a record number of domestic heating oil spills in 2001. The number of domestic oil spills in the province has been significantly reduced since the introduction of the regulations.

New or replacement heating oil storage tanks system installations will require:

• Inspection and registration of metallic end outlet tanks to have a dedicated opening located at the top of the tank for the purpose of water testing and removal.
• A containment device located under the indoor filter.
• More specific requirements for protection, where a tank may be subject to vehicle impact.
• All metallic tanks slope towards the outlet to facilitate the removal of water.
• Various foundations for outside tanks. Reinforced concrete slabs are preferred however reinforced concrete patio stones (RCPS) may also be used. Currently such patio stones in NL are typically 12” x 24” x 2”. The new size requirements will be for RCPS is 18” x 36” x 2.6” (except for horizontal tanks where size is 18” x 18” x 2.6”).
• Stands for elevated installations designed by a professional engineer.
• Copper supply lines from outside tanks to come from the top of the tank. Supply lines must be of steel construction when connected to the end or bottom of a tank and only transition to copper piping once inside the building.
• For the purpose of overfill protection, an electronic fill-limiting device, a remote tank gauge mounted at the fill pipe, or a release prevention barrier located under the tank.

For more information about heating oil storage tank systems, contact 1-800-563-6181 or 709-729-0948. To have a tank inspected or registered contact any of the licensed companies available online at www.gov.nl.ca/env/publications/env_protection/cwli.pdf .

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Media contact:

Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2015 07 17                              1:25 p.m.