Bryan Slater

Director of Education

Distribution

 

To all Headteachers

 

This document needs your action as detailed below:

ACTION

Title

Pollution control regulations with regard to the storage of oil above ground.

Summary of contents

Guidance on the new regulations with regard to the storage of oil and what action needs to be taken by schools.

Associated documents

Statutory Instrument 2001 No 2954

Date

September 2003

Summary of action required

Schools in the BMPP – none

Schools not in the BMPP – to ensure that any eligible oil containers currently on their premises comply with the new regulations.

To be completed by

1 September 2005 or for some specific situations, immediately.

LEA Contact

Alan Smith

(

01603 224455

E-mail address

alan.smith.edu@norfolk.gov.uk

Norfolk Self Review reference

5. How well does the school care for its pupils?

7. How well is the school led and managed?

8. How well does the school use its resources?

Document reference

MI 186-03

 

 

 

 

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001

 

The above regulations and therefore this Management Information sheet only apply to schools that have oil storage containers on their sites that are above ground, outside of any building and which hold more than 200 litres. 

For schools in the Buildings Maintenance Partnership Pool (BMPP), all issues arising from these regulations will be addressed under the terms of the BMPP.

For schools not in the BMPP the following requirements come into force from 1st September 2005. For schools with oil containers within 10m from inland freshwaters or 10m from coastal waters or 50m from a well or borehole the regulations apply immediately.

 

If your require further guidance or advice on the interpretation of these regulations please contact Tony Burton (01603 222669.

 

Regulations

1.   The container must be of sufficient strength and structural integrity such that it is unlikely to leak or burst in its ordinary use.

2.   The container must be held within a secondary containment system that:

a.      Is at least 110% larger than the main container’s storage capacity. If there is more than one container the secondary system must be 110% larger than the largest container or 25% of the aggregate capacity, whichever is greater.

b.      Is positioned, or other steps taken, to minimise the risk of impact so far is reasonable practical.

c.      Has a base and walls impermeable to water and oil.

d.      Is not penetrated in any way by a system for draining the container.

e.      Has any point where there is a fill pipe or draw off pipe, is adequately sealed to prevent oil escaping from the system.

3.   Any associated ancillary equipment such as gauges and filters must be sited within the secondary containment system.

4.   The fill and draw off pipes may be outside of the secondary containment system, but where this is the case a drip tray must be provided to catch any oil lost during filling.

5.   Any sight gauge must be properly supported and fitted with a valve which must be closed automatically when not in use.

6.   Any fill pipe, draw off pipe or overflow pipe must be positioned to minimise the risk of damage by impact so far as is reasonably practicable and must be properly supported.

7.   If the fill pipe, draw off pipe or overflow pipe is underground they

a.      Must have no mechanical joints unless accessible for inspection via a hatch or cover.

b.      Must be adequately protected from physical damage.

c.      Must have adequate facilities for detecting leaks.

d.      If a leak detection device is fitted it must be regularly maintained and tested.

e.      If no leak detection device is fitted, tests for leaks must be carried out when the container is first used and, if there are any mechanical joints, at least every 5 years, otherwise every 10 years.

8.   If the container is made of a material likely to corrode, it must be protected against corrosion.

9.   The container must have an automatic overfill protection device if, on filling, it is not possible to check the container and vent pipe for when the container is full.

10. A screw fitting or other fixed coupling in good condition must be used for filling purposes.

11. Where oil is delivered from the container through a flexible pipe that is permanently attached to the container:

a.      The pipe must be fitted with a tap or valve at the delivery end which closes automatically when not in use.

b.      It must not be possible to fix the tap or valve in the open position unless the pipe is fitted with an automatic shut off device.

c.      Must be enclosed in a secure, locked cabinet when not in use and equipped with a drip tray, or the pipe must:

                                                  i.      Have a lockable valve where it leaves the container which is locked shut when not in use.

                                                ii.      Kept within the secondary containment system when not in use.

12. Any pump must be:

a.      Fitted with a non-return valve in its feed line;

b.      Positioned, or protected, to minimise the risk of damage

c.      Protected from unauthorised use.

13. Any permanent vent pipe, tap or valve through which oil can be discharged from the tank to the open must satisfy the following requirements - 

a.      it must be situated within the secondary containment system;

b.      it must be arranged so as to discharge the oil vertically downwards and be contained within the system; and

c.      in the case of a tap or valve, it must be fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use.

 

There are additional regulations that apply to the storage and use of oil from oil drums or mobile bowsers; for these and access to the regulations in full please see http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2001/20012954.htm