Storing oil at your home or businesss
You must follow the regulations for businesses if your oil container can hold 201 litres or more of:
petrol
diesel
biofuels
kerosene
hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO)
vegetable oil and plant-based oils, for example sunflower oil or aromatherapy oil - including waste cooking oil
synthetic oils, for example motor oil - including waste oil
oils used as solvents
biodegradable oils, for example lubricating or hydraulic oils
liquid bitumen-based products, for example waterproofing or damp proofing products, or coatings for a road surface
The regulations do not apply to:
liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
hydrocarbon products that are solid when unheated, like bitumen
solvents that are not oil based, for example trichloroethylene
aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene and toluene
waste mineral oils drained from vehicles, and mixtures of diesel and petrol that cannot be used as vehicle fuel
You must follow different regulations in Scotland, regulations in Northern Ireland and regulations in Wales.
Other exceptions
You do not have to follow oil storage regulations if your oil is:
stored for distribution to other places
in use, for example lubrication in a hydraulic system
The regulations do not apply if your storage containers are:
underground
in a building that would capture leaking oil - contact your local council to find out if you have to meet any extra fire safety regulations
at a refinery
at a premises for onward distribution of oil - but not a premises which sells oil directly to end users or a premises that uses oil.
