Storing oil business
Oil Storage Regulations: Simplified Guide
If you keep an oil storage container at your home, business, or farm, certain legal requirements apply. These rules cover tanks, drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), and mobile containers such as bowsers.
The person responsible for the property—such as the homeowner, business owner, or site manager—is legally accountable for compliance.
Which Regulations Apply?
1. At Your Home
Most domestic oil storage containers must meet building regulations.
If your container holds 3,501 litres or more, you must follow the business oil storage regulations, even if it is at a home.
2. At Your Business
You must follow oil storage regulations for businesses if your container holds 201 litres or more of applicable oils.
These rules also apply to public sector sites, including:
Schools
Hospitals
Churches
Residential care homes
3. At Your Farm
Different rules apply depending on what the oil is used for:
Agricultural use (heat and power)
Follow farm-specific oil storage regulations, e.g., fuel for tractors, grain dryers, or other agricultural machinery.
Heating your farmhouse
Follow the same regulations as domestic oil storage.
Non-agricultural business use
If the oil is used for a separate business activity (e.g., fueling hire vehicles), follow the business oil storage regulations.
