Regardless of whether you have a smaller oil tank for a private home or a larger storage tank for petrol, you as the owner are responsible for the storage and handling of oil and other flammable liquids. Oil spills into soil or water can kill plants and animals. Leaks from storage tanks containing oil, petrol or other flammable liquids can damage groundwater and drinking water sources for a long time.

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency regulations

The rules are set out in the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations on protection against soil and water pollution when storing flammable liquids and waste oils. These regulations apply to all storage of diesel fuel and heating oil in open storage tanks with a volume of more than one cubic metre. They apply to above-ground tanks up to 10 cubic metres and to underground tanks. They also apply to associated pipes and hoses. An open storage tank means a non-pressurised tank with a vent pipe.

Installation

When installing a new outdoor storage tank, either above ground or underground, you must inform the Environmental Unit (Miljöenheten) in good time before the installation is put into use, at least four weeks in advance. If you are installing an indoor storage tank, you only need to inform the Environmental Unit if the tank is located within a water protection area. However, an installation inspection must still be carried out. For some larger storage tanks, a permit from the Building and Environment Committee (Bygg- och miljönämnden) is required. Contact us for more information.

Regular inspections

After the first inspection or installation inspection, the storage tank must be inspected regularly every 12 years. For older tanks without satisfactory corrosion protection, inspections are required every 6 years. Within water protection areas, inspection intervals of 3 or 6 years may apply. If you are unsure about the inspection interval, contact the Environmental Unit.

After an inspection of an outdoor tank, above ground or underground, or an indoor tank, the inspection report must be saved and presented to the supervisory authority upon request. Inspection reports for tanks regulated by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) must be sent to the Building and Environment Committee.

Storage tanks taken out of use

Storage tanks and pipelines that are taken out of use must be emptied and cleaned. Tanks that are permanently taken out of use must be removed completely. It is important to remove the filling pipe and vent pipe to prevent the tank from being refilled by mistake. A notification that the tank has been taken out of use must be sent to the supervisory authority. A form for this is available further down on the page.

Inspections

Inspection companies must be accredited by SWEDAC. A list of accredited companies is available on the SWEDAC website.

Guidelines for outdoor above-ground storage tanks

The Building and Environment Committee has adopted guidelines for outdoor above-ground storage tanks used for storing diesel, heating oil and other environmentally hazardous and flammable liquids in Finspång Municipality.

General information

These guidelines apply to outdoor storage tanks used for storing diesel, heating oil and other environmentally hazardous and flammable products. The purpose of the guidelines is to prevent environmental damage in the event of leaks.

New storage tank

When installing a new tank larger than 1 cubic metre, it must be provided with secondary containment. This also applies when purchasing a used tank. Tanks with a volume of less than 1 cubic metre should also be provided with secondary containment.

Mobile storage tanks

For temporary placement, double-walled tanks that are protected against collision damage and equipped with drip protection may be an alternative to secondary containment.

Storage tanks taken out of use

Storage tanks and pipelines that are taken out of use must be emptied and cleaned. Tanks that are permanently taken out of use must be removed completely so that any leaks into the surrounding soil can be detected and addressed. Exposed pipework, such as filling pipes, must be removed to prevent chemicals from being filled into the tank by mistake.

Design of secondary containment

The secondary containment must have a capacity of at least the volume of the largest container plus 10 percent of the volume of the other containers. The sides and base must be made of a sealed material, such as concrete, that can withstand the products being stored. The tank and the secondary containment must be provided with rain protection that effectively diverts rainwater.

Inspections

Storage tanks and pipelines must be inspected regularly in accordance with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations and general advice on protection against soil and water pollution when storing flammable liquids. This means that above-ground tanks must be inspected every 6 years if they do not have corrosion protection, and every 12 years if they are protected against corrosion. Within water protection areas, the inspection interval is halved. A copy of the inspection report must be sent to the Environmental Function of the Building and Environment Unit.

Other information

When installing a storage tank larger than 1 cubic metre, a notification must be submitted to the Environmental Function of the Building and Environment Unit in good time before installation begins. For tanks larger than 5 cubic metres, a permit must also be applied for through the building function of the Building and Environment Unit.

The distance to the nearest drinking water source should be at least 50 metres.

Overfill protection must be installed.

There must be a holder for the pump or fuel nozzle to prevent the hose from being pulled down. The nozzle should also have a locking function to prevent oil or similar substances from leaking if the nozzle is not being held.

Storage tanks within water protection areas must have secondary containment and must be provided with a sign at the filling point. The sign must state that the tank is located within a water protection area.

In addition to the municipality’s guidelines, the tank owner must comply with all applicable legislation in this area.