| This article is a follow-up to our February 2002 | | | | removed immediately. |
| edition for Ontario residents, which discussed the | | | | FACT: New regulations require that all underground |
| dangers of leaking fuel oil tanks, how to avoid | | | | tanks to be registered with the Technical |
| problems and how to handle spills and leaks. | | | | Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) by May |
| Unprotected and neglected storage tanks can | | | | 1, 2002 or fuel oil will not be delivered to the tank. |
| potentially ruin a life-long investment. More than | | | | Underground tanks that are 25 years and older, |
| one million Canadian homes are heated with oil and | | | | or of an unknown age, and not specially protected |
| over the past few years, there have been a | | | | from corrosion are required to be removed by |
| startling number of tank failures - and the trend | | | | October 1, 2006. |
| will grow as traditional steel storage tanks | | | | FICTION: If a tank has been inspected, there |
| continue to corrode. | | | | won’t be any trouble getting insurance. |
| Due to condensation, water and sludge | | | | FACT: Insurance companies often reject new |
| accumulating at the bottom, the majority of steel | | | | applications for coverage of homes with tanks |
| fuel oil tanks rust from the inside out. This | | | | over “X” years of age. Twenty |
| damage is not immediately apparent and often | | | | years of age seems to be the most common |
| presents itself as a catastrophic tank failure. | | | | denominator. Many insurance companies will not |
| Leaks can also be due to improper maintenance, | | | | provide coverage for underground tanks under |
| damp locations and physical damage. Fuel oil leaks | | | | any circumstances |
| have raised insurance claims by 50% over the | | | | FICTION: Oil heating is smelly and expensive. |
| past few years, with clean-ups often costing | | | | FACT: Oil furnaces, hot water tanks and storage |
| more than the property was worth. | | | | tanks need not exhibit any odors when properly |
| New Regulations | | | | installed and maintained. Oil heating is a |
| The Technical Standards and Safety Authority | | | | cost-effective alternative to natural gas. |
| (TSSA) in Ontario has instituted new regulations | | | | A FEW MORE FACTS FOR ONTARIO |
| for heating oil storage tanks to counter oil spills. | | | | RESIDENTS: |
| The rules would require that only licensed installers | | | | Homeowners are required to annually maintain |
| install and regularly inspection tanks. Tanks would | | | | their fuel oil appliances (boilers, furnaces, water |
| have to be tagged and registered and oil deliveries | | | | heaters, etc.) by having a TSSA certified Oil |
| be made only to tanks that have the registration | | | | Burner Technician service and clean the appliance. |
| tag. Therefore, the responsibility for tank | | | | Homeowners are required to have their fuel oil |
| maintenance has been divided among the owner, | | | | appliance installations safety inspected by their fuel |
| the installer and the oil company. | | | | oil supplier. |
| Insurance Rebates | | | | Fuel oil suppliers that find unsafe equipment are |
| Insurance companies and governments have | | | | required to stop the delivery of fuel oil until the |
| recognized that without immediate attention to | | | | equipment is fixed. |
| the problem, leak incidences from residential fuel | | | | The Technical Standards and Safety Authority |
| oil tanks will increase and costs for clean-up will | | | | (TSSA) is an independent, not-for-profit |
| skyrocket. Several insurance companies are now | | | | organization responsible for the delivery of a |
| offering refunds to their clients to encourage | | | | range of safety services. This includes the |
| them to replace their furnace and storage tank | | | | administration of Ontario's Technical Standards |
| systems. Manufacturers are also offering rebates | | | | & Safety Act, 2000 within various industry |
| to customers for furnace and tank replacements. | | | | sectors and the delivery of safety programs to |
| Better Fuel Oil Tanks | | | | the public. |
| Manufacturers of storage tanks have improved | | | | WHO TO CONTACT: |
| their products and warranties. Several new tank | | | | * For more information on residential fuel oil tanks |
| products have been marketed during the last few | | | | and Ontario laws governing them, contact: |
| years. Steel tanks have gone to a heavier gauge | | | | Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) |
| to mitigate the effect of corrosion and perhaps | | | | Fuels Safety Division |
| increase their lifespan. New technologies for | | | | 3300 Bloor St. W. |
| non-metallic tanks have emerged so that internal | | | | 4th Floor, West Tower |
| corrosion ceases to be an issue. Glass fiber tanks, | | | | Toronto, ON M8X 2X4 |
| in single wall and double wall versions, and the | | | | (416) 325-1615 |
| polyethylene tank, secondarily contained in a | | | | * To report spills or to obtain more information |
| galvanized steel container, are two examples of | | | | on spill cleanup procedures, contact: |
| new designs which are both proven, tested and | | | | Ministry of the Environment |
| ULC listed for the storage of fuel oil. | | | | Spills Action Centre (SAC) |
| FICTION: An oil spill won’t cost any more | | | | 1-800-268-6060 (24-hours)or (416) 325-3500 |
| than the deductible amount of a | | | | * In other provinces, check the government |
| homeowner’s insurance. | | | | listings in the local telephone directory to locate |
| FACT: Some insurance policies specifically exclude | | | | the appropriate department. |
| pollution coverage for leaks or spills from | | | | * Licensed professional cleanup services, fuel |
| residential heating oil tanks. Homeowners should | | | | suppliers and heating contractors can also provide |
| contact their insurance broker, and review their | | | | assistance in most locations. |
| policy to confirm whether they have pollution | | | | ON THE WEB: |
| coverage, and whether there are any limitations | | | | * Visit to learn more about environmental science |
| to their coverage. | | | | and engineering. View photos of modern oil |
| FICTION: If an oil tank has handles, it’s less | | | | containment systems. |
| than 20 years old. | | | | * Visit to learn more about Ontario government |
| FACT: The presence or absence of handles is not | | | | regulations applicable to oil storage tanks. |
| an accurate indication of age. Only the serial | | | | * Visit [ to learn more about a different kind of |
| number on the tank ID plate, or a valid date | | | | secondary containment retrofit. |
| stamp would provide a reliable indication of age. | | | | * For information on other environmental topics |
| FICTION: The government says now, that oil | | | | visit the Ministry of the Environment web site at: |
| tanks have to be changed every 12 years. | | | | NOTE: Every reasonable effort has been made to |
| FACT: An existing above ground fuel-oil tank is | | | | ensure accuracy, however rules and regulations |
| considered approved provided the tank was | | | | will vary in different locales and may change from |
| installed in accordance with the code at the time | | | | time to time, often without notice. This |
| of installation. As long as the tank is not leaking, | | | | information is for reference only and use of, or |
| there is no age at which the government | | | | reliance upon this information is at the discretion |
| demands the tank must be replaced. | | | | of the reader. Consult with your applicable local |
| FICTION: All underground tanks have to be | | | | authority regarding fuels and fuels safety. |