The installation of oil fired appliances is covered by the requirements of the Building Regulations. There are three separate sets of Regulations covering the U.K and one set for the Republic of Ireland. Advisory Documents are issued with the Building Regulations to indicate means of complying with them. If an alternative method is adopted, the user should be able to demonstrate that it will be equally effective in the requirements of the Regulations.

Regulations for England and Wales are made by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Approved Document J covers advice for the installation of heat producing appliances, including oil heating appliances.

The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations are made by the Scottish Executive. Part F of the Technical Standards to the Regulations covers heat producing appliances and fuel storage, including oil heating appliances and storage, and includes procedures deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Standards.

The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) are made by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. Heat producing appliances, including oil heating appliances, are covered by Technical Booklet L. These Regulations and the advice in Booklet L are broadly the same as those for England and Wales.

Building Regulations are statutory instruments. Any deviation from the Regulations has to be covered by a waiver issued by the local Building Control Officer. It is important to be aware of the Building Regulations. They are summarized in this book, but that does not absolve installers from studying the original documents and ensuring that their work complies with the statutory requirements of the Regulations. The Advisory Documents are deemed to satisfy provisions and give the preferred way of complying with the Regulations and Standards.

British Standards

The British Standards covering oil fired installations is BS 5410. This is issued as Part 1: 1997 for installations up to 45 kW, which has recently been significantly revised, and Part 2 : 1978 for larger installations. This standard also covers oil storage tank installations.

It can be used where appropriate, to show that Building Regulations and Standards have been complied with. Advice in connection with the use of British Standards for Building Regulation compliance purposes can be obtained from Building Control Officers.

Control of Pollution Regulations

The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 cover oil storage requirements in England. Further legislation covering the other constituent parts of the United Kingdom is expected soon. These Regulations do not apply to oil storage for single family dwellings.

Agricultural fuel oil storage is covered by the Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) Regulations of 1997 for England and Wales. For Scotland, this aspect of oil storage covered by the Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil Regulations (Scotland) of 1991. 

OFTEC Technical Information Note TI/137 covers information on agricultural fuel oil storage regulations. These Regulations are covered in more detail in Section 2.1.

Further information is available from the following websites:--