Infrastructure is a fundamental aspect of making any kind of transportation viable, from the electrified railway to airfields and airports.

In the case of petrol and diesel cars, one of the biggest reasons why the internal combustion engine took off and became dominant in an early motoring industry that looked at one point to be electrically driven is because of the freedom the petrol station provides.

These fuel and oil tank installations allow a car with a limited operating range to, providing there are enough stations between the point of departure and the destination, travel virtually anywhere, and the very first petrol station was used as part of a vital journey to prove the use of the car itself.

Whilst Karl Benz received a lot of credit for creating the Patent Motorwagen in 1886, his wife Bertha was, in fact, the first person to ever take a long-distance journey in an automobile, travelling from her home in Mannheim to her mother’s house in Pforzheim.

She took her two teenaged sons with her but notably did not let Mr Benz know about this trip, primarily to make a point to her husband about the potential of his invention despite its relative failure at the time.

Before Mrs Benz’s 121-mile journey, most driven journeys were little more than a few feet, designed to test the principle of the automobile, often with engineering assistants a short distance away to help repair any of the inevitable issues with these early engines.

On the journey, she ended up proving inadvertently why petrol would be preferred over electricity over the next century, as she had a few issues with the car that needed solving on the way.

In Bruschal, one of the chains snapped, so she asked a local blacksmith to help, whilst in Bauschlott the brake linings needed replacing.

Bertha’s ingenuity came into play as well, as she cleaned a blocked fuel pipe with a hatpin, and would insulate a wayward wire with a garter.

However, the most fascinating part was when she went to a chemist to buy Ligroin, a petroleum solvent that was used as the fuel for the car, which technically made it the first petrol station in the world.

As she expected, the journey received a lot of attention, her feedback led to improvements to the car, and by 1899 Benz became the largest carmaker in the world.

On the petrol station forecourt, amidst the oil tank installations are a range of different fuel nozzles that are made for a wide range of different cards.

There are usually several kinds of diesel, as well as E5 and more recently E10 petrol, and when making a quick fuel stop it is very easy to accidentally make a very costly mistake.

Misfuelling is where you refill your car with the wrong type of fuel for the engine type you have, most commonly by putting petrol into a diesel engine but occasionally by putting diesel into a petrol fuel tank, as well as pouring the recently required AdBlue additive into a fuel tank and vice versa.

It, in almost all circumstances, will do some damage to your car, but to what extent depends on which fuel ends up in which tank.

In any case, if you notice your error, do not turn the ignition key any further than it takes to unlock the steering wheel, call your breakdown provider and get your car to a safe place. If you do, not here is what you should expect to happen.

The least damaging scenario is putting diesel in a petrol car, in that, in most circumstances, it will not cause major lasting damage although it might be quite scary at first. As the thick diesel covers spark plugs and other important engine components the car may misfire badly.

It also may not start, or kick out a plume of nasty black smoke when it does, but once the tank has been drained and the right fuel put in, it should be fine in most circumstances.

Petrol in a diesel car, on the other hand, can cause significant and lasting damage to the engine, primarily because petrol, unlike diesel, does not act as a lubricant but a solvent to the engine.

This causes the diesel’s engine parts to rub against each other, causing damage, debris to block the fuel injector, and the petrol itself to damage some of the lining. If they get past the fuel filter and into the injectors, it can cause a misfire or even a seized engine.

This can be so expensive to fix that some insurers will simply write the vehicle off entirely.

Fuel in the AdBlue tank contaminates the system and often requires the entire system to be replaced.

As temperatures drop with the arrival of December, the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) has launched its 2021 Get Winter Ready campaign to encourage rural homeowners to prepare for the winter months ahead.

The campaign has been launched by the UKIFDA and OFTEC and encourages consumers of oil-heated homes to ensure they order their winter oil supplies in good time, as well as book a service and tank check before winter settles in.

Ken Cronin, UKIFDA’s chief executive, said: “It makes such a difference to people’s lives if they are prepared for winter and have enough fuel to heat their homes throughout the coldest months.”

Ken added that is it very important to be ready for the winter season, as running out of fuel when temperatures plummet can impact health and wellbeing. By being prepared, homeowners can minimise the impact of bad weather and stay warm in their homes all through the season.

Paul Rose, the chief executive of OFTEC said: “It’s vital we focus on this year’s approaching winter – which is why we urge consumers to be prepared.”

He said it is a sensible idea to ensure that all boilers and tanks are serviced and maintained before the winter fuel supply is delivered so that homeowners can ensure their system is in full and efficient working order, which will help save money on fuel bills and reduce the risk of storage issues that could result in leaks and costly clean-ups.

To find out more about UKIFDA’s Get Winter Ready campaign or to order heating oil, visit https://ukifda.org/

If you’re looking for oil tank installations talk to us today!

An oil tank installation can be a major undertaking, but the trick to an easy installation is to ensure you are prepared. There are a few things you can do before your installer arrives to make things a little easier and smoother!

Are you looking at replacing your old tank? It may have worn out, or you want to change to a more efficient system, or perhaps you want to ensure that your tank is secure, with warnings being issued over . Take a look at this guide to learn what you can expect during your oil tank installation.

Disposal of an Old Oil Tank

If you’re replacing an older tank with a new one, then make sure that your installer can remove and dispose of the old one. There could be extra costs associated with the removal of an old tank, so make sure you check this first.

Installing an Oil Tank

The installation of an oil tank is not a job you can do by yourself. Some codes and regulations dictate how the tank is made, the installation, removal, and servicing of oil tanks. You need to get professionals to do the job, so ensure you know all the available options, and ask as many questions as you can when considering a licensed professional.

Location of the Oil Tank

If you are replacing a tank, then it is likely that the new one will be going in the same space. However, if you’re replacing it due to damage or leaks, you might need to find a new location. Your installers will be able to advise you on the ideal site.

Costs to Consider

There will likely be additional costs when installing a new tank, such as labour fees, line rerouting, additional parts, and inspection and servicing fees. Make sure you are well aware of any extras beforehand to avoid any unexpected surprises.

If you’re looking for oil tank installers, talk to us today.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued some important advice for anyone who is responsible for a domestic oil tank. Deeside.com reports that the agency is urging owners to carry out maintenance checks ahead of the winter, to avoid leaks which will damage the environment and result in costly repairs and replacement of lost fuel.

Despite legal obligations to maintain fuel tanks, leaks from domestic tanks occur on a regular basis, particularly in winter. The leaked fuel can potentially cause great damage to the environment, and contaminate rivers and groundwater supplies.

Huw Jones, Environment Team Leader with NRW, said: “As we enter the wet and wintry season, it is particularly important that homeowners regularly check tanks and their pipework to make sure they are well maintained. When water enters an oil tank it accumulates below the heating oil at the base of the tank.”

“This may not immediately cause a problem, but once the volume of water increases it can also enter the fuel supply pipework. Water in a steel tank can lead to corrosion and in very cold weather it can expand and freeze. This can rupture pipes and fittings, leading to potential fuel loss and unfortunately, in many cases, a significant environmental incident.”

OFTEC advises owners to regularly inspect the tank for signs of rust, cracks, or small leaks, particularly just before and after a fuel delivery. Ideally, an annual inspection should be carried out by an OFTEC registered technician.

The technician will also be able to tell if water has entered the tank, which can lead to corrosion, and might affect the quality of your fuel supply. They may be able to remove smaller amounts of water themselves, but larger quantities will require the assistance of a specialist contractor.

Owners of domestic oil tanks have been reminded to take care of their supply to prevent fuel spillages, which would damage the environment.

Earlier this week, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) stated that leaked fuel can harm wildlife, pollute rivers, contaminate drinking water, and kill plants. Therefore, owners have a responsibility to carry out regular maintenance on their oil tanks.

Environment team leader with NRW Huw Jones said this is particularly important during the wet and cold season.

“When water enters an oil tank, it accumulates below the heating oil at the base of the tank. This may not immediately cause a problem, but once the volume of water increases, it can also enter the fuel supply network,” Mr Jones stated.

He added that water in a steel tank can cause corrosion, as well as expand and freeze in icy conditions, which could cause pipes to burst and fuel to leak.

“[This would lead to] a significant environmental incident,” Mr Jones noted.

Avoiding damage to the environment through oil leaks is essential, as the fuel is toxic to plants and animals. According to Oil Care: “Over the past five years, oil has consistently been among the UK’s top three pollutants.”

It revealed that one litre of oil can contaminate as much as one million litres of water, proving how disastrous a simple leak can be.

Oil Firing Technical Association’s (OFTEC’s) technical manager Joe Bath advised oil tank owners to pay close attention to cracks, rust and small leaks. He advised having the tank professionally checked by an OFTEC registered technician, as they can identify defects quickly before they get worse.

To find out more about tank cleaning services, get in touch today.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the government body responsible for the management of Wales’ natural resources, has urged the owners of domestic oil tanks to ensure they undertake regular maintenance checks this winter to avoid any environmental damage stemming from fuel spillages.

The Leader reports that owners of domestic oil tanks have a legal responsibility to ensure storage facilities are in working order and do not pose a risk of causing pollution. However, every year there are a large number of incidents that resulted from leaking oil tanks.

Aside from the significant damage caused to the environment, killing plants, wildlife, and contaminating water supplies, it can leave homeowners facing huge fines, as well as the cost of replacing the lost oil.

Huw Jones, Environment Team Leader with NRW explained that it is vital to get checks completed as the UK starts its wet and wintery seasons, and tanks and pipework should all be checked to ensure water is not getting into the tank.

“When water enters an oil tank it accumulates below the heating oil at the base of the tank. This may not immediately cause a problem, but once the volume of water increases it can also enter the fuel supply pipework,” he said.

Water in a steel tank can also lead to corrosion, and when temperatures fall low enough, it can expand and freeze, potentially rupturing pipes and fittings, and ultimately leaks and damage to the environment.

Joe Bath, Technical Manager, Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) added: “Domestic heating oil can seriously impact the environment and many spillages can easily be avoided by regularly checking tanks and their pipework and keeping them well maintained.”

He advised that to prevent water ingress, tanks should be regularly checked, and fitting inspected for cracks, rust, or small leaks, and it would be wise to check your tank before and after fuel delivery.

Having your tank checked annually by a competent person, such as an OFTEC registered technician, is an excellent precaution, as they will not only be able to identify defects that might lead to water entering the tank but can also quickly and simply check for the presence of water.

If you’re looking for oil tank installers, talk to us today.

Whilst this is beginning to change, what a household will use to heat their home largely depends on whether they are connected to the national gas grid.

If they are, they are likely to use a natural gas heater, fireplace and/or central heating system, but the million households in the UK who are not connected have oil tank installations instead.

Heating oils such as kerosene are stored in a tank that meets important legal standards to protect the homeowner, avoid leaks and avoid potential theft.

Because of this, and the importance of safety in storing a flammable material, many different oil tanks are available, but they often take one of three forms.

Single Skinned

Subject to the most legal scrutiny, a single skinned tank has a single protective outer layer, which is surrounded by a bund to catch any leaks before they occur.

Because they offer less innate protection in the case of a leak, they are subject to the most scrutiny in Approved Document J of the Building Regulations; they must be less than 2,500 litres and must be subject to a pollution risk assessment, which may require a specified bund to be installed around it.

Double Skinned

A double skinned tank has two layers to help prevent leaks and integrity issues. This means that it may not necessarily need a bund surrounding it. However, in most cases, it is the best option for protection.

Integrally Bunded

The safest option, an integrally bunded tank has a tank sitting within a second tank, which can hold 110 per cent of the tank’s contents and is designed to catch any leaks and stop any oil from leaking outside of the tank itself.

Autumn is certainly here, and winter is only around the corner. It means in the UK, we are all getting ready for the colder months, and getting the hearting ready to go for when the temperatures plummet.

How do you heat your home? It could be likely that you have a main gas connection and central heating connected to a boiler. But with gas prices looking set to soar this winter, you might be thinking about other cheaper options.

We have a look at some facts about heating oil:

What is heating oil?

Heating oil is a fuel that is burnt in oil-fired boilers and furnaces. It ’s similar to kerosene and is often used as an alternative.

Depending on what your needs are, you can use heating oil for homes and domestic properties, as well as industrial heating oil for businesses. Generally, homes that use heating oil do not have a connection to mains gas supplies, making heating oil the best option for heating in their boilers.

Heating oil has several names that all mean the same thing, including Fuel Oil, Gas Oil, 28 Second Heating Oil, Kerosene, and Paraffin.

Heating oil is relatively cheap, but like all fuel prices, it can cost more in times of higher demand, typically in the winter months. An emergency delivery in the middle of winter can often feel very expensive.

However, heating oil doesn’t vary in price as much as gas, which is infamous for being over-priced and constantly increasing in price. Heating oil can also be bought in summer when the demand is lower, and therefore the price too, making big savings compared to winter prices.

If you’re looking for oil tank installations , come and talk to us today.

If you have a home heating oil storage tank, and it was installed by a reputable oil tank company, then it is likely that all safety concerns were taken into consideration during the installation process.

However, it is still wise to be aware of the regulations for oil tanks and storage to ensure the safety of people, property, and wildlife. There are currently around 1.5 million homes in the UK that use kerosene as their primary source of heating fuel, and own an external oil tank on their premises, and could increase, as energy prices look set to increase this winter.

What Is Kerosene?

Kerosene is a highly flammable liquid fuel oil obtained by distilling petroleum, commonly used in jet engines, oil lamps, or domestic heating systems. It is required to be stored in a tank, typically located outside the home.

Rules and regulations state that a fuel oil tank must be located:

• On a platform or stand with at least 300mm around the edge of the tank

• 1.8m away from non-fire rated eaves of a building

• 1.8m away from a non-fire rated building or structure (eg. a shed or gazebo).

• 1.8m away from the flue terminals of oil-fired appliances

• 760mm away from a non-fire rated boundary (such as a wooden boundary fence)

• 600mm away from screening that does not form part of the boundary (such as a decorative trellis or hedge).

Oil tank spillages are rare, but they do happen, which poses a risk to the environment, and they are expensive to clean up.

To mitigate these risks, some laws apply to oil tanks, such as the use of a bunded oil tank, a type of oil tank that has a second ‘skin’, or bund. It is legally required to hold 110 per cent of the tank’s capacity and must prevent oil from leaking and water from penetrating.

If you’re looking to buy bunded tanks in the UK , talk to us today.