If you heat your home or business using oil, your fuel tank is a critical part of your heating system. In recent years, bunded oil tanks have become the standard choice for new installations - and in many cases, they’re a legal requirement.
In this guide, we explain what a bunded oil tank is, when you need one, current UK regulations, and how Rix supports customers with oil tank installation across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Shropshire, as well as nationwide fuel tank supply.
A bunded oil tank is a fuel storage tank with two layers of protection:
•An inner tank that holds the oil
•An outer protective layer (the bund) that captures leaks or spills if the inner tank fails
This secondary containment significantly reduces the risk of oil escaping into the ground, drains or nearby watercourses, helping to prevent pollution and costly clean-up work.
Because of this added protection, bunded tanks are now widely recommended - and often required - for domestic and commercial oil storage.
In many situations, yes.
Bunded oil tanks are mandatory for new installations and replacements where there is a higher risk of environmental damage. Even where they are not strictly required by law, they are often the safest and most future-proof option.
You will normally need a bunded oil tank if your tank is:
•Located within 10 metres of a watercourse
•Within 50 metres of a borehole or spring
•Close to drains or soakaways
•Storing oil for commercial or agricultural use
•Installed as part of a new build or replacement system
Even if not legally required, a bunded oil tank is a sensible choice if:
•Your current tank is ageing or single skin
•You want better protection against leaks and spills
•You are upgrading or modernising your heating system
•You want to meet current best practice and insurance expectations
Oil tank regulations vary slightly across the UK, but the general principle is the same: preventing pollution is the priority.
•In England and Wales, building regulations and environmental guidance require bunded tanks in higher-risk locations.
•In Scotland, regulations are stricter, and bunded oil tanks are required for almost all domestic installations.
An OFTEC-registered installer [RS5.1]can assess your property and confirm what type of tank is required, as well as correct positioning and base construction.
1. Improved Environmental Protection
The outer bund captures leaks before oil can contaminate soil or water, reducing environmental damage and clean-up costs.
2. Compliance with Current Regulations
Bunded tanks help ensure your installation meets modern standards, avoiding issues with building control, insurers or future property sales.
3. Added Safety and Peace of Mind
Leaks from single-skin tanks can go unnoticed for months. Bunded tanks provide visible protection and reassurance.
4. Reduced Risk of Costly Damage
Oil contamination can be expensive to remediate. A bunded tank dramatically lowers this risk.
5. Suitable for Domestic and Commercial Use
Bunded oil tanks are ideal for:
•Homes and rural properties
•Farms and agricultural buildings
•Commercial and industrial sites
Rix supplies and installs bunded oil tanks for both domestic and commercial customers.
For homes, bunded tanks are commonly used for:
•Boiler fuel storage
•Replacement of ageing single-skin tanks
•New installations for extensions or renovations
For businesses and farms, bunded tanks are often required to meet:
•Environmental regulations
•Insurance conditions
•Site safety standards
Our team can advise on tank size, material (plastic or steel), positioning and access, ensuring the installation is right for your needs.
Rix provides professional oil tank installation and replacement services across:
•Yorkshire
•Lincolnshire
•Shropshire, including the Telford area
Our OFTEC-certified engineers have decades of experience installing bunded oil tanks for rural homes, farms and commercial properties. We handle:
•Removal of old tanks
•Installation of new bunded tanks
•Correct bases, positioning and compliance checks
Whether you are upgrading an existing tank or installing a new one, we ensure all work meets current safety and environmental standards.
In addition to local installation services, Rix offers nationwide supply of bunded oil tanks.
If you’re arranging installation separately or managing a commercial project elsewhere in the UK, we can:
•Supply high-quality plastic or steel bunded tanks
•Advise on capacity and specification
•Arrange delivery nationwide
This makes it easy to source the right fuel tank, even if installation is being handled independently.
Rix Heating Services has been supporting off-grid homes and businesses since the 1960s, combining practical experience with modern standards.
•OFTEC-certified engineers
•Decades of fuel and heating expertise
•Local installation across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Shropshire
•Nationwide fuel tank supply
•Trusted support for domestic and commercial customers
If you’re unsure whether you need a bunded oil tank, or you’re planning a replacement or new installation, our team is happy to advise.
In many cases, yes - particularly for new installations, replacements, or tanks located near watercourses, drains or boreholes.
Yes. Rix Heating Services regularly replaces older single-skin tanks with modern bunded systems that meet current regulations.
We install oil tanks across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Shropshire, and supply bunded tanks nationwide.
