All other storage of oil

This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to the storage of oil, other than waste oil, on premises other than—

1. where the premises is a vehicle or vessel,
2. where the storage is—
   1. an activity specified at activities 26 or 27 of this Chapter, or
   2. otherwise authorised under these Regulations,
3. in a container which is wholly underground (unless situated wholly within a building underground).

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

All other storage of oil is covered by General Binding Rules. If you intend to carry out this activity, and you comply with the rules set out below, your activity will be authorised. You don’t need to apply to SEPA for an authorisation.

If you carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence to if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for all other storage of oil

1. The oil must be stored in a container which is of sufficient strength and structural integrity, and has been installed so as to ensure that it is unlikely to burst or leak in its ordinary use,

2. the container must be situated within a secondary containment system meeting the requirements in sub-paragraphs (i) to (v)—

   1. subject to paragraph (e), must have a capacity of not less than 110% of the container’s storage capacity or, if there is more than one container within the system, of not less than 110% of the largest container’s storage capacity, or 25% of the aggregate storage capacity, whichever is greater,
   2. must be positioned, or other steps must be taken, so as to minimise any risk of damage to it by impact so far as is reasonably practicable,
   3. must have a base and walls that are impermeable to water and oil,
   4. its base and walls must not be penetrated by any valve, pipe or other opening which is used for draining the system,
   5. if a fill pipe or draw off pipe penetrates its base or any of its walls, all points at which the pipe meets the base or wall must be adequately sealed to prevent oil escaping from the system,

3. any valve, filter, sight gauge, vent pipe or other equipment ancillary to the container (other than a fill pipe or draw off pipe or a pump) must be situated within the secondary containment system,

4. if the connection point to a fill pipe is not within the secondary containment system, a drip tray must be used to catch any oil spilled when the container is being filled with oil,

5. where any drum is used for the storage of the oil in conjunction with a drip tray as a secondary containment system, it is sufficient if the tray has a capacity of not less than 25% of—

   1. the drum’s storage capacity, or
   2. if there is more than one drum used at the same time with the tray, the aggregate storage capacity of the drums

6. where a fixed tank is used for storing oil—

   1. any sight gauge must be properly supported and fitted with a valve which closes automatically when not in use,
   2. any fill pipe, draw off pipe or overflow pipe must—
      1. be positioned or other steps taken, so as to minimise any risk of damage by impact so far as is reasonably practicable,
      2. if made of materials which are liable to corrosion, be adequately protected against corrosion, and
      3. not be permeable to hydrocarbon vapours,
   3. if underground, any fill pipe, draw off pipe or overflow pipe must—
      1. have no mechanical joints, except at a place where such joints are accessible for inspection by removing a hatch or cover,
      2. be adequately protected from physical damage
      3. have adequate facilities for detecting any leaks,
      4. if fitted with a leakage detection device which is continuously to monitor for leaks the detection device must be maintained in working order and tested at the appropriate intervals, and at least every 5 years, to ensure that it works properly,
      5. if not fitted with a leakage detection device, must be tested for leaks before it is first used and further tests for leaks must be performed in the case of pipes which have mechanical joints, at least once every 5 years, and in other cases, at least once in every 10 years,
   4. if above ground, any fill pipe, draw off pipe or overflow pipe must be properly supported,
   5. the tank must be fitted with an automatic overfill prevention device (which may include an alarm sounding device) if the filling operation is controlled from a place where it is not reasonably practicable to observe the tank or any vent pipe,
   6. where a screw fitting or other fixed coupling is fitted, it must be maintained in good condition and used whenever the tank is being filled with oil,
   7. where oil from the tank is delivered through a flexible pipe which is permanently attached to the container or delivery pump—
      1. the pipe must be fitted with a tap or valve at the delivery end which closes automatically when not in use,
      2. the tap or valve must not be capable of being fixed in the open position unless the pipe is fitted with an automatic shut off device,
      3. the pipe must—
         1. be enclosed in a secure cabinet (equipped with a drip tray) which is locked shut when not in use, or,
         2. have a lockable valve where it leaves the container, which is locked shut when not in use, or
         3. be situated in premises which have appropriate security to prevent unauthorised access,
         4. where head (c)(b) or (c) applies, the pipe must be kept within the secondary containment system or positioned above an area which drains to a suitable oil interceptor when not in use,
   8. any pump must be—
      1. fitted with a non-return valve or an isolating device in its feed line,
      2. positioned or other steps must be taken, so as to minimise any risk of damage to it so far as is reasonably practicable, and
      3. protected from unauthorised use,
   9. any permanent vent pipe, tap or valve through which oil can be discharged from the tank to the open must be—
      1. situated within the secondary containment system
      2. arranged so that any oil discharged from the tank other than to its intended destination is contained within the system, and
      3. in the case of a tap or valve, fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use, an

7. where a mobile bowser is used for storing oil—

   1. any tap or valve permanently fixed to the bowser through which oil can be discharged to the open must be fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use,
   2. where oil is delivered through a flexible pipe which is permanently attached to the mobile bowser—
      1. the pipe must be fitted with a manually operated pump or a valve at the delivery end which automatically closes when not in use,
      2. the pump or valve must be provided with a lock and locked shut when not in use,
      3. the pipe must be fitted with a lockable valve at the end where it leaves the container and must be locked shut when not in use,
   3. any sight gauge must be secured to the mobile bowser and be fitted with a valve or tap which must be locked in the shut position when not in use.

Help and guidance

• Glossary of terms
• WAT-G-060: EASR Guidance: GBR 26, 27 and 28: Oil storage 

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• The storage of oil for onward distribution