What are the requirements for an above ground tank?
Written by Sanjit Sandhu
Updated at July 27th, 2024
- The above ground LPG tank must be 3m away from buildings, boundaries, and fixed sources of ignition. If your property doesn't allow these distances to be met, one side of the LPG tank can be reduced to 1.5m with the use of a suitably designed ‘fire wall’. We would advise that such a firewall should be precisely specified by an energy specialist. Please note that the other three sides surrounding the tank must have a 3m clearance.
- As LPG vapour is heavier than air, the tank should not be positioned within 3m of unsealed drains or gullies.
- The LPG tank must be 1.5m away from overhead power cables.
- The tank must be accessible for deliveries – this requires a minimum access road and gateway width of 2.75m, safe access for our driver to get from his vehicle to the tank and direct line of sight for the driver to be able to see his vehicle whilst he is standing at the tank.
- Once the LPG tank is installed, the area surrounding it needs to be kept free from debris, overgrown vegetation, trees, sheds, or fences within 3m. The tank can be shielded from view using an appropriately designed and maintained screen, if desired, although the screen must be a minimum of 1m from the tank and cannot hinder tank ventilation.