What are the requirements for an underground tank?
Written by Sanjit Sandhu
Updated at July 27th, 2024
- The turret of the tank must be at least 3m away from buildings, boundaries, and fixed sources of ignition. The excavation must also be 2m away from any buildings.
- The tank can't be sited directly underneath electrical power cables, and no services can pass through the excavation, including water pipes.
- We recommend using the excavated material, with any sharp stones removed, as backfill once the underground tank has been sited.
- 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 has been installed, the land above the tank may be turfed, shingled, etc., although no continuous concrete or tarmac covering can be used. The area immediately around the tank should remain clear of debris, overgrown vegetation, and fixed sources of ignition such as barbecues.
- The underground LPG tank requires a trench of a minimum depth of 600mm and minimum width 200mm for the underground pipework to be installed. Any cables or other services must be separated by 250mm from the LPG pipework.