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On April 1, 2002, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador passed new legislation entitled "Heating Oil Storage Tank System Regulations" (follow this link for the text of this legislation).  The legislation itself is supplemented by the "System Installation and Inspection Manual Heating Oil Storage Tank Systems".

The following are some of the items that will affect those using oil heat:

• No oil company will be allowed to put heating oil in an oil tank after March 31, 2009, if that tank has not been registered.  (Note that the date was extended by the government from March 31, 2007.)

• Regular steel oil tanks will have a maximum life span ranging from 10 years for an end or top outlet, 14 gauge tank installed outdoors, to 25 years for a bottom outlet, 12 gauge tank installed indoors.  A bottom outlet tank typically has an extra 5 year life span; an indoor location adds an extra 5 years; and a 12 gauge tank has a 5 year greater life span than a 14 gauge tank.

• In general, the piping connecting the oil tank and the burner should be visible from start to finish.  If the piping has to go underground or under concrete or other types of flooring, or otherwise be hidden from sight, special regulations apply to avoid undetected oil leaks.

• When a steel tank is being replaced, the regulations do not allow the fuel to be pumped out of the bottom 8 inches of the tank.  This will prevent contaminants from the bottom of the old tank being introduced into the new tank and beginning corrosion of this tank.

• If a fuel oil storage tank system requires repairs (other than such minor items as replacing a filter), the regulations require that the entire system be brought up to code and certified.  For example, replacing the oil tank and not upgrading the oil lines and the rest of the system is against the law.