Above Ground Heating Fuel Oil Storage Tanks

Effective November 22nd 2021, Dennis Fire Department will be enforcing the regulation of all new Above Ground Fuel Oil or Waste Oil Storage Tanks installed inside or outside and shall be required to provide 110% containment capacity to prevent contamination from leaks that may occur. Exterior storage tanks must be covered to prevent water accumulation within containment that satisfies the Board of Health and the Dennis Fire Department. The area beneath the exterior storage tank shall be a four-inch-thick continuous concrete slab extending eight inches beyond the perimeter of the tank.

Double walled fuel oil storage tanks could be substituted for containment devices. The fuel oil storage tank or containment device must be permitted and approved by the Fire Department before installation occurs. An inspection of the installation is required by the Dennis Fire Department. No permits will be issued for single walled storage tanks.

At time of property transfer all Above Ground fuel oil storage tanks shall be replaced with a double wall fuel oil storage tank or shall be required to provide 110% containment capacity to prevent contamination from leaks that may occur. Exterior fuel oil storage tanks must be covered with substantial impermeable construction material to prevent water accumulation within containment in such a way that satisfies the Health and Fire Department. Enforcement and permitting shall be conducted by the Fire Department in conjunction with the Chapter 148 - 26 F inspections.

If an existing Above Ground Storage Tank exists in a building being transferred, the buyer and seller may apply to the Board of Health for an exemption to this regulation if the intent is to convert to another form of heating appliance not using fuel oil or remove the existing single wall fuel oil storage tank and replace it with a double wall storage tank.

The buyer and seller must agree in writing to the agreement and accept joint responsibility for completion of the replacement and or removal. A time frame for the completion of the removal and installation must be submitted to the Board of Health with the application for exemption.

Please view the following files for more information or contact Fire Prevention at 508-398-0363, ext. 40.