What is the current New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations regarding Underground Heating Oil Tanks?
Only the Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP), and their certified individuals and firms can perform services on unregulated heating oil tanks. The NJ DEP recommends the removal of all out-of-service underground heating oil tanks even if there is no evidence the container has ever leaked. Below we list Underground Heating Oil Tanks, NJDEP Regulations.
NJDEP Regulations
Licensed by NJDEP
You must be licensed by the NJDEP to work on a heating oil tank in New Jersey. The NJDEP certifies individuals and firms that are allowed to perform services on unregulated heating oil tanks.
N.J.A.C. 7:14B
According to N.J.A.C. 7:14B defines unregulated heating oil tanks as, “any tank or combination of tanks, including pipes, lines, fixtures, and other related equipment, used to contain an accumulation of heating oil for on-site consumption in a residential building, or those tanks with a capacity of 2,000 gallons or less used to store heating oil for on-site consumption in a nonresidential building.”
An underground storage tank is, including the volume of the pipes, lines, fixtures, and other related equipment, placed 10 percent or more below the ground.
It is recommended that if you own an underground heating oil tank, it is a good idea to remove the container. Tanks removed from service, such as during gas conversions, rarely ever get placed back into service. Tanks that are older than 20 to 30 years are especially recommended to be removed. Although tanks can be abandoned, there have been increases in abandoned tanks being removed. Tank removals are usually driven by insurance and mortgage companies, who do not want to assume the liability of dealing with underground heating oil tanks. These tank removals can cause leakage, and remediation can be very expensive.
The removal or abandonment of a tank requires a permit whether or not it is in connection with other related work. If you need to remove or abandon an oil tank you need a permit.
Can I put a claim in with my insurance company? Does insurance cover any costs, and is there financial assistance?
Yes. We recommend filing a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notice of a claim. They may also request your assistance in providing information to the insurer. The language of each policy determines if there is insurance coverage for cleanup of contamination from residential underground storage tanks.
Oil tank inspections are the responsibility of the fire sub-code official as per the IFC, Section 5704.2.13, fuel oil storage systems, as referenced by the International Mechanical Code (Section 1301.5) and the International Residential Code (Section M2201.7). Per N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.4.
Please call All American Environmental for help with your underground heating oil tank. We follow the strict guidelines of the Underground Heating Oil Tanks, NJDEP Regulations.
For all your environmental service needs, please contact All American Environmental, New Jersey.
All American Environmental, Call: (973) 663-1680
136 Edison Rd. Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
Email: allamericanenviro@gmail.com
