Oil Tank in Basement Bedroom!

[Christopher P. Steele]

I did an inspection today on a 4-plex. One apartment with basement had a bedroom in the basement with an oil tank in the bedroom (sort of). I really need some thoughts about this one, here are some facts:

1. the bedroom had a 6-ft ceiling,..
2. there was a partition wall separating (wood studs and drywall) the bedroom from an oil tank,..
3. the bedroom had a drop ceiling, but most of the tiles were removed.
4. there was an odor of petroleum in the room.
5. Access to the tank is through a hatch in the closet although youwould have to be pretty small guy to get into the space.
6. The fill spout is leaking oil on top of the tank
7. the tank was manufactured in 1996
8. Clearance from the tank to the partition wall is about8-inches


I suspect that this is a health and safety issue but I cannot find definitive code requirements that support my concerns.

Are there Ontario Building code requirements that prevent this type of installation?

How would you report it?


CSA B139 Installation Code For Oil-Burning Equipment states in section 6.4.1 that the tank must be "installed in rooms for storage tanks that conform to the National Fire Code of Canada".

Since the partition wall did not have complete fire separation perhaps it does not meet the requirement!?!? What do you think?

B139 also states in section 6.4.9.1:

"Supply tanks shall be accessible after installation so that they can be inspected"

Since the clearance between the tank and the partition wall is about 8-inches, perhaps the oil companies may reject this tank for this reason!?

Any experts here with some advice? I have some pics if interested.

I'm heading to the Hockey game tonight (Ottawa vs New Jersey) so if you don't hear from me I will respond ASAP when I get home.

Thanks,
Chris

[Justo Mickey Rivera]

Sure, lets see some pics

Mic

[Christopher P. Steele]

Originally Posted by jrivera

Sure, lets see some pics

Mic

Sorry but I'm pic-posting illiterate.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Chris

I would follow Ray's advice but just for your info the room must have a min.1HR fire rating I'm also attaching a pdf file you should read.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Chris

This also sounds like an illegal apt. 6' ceilings,fuel oil tank,is there a window in this apt. for egress?

[Joseph Hagarty]

Originally Posted by rwand1

You have answered your concerns and questions. Why even state code or any other reference?

4. there was an odor of petroleum in the room.
6. The fill spout is leaking oil on top of the tank



The oil tank appears to be leaking at the filler pipe, and there is a very strong odour of oil present in the room. Immediate further investigation by licenced heating contractor is warranted, and should be carried out prior to closing of title.

Tank is Deficient.

Report it as you have Described and Recommend Repair.

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Joe

This is a very serious thing here in Canada[leaks] I like Ray's strong wording in describing defect.

Sometimes you have to literally scare the crap out of some people [nice way] in order for them to clue in,and take action.

my thoughts

[Joseph Hagarty]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

Joe

This is a very serious thing here in Canada[leaks] I like Ray's strong wording in describing defect.

Sometimes you have to literally scare the crap out of some people [nice way] in order for them to clue in,and take action.

my thoughts

Mario,

I am in total agreement.

I have inspected a home where I was the first to identify an Oil Spillage / Contamination situation.

PA DEP, as well as the US EPA, were involved in the Residential Cleanup of the Property.

The remediation method chosen included a long term methodology of treatment with retesting at scheduled intervals to verify a schedule of compliance.

The Cost Estimation for this project is beyond comprehension. Do not let it be your expense due to a failure to properly identify / report.

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

Joe

This is a very serious thing here in Canada[leaks] I like Ray's strong wording in describing defect.

Sometimes you have to literally scare the crap out of some people [nice way] in order for them to clue in,and take action.

my thoughts

A few years ago about (7)? we did an inspection and there was a serious amount of oil leaked into the basement .
The person Bought the home for $69,000:00 on condition of an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY .
The person who sold the home spent $65,000:00 for the clean up . We have one in Belleville that the oil company put 2oo galons of oil into the wrong home .
No tank the cost has approached $1,000,000:00 so do not miss an oil stain it can cost big Dollars .

I have heard it can cost $4,000:00 to get rid of one yard of oil soaked soil.
Roy Cooke

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by rcooke

A few years ago about (7)? we did an inspection and there was a serious amount of oil leaked into the basement .
The person Bought the home for $69,000:00 on condition of an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY .
The person who sold the home spent $65,000:00 for the clean up . We have one in Belleville that the oil company put 2oo galons of oil into the wrong home .
No tank the cost has approached $1,000,000:00 so do not miss an oil stain it can cost big Dollars .

I have heard it can cost $4,000:00 to get rid of one yard of oil soaked soil.
Roy Cooke

Roy

That's a very good point Roy,I will allways look for and verify fill and vent pipes.Verify that a tank actually exists,and if not [old pipes, not connected] will reccomend that they are removed.


Mario

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

Mario,

I am in total agreement.

I have inspected a home where I was the first to identify an Oil Spillage / Contamination situation.

PA DEP, as well as the US EPA, were involved in the Residential Cleanup of the Property.

The remediation method chosen included a long term methodology of treatment with retesting at scheduled intervals to verify a schedule of compliance.

The Cost Estimation for this project is beyond comprehension. Do not let it be your expense due to a failure to properly identify / report.

Joe

My father had an rental property with oil tank with a leak [small] and was fined $5K for less than a litre of oil spill going into storm drain.If the [Valdez]EXXON was fined by the litre like my father was,they would be broke today!

[Christopher P. Steele]

Originally Posted by mkyriacou

Chris

This also sounds like an illegal apt. 6' ceilings,fuel oil tank,is there a window in this apt. for egress?

Yes, there is a window in the bedroom.

[Christopher P. Steele]

The client back out of the deal,.. and now I'm apparently a deal breaker!

Can't win, if I don't call it out, I get sued, if I do call it out then I'm a deal breaker. Go figure!

[Mario A. Kyriacou, CHI]

Originally Posted by csteele

The client back out of the deal,.. and now I'm apparently a deal breaker!

Can't win, if I don't call it out, I get sued, if I do call it out then I'm a deal breaker. Go figure!

Chris

Did you get paid?Was the client happy that you found all defects?Did you give [in your opinion] a fair assessment of condition of building?

If your answer is yes to above questions you did your job as a professional. In my opinion you have nothing to worry about!

Mario

P.S. Don't loose any sleep over it.
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