What is the Standard Size of a Heating Oil Tank?

Folk in the UK with oil heating usually have an oil delivery in the summer because the price usually goes up in winter and because there is often a delay getting a winter delivery. Generally, only two or three deliveries are needed each year. The size of the tank can vary from a small 500 liters to a larger 1000-1500 liters.

Small Tank (500 Litres)

A 500-liter tank is considered small and is suitable for homes with average heating needs. However, as with all tanks, proper security measures must be in place to prevent theft.

Mid-Sized Tanks (1000-1500 Litres)

Mid-sized tanks in the range of 1000 to 1500 liters are often physically larger, as they need to be placed in bunded tanks for safety and security. The bund provides a leak-proof barrier to contain any spills, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.

Residential Applications

Common Residential Tank Size - 275 Gallons

For residential applications, the most common tank size is 275 gallons. These tanks are typically oval in end section and commonly seen in most basements. When installed vertically, they have a width of 27 inches, a height of 44 inches, and a length of 60 inches. The legs, standing at 18 inches, provide sufficient static lift pressure to the oil, ensuring it flows to the burner.

The width was specifically designed to move these tanks through common 30-inch doors, whereas an equivalent cylindrical tank would be about 36 inches around, making it difficult to negotiate through older buildings.

Horizontal Installation

These tanks can also be installed horizontally, turned on their sides, with the height reduced to 27 inches. This configuration allows for installation in lower-clearance crawlspaces and other conditions that require a compact profile.

330-Gallon Tanks

A slightly larger size is the 330-gallon tank. This is identical to the 275-gallon tank in height and width but grows in length from 60 inches to 72 inches. This increment is consistent with the NFPA-30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, which limits fuel capacity within a building to 660 gallons without a special enclosure or permits. Therefore, using two 330-gallon tanks maximizes the storage potential without exceeding the legal limit.

Custom and Standard Tanks

Beyond these standard sizes, there is no real standard for dimensions or capacities. A variety of manufacturers offer various capacity tanks in a range of diameters and lengths to suit different applications. Custom tanks are also available, and additional features such as double-wall monitored tanks, fiberglass, steel, fiberglass-coated steel, access hatches, ladders, heaters, instruments, and monitoring equipment can be included.

Disclaimer: This information is a general response to the nature of the question and no specifics of application are to be implied or inferred. The response does not constitute legal or professional engineering advice. Seeking the advice of a qualified professional specific to your particular application is recommended.