While all owners of external oil tanks will be all too aware of the benefits of being able to buy oil in bulk, most of them will freely admit that the tanks themselves may not be as attractive as they would like. The problem is they need to be capable of holding significant quantities of liquid and they have to be accessible at all times, but if they’re unsightly the property owner will be reminded of that fact every single day.
It’s a sad truth that thieves regularly target bulk storage tanks, which gives an added incentive to the owner to make the tank as unobtrusive as possible. The simple fact of the matter is that if a tank isn’t clearly visible it won’t attract as much unwanted attention as one that can be seen by any passing pedestrian or motorist. Therefore, there is a great incentive to keep it away from any prying eyes.
Perhaps the most obvious method of reducing the visibility of an external tank is to cover it up, but this can present problems. One option is to hide it inside what appears to be a garden shed, albeit a larger one than most of us would normally have. This can be a viable strategy, because only those in the know will even be aware of what’s inside, so it’s unlikely to attract the interest of any casual wrong-doers.
Access is crucial
There is an important issue to consider with this option, however. Access to the tank, both for filling and for maintenance, means the size of the ‘shed’ will need to be substantially larger than the tank. This may not be a major problem for the enterprising home owner, but it still needs to be taken into consideration. A standard size tank can only be accommodated by a more than standard size housing.
Another important consideration is the potential of spillage. As always, a bund is needed should the worst case scenario occur, and this will also determine the overall dimensions of the fake shed. There is plenty of information on the internet about bunding, so be sure to do as much research as possible before you begin the installation.
It’s also necessary to ensure there is adequate ventilation around the tank. Different models may need different levels of ventilation, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations before you begin construction. Needless to say, the provision of ventilation shouldn’t be overly difficult, because the ‘shed’ doesn’t necessarily have to be secure enough to store garden tools or suchlike.
Delivery drivers need to have adequate access to the tank at all times, so it’s vital that you ensure they can get to the filling nozzles with ease. By encasing the tank with a wooden shed construction, it’s possible to have the best of both worlds, as long as the delivery driver is satisfied, of course!
