Leaking Oil Tanks (Residential)

Heating oil, or oilheat, also known in the United States as No. 2 fuel oil and elsewhere as "red diesel", is a low viscosity, flammable liquid petroleum product used to fuel building furnaces or boilers. {S.Moayedi 2006}

Companies that are dispatched to a report of leaking oil tanks, or a fuel spill in the basement, are often times met with a strong "oily" smell. This smell can permeate the entire house or be contained only in the basement/cellar area. Company officers should immediately evacuate the residents and begin interviewing them. Asking the residents such questions as,

1) When did you first notice the smell or presence of oil ?

2) When was the last time you received a delivery ? How much ?

3) Is the owner present ? Can he/she be contacted ? request the presence of said owner.

4) Medical symptoms, is anyone complaining of SOB, headache, etc...

Upon finding spilled/leaking oil, guesstimate the amount ,and if 10 or more gallons is found, notify the FAO to upgrade to a Level 1 and dispatch the District Fire Chief, on-duty T car, Police 1, Health Department and the DEP. Answering question 4 will also determine the response of EMS. Also consider the need for W25 as the incident can take several hours to contain.

Have 2 members in full PPE with SCBA use the Speedi- Dry, carried on the apparatus, to dike & encapsulate the spilled product. If you are able to, plug the leak to contain the spill. Ventilate as needed. If H-3 is on scene, or another unit with meters, have them take meters from all floors and record your findings. This will allow you to determine if the incident is stabilizing or deteriorating and will also determine if lines need to be stretched.

District Chiefs will need to Abate the owner to repair &/or replace the tank. Only licensed Haz-Mat clean-up companies are authorized to clean-up the spill. DO NOT ALLOW the oil-burner tech to do the clean-up.

Follow all SOPs while operating at these incidents and slow down. Haz-Mat incidents can be labor intensive and of a long duration.