Public Safety and Consumer Information

Consumer Information

Aboveground Fuel Oil Storage Tanks

Here's a list of common questions homeowners have regarding Aboveground Storage Tanks:

At what age do aboveground fuel oil tanks have to be replaced?
I have been advised there are no ast's available to replace my fuel oil tank, where may I obtain one?
Once my above ground tank is inspected, do I have to do anything or supply any information to anyone?
My aboveground fuel oil tank does not have a ULC label to reflect its certification approval; do I have to replace my tank with a new, certified one?
What is a ULC label? What does it look like? Where do I find it?
My aboveground fuel oil tank does not have a ULC label to reflect its certification approval; Can tssa inspect my tank and certify it?
Despite my aboveground fuel oil tank having a ULC certification label, I cannot establish the manufacturing date; What can I do that will help me obtain the age of the tank?
I want to install my own fuel oil tank / furnace, can I?

Q :At what age do aboveground fuel oil tanks have to be replaced?
A : There are no age limit restrictions stipulated by either code or regulation requiring the tank to be replaced, provided the tank is not leaking.

Additional Information:

An existing aboveground fuel oil tank is considered approved provided the tank was installed in accordance with the code at the time of installation.
See Insurance coverage repercussions

Reference: Ontario Regulation 213/01 "Fuel Oil", Section 1. (3).

Q :I have been advised there are no ast's available to replace my fuel oil tank, where may I obtain one?
A : TSSA does not regulate supply and demand issues with wholesalers regarding stocking of equipment. There are several AST tank manufacturers who have a stock of tanks in Ontario and out of province, which can be ordered and delivered.

See below for a list of AST tank manufacturers:

DTE Industries Ltd.
69 Comstock Road,
Scarborough, ON, M1L 2G9
Tel: (416) 757-6278
tollfree: 1-800-387-1400
Fax: (416) 757-5579

Clemmer Technologies Inc.
446 Albert St.
Waterloo, ON, N2J 4A1
Tel: (519) 884-4320
tollfree: 1-800-264-8840
Fax: (519) 884-6623

Hassan Steel Fabricators Ltd.
223 Ashland Ave.
London, ON, N5W 4E3
Tel: (519) 451-3100
Fax: (519) 451-3102

Granby Steel Tanks
C.P. 313, Granby, QC, J2G 8E5
Tel: (450) 378-2334
Fax: (450) 378-5202

Gil Fab International Inc.
Mascouche, QC, J7K 3G6
Tel: (450) 474-7400
Fax: (450) 474-7404

Audet Soudure Inc.
1500 Boul. Wilfrid Hamel
Quebec, QC, G1N 3Y6
Tel: (418) 683-1930
Fax: (418) 683-1431

Drummond Tanks & Systems Inc.
700 Talon St.
Longueil, QC, J4G 1P7
Tel: (514) 526-4411
Fax: (514) 738-1313

Westeel Ltd.
P.O.Box 500, 540 10th Avenue E.
Regina SK S4P 3A2
Tel: (306) 525-5481
Fax: (306) 525-9771

Northern Steel Industries Ltd.
P.O. Box 1718, Hwy.35N
Tisdale SK S0E 1T0
Tel: 306-873-4531
tollfree: 1-888-674-8265
Fax: (306) 873-2252

Q :Once my above ground tank is inspected, do I have to do anything or supply any information to anyone?
A : If your Fuel Oil distributor made the arrangements for the inspection and has followed through with the inspection, then, no; as the owner, you do not have to do anything further.

If you made the arrangements for the inspection to be performed by a qualified TSSA registered OBT not affiliated with your fuel distributor, you will want to contact your Fuel Oil distributor to ensure that the Fuel Oil distributor agrees with the inspection report.

Additional Information:

Be reminded that the Fuel Oil distributor is responsible for the accuracy of the inspection.
If you use another contractor, not endorsed by your Fuel Oil distributor, you should contact your Fuel Oil distributor to ensure that they are satisfied with the inspection and checklist.

Q :My aboveground fuel oil tank does not have a ULC label to reflect its certification approval; do I have to replace my tank with a new, certified one?
A : Yes, if the tank was installed after 1971.

Additional Information:

All components installed in Ontario must be approved for their purpose.
The requirements for tanks to be certified by ULC did not take place until after 1971.
Some tanks were installed at the same time as the house was built and may not have been replaced since. These tanks may be grand fathered if the house was built prior to 1971.
Prior to the inception of the CSA Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment in 1971, there was not a national standard that outlined minimum requirements for use during the manufacturing process of aboveground fuel oil tanks. Therefore, your tank is grand fathered and deemed approved.

Reference: Grand parenting clause, Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil", Section 1. (3).

Q :What is a ULC label? what does it look like? where do I find it?
A : A ULC label is the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada rating plate.

The ULC rating plate is a square or rectangular identification piece commonly found on the top upper half of the tank.

Additional Information:
Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada
Head Office and Laboratory
7 Crouse Road
Toronto ON M1R 3A9
Tel: (416) 757-3611 (INFO ULC)
tollfree: (800) 463-6852 Fax: (416) 757-9540
Online Contact Form, Customer Service: ulc.ca/customer_service.asp

Q :My aboveground fuel oil tank does not have a ULC label to reflect its certification approval; can tssa inspect my tank and certify it?
A : No TSSA cannot. Only Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC) can certify aboveground fuel oil storage tanks.

Additional Information:

Certification means that a product or system has been evaluated and tested for compliance with applicable Canadian, North American and international standards.
Certification is required by the CAN/CSA-B139-00 Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment.

Q :Despite my aboveground fuel oil tank having a ULC certification label, I cannot establish the manufacturing date; what can I do that will help me obtain the age of the tank?
A : You should contact the manufacturer of your fuel oil aboveground storage tank to obtain the manufacturing date information.

The manufacturing information can be found on the tank's rating plate.

Additional Information:

As the regulation does not require registration of aboveground fuel oil storage tank systems, TSSA is unable to provide the manufacturer or the manufacturing date of any tank.

Q :I want to install my own fuel oil tank / furnace. Can I?
A : Yes, provided you are the owner of a detached dwelling that you own and occupy, you can install and maintain your own appliances, as long as the installation is inspected prior to activation.

The comprehensive inspection is to be performed by an Oil Burner Technician.

Reference: Ontario Regulation 215/01 "Fuel Industry Certificates", Section 55. (1) "Exemptions".

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