In accordance with fuels industry standards in Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) registers qualified fuel contractors and inspectors. The information below explains regulations for specific types of storage tanks.
Aboveground fuel oil storage tanks
Ontario regulatory bodies prefer the use of aboveground fuel oil storage tanks as they are easier to inspect, reducing the risk of spills and increasing the likelihood of leak detection. Below are FAQs related to aboveground storage tanks:
What age do aboveground fuel oil tanks have to be replaced? |
| An existing aboveground fuel oil tank is considered approved, provided the tank was installed in accordance with the code at the time of installation. As long as the tank is not leaking, there is no age in which the tank must be replaced. |
Can aboveground tanks labelled "Inside Tank" be installed outdoors? |
| No. These tanks were certified for indoor use and installing them outdoors would void its approval. |
Underground fuel oil storage tanks
An underground oil tank is a container that is buried and contains fuel oil to be used in appliances, such as furnaces and boilers. Tanks that are in basements are not considered underground tanks. Below are FAQs related to below ground storage tanks:
How can I tell if my underground tank is leaking? |
| Because they are buried, it is difficult to tell if an underground tank is leaking. Some underground tanks may leak for years without owners realizing it. If your oil consumption suddenly goes up, your tank may have sprung a large leak. There are companies that test underground tanks for leaks. Contact your fuel supplier for help with finding underground tank testing companies. |
What do I do if my underground tank is leaking? |
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Call a TSSA-registered contractor to find and stop underground tank leaks. The contractor may also assist you with required clean-up, if any fuel oil has been spilled.
If there is a spill incident, you must also notify the Spills Action Centre of the Ministry of Environment and Energy by calling 1-800-268-6060. |
Who are TSSA-Registered Contractors? |
| By law, all contractors working on fuel oil equipment, such as underground tanks, are required to be registered with the TSSA. Persons repairing, installing, removing and servicing fuel oil underground tanks are also required to be trained and certified as a Petroleum Equipment Mechanic 2. Your fuel supplier may be able to refer you to some good TSSA-registered fuel oil contractors. |
How do I register my underground tank? |
| To register your underground tank, you must submit the Underground Fuel Oil Application Form. After approving your application, the TSSA issues a registration number for your tank that you can give to your fuel distributor to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. |
How do I remove my underground tank? |
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Only a TSSA-registered Petroleum Contractor is qualified to perform the removal of your underground (buried) fuel oil tank. Before you hire a contractor, be sure to ask for the TSSA contractor's registration number, as all contractors must be registered. Please note that in case of any fuel oil spill you must also notify the Spills Action Centre of the Ministry of Environment and Energy by calling 1-800-268-6060. |
I no longer use my underground storage tank. Do I have to remove it? |
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Yes, Ontario regulations require you to remove an unused underground storage tank. The TSSA may issue a Variance to allow an underground tank to be abandoned in the ground. You must submit an application for a Variance to the TSSA in order to get approval to abandon your fuel oil underground storage tank. We review your variance application, which takes approximately 21 business days, and provide written notification informing you of the outcome of your application. |
Are there any government funds for homeowners upgrading or removing their underground tanks? |
| Currently, owners of underground tanks are responsible for the costs of maintaining, upgrading, and removing their underground tank and for cleaning up contamination. Some fuel suppliers may have special financing programs to help you to replace an underground tank with an aboveground tank. |
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