Skip to Content

Technical Standards & Safety Authority Logo

Technical Standards
& Safety Authority
  • Report an incident
  • Change / Update my contact information
  • Contact the Ombudsman
  • Find a Registered Fuels Contractor
  • Find a Certificate of Authorization Holder
  • Find BPV Certificate of Inspection Information
  • Find Gas/Oil Technician certification info
  • Find Operating Engineers exam schedules and locations
  • Find private fuel outlets information
  • Sign up for paperless invoicing
  • Make Payments Online
Report an Incident
  • About TSSA
    • Accessibility
    • Advisory Councils
      • Consumers Advisory Council
      • Committee of Council Chairs
    • Appeals
    • Awards and Grants
      • Safety Awards
      • TSSA Graduate Student Research and Innovation Grant
    • Careers
      • Career Opportunities
    • Compliance Standards - What, Why, Benefits
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Policies
    • Corporate Structure
      • Executive Leadership Team
      • Statutory Directors
    • Governance
      • Board of Directors
      • Standing Committees
      • Memorandum of Understanding
    • Legislation and Regulations
    • Newsroom
      • TSSA Press Releases
        • TSSA Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
      • Safety Dispatch Newsletter
      • Safety Exchange Blog
      • Amusement News
      • Boiler & Pressure Vessels News
      • Elevating News
      • Fuels News
      • Operating Engineers News
      • Ski Lift News
    • Ombudsman
      • Whistle Blowing Service
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Reports and Policies
      • Memorandum of Understanding
      • Corporate Policies
    • Risk Management
      • Comprehensive Safety System
    • Safety and Risk Officer
      • Public Reports
    • Safetyinfo
  • Fee Changes
  • Amusement Devices
    • Advisory Council
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
    • Guidelines
    • Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Amusement Devices
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Amusement Device Mechanic Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Boilers & Pressure Vessels
    • Advisory Council
    • Agricultural Use - Boilers and Pressure Equipment
      • Equipment Reporting Form
      • Agricultural Use - BPV - FAQs
      • Educational Resources
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
      • Register a Design
      • National Service
      • Consulting
    • Inspections
      • BPV Certificate of Inspection
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Boilers & Pressure Vessels
    • Public Consultations
    • Quality Program
      • Find a Certificate of Authorization Holder
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Ontario Training Programs
      • Seminars
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Elevating Devices
    • Advisory Council
    • Elevator Availability
    • Appeals
    • Applications Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Engineering Services
    • Compliance Standard - Electric Traction Elevators
    • Compliance Standard - Hydraulic Elevators
    • Compliance Standard - Escalator Contractors
    • Compliance Standard - Escalator Owners-Operators
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Guidelines
    • Inspections
      • Defective Elevating Devices
      • Find an Inspector
      • Frequency of Inspections
      • Inspection Guidelines
      • Schedule an Inspection
      • Types of Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Elevating Devices
    • Open Data - Elevating Devices
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Elevating Mechanic Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Fuels
    • Advisory Council
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Approved Certification Marks
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
      • Digester Landfill and Biogas Program
      • Field Approval Program
      • Food Trucks
      • Fuels for Heating
      • Fuels for Transportation
      • High Pressure Piping
    • Environmental Services
    • Find a Registered Contractor
    • Fraudulent Fuels Workers
      • Certified Technicians
      • Verifying Fuels Contractors and Inspectors
    • Guidelines and FAQs
      • Fuel Oil Distributors
      • Propane Risk & Safety Management Plans
      • Storage Tanks
      • Excavation FAQs
    • Inspections
      • Compliance Audits
      • Find an Inspector
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Fuels
    • Oil and Gas Pipelines Oversight Program
      • Compliance Standards - Pipeline Operators
    • Patio Heater Safety
    • Private Fuel Outlets
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Risk & Safety Management Plans (RSMPs)
    • Training and Certification
      • Fuels Industry Certification
      • Fuels Safety Industry Workshops
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
    • Events and Resources
  • Operating Engineers
    • Advisory Council
    • Alternate Rules - Operating Engineers
      • Alternate Rules Frequently Asked
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a Certificate or Plant Registration
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Guidelines
    • Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Operating Engineers
    • Open Data - Operating Engineers
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
  • Ski Lifts
    • Advisory Council
    • Appeals
    • Applications, Forms and Fees
      • Pay for a License or Permit
      • Renew a License
      • Lapsed Authorization Policy
    • Compliance Standards - Ropeways, Conveyors
      • Compliance Standard - Above-Surface Passenger Ropeway
      • Compliance Standard - Conveyors
      • Compliance Standard - Fibre or Rope Tow
      • Compliance Standard - Surface Passenger Ropeway
    • Compliance Support Program
    • Engineering Services
    • Guidelines for Ski Lifts
    • Inspections
    • Legislation and Regulatory Information
    • News - Ski Lifts
    • Public Consultations
    • Release of Public Information
    • Report an Incident
    • Training and Certification
      • Labour Mobility
      • Register for an Exam
      • Ski Lift Mechanic Certification
      • Find an Accredited Training Provider
CareersContact UsNewsroom

Fuels

Storage Tanks

HomeFuelsGuidelines and FAQsStorage Tanks
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Advisory Council
  • Appeals
  • Applications, Forms and Fees
  • Approved Certification Marks
  • Compliance Support Program
  • Engineering Services
  • Environmental Services
  • Find a Registered Contractor
  • Fraudulent Fuels Workers
  • Guidelines and FAQs
    • Fuel Oil Distributors
    • Propane Risk & Safety Management Plans
    • Storage Tanks
    • Excavation FAQs
  • Inspections
  • Legislation and Regulatory Information
  • News - Fuels
  • Oil and Gas Pipelines Oversight Program
  • Patio Heater Safety
  • Private Fuel Outlets
  • Public Consultations
  • Release of Public Information
  • Report an Incident
  • Risk & Safety Management Plans (RSMPs)
  • Training and Certification
  • Events and Resources

Quick Links

  • Fuels

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?

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?

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?

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. 
Subscribe to this Page

Contact(s)

  • A to Z Listing:
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Technical Standards & Safety Authority Logo

© 2021 Technical Standards and Safety Authority, 345 Carlingview Drive, Toronto, ON, M9W 6N9
Phone: 1-877-682-8772 Email: customerservices@tssa.org

  • Report an Incident
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe to TSSA News
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Feedback
  • Accessibility
Design by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.