Where can I place a fuel tank on my property?
April 1, 2019
If you’re in New Zealand
Site certification can be a difficult process and we recommend making contact as early as possible with the right test certifier that can help. You could either contact us, (see details below) and we can recommend the right person for you. Our staff have extensive experience right across the country and are likely to save you a lot of frustration. Call us today to discuss your requirements.
Vern Hoyle for (North Island queries) 0272207653 or [email protected]
Guthrie Deck for (South Island queries) 0212209749 or [email protected]
John Garside for special projects 021840569 or [email protected]
Hamish McLean for special projects 021 241 9193 [email protected]
If you would like to continue the search yourself, here are some helpful links and information that may be helpful.
Threshold quantities for secondary containment
The regulations made under the HSNO Act establish the following thresholds for secondary containment of petrol and diesel.
- Petrol (not on a farm) 1000 litres
- Petrol (on a farm) 2000 litres
- Diesel (not on a farm) 1000 litres
- Diesel (on a farm) 2000 litres
Quantities above these thresholds require secondary containment.
Definitions
| Typically | Criteria | |
| 3.1A | Petrol, Avgas | A flammable liquid that has a flash point of less than 23 degrees Celsius and has an IBP of less than or equal to 35 degrees Celsius. |
| 3.1B | Some solvents | A flammable liquid that has a flash point of less than 23 degrees Celsius and has an IBP of greater than 35 degrees Celsius. |
| 3.1C | Jet-A1, Kerosene, turps | A flammable liquid that has a flash point of greater than or equal to 23 degrees Celsius, but less than or equal to 60 degrees Celsius. |
| 3.1D | Diesel | A flammable liquid that has a flash point of greater than 60 degrees Celsius, but less than or equal to 93 degrees Celsius. |
Separation distances
The table below is a guide only and you should select the links through to the NZ Legislation in order to get the full context of the meaning.
- Access to full legislation on Separation of above ground stationary tank, transportable container, or tank wagon containing class 3.1 substance from protected places and public places
- Access this table in the legislation
| Distance from a ‘Protected Place’ also referred to as High Intensity Land Use (HILU) | ‘Public Place’ also referred to as Low Intensity Land Use, (LILU) | ||
| Capacity of your tank (L) | 3.1A, 3.1B, 3.1C | 3.1D | 3.1A, 3.1B, 3.1C |
| Up to 600 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1000 | 2 | 1.5 | 0 |
| 2500 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 5000 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 25000 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 50000 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 100000 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Protected place includes – (HILU)
- a dwelling, residential building, place of worship, public building, school or college, hospital, child care facility, or theatre, or any building or open area in which persons are accustomed to assembling in large numbers, whether within or outside the property boundary of a place where a hazardous substance location is situated:
- any factory, workshop, office, store, warehouse, shop, or building where persons are regularly employed, whether within or outside the property boundary of a place where a hazardous substance location is situated:
- a ship lying at permanent berthing facilities:
- a public railway; but
does not include a small office or other small building associated with a place where storage, handling, use, manufacture, or disposal of a class 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 substance is a major function
Public place – (LILU)
- means a place (other than private property or a protected place) that is open to, and frequented by, the public; and
- includes a public road
Notes:
WorkSafe New Zealand may reduce the separation distance for tanks which are constructed and tested to SWRI 95-03 upon application under Schedule 10 clause 33 of the Transfer Notice or clause 44 of the Site and Storage Conditions for class 3.1 Flammable Liquids.
Tanks on farms may be located in accordance with the provisions specified in Schedule 6 of the Transfer Notice. These are outlined in the Above Ground Storage on Farms Good Practice Guidelines.