Oil tank inspection
Are you looking for a certified inspector to check your oil tank? We'd be delighted to help!
Oil tank inspection: The importance of regular inspection
If you heat your home with oil, it's important to be aware of certain obligations.
Every oil tank, whether above or below ground, must be inspected immediately after installation, before being put into service. Even after commissioning, your oil tank should be inspected regularly. The frequency of these inspections depends on the volume of the tank and whether it is above or below ground.
An underground tank is one that is completely buried in the ground. An oil tank located in a cellar is therefore not considered to be an underground tank.
Regulations by category
Above-ground tank of less than 3,000 litres
No permit or declaration is required.
Buried tank up to 10,000 litres
Above-ground tank between 3,000 and 10,000 litres
An environmental declaration is also compulsory.
Tanks larger than 10,000 litres (overhead or underground)
An environmental permit is required. This type of installation is considered to present a risk to the soil and groundwater.
For more detailed information: environnement.brussels - Your obligations
Maintenance, control and responsibilities
Any tank in service must be maintained in good working order. As the person responsible, you must:
- Ensuring that the tank and pipes are watertight
- Carry out periodic inspections (frequency depending on type and volume)
- Install an appropriate leak detection system (especially for buried tanks)
- Comply with containment requirements (double wall, retention tank, etc.)
PEBXL carries out these technical inspections and issues you with the official certificates required by the authorities.
Decommissioning: what to do?
When your tank is no longer in use, you must :
- Completely empty the tank of any remaining fuel oil.
- Clean and degas the interior.
- Remove the tank or neutralise it (fill with foam or sand), in accordance with current standards.
- Keep a report of the work carried out.
These procedures must be carried out by an approved professional. PEBXL will support you throughout the process.
New installations banned from 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, it will be forbidden to install new oil-fired boilers in Brussels, barring very limited exceptions (e.g. lack of a reasonable alternative). This measure is part of the regional strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
PEBXL, your trusted partner
As a Brussels-based specialist in inspections and diagnostics, PEBXL offers you a complete service:
- Preparing declarations and permit applications.
- Periodic inspections (tightness, safety, compliance).
- Support during decommissioning.
- And also: EPB certificates, electrical inspections.
Not sure what category your tank falls into? Don't know whether a declaration is required? The experts at PEBXL respond quickly to your requests, and intervene throughout the Brussels Region.
Contact us now for a quote or advice.