can you build over buried oil tank? (codes, slab, iron)

[Donn2390]

Cosmic, no one thought about what happens down the road, because 50 to 75 years ago, when many of these oil tanks were installed, no one even considered the world we live in today. The tank I just had abandoned was installed in 1952. That gentleman, long since deceased, was not worried about any problems I might encounter in 2008...!
Amy, your town government will not have information on the tank procedure, it's a state controlled thing. If you check with the company that did your testing, I'm sure they also do abandoning, and have all of the rules to keep you out of future trouble. Most tank companies doe the entire process, all you need to do it write the check, and file the paper work they send you. Once properly abandoned and certified by your state, there is no reason to consider removing the tank, it's just another unnecessary expense.
Someone mentioned the laws vary from state to state. That's true to a point, but it's a federally mandated law, so most states are very similar.
see related articles about NY
Legal Issues Regarding Buried Oil Storage Tanks - Home Heating Oil - Underground UST & Above ground Storage Tank Laws & Legal Issues - Testing, Replacement Guidelines
Underground news: beware life span of oil tanks -- -- Newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/features/home/nyp-hsdr-061605,0,7731926.column - broken link)

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Donn2390

Cosmic, no one thought about what happens down the road, because 50 to 75 years ago, when many of these oil tanks were installed, no one even considered the world we live in today. The tank I just had abandoned was installed in 1952. That gentleman, long since deceased, was not worried about any problems I might encounter in 2008...!
Amy, your town government will not have information on the tank procedure, it's a state controlled thing. If you check with the company that did your testing, I'm sure they also do abandoning, and have all of the rules to keep you out of future trouble. Most tank companies doe the entire process, all you need to do it write the check, and file the paper work they send you. Once properly abandoned and certified by your state, there is no reason to consider removing the tank, it's just another unnecessary expense.
Someone mentioned the laws vary from state to state. That's true to a point, but it's a federally mandated law, so most states are very similar.
see related articles about NY
Legal Issues Regarding Buried Oil Storage Tanks - Home Heating Oil - Underground UST & Above ground Storage Tank Laws & Legal Issues - Testing, Replacement Guidelines
Underground news: beware life span of oil tanks -- -- Newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/features/home/nyp-hsdr-061605,0,7731926.column - broken link)

Good links. The county heath department is an extension of the state.

[Donn2390]

Originally Posted by amylauren

Thank you-I read it but I've got the procedure aspects down, its just whether or not it could hold a structure.

Volume in gallons Tank Dimensions
675 46x96"
500 45x72"
340 48x48"
270 36x72"

The tanks are not big, at the biggest. If it is filled with gravel or concrete, even it the metal were to rust to nothing, there is nothing to collapse. The wall thickness is negligable, so you could build a skyscraper on top if it, and if the metal disappeared, there would be no further compaction.
Once abandonded, the state considers it to no longer exists.

[amylauren]

Originally Posted by Donn2390

Volume in gallons Tank Dimensions
675 46x96"
500 45x72"
340 48x48"
270 36x72"

The tanks are not big, at the biggest. If it is filled with gravel or concrete, even it the metal were to rust to nothing, there is nothing to collapse. The wall thickness is negligable, so you could build a skyscraper on top if it, and if the metal disappeared, there would be no further compaction.
Once abandonded, the state considers it to no longer exists.

Thanks-do you happen to know the dimensions of a 1000 gallon tank. Everyone-town and owner- thought the tank was 550 but when trying to test the soil, the guy kept hitting it and thought it was a 1000 gallon tank.

[amylauren]

Originally Posted by Donn2390

Cosmic, no one thought about what happens down the road, because 50 to 75 years ago, when many of these oil tanks were installed, no one even considered the world we live in today. The tank I just had abandoned was installed in 1952. That gentleman, long since deceased, was not worried about any problems I might encounter in 2008...!
Amy, your town government will not have information on the tank procedure, it's a state controlled thing. If you check with the company that did your testing, I'm sure they also do abandoning, and have all of the rules to keep you out of future trouble. Most tank companies doe the entire process, all you need to do it write the check, and file the paper work they send you. Once properly abandoned and certified by your state, there is no reason to consider removing the tank, it's just another unnecessary expense.
Someone mentioned the laws vary from state to state. That's true to a point, but it's a federally mandated law, so most states are very similar.
see related articles about NY
Legal Issues Regarding Buried Oil Storage Tanks - Home Heating Oil - Underground UST & Above ground Storage Tank Laws & Legal Issues - Testing, Replacement Guidelines
Underground news: beware life span of oil tanks -- -- Newsday.com (http://www.newsday.com/features/home/nyp-hsdr-061605,0,7731926.column - broken link)

Thank you so much for the link. I'm going to spend time tomorrow reading it.



Thanks everyone for taking the time to post a response!

[Ultrarunner]

Don't know much about underground tanks...

A good friend was raised on a farm and when he was born the farm had above ground tank that was gravity fed to refill the tractors...

Sometime in the 50's his Grandfather had to bury the tank and buy a pump to comply with fire regulations and/or farm insurance...

Before they sold the property in the late 70's the developer told them the tank had to be dug up... which his uncle did.

So, 35 years later with no tank in the ground... I guess there could still be a problem?

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Don't know much about underground tanks...

A good friend was raised on a farm and when he was born the farm had above ground tank that was gravity fed to refill the tractors...

Sometime in the 50's his Grandfather had to bury the tank and buy a pump to comply with fire regulations and/or farm insurance...

Before they sold the property in the late 70's the developer told them the tank had to be dug up... which his uncle did.

So, 35 years later with no tank in the ground... I guess there could still be a problem?

That is a long time. If there was a record, there is a chance. My guess is it would be fine.

[Ultrarunner]

Thanks Driller1... I learn something everyday between you and cosmic

[GregW]

Remove the tank and check the surronding soil for leaking oil. Pray you don't find any. do not build over an existing underground tank.

[ali&ajsmom]

if you are going to do something you might as well do it right.