Home heating oil tank security is a major issue due to the increasing cost of domestic heating oil, don’t become a victim – find out how you can reduce the chances of your tank being targeted below.
Most domestic heating oil users only check their tanks every few weeks or months and are unaware if a thief is syphoning off small quantities but on an often basis, so try to dip / check your tank on a frequent basis to monitor your heating oil level.
One of the biggest challenges is keeping the heating oil in your tank and out of the hands of thief’s, but what’s the best way?
- Siting Your Oil Tank - The position of the tank can have a significant effect on how hard a target it is in the eyes of the thief. If the tank is close to the house, with one or more windows capable of giving a view of it, then the thief may consider the chances of being seen too high.
- Oil Level Gauges – Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full but are dependent on you being home and in the same room as the alarm unit at the time.
- Security Lights – Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target for the thief, especially lights which also sound when the light has been triggered.
- Defensive Planting – Defensive planting is nature’s way of helping to reduce crime. Thieves will not wish to force their way through or over a prickly hedge.
- Securing Your Oil Tank – A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection to the tank, but it must be remembered that the oil tanker driver will need access to fill the tank! A metal or grill cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security but can be costly.
What measures have you taken to secure your heating oil tank?
How often do you check your tank level? Share your security hints and tips below…
Had your heating oil stolen? Make an anonymous oil theft report today and help to raise awareness in your local area!
I’ve erected a lapped fence with concrete posts and rails around the tank, with a gate for access. The gate is locked unless delivery scheduled. I have installed a hidden PIR inside this fenced area and linked to a DIY alarm system. If someone opens the gate, or accesses the area by climbing the fence, the alarm sounds and the blighter buggers off. Occasional false alarms were countered by placing the PIR in a covered recess. The PIR is also removed before any deliveries so the delivery driver is unaware of the measures in place – on the off chance this valuable info is overheard down the pub. And for the very same reasons, a very visible security camera in placed facing the tank for the very same reasons. It’s one of those night time types with lots of red LEDs clearly visible from a distance. It records to an old laptop connected to it and stores abbout 40 hours of HD video. Total cost:
Alarm – £100 – ebay
camera – £300 – ebay
fencing – £200
laptop – £60 off ebay
So about the cost of a tank of fuel built over time.
I have been talking to a tank security device company & Titan. I have a new Titan plastic, bunded, tank with 10 year warranty. The device would need me to make 3mm screw holes in the tank( either inner OR outer skin). Titan say that will invalidate the warranty and the only security I should consider is locks on the plastic lid lugs & a security light!!!!! Burglars beware???
CAUTION
A neighbour of mine had a similar arrangement. Water got into the hole between the wall and the tank. The half empty tank then floated up fracturing the outlet pipe. This resulted in oil leaking into the hole, the surrounding soil, and polluting a nearby stream. As you can imagine this mess was very expensive to clean up.
Could be termed extreme but I built a bunded underground hole to hide the” plastic pig”. When we moved to the premesis the tank was inside the garage so to make more space and increase oil storage I elected to buy a 2500 litre pig and bury it.
2 days with a hired mini digger, (splendid fun) and 3 (or was it 2 ?) 6 metre skip loads and we have a hole. Then 4 inches of concrete on a hand core base, leave to set and then build a 2 metre odd perimeter wall from breeze blocks. Leave to set then back fill with pea shingle and drop in a titan 2500 tank. Now due to drop you need a 3 litre lifter pump (sited in garage) to give a false positive head for the boiler and run in 10mm feed pipe from tank and 8mm onwards to boiler. Works a treat and touch wood has never failed in the last 7 years. Total cost back in 2005 was £1700 including tank and lifter, mini digger hire and bricks etc and I suppose on reflection a lot of hard work but very rewarding and more space for the garden and no unsightly monster tank.
Hole is covered with 2 sheets of corragated sheeting and then another DIY job of a sliding decking on mini castor wheels topped with plants and seats. Quite a job for Mr burglar to unravel and a security light as an addition.
Hope it is informed and inspired a few. Happy digging