Maintain your fuel tank to prevent environment damage

In recent years, the importance of maintaining fuel tanks has become increasingly apparent, especially in light of the recent oil leak near Poole which resulted in a significant amount of fuel spilling into the harbour and causing damage to the surrounding ecosystem. Incidents like this are very easy to prevent by simply keeping up with your maintenance on your fuel tanks and pipework.

A leaking fuel tank is catastrophic to the environment, especially with the growing concern over climate change – it can’t be “brushed aside” – when it comes to the environment; preventing any problem before it causes serious damage is the best option.

The first step in maintaining a fuel tank is to ensure it is properly installed and meets all relevant safety standards. This includes ensuring the tank is securely fastened and that all connections and hoses are in good condition. It is also important to use the correct type of fuel for the tank and to avoid overfilling it, as this can lead to fuel spills and leaks. This is where our Fuel tank inspections come in. We will do all the checks to ensure your fuel tank is good for use and not at risk of spilling.

Regular inspection of the fuel tank is also crucial to prevent environmental damage. This includes checking the tank for signs of corrosion or damage, as well as checking all hoses and connections for leaks. Any issues should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage. BMS offers fuel tank leak detection and inspection on a one of basis or as part of a maintenance contract.

In addition to regular inspections, it is important to ensure your fuel is cleaned or polished so your equipment is running on clean fuel which will reduce equipment failures and help reduce emissions.

Pipework repairs are often forgotten about when performing maintenance on your fuel tank, however, the pipework sometimes causes the most issues – ensuring your pipework has no cracks or leaks is an essential part of maintenance.

Maybe your fuel tank has a very small leak that has not been spotted yet. This small leak can quickly become a big problem if the crack causing the leak gets any bigger – we use non-destructive methods to check for the leak so we know exactly where it is and what size, from this we can then work on getting the leak repaired, minimising the amount of fuel lost to the environment.

It is important to educate yourself and others on the importance of fuel tank maintenance and environmental responsibility. By spreading awareness of the potential consequences of fuel leaks and spills, we can encourage others to take the necessary steps to prevent them from occurring.

Maintaining your fuel tank is an important part of dealing with fuel near water, helping to prevent environmental damage like the incident near Poole. By following proper installation and inspection procedures, using clean fuel, and educating ourselves and others on the importance of environmental responsibility, we can help protect our waterways and ecosystems for future generations.