Vol. 472 No. 3
18 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the increasing spillages of oil involving plastic storage tanks serving domestic and commercial premises; and if he will introduce as a matter of urgency rigorous standards to outlaw hazardous practices which have become the norm in this unregulated area. [22734/96]
I am not aware that statistics relating to spillages of oil at commercial or domestic premises are collected by reference to the material composition of the storage tanks used or of any increases in spillages involving plastic storage tanks.
In addition, I am not clear as to the hazardous practices to which the Deputy refers. However, I refer him to the reply given to Deputy Seán Ryan on Tuesday, 26 November 1996 by the Minister for the Environment concerning the use and location of plastic oil storage tanks as follows:
At present, the building regulations do not impose any requirement in relation to oil storage tanks serving heating appliances in buildings whatever the material of tank constructions. However, the amended building regulations and revised technical guidance documents, due to be published early in 1997, will include provisions on reducing the risk of spread of fire to such storage tanks. These will take account of the characteristics of tanks constructed from different materials.
If a standard or code of practice would assist the Minister for the Environment in drafting the building regulations or revised technical guidance documents referred to, I would be prepared to ask the National Standards Authority to draft such by reference to the work already being carried out on such standards at European and international levels.
I welcome the Minister's willingness to request the National Standards Authority to draft standards for plastic oil storage tanks. Since he does not appear to be aware of instances of spillages resulting in fire and considerable damage to domestic and commercial premises by hazardous practices — by which I mean the siting of plastic oil storage tanks close to buildings, for example, on top of garages, close to places without any bunding so that any crack in a tank can cause fire and other hazards, resulting in a huge amount of damage — I might furnish him with some figures available to me. Will the Minister of State urgently examine this matter particularly since anybody purchasing a plastic oil storage tank at present is not furnished with any instructions on its proper siting and maintenance? This would not require an enormous amount of additional legislation and would prevent likely serious fires given current dangerous practices nationwide?
While I will certainly examine the matter, these plastic oil storage tanks have been in use here for some 15 years and it is my understanding that no complaints, with the exception of one from one individual, have been received in relation to them.
That concludes questions for today.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
