Storing oil in mobile bowsers

If you use a mobile bowser to store oil in England or Scotland, you must comply with the relevant requirements of the Oil Storage Regulations. These regulations do not apply in Northern Ireland and Wales. However, you should still consider meeting the requirements of the regulations, as they aim to prevent water pollution. If you pollute water you are committing an offence and you may be prosecuted and fined.

All the general requirements of the Oil Storage Regulations also apply to mobile bowsers

You must fit locks to taps or valves that are permanently fixed to the bowser and through which you can discharge oil to the open. You must lock these shut when they are not in use.

If you deliver oil through a flexible pipe that is permanently attached to the bowser, you must ensure that:

  • the delivery end of the pipe is fitted with a manually operated pump or valve that closes automatically when it is not in use
  • the pump or valve is lockable and you keep it locked shut when it is not in use
  • the end of the pipe that leaves the container is fitted with a lockable valve that you must lock shut when it is not in use.
In Scotland you must secure sight gauges to the mobile bowser, and ensure that they have a valve or tap that you must lock shut when not in use.

Further information

You should also read our guidance on the general requirements of the Oil Storage Regulations and storing oil in fixed tanks.

In this guideline: