Ultra sound inspections of oil tanks? Effective?

Jack M

Should an ultra-sound tank inspection be a part of routine maintenance for an oil heating system? My annual service contract does not include one however a coworker's annual maintenance contract does include this inspection.
Are single wall tanks being phased out by code in some parts of the country?




https://youtube.com/watch?v=KLGNemEHG08

Paul48

Tell your oil supplier you'd like tank insurance. If it's available, you'll find out where you stand, because they will make sure your tanks in good shape before they'll insure it.

Jack M

Paul48 said:

they will make sure your tanks in good shape before they'll insure it.

By what method of inspection will they "make sure that it is in good shape?" Will they rely solely on "good judgement?"

Paul48

They'll use ultra-sound, and if there is any visible seepage they won't even bother with that.

Jack M

Is ultra-sound a reliable test? The technology seems suspicious, akin to finding water with a willow branch.

Jamie Hall

Ultrasound is very reliable, when it is done properly. It measures wall thickness by timing a pulse of sound going out and bouncing off the inner wall.

The same principle is used for finding cracks in gas turbine rotors... railroad tracks... big boilers... railroad steam engine boilers... gas pipelines... pretty much anywhere you want to measure the thickness of the metal without cutting a hole in it.

Paul48

They use it to determine if they will insure your tank. It is very reliable.

lchmb

If nothing else it's getting people to pay attention to the tank.

billtwocase

I have seen it done. It gave a 50 year old excellent condition tank an extended life. Test was required, or replacement from an insurance company. I still install single wall tanks. Nothing wrong with them. I am also Roth certified if the customer so chooses

Jack M

billtwocase said:

I I still install single wall tanks. Nothing wrong with them. I am also Roth certified if the customer so chooses

Are some states mandating double wall tanks. I read an article from a newspaper in Maine that claimed 0% of replacement installation are single wall. They have a program in Maine to replace old tanks.

Aaron_in_Maine

Jack M said:

billtwocase said:

I I still install single wall tanks. Nothing wrong with them. I am also Roth certified if the customer so chooses

Are some states mandating double wall tanks. I read an article from a newspaper in Maine that claimed 0% of replacement installation are single wall. They have a program in Maine to replace old tanks.

That is false if the tank is replaced with government money it will be a double bottom or a Roth tank. I have put in plenty of single wall tanks. There are a couple towns around that have made laws for Roth style tanks only.

Jack M

Aaron_in_Maine said:

Jack M said:

billtwocase said:

I I still install single wall tanks. Nothing wrong with them. I am also Roth certified if the customer so chooses

Are some states mandating double wall tanks. I read an article from a newspaper in Maine that claimed 0% of replacement installation are single wall. They have a program in Maine to replace old tanks.

That is false if the tank is replaced with government money it will be a double bottom or a Roth tank. I have put in plenty of single wall tanks. There are a couple towns around that have made laws for Roth style tanks only.

Thanks for setting me straight. Maine's DEP web site states the following:

ChrisJ

I had someone I respect an awful lot tell me all tanks should be Roth.

I'm going to go with that because I trust his opinion.

Many people drove cars without collapsible steering columns for years too, doesn't mean I want one.

burnerman_2

I am still not sold on The test we tested one that was Leaking and it Passed. But like some one said it makes the Tech look at the tank and may see the Sign of a future problem .

j a_2

Ultra sound is a very reliable test as stated, used for many years to find cracks in commercial aircraft... We used to find them lots easier when smoking was allowed on planes....just look for the nicotine stains....I was a gas guy not an oil guy, but my guess is a good oil guy can pretty much tell on a visual....Noone is crazy enough to insure A 30 year old tank....I would guess....A new tank is about the same cost as a weekend getaway.... If your tank is old and u question it Replace it....pretty simple

Marz

well said j a. I will add that Roth style tanks have their own issues. I think Billtwocase will agree. Plastic... O-rings... Bulkhead nuts... Yes we have had problems with these tanks. Double bottom steel tanks..... All day

Jack M

Called the local supply house to order a plastic pan or containment tray to slide under the existing 275 gallon tank. The sales desk said they did not have any in stock but could have one for Monday. They stopped stocking trays because most people just put the money towards a Roth tank instead.

Kakashi

Roth has 30 warranty with their tanks now. 30 years of no tank insurance.

billtwocase

There are some towns on the Lower Cape here that require them. It is not State mandated here in Mass, but on coastal Cape Cod, some towns are requiring double wall. Generally the health departments mandate this along with fire prevention. Local codes can always add to a state code, but never subtract from. These are generally above ground, outside, cement pad, cabled down. Been code here for decades.

billtwocase

Also, those tank pans are cheap, and readily available from Sid Harvey. Very small fraction of the cost of a Roth tank

Jack M

They offer the slide in tank tray with an alarm that can also (optional) send a signal through the home's security system to a third party monitoring/security company. Called "oil yeller"
oilyeller.com/index.asp
Sensors are also available domestically
cleaningupoil.com/shop/tank-containment-products/tank-alarm/