[Archived] Alexandria Fire Department asks home owners to check their property for abandoned fuel oil fill pipes.

 January 5, 2012

 News Highlights

•  Homeowners who have or have had residential home heating oil tanks should check their property for abandoned fuel oil fill piping.
• Abandoned fuel oil fill piping should be removed by a licensed contractor.
• Abandoned fuel oil fill piping should be labeled as “Abandoned – Do Not Use” until piping can be removed.

More Information

• https://www.alexandriava.gov/fire/info/default.aspx?id=43518#Environmental_Investigation_Unit
• https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/code/info/Demolition%20Procedures%20and%20Bond%2009.10(1).pdf
• https://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/fire/code/info/Underground%20Storage%20Tank%20Removal%2004.09(1).pdf

 The Alexandria Fire Department is requesting homeowners who have or have had home heating fuel oil tanks to check their property to determine if they have abandoned fuel oil fill piping on their property.  Homeowners who have had fuel oil tanks removed, abandoned in place or relocated are required to have all fill piping to these systems removed.  In some cases the contractor fails to remove the piping.  In these instances, a home heating oil contractor can mistakenly connect to the fill piping and pump home heating oil through it.  This can result in large amounts of heating oil entering the home resulting in a costly clean up.

If homeowners discover abandoned oil fill piping on their property, they are advised to clearly label the piping “ABANDONED – DO NOT USE” until the piping can be removed by a licensed contractor.   For further information concerning home heating oil tanks, tank abandonment and removal of abandoned oil fill piping, please contact Russell Furr, Assistant Fire Marshal, Environmental Investigation Unit, at 703.746.4247.

For more information, contact Russell Furr, Assistant Fire Marshal, Alexandria Fire Department, at 703.746.4247 or Russell.Furr@alexandriava.gov