oil safety valve massachusetts quotation

A recent Massachusetts news story about a couple whose home heating oil tank leaked causing thousands of dollars in damage, has many homeowners wondering if their home insurance provides coverage for an oil tank leak.Home oil tanks contain hundreds of gallons of home heating oil. If your home heating oil tank leaks, it can cause extensive damage to your home, possessions, the environment and even your neighbors’ property.

All residential oil tanks and systems have the possibility of leaking, regardless of their age or any upgrades. According to Safety Insurance, “most home heating oil spills and leaks result from the delivery or supply line that carries home heating oil from the storage tank to the furnace.” (1)

The cost of remediation of a residential oil spill is expensive and depends upon how many gallons have spilled, how long the spill was allowed to continue, whether the concrete and/or ground below the tank has been affected, whether a water supply or neighboring property was affected, as well as other factors.  The costs of remediation can range from $15,000 to more than $150,000, which could jeopardize a homeowners’ financial stability.

If your home is heated by oil, with a tank either above or underground, it’s important to know what your homeowners’ insurance will or will not cover.

Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies provide coverage to repair or replace your home and its contents in the event of damage caused by fires, lightning strikes, windstorms and hail, theft or vandalism. However, there are some losses not covered by home insurance without a supplemental policy. Unfortunately, home heating oil tank leaks fall into this category.

Most homeowners’ policies have a pollution exclusion provision and don’t cover remediation for oil leaks without the purchase of an additional Escaped Liquid Fuel Endorsement.

Despite the law, few homeowners have invested in the optional coverage. In fact,environmental law attorney Susan Crane said only “7% of Massachusetts homeowners who heat with oil have the coverage in place.” (3)

The endorsements that are offered are based upon tanks and fuel oil systems complying with Massachusetts “Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law” (Chapter 453 of the acts of 2008, amended 2010)(2). The steps to add the endorsement will differ depending on your specific insurance company, but most require the following to add the endorsement:

You must have a visual inspection of the fuel supply lines for the heating oil storage tank completed by a certified oil technician. The oil technician must then sign and date a certificate of compliance Form 1A.

The cost of damage caused to your property by the sudden and accidental overflow/escape of fuel oil from an oil tank, or supply lines connected to your heating system.

Home heating oil leaks can not only be a pain to clean/remediate but can also be costly, cause environmental damage, and the fumes pose a significant risk to homeowners’ health.

Your Account Manager can review your current homeowners’ insurance to ensure sufficient coverage in the event of an oil heat related loss or make recommendations for adding the Escape Liquid Fuel Endorsement to your policy. In addition to home insurance, McSweeney & Ricci has provided car insurance, condo insurance, boat and watercraft insurance, as well as life and business insurance to thousands of Massachusetts individuals and families since 1964. Look to McSweeney & Ricci for broad coverage, competitive rates to suit a variety of budgets, and the local insurance support you deserve.

Guide to OSVs - Oil Line Safety Valves: this article describes check valves and fusible link oil safety valves used on oil piping at heating appliances as both a fire safety device and to assist in oil burner servicing.

We explain the purpose of OSVs, which way to turn the OSV or oil line safety valve to open or close it, and we describe common oil line valve installation or use mistakes.

How & Where do We Install a Fusible-Link Firomatic™ Type Oil Safety Valve? This article series explains the installation & use of OSBs, or Fusible Link Oil Safety Valves. We describe and explain the differences in function and use among fusible link fire safety valves (OSVs) like the Firomatic®, vacuum operated OSVs like the Webster OSV and Suntec PRVs, oil line check valves, Tiger Loop and other oil system air removing devices, and oil delay valves or quick-stop valves that are also referred to as oil safety valves.

We explain where each valve is installed and what it does. We include oil safety valve and check valve troubleshooting advice, and we describe defects in heating oil piping & control valves.

The OSV or oil safety valve controls flow of fuel oil to the oil burner of oil-fired heating boilers, furnaces, and water heaters. This inline oil valve is intended to close automatically and thus stop the flow of oil in the oil line in the event of a fire.

Some suppliers use other names for this valve including the "Firomatic" valve (R.W. Beckett) or the "Oil Safety Valve OSVA-38" (Capital City Tool, Inc.).

Fusible Fire Safety Valves are designed to reduce fire damage by shutting off the flow of oil from the oil tank in the event of a fire. These valves conform to UL/ULC 842 and are listed in the US and Canada. They are required by code in residential oil heating installations in conformance with NFPA 31. - R.W. Beckett [4a]

Because the valve includes a fusible link (a lead or other soft metal core), in event of a fire the fusible link melts and the internal spring pushes the valve stem down, closing the valve and stopping oil flow.

Sometimes additional stop valves or OSVs may be installed at other locations (such as at the outlet of an above ground oil storage tank), but the critical location is at the oil burner since that"s a more likely location at which a fire may occur.

Watch out: the Firematic™ fusible-link automatic oil line shutoff valve (photo at left) should only be present on the oil supply line. We explain below

that installing an OSV on the return line of a two pipe oil system can lead to disaster. Instead, where it is necessary to prevent leakage from the return oil line during oil burner servicing we can install a simple one-way check valve on the oil return line (if the oil burner"s fuel unit manufacturer permits.)

Our photo at below left shows an example of a Firematic™ safety valve right at the oil burner. Synonyms people use for this valve include OSV, fire safety valve, oil line valve, Fire-o-Matic valve, Fusible link valve, oil line shutoff valve, oil safety valve, and Fireomatic valve.

In particular, the OSV shown here is installed between the oil filter canister and the fuel unit intake port. That means that it would be impossible to service the oil filter without spilling heating oil unless the service technician finds another oil line shutoff valve somewhere between the oil tank and the inlet side of the oil filter.

With the shutoff valve between the filter canister and the oil burner (above right), changing the oil filter in the canister will require the service tech to go to the more distant oil tank to find and close a valve in that location (if one is even present).

The technician moved the Fire-o-matic OSV to its proper location at the inlet side of the oil filter, and he also installed a Firomatic oil line check valve between the oil filter and the oil burner.

This is an important fire-safety detail as in event of a fire a closed valve on the return line (if it closes before the OSV on the supply line) could cause blowing seals on the oil pump or a blown oil line fitting, spewing fuel oil over the building fire.

In sum, the proper place for the fusible link oil valve (Fire-o-Matic Safety Valve™ for example) is on the oil supply line just before the inlet to the oil filter canister (red arrow, below left), not between the canister and the oil burner as shown at below right (orange arrow).

Below is another two-line oil system showing the OSV on the inlet side of the fuel filter canister just ahead of the oil burner and the oil return line exiting from the bottom of the fuel unit.

Regarding "the best location of an oil filter", NFPA 31 (2011): 7.5.8, for indoor tanks up to 330 gallons, requires that a thermally activated shutoff valve be placed inline as close as practical to the outlet from a tank and that a proper filter or screen be installed downstream and WITHIN SIX INCHES of the required thermally actuated valve. If it"s required in the code, it doesn"t have to "the best" - it just has to comply with the code.

Many oil heat technicians sensibly want to install a fusible-link oil supply line valve at the oil burner, not only because this makes servicing the oil burner easier but because it also recognizes that the most-likely location of a fire is at the oil burner rather than possibly at a more distant oil storage tank.

The photograph above shows the right location for this safety device: at the input end of the oil filter. This permits the service technician to conveniently turn off the oil supply inorder to change the oil filter cartridge.

The writers of NFPA 31 (2011) 7.5.8 as specified above were focused on safety including wanting to avoid oil spills from the tank, but they might also have recognizede that putting an oil filter at the oil tank protects the oil line (between tank and oil burner) from sludge-clogging.

(Jan 23, 2014) oilman said: Your info is wrong. The filter belongs on the tank so it also protects the oil line. If you must install at the burner, it must be piped at least 12" from the pump. Hence why they make 12" flexible oil lines.

Reply: We agree that there is an advantage to protecting the oil line. However some HVAC instructors (including mine) teach that if the filter is not installed by the burner it is too often forgotten at service time.

When the oil tank is a bit more remote - across the garage and buried by the homeowner"s stored surfboards and hiking boots and boxes of tax receipts, the service tech enjoys being able to find the oil burner. Having inspected several thousand heating systems, my [DF] experience is that most of the time the OSV and filter are installed where they are convenient for service - which is usually close to the burner, notwithstanding the very good reasons for locating a filter at the inlet end of the oil line.

Our OPINION [DF] is that if the technician installs an OSV at the oil burner (and ahead of a filter if one is installed there), s/he should install a second OSV on the same oil supply line at the outlet from the oil tank, particularly if the oil tank outlet piping exits at the tank bottom, and ahead of the oil filter (if that"s where it"s installed).

In our OSV photos below, the first photo (below left) shows the oil line safety valve in the OPEN position - oil will flow when the threaded portion of the valve shaft extends fully up through the rotatable knob pointed to by my pencil.[Click any image to see an enlarged version. Thanks to reader Bernie Daraz for pointing out the need for these two photos]

In our heating oil line valve photo at above right the valve has been manually CLOSED - no oil will flow. The threaded valve stem has disappeared down into the valve body and has shut off the valve and oil flow.

Watch out: if (for example in case of a fire) the fusible link inside of an OSV has melted permitting the spring to close the valve, then from outside the valve may look as if it is in the open position - the threaded stem will still be poking out - but the valve has snapped and closed internally. Most likely you"ll know this also because there will have been a fire or other horrible event that melted the OSV fusible link.

Watch out: A simple oil line shutoff valve may not be a fusible-link safety valve. The simple shutoff valve might be any plumbing valve that can manually stop oil flow in the line, but it is not a safety device.

Make sure you"ve installed a fusible-link safety valve at each location where it"s most needed - at each oil burner. Even when one of these valves is installed at the oil tank the proper place for this protection is on the fuel oil supply line

In the event of a fire, if the return oil line valve closes before the supply line oil valve your oil burner pump may burst the oil line or it may cause a fuel pump gasket or seal to fail, leading to uncontrolled oil flow and perhaps worse, spray heating oil everywhere, possibly feeding the building fire.

Thanks to Dave Ferris for this fire safety tip and thanks to reader Rick Johnston for adding clarification. (Note that not oil burners use both an oil supply and oil return line between the oil tank and oil burner.)

Suntec points out in their installation literature for fuel units (oil pumps for oil burners) that pressures over 10 psi on an oil inlet line (normally running at a vacuum) may damage the shaft seal on the pump - i.e., leak heating oil.

Watch Out: If the oil line fire safety valves are missing or are not at the right location, we recommend immediate installation of a Fire-o-matic™ type oil line safety

Recommended (red arrow, photo above left): an automatic oil line shutoff valve on the oil supply line right at each and every individualoil burner: (a type that will shut off oil supply to the heating equipment in the event of a fire, such as a Fire-o-Matic™ valve) is shown in our photo at left.

By every oil burner, we mean for example that if your heating system and also your hot water heater each has its own oil burner then each burner should have an oil safety valve. (As in our photo above left).

A common but poor practice is to install an oil valve just at the oil tank or perhaps installing a single oil safety valve at the oil burner for the heating boiler but omitting the oil safety valve for the oil fired water heater in the same building.

A second oil line shutoff valve on the oil supply line at the oil tank (photo above right) is ok as long as you have also provided the first oil safety valve at the oil burner(s).

Some service technicians install a second oil safety valve at the oil tank or at another remote location away from the oil burner, such as at the building wall where an outdoor oil tank line enters the building, or right at the oil tank (photo at above right - this oil tank valve is leaking).

This second valve is helpful if it becomes necessary to replace the oil line between oil tank and oil burner. Although our photo above shows a fusible link oil valve at the oil tank, the oil line shutoff valve at the oil tank or at a location remote from the oil burner or other more likely fire sources can be a normal plumbing stop valve.

However a common exception we see in the field is an OSV at the oil burner and a second OSV (or perhaps a simple shutoff valve, not thermally linked) at the oil tank end of the oil line.

Teflon tape at OSV threaded oil line or fuel unit connections: Webster"s instructions and some other manufacturers also specifically warn: Do Not Use Teflon Tape. Use of teflon tape voids all warranties. (Webster 2011)

The concern is that should a fire occur in the building, and should an OSV on the oil return line close before the OSV on the supply line, the fuel unit may over-pressurize the oil lines, causing a burst oil line that then sprays high-pressure oil into the fire, increasing its size and spread-rate.

Use an oil line check valve instead. Or if the heating equipment manufacturer recommends against using a check valve in the oil piping system (Suntec prohibits, Webster recommends) then leave it out.

Our photo (left, red arrow) illustrates this hazard: you will see fusible link safety valves on both the oil feeder line (blue arrow, left side of photo before the oil filter canister) and the oil return line (red arrow, right side of the photograph).

Unlike a fusible link OSV that shuts in response to high temperature to provide fire protection at the oil burner, a vacuum operated OSV opens only in response to a "sustained vacuum" created at its outlet end when the oil burner"s fuel unit pump is drawing oil from the supply.

Vacuum-operated safety valves offer protection against oil line leaks and against overpressure conditions on the supply side of the fuel unit. They are not a fire-safety valve.

Protection against over-pressure from the supply piping prevents leaks at the fuel pump inlet or seals that might occur when the fuel pump is not operating but the supply piping is under pressure from the oil source.

If two oil lines are used to supply an oil burner, (a supply and a return) install an oil safety valve or OSV or fusible link oil line shutoff valve only on the oil supply line at the oil pump on the oil burner.Do NOT install an automatic oil line shutoff on the return oil line between the oil burner and the oil tank.

If a protection against oil back-flow at the return line is a concern, and if the manufacturer recommends it, use a check valve instead. Check valves like this one permit oil to flow just in one direction. They do not close down in event of a fire. Installed on the oil return line a check valve permits oil to flow from the oil pump in one direction only: back to the oil tank.

Typically the oil line de aerator device such as the Tigerloop is installed at the same location as the oil filter - just before oil enters the fuel unit (oil pump), as shown in our photograph at left, provided courtesy of reader E.I..

The Firomatic® oil line valve can be installed in ANY position - (vertical, horizontal, upside down) at least that"s what we were taught and what we have seen - the valve is spring loaded.

In a fire the fusible link, a lead core, melts at 165°F and a spring in the valve assembly snaps the valve shut to assure that the heating system does not feed oil to a building fire. It has to work in any orientation.

This list provides some of the companies produce fusible-link inline oil safety valves (OSVs). The footnote links point to the companies" contact information in our REFERENCES section, but generally you would purchase an OSV from your local heating equipment supplier or plumbing supplier.

AFL Industries, AFL OIL STOP VALVE PRODUCT BULLETIN [PDF] AFL Industries, 1101 West 13th St., Riviera Beach FL 33404 USA, Tel: 561-844-5200 includes OSV installation instructions for the contractor.

Bursey, Charles, "The Oil Safety Valve (Service)", Charles Bursey, Sr., Fuel Oil News, February 2006 (Still trying to get the full article - October 2008 - DF) Charles W. Bursey Sr. can be reached at F.W. Webb Co. www.fwwebb.com/

Cleanburn Energy CLEANBURN MULTI-OIL FURNACE OPERATORS MANUAL [PDF] (2009) Clean Burn Energy Systems, CLEAN BURN, INC. 34 Zimmerman Road Leola, PA 17540 U.S.A. includes Oil Safety Valve Installation Instructions

R.W. Beckett (U.S. & Canada) Firomatic Fire Safety Valves Beckett Corporation produces /distributes a wide range of oil burners & oil burner accessories * equipment including the oil safety valve (OSV) referred to as Firomatic® fusible fire safety valves, oil line check valves, and fusible link thermal switches

Beckett"s Firomatic® OSVs are provided in both 3/8" and 1/2" sizes and in flare and threaded designs. OSVs are provided designed for installation at the oil burner and in a different model at the oil storage tank.

Fusible fire safety valves are designed to reduce fire damage by shutting off the flow of oil from the oil tank in the event of a fire. These valves conform to UL/ULC 842 and are listed in the U.S. and Canada. They are required by code in residential oil heating installations in conformance with NFPA 31.

All[Firomatic® fire safety] valves are embossed with the direction of oil flow and include unique part number identification ring on each valve. The seal stem uses a double seal washer/o-ring system with high grade Viton® equivalent materials suitable for No. 2 fuel oil, kerosene, and jp to 205 biodiesel blend.

Oil under pressure or vacuum is supplied to the inlet of the PRV valve. Vacuum is required at the outlet of the PRV valve to open it and to allow oil to flow. When a burner starts, the pump will supply the vacuum necessary to open the valve. Any leak in the system which prevents vacuum from being exerted on the outlet port of teh valvewill prevent oil from flowing.

ISP Automation, Firomatic Globe Type Oil Line Valves & Lever Type Fusible Link Control Valves: ISP Automation, Inc., 1035 Old Georges Road, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, Phone: 866-383-3481, FAX 866-383-3482, Email: support@ispautomation.com http://www.ispautomation.com/

Webster "Service Technician"s Handbook, Webster Fuel Pumps & Valves" [handbook]. Webster Fuel Pumps & Valves, Capitol City Tool, Inc., http://www.websterfuelpumps.com/ , Division of Capital City Tool, Inc., Op. Cit.

Webster, OSV SERIES OIL SAFETY VALVES DIMENSIONS & SPECIFICATIONS [PDF] Fuel oil safety valves, Webster Fuel Pumps & Valves, web search 10/12/2011 original source http://www.websterfuelpumps.com/pdffiles/osv1.pdf

Webster, "Dimensions & Specifications, OSV Series Oil Safety Valves, OSVA 38, OSVA 50", Webster Fuel Pumps & Valves, (1980), Op. Cit. retrieved 2/24/2014, original source: http://www.websterfuelpumps.com/pdffiles/osv1.pdf

The current fusible link valve product properly named Firomatic is so widely also called "Firematic" and "Fireomatic" that we include those terms to assist readers in finding this information. Who manufactures the Firomatic fusible link valve? R.W. Beckett. Who manufactures vacuum-operated OSVs? Webster & Suntec (the PRV). We explain the differences among these products in this article series.

RW BECKETT RECALL for FIROMATIC 1/2" FEMALE PIPE THREAD FUSIBVLE SAFETY VALVE [PDF] P/N 12130 - the stem may not travel far enough to shut off the flow of fuel if exposed to trip point temperature. Posted until 4/1/2017, retrieved 2019/10/09 original source: https://static.globalindustrial.com/site/pdf/RW_Beckett_Firomatic_Female_Pipe_Thread_Recall.pdf

Excerpt: Recently, we became aware of a design deficiency in our ½” ‘Firomatic’ Fusible Safety Valve part number 12130. This bulletin covers ONLY the ½” FPT version p/n 12130, previous p/n B200F.

Under certain conditions, if the valve is exposed to temperatures exceeding the handle’s temperature rating and the valve ‘fires’ or actuates, the stem may not travel far enough to properly seat the valve and shut off the flow of fuel. This could result in a dangerous situation if there is a ruptured fuel line downstream of the valve. There have been no reports of this situation arising, but the potential for this issue to occur does exist. This does not affect the valve’s operation when used as a manual shut off valve.

The current design of the 12130 – ½” FPT valve and handle assembly was in production prior to R W Beckett’s acquisition of the Firomatic® product line. We have been unable to determine exact dates for any changes made to the design by previous manufacturers. Therefore this bulletin covers all Firomatic® ½” FPT valves, whether using our part number 12130 or the obsolete part number B200F, used by Highfield Manufacturing. Suspect valves can be identified by the name ‘Firomatic’ cast into the body of the valve. See illustration below.

A re-design of the 12130 valve will be available pending agency approvals and manufacturing process lead times. We are anticipating the re-designed valve to be available by January 1, 2017.

RW BECKETT RECALL for FIROMATIC 1/2" FEMALE PIPE THREAD FUSIBVLE SAFETY VALVE [PDF] P/N 12130 - OLDER COPY - the stem may not travel far enough to shut off the flow of fuel if exposed to trip point temperature. Posted until 4/1/2017, retrieved 2019/10/09 original source: https://static.globalindustrial.com/site/pdf/RW_Beckett_Firomatic_Female_Pipe_Thread_Recall.pdf

It might matter tremendously which way your OSV or oil safety valve is installed and in any event we ought to follow the manufacturer"s instructions including the flow arrow.

Here"s just one example. Some OSVs such as sold by Webster include a pressure-isolating feature that protects the fuel unit (the oil pump) from additional pressures that might come from the oil feed such as from an overhead oil feed line or even an elevated oil tank. Typically codes specify that the input pressure from the oil delivery piping ahead of the burner"s fuel unit not exceed 3 psi.

Those Webster OSVs include an internal valve that is designed to OPEN in RESPONSE to the FUEL UNIT OPERATION. So if the valve is installed backwards that feature will not work and the fuel unit may not pump oil properly to the burner nozzle.

Fusible Fire Safety Valves are designed to reduce fire damage by shutting off the flow of oil from the oil tank in the event of a fire. These valves conform to UL/ULC 842 and are listed in the US and Canada. They are required by code in residential oil heating installations in conformance with NFPA 31.

All valves are embossed with the direction of oil flow and include unique part number identification ring or each valve. The seal stem uses a double seal washer/ o-ring system with high grade Viton® equivalent materials suitable for No. 2 fuel oil, Kerosene and up to 20% Biodiesel blend.

Watch out: That"s because in the event of a fire a lead core in the valve is intended to melt to allow the valve to close - to stop feeding oil to a possible building fire. So if the valve is jammed it"s unsafe.

My concern is the stem does not go back into the valve or come out of it any further than it currently is no matter which direction I turn the valve or how many turns I make. Since the valve does not STOP turning in either direction, I"m concerned the valve is faulty.

If the stem pokes up out of the valve handle you"ve screwed the valve "down" and it is "open" to pass oil. Remember that these valves are threaded opposite of most others.

The knob on my OSV does not tighten up no matter how many times I turn it in either direction. The threaded stem in the center is protruding out about 2mm so I"m not sure if the valve is fully opened or closed. Is there a fix for this or do I need to replace the OSV?

If you have a fusible link valve that doesn"t seem to turn off you might try tapping the exposed end of the valve stem. I have found a stuck, or slow to close OSV on a few rare occasions. A gentle tap, not hard enough to damage threads, loosens it after which I open and close the valve a few times to convince myself it now moves freely. A burr on the brass interior or more likely internal sludge or debris could be the culprit.

Because at the oil burner the OSV is likely to be used at least once a year during service, that"s a good opportunity to discover if the valve is not closing fully.

In my opinion painting a fusible link is potentially unsafe - paint may interfere with mechanical operation of the valve. Most likely the manufacturer will agree, though they may not have imagined that event.

there must be an exception to the rule. my firematic valves open counter-clockwise and close clockwise and are definitely firematic valves because of their construction. they are just like the photos above but turn in the opposite direction you describe

I have a Themopride oil furnace that loses prime over night when the thermostat is lowed. It has a tigerloop installed. Why is there oil in the tigerloop if it loses prime?

Also, how do you recommend trouble shooting this? There are several valve one at each end of the supply line and one before the tigerloop that I could close for a few hours and see if it solves the problem (that would atleast narrow it down to a few fittings)

On a manual 1" fireomatic valve where the bonnett section joins the valve body, is that a brass on brass fit or is there suppose to be an o-ring or gasket? Does the OEM (Fireomatic) permitt valve disassembly for installation purposes? Thanks.

Mike I"ve installed these valves but have not tried disassembling one. If your unit is from Beckett, who currently provides the Fireomatic oil safety valve as well as the "New England Safety Switch" that uses a similar mechanism, then you might give them a call to ask.

Is there a inspection protocol for these valves like Morrison has on there fusible link valves (some quarterly inspections some yearly) and are they fine to use on gasoline lines I see only oil mentioned.

Watch out: do not use an oil line safety valve in ANY application other than those listed by UL and by the manufacturer - in this case, on heating oil supply lines.

Continue reading at OIL LINE SAFETY VALVE TURN DIRECTION to OPEN or SHUT or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

OIL LINE SAFETY VALVES, OSVs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

[1]AUDELS OIL BURNER GUIDE, INSTALLING, SERVICING, REPAIRING, [PDF online copy of this book] Frank D. Graham, Theo. Audel & Co., New York 1946, 1947, 1955 (out of print, copies occasionally available from antique book dealers and on EBay). Use THIS LINK to read a free online copy of this helpful classic textbook.

[2] Beckett Model SR Oil Burner Instruction Manual, R.W. Beckett Corporation, PO Box 1289, Elyria OH 44036 and R.W. Beckett Canada, Ltd., 430 Laird St., Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 3x7

[17] Newmac Furnaces & Boilers, "Installation, Operating, and Service Manual, Oil Fired Boiler Model NBR-2001 NBR 2002", (2007) Newmac Manufacturing, Inc., Debert Air Industrial Park, Lancaster Crescent, PO Box 9, Debert, Nova Scotia, BOM 1GO Canada, Tel: 902-662-3840, retrieved 2/23/2014

Thanks to Rick Johnston for pointing out that the more likely cause of a fire safety valve in the return oil line is a burst seal on the fuel unit 4/6/2009

Thanks to reader Bernie Daraz for suggesting the need for clear photographs illustrating the OSV or oil line safety valve in the open and closed positions. Personal correspondence 2/15/2013.

Thanks to reader T.R. for suggesting clarity on where oil safety valves should or should not be installed and for discussing the proper hook-up location for the Tigerloop and similar oil line prime protection & air removal devices. April 2011.

Thanks to reader Anonymous by request 2/23/2014, for requesting clarification of the safety hazards involved in placing an OSV on the return line of a two-pipe oil system.

TECHNICAL REFERENCE GUIDE to manufacturer"s model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment, useful for determining the age of heating boilers, furnaces, water heaters is provided by Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates

When your home or business property needs oil tank installation or tank replacement, CommTank has the knowledge, experience and quality products for successful tank installation. Our service areas throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire are filled with satisfied customers. Our team of area installation technicians has all the information you need to gain answers to your questions.

Advancements in use of technology have resulted in tanks manufactured with corrosion-resistant materials such as polyethylene and double-wall steel. All fittings are now mounted on tank tops to eliminate risk of damage to fittings mounted below the fuel level. The amount of service life of today’s oil tanks can be as long as 50 years, if properly installed and maintained. We provide people with access to the best tank manufacturers in the industry: Roth and Granby.

Home oil tank installation by CommTank people ensures you gain the best service, the best products and the best warranties. We never want you to worry about your oil tank. It’s that simple. CommTank offers a one year labor warranty that’s unique in the industry. This one year warranty starts on the day of installation.

Roth tanks have a blow-molded seamless inner tank of high-density polyethylene, which is absolutely leak-proof and corrosion-resistant. The outer tank is made of galvanized steel, lock seamed and sealed with an oil and fire-resistant seal. The outer tank protects the inner tank, and offers secondary containment should the inner tank fail. Roth tanks feature a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty on parts and equipment.

A common heating oil tank size for home use across New England is 275-gallons. More options are available, however. People request larger or smaller tanks based on the home size they are heating as well as access to the basement or garage where the tank will be located. Basements with small doorways, sharp turns in stairways or low ceilings require low profile or smaller tanks. Storage capacity can be maintained by linking 2 or more tanks in a daisy chain. Here is the range of sizes currently available in a Roth Tank.

Local fire departments require heating oil tank installation permits to ensure work is performed in accordance with either their own code, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the International Code Council (ICC). Massachusetts cities and towns charge anywhere from $10-$75 in tank installation permit fees. The fees cover the cost of inspection and record maintenance. After a new tank installation is complete, the Fire Department sends an inspector to verify the tank is installed to code, and signs off on the permit. Many New Hampshire cities and towns require permits for tank installations but do not charge permit fees.

Coverage for leaks from oil heat systems must be offered by insurance companies, as mandated by Massachusetts law since 2010. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware of the coverage because it is an optional purchase. Coverage includes response action costs and third party claims associated with oil spill remediation. To be eligible for coverage, you must meet these requirements:

The residential property owner must supply proof that the fuel tank has leak-prevention systems (either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve).

CommTank installs Granby and Roth heating oil tanks using polyethylene-coated copper tube, which meets the leak prevention requirement. If you plan to add this optional insurance, we can provide a letter to your insurance company verifying compliance.

If you have a heating oil tank in your home, be sure you consider purchasing an “Escaped Liquid Fuel Endorsement” aka Oil Remediation coverage for your policy if you haven’t already done so.  Because not every home is heated by oil, home insurance policies typically exclude coverage for fuel contamination to personal property, groundwater, and a neighbor’s property unless you have purchased oil remediation coverage, which is optional.

The possibility of an oil spill remains regardless of the age of your system and any upgrades.  Clean-up and potential liability costs can be substantial compared to the cost of adding this coverage, which ranges between $50-$100 on average depending on the coverage you purchase. Coverage limits provided vary by insurance company, but typically start at a minimum of $50,000 for your personal property and $100,000+ for third-party liability.

If you have oil heat, but haven’t yet talked with us about obtaining oil remediation coverage, contact a Murphy Insurance Associate today to discuss available options.

1. The installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices; and

1. First party coverage (for the homeowners themselves) of at least $50,000 for the cost of cleaning up a leak to soil, indoor air, or other environmental media from a home heating system at the residence itself and reimbursement for personal property damages, and

For homes to be eligible for the insurance coverage, homeowners must ensure their oil heating systems are in compliance with or exempt from the law. Exemptions:

• Those changes comply with the oil burning equipment regulations; a copy of the oil burner permit from the local fire department may be used to demonstrate compliance.

Please note: Oil heating systems installed on or after January 1, 1990 are most likely already in compliance because state fire codes implemented these requirements on new installations at that time.

Next steps: Have your licensed oil burner technician give you a certificate of compliance and contact us to add this important coverage to your homeowner policy.

It’s crucial to understand the dangers residential oil tank leaks can produce and how to prevent the need for repairs. Being proactive in managing your oil tank and knowing which property insurance policies are available will help you avoid the headache of property damage and a costly repair bill.

If you notice any signs, contact a professional as soon as possible to have the problem assessed and repaired. Ignoring an oil leak can significantly damage your home and put you and your community in danger.

Residential oil leaks can also cause a substantial amount of property damage. In some cases, the damage may be so extensive that the home is no longer livable.

Oil leaks can also contaminate standing water or even the sewer and septic pipes that stretch throughout the community. Take immediate action if you suspect an oil leak on your property to minimize the amount of damage.

On September 30, 2011, Massachusetts enacted a law, MGL Chapter 453 Section 3, which requires all homeowners to upgrade the oil line between your tank and burner if it is in direct contact with a floor surface. This bill is aimed to facilitate homeowner heating oil spill remediation. This law states that insurance companies will be required to offer optional pollution insurance coverage to homeowners that comply with certain oil tank system safety specifications.

This includes requiring residential property owners with heating oil tanks that have a fuel supply line in direct contact with a concrete floor surface to 1) enclose the line with a continuous non-metallic sleeve, or 2) install an oil safety valve.

Preventing costly oil tank repair bills isn’t as complicated as you might think; there are several ways to keep an eye on your heating system to ensure you catch a leak before it starts.

Even if you commit to being proactive about maintaining your residential oil tank, it is best to talk with your insurance agent to see what additional coverage may be needed for your policy. Most insurance carriers base homeowner policies don’t cover damage to your home or personal property after an oil leak. In certain states optional fuel spill coverage is offered to eligible policyholders that provides limited coverage for damage to your home and personal possessions resulting from an oil spill and limited liability coverage for environmental clean up to prevent ground water contamination and other pollution damage. Coverage varies by company and can generally be purchased for less than $100 year.

If you own a residential oil tank and need property insurance to keep you covered,reach out to one of our representatives by calling (800) 443-7007to find a policy that works for you!

Under a new Massachusetts oil heating lawwhich went into effect on September 30, 2011, every homeowner with an oil heating system is required to install an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve in their system. The cost is approximately $150 to $350 depending on the system. The required upgrade is to prevent leaks from tanks and pipes that connect to your furnace. The upgrade will reduce the risk of an oil leak so by making a relatively small expenditure now, you can prevent a much greater expense in the future.

Owners of 1- to 4-unit residences that are heated with oil must already have or install an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with a protective sleeve. Installation of these devices must be performed by a licensed oil burner technician. Technicians are employed by companies that deliver home heating oil or are self-employed. It is important to note that heating oil systems installed on or after January 1, 1990 most likely are already in compliance because state fire codes implemented these requirements on new installations at that time.

those changes are in compliance with the oil burning equipment regulations; a copy of the oil burner permit from the local fire department may be used to demonstrate compliance.

Not only is complying with the new law required, it makes good financial and environmental sense. Homeowners who take these preventive measures can avoid the disruption and expense that can be caused by heating oil leaks. A leak may result in exposure to petroleum vapors in your home. If the leak reaches the soil or groundwater beneath your house, then a cleanup must be performed to restore your property to state environmental standards. Such a leak can cost many thousands to clean up. Leaks that affect another property or impact drinking water supply wells can complicate the cleanup and increase the expense. Each year, several hundred Massachusetts families experience some kind of leak.

The typical cost of installing either an oil safety valve or oil supply line with a protective sleeve ranges from $150 – $350 (including labor, parts, and local permit fees).

We also provide on-site electronic testing of your safety valves while your plant operates as an option. IVI is cognizant of the need to complete safety valve projects within a designated time frame. We pride ourselves on meeting critical deadlines during outages/shutdowns. We attribute this success to the planning of the projects and attention to detail by our project managers. In addition, IVI can provide technical support and maintenance coordination for all your valve repairs - during outages as well - and will have you back online with the least amount of downtime. This ensures that you will attain an extensive reduction in operating costs resulting in greater profits.

This coverage provides an allowance of $1,000 toward replacement of your main heating boiler or furnace if a Petro inspection determines that your existing equipment is not repairable.

here are subject to Petro’s terms and conditions of service. **Covers residential, oil-fired water heaters up to a maximum firing rate of 1.25 gallons per hour. Excludes coverage of the water heater tank, recirculation lines and components,

That means it pays to repair property (including your home, land, personal property, soil, groundwater, and neighbor’s land) damaged by fuel that escapes from a fuel system on your residence. It also covers any fees and settlement costs if you were to be sued for bodily injury or property damage from fuel that escapes from a fuel system on your residence.

According to one of our carriers, If you purchase this optional coverage and your home was built before 1990, you will be required to confirm that any fuel or supply lines that touch concrete, dirt or any other type of flooring are enclosed in a non-metallic covering. You must also show that any oil safety shut off valves or other approved release prevention methods are in place and have been installed per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Escaped liquid fuel coverage will not pay to repair or replace a damaged oil system, or any lost fuel. It also does not cover oil spills from a motor vehicle or watercraft.

The cost of an escaped liquid fuel endorsement will vary depending on your limits and whether your oil tank is underground or exposed above ground (although many carriers won’t even cover underground tanks), but our carriers say they usually see the endorsement increase home insurance premiums by $70 to $400.

An oil spill on your property could leave you out tens of thousands, and let’s be real: for most of us that is far from chump change. So you may want to consider an escaped liquid fuel endorsement to protect yourself.

Perfect for homes with new boilers, this plan covers any service that may be required due to mechanical failure of essential components of the heating system and domestic water piping within a few feet of the boiler. Annual tune-up, service calls during normal business hours and even one emergency after-hours call are included. NOTE: We do not recommend this plan for warm-air furnaces.

The “A”stands for “annual tune-up.” This annual service plan covers the oil burning and safety components of your system and includes periodic or annual maintenance and repairs to the covered parts during regular business hours.

1. the installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices and

“First party coverage” of at least $50,000 for the cost of cleaning up a leak to soil, indoor air, or other environmental media from a home heating system at the residence itself and reimbursement for personal property damage, AND

When it comes to tank lines, safety is our number one priority. If your home is more than 10 years old, it may be time to have the fuel lines checked. Lines buried in the floor are usually made from copper, steel, brass or iron, and therefore when they come into contact with soil, concrete or water, there is a possibility they will corrode and release small amounts of oil. A delivery line break can also occur when there is a shifting in a home"s foundation, basement floor, or the soil surrounding it.

In fact, Massachusetts law requires all new delivery lines installed to be encased in protective sleeves or have an oil safety valve. These nonmetallic protective sleeves encase and protect delivery lines against damage and corrosion.

Our Townsend Energy Service Technicians have the know-how to inspect your lines on a regular basis and, if replacement lines are needed, install new, double-walled lines and an Oil Safety Valve (OSV) with very little interruption to your existing system. Please call us to schedule an inspection of your oil tank fuel delivery line today.

There are a lot of advantages to having oil for your heating fuel-The Department of Ecology studies indicate that oil heats 16% more efficiently than natural gas. With those advantages of course, some concerns. How does your homeowner’s insurance and oil heat go together?

1) The installation of either an oil safety valve or an oil supply line with protective sleeve on systems that do not currently have these devices; and

It’s been more than 13 years since that law has passed, but coverage for oil leaks is still a relatively unsold product. As your agent, we feel its important to educate you on your options for protection against costly clean up and repair.

When you compare the cost of purchasing coverage to the cost of cleaning up an oil spill, it becomes very easy to see why adding escaped fuel coverage is a smart decision. Usually costing between $100-$200 a year depending on the limits of coverage you choose, the benefits of purchasing far outweigh the potential cost of cleanup-which usually exceed $50,000.