Where is the vent alarm on an oil tank?
On the inside of the tank, hanging beneath the Vent Pipe, is the Whistle/Vent Alarm. The whistle measures approximately 6 inches long, but can vary in height for different tanks. As the air escapes, it makes an audible whistling sound that the driver can hear from outside the house.
How do you clean an exhaust whistle on an oil tank?
Pour half a gallon of mineral spirits (paint thinner) down the vent line. This should wash away the softened deposit and leave a clean whistle. In case it is not obvious, let us point out that these things should not be poured into the vent line just before filling the tank.
What is a vent whistle?
The Department of Labor & Industry requires that all indoor oil tanks with outside fills have a Whistle Vent to prevent overfill. This audible alarm is mandatory on any oil tank where the tank is not visible during filling such as in a basement.
What is an oil vent pipe?
As oil is being pumped into a heating oil tank from your fill pipe, it displaces air. The air flows out of the vent pipe, which causes the whistling sound. Under normal operation (when we are not filling) your vent is designed to relieve the vacuum created from your oil burner pulling oil from the tank.
How do I check my oil tank whistle?
Starts here4:26Clear and blocked Heating oil vent pipes Explained – YouTubeYouTube
Why do tanks need vents?
Tank vents allow the flow of air/vapour in and out of a storage tank, process vessel or line and control the pressure within vapour space.
How do I know if my oil tank is leaking?
check all visible pipework, valves and filters for damage and signs of leaks, such as dampness or staining, especially around joints. check vegetation around the tank for signs of die-back. check secondary containment (tank bunds) for liquid or rubbish.
Do oil tanks make noise?
But don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. Besides your tank, your heating oil storage system includes the fill pipe, vent pipe and vent alarm. As oil flows into the tank, air from the tank gets pushed back out. As the air goes through the vent alarm–located between your tank and vent pipe–it makes a whistling sound.
What makes an oil tank whistle?
As oil is being pumped into a heating oil tank from your fill pipe, it displaces air. The air flows out of the vent pipe, which causes the whistling sound. When the vent pipe stops whistling, this indicates to our driver the tank is full. Without a working whistle, a driver can not put fuel in a basement tank.
Can PVC be used for oil tank vent?
Unfortunately, there have been a number of tanks incorrectly installed with plastic fill and vent pipes; plastic (including PVC) pipes are not suitable because they will burn, and (more important from our point of view) because the become brittle in cold weather and more likely to crack while tanks are being filled.