02 — Inspect
OFTEC tank and asset inspections
An OFTEC inspection establishes what condition your fuel infrastructure is actually in — rather than what the last contractor said it was. Our registered engineers record and risk-rate every asset on site, photograph the evidence, and issue a signed certificate with the evidence insurers and auditors ask for.
Key facts
| Carried out by | OFTEC-registered engineers |
|---|---|
| Typical duration | Half a day per site for a single tank; one to two days for larger estates |
| Site impact | Non-intrusive — no shutdown required |
| Output | Signed condition certificate with photographic evidence |
| Standards | OFTEC Technical Book 3, DSEAR, Duty of Care |
What the work covers
- Tank condition — shell, seams, coatings, supports and base
- Internal inspection with our ELOK ExSight 6 camera, certified for use inside fuel tanks, so the tank base is checked without emptying the tank
- Bund integrity, capacity check and drainage arrangement
- Pipework runs, joints, sleeving and support
- Fire valve presence, routing and functional check
- Pumps, filters, gauges, monitors and breathers
- Fill point, vent and overfill prevention arrangement
- Signage, spill kit provision and bunded storage of consumables
What you receive
- Signed OFTEC condition certificate
- Risk-rated defect list with priorities
- Dated photographic evidence indexed by asset
- Asset register for the site
- Recommended remedial actions with indicative costs
- Suggested re-inspection interval
Common questions
How often should a commercial fuel tank be inspected?
Annually is the accepted interval for most commercial and standby installations, and it is what most insurers expect to see. Sites with older steel tanks, a history of contamination, or tanks in environmentally sensitive locations are often better served by a six-monthly cycle.
Will you need to shut down our generators or empty the tank?
No. A condition inspection is non-intrusive. We check the inside of the tank, including the base, with our ELOK ExSight 6 camera, so it doesn’t need emptying, and the fuel system stays in service. If the inspection identifies work that does need downtime, that is quoted separately and planned with you.
What do insurers look for in the certificate?
The certificate is issued by an OFTEC-registered engineer and includes the asset references, risk ratings and photographic evidence that insurers and loss adjusters ask for.
Get a quote for OFTEC tank inspections
Tell us about the site and the fuel system and we will come back with a scope and a price — or tell you if a different service is the one you actually need.