blowky

blowky · Nov 20, 2011

Hi there, could anyone help me please.
I have assisted a freind to relocate a domestic oil tank from one side of his garage to the other, some 30 foot. We ran a length of 10mm plastic covered copper pipe and continued to connect it up with standard a 10mm olive into the tank valve and made the bend using 2 x 90 degree bends as the pipe had to return back on it's self. The problem is that all the joints weep slightly. My question is should any joints be sealed with non setting compound or should they seal dry? Is it down to cheap fittings? The other problem is that the shut off valve on the tanks doesn't. I don't want to disturb the valve as its been in there for years, can I put a 1/4 turn shut off vale in line using a couple of 15mm x 10mm compression fittings?

Thanks to anyone that can help.

Barry98 · Nov 20, 2011

what kind of joints were they ?

yes you could fit an appropriate shut off

Best · Nov 20, 2011

You really should avoid compression brass joints on 10mm soft copper, so really 2 only, - one at each end, where possible. Pipe best in one piece. If the joints are with copper olives & are not over compressed, they won't leak unless disturbed. You could try on the already compressed olives, some ptfe tape lapped around each olive 2 or 3 times, then retighten gently. Oil lines should be bent with bender or spring, or if you must use bends/connectors, then soldered type using lead free solder are best.

SimonG · Nov 20, 2011

Don't use soldered joints on oil lines, against regs. If you've used compression, best said, as few as you can get away with and with inserts, add a few wraps ptfe on olives or some heldite. And again as best said don't overtighten, it's one of the biggest problems I see with leaking fittings.

Sorry Best, didn't realise you where from Northern Ireland, the no soldered joints is in England, must be different over your way, 🙂

blowky · Nov 20, 2011

Thanks Guy's, these were a bag of brass fittings with brass olives from screw you fix so probably not the best. I will re make the joints using better fittings and copper olives with a bit of liquid PTFE sealant and see how it goes. With regard to the shut off valve, I will fit a good quality one suitable for oil, I changed the valve in my own tank recently and nearly wrecked the tank getting the steel reducer out, ended up cutting through it in quadrants to remove it and re tapping the hole. The people that originaly fitted it must have used araldite!

On a seperate note, how do I stand legally doing this work for a friend, if say he had a leak and his and all the barns round him went up in flames would I end up in trouble?

Thanks

Blowky

SimonG · Nov 20, 2011

To cut a long story short, yes you would be liable for leaks etc, unless you document all issues with installation andkeep a copy to show you had informed customer of non compliance with regs. Last engineer on site and all that.

Gray0689 · Nov 20, 2011

Regs are different over here NI
Soldered joints are fine
Why can't you solder oil line in England sounds silly

SimonG · Nov 20, 2011

Gray0689 said:
Regs are different over here NI
Soldered joints are fine
Why can't you solder oil line in England sounds silly

Apparently, but don't quote me, I was told that the kerosene burns hotter than the melting point of the solder. 🙂

tamz · Nov 20, 2011

Same in Scotland. In case of fire which may melt the solder.

Best · Nov 20, 2011

SimonG said:
Apparently, but don't quote me, I was told that the kerosene burns hotter than the melting point of the solder. 🙂

Didn't know that about England. Bit over the top I think. I would prefer soldered to brass fittings any day but avoid any fittings unless no choice on connecting to old work. Just saw a job few years old with 28 mm & 10mm soldered joints done with lead solder! 28mm end feed tee leaking.

SimonG · Nov 20, 2011

Best said:
Didn't know that about England. Bit over the top I think. I would prefer soldered to brass fittings any day but avoid any fittings unless no choice on connecting to old work. Just saw a job few years old with 28 mm & 10mm soldered joints done with lead solder! 28mm end feed tee leaking.

A lot of the regs are ott, and change at the drop of a hat. Just oftec trying to make more money. (cynical me) 🙂