Removal & Decommissioning
Oil Tank Removal & Cold CuttingUnderground Tank RemovalsTank DecommissioningDecommissioning & Foam FillingPlant & Machinery RemovalWaste Oil DisposalInstall, Clean & Maintain
Commercial Fuel Tank InstallationOil & Fuel Tank CleaningFuel PolishingOil Tank InspectionsUltrasonic Thickness TestingOil Tank RefurbishmentEnvironmental Services View all services →
Britteco provides professional fuel tank refurbishment and tank restoration services for commercial and industrial fuel storage systems across the UK — including internal tank lining, bund lining, corrosion treatment, pressure testing, component replacement and compliance certification.
From minor corrosion treatment and repainting to complete internal relining, bund wall coating and full system overhaul — our team assesses each tank individually and recommends the most cost-effective solution, whether that is refurbishment, tank lining, or in some cases, full replacement.
Fuel tank refurbishment is the process of restoring a commercial or industrial fuel storage tank to a safe, compliant and serviceable condition — without the cost and disruption of full tank replacement. Depending on the tank's condition, refurbishment can range from rust removal, surface preparation and repainting through to complete internal tank lining, bund lining, pressure and integrity testing, component replacement and compliance certification. For a tank in suitable structural condition, refurbishment may extend its service life and reduce replacement costs. The expected benefit depends on inspection findings, the repair scope, future use and ongoing maintenance.
Britteco provides fuel tank refurbishment, tank lining and bund lining services across the UK for commercial and industrial fuel storage systems. A deteriorating fuel storage tank is not just a maintenance issue — it is an environmental liability. Fuel leaks from ageing tanks can result in significant fines from the Environment Agency, costly ground remediation works, unplanned operational downtime and serious reputational damage. Inspection should establish whether repair, lining or replacement is suitable. Refurbishment is not a substitute for replacing a tank whose structural condition makes continued use unsuitable.
Refurbishment works can be carried out on-site at your premises or, depending on size, access and scope of work, tanks can be transported to Britteco's own workshop facilities. Every project is assessed individually — the approach depends on tank size, location, access, extent of work and operational requirements. Where downtime cannot be accommodated, works are planned and phased around your operation.
Refurbishment is not always the right solution. For smaller tanks where the combined cost of cleaning, testing, lining and component replacement exceeds the value of the existing unit, full replacement may be the more practical and cost-effective option. Britteco will assess your tank honestly and advise on whether refurbishment, relining or replacement delivers the best long-term outcome — so you only pay for what is actually needed.
Delivered across the UK for commercial and industrial operations requiring cost-effective, compliant and professionally certified fuel tank refurbishment, tank lining and bund lining — avoiding environmental incident risk and reducing long-term capital expenditure.
Britteco follows a structured seven-stage process — from initial condition assessment through to certified completion. Works are carried out on-site in most cases, with tank transport to our workshop facilities available where required.
The tank is inspected internally and externally to assess structural condition, corrosion levels, sludge build-up and the condition of the bund area, pipework and associated components. NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) may be carried out where required.
Remaining fuel is removed and safely managed. The tank is isolated and made safe for confined space entry and internal works in accordance with current health and safety legislation and site-specific RAMS documentation.
The tank interior is cleaned using pressure washing and industrial vacuum systems — removing sludge, debris, corrosion and contaminated residues. Surfaces are then dried and prepared to the required standard for coating or lining application.
Tank and bund condition are assessed using suitable inspection and testing methods. Pressure testing is used only where appropriate to the tank design and agreed scope. Any proposed repairs are assessed before lining or coating is applied.
Specialist fuel-resistant internal and external coatings and lining systems are applied in multiple layers. Bund wall lining and floor coating is carried out where required. All coatings are applied using industrial-grade fuel-resistant materials to professionally prepared surfaces.
Pumps, valves, gauges, pipework, high level alarms, low level alarms, overfill prevention devices and other associated components are inspected and replaced as required. The tank is reassembled and returned to operational condition.
On completion, full compliance documentation and certification is provided — supporting audit, insurance, regulatory and operational requirements. Britteco also advises on ongoing inspection and maintenance schedules to extend operational life further.
No two tanks are the same. Here is how Britteco approaches real-world fuel tank refurbishment situations — because the right solution always depends on what is found on site.
If the tank is in reasonable structural condition with surface corrosion only, refurbishment can begin immediately — rust removal, surface grinding, priming and repainting externally, with internal cleaning and coating applied where required. Fast, cost-effective and minimal disruption to your operation.
More advanced corrosion requires a condition assessment before a repair or lining system can be recommended. Remaining steel thickness, structural integrity and product compatibility must be considered. Where suitable, surfaces are cleaned and prepared for the selected coating or lining; structurally unsuitable tanks may require replacement.
If inspection or NDT testing reveals structural failure or deterioration beyond the point where refurbishment is cost-effective — particularly on smaller tanks — Britteco will tell you honestly and recommend full replacement and safe decommissioning instead. Explore fuel tank replacement and installation.
Every tank is assessed individually. Britteco will always recommend the most cost-effective approach — whether that is refurbishment, relining, or replacement.
Every fuel tank refurbishment project is planned and delivered with a strong focus on health and safety, environmental responsibility and industry best practice — protecting our team, our clients and the environment on every site.
All refurbishment works are planned and executed in accordance with current health and safety legislation. Confined space entry procedures, gas testing and ventilation are managed as standard on all internal tank works.
Site-specific Risk Assessment and Method Statement documentation is prepared for every project before works begin — ensuring every fuel tank refurbishment is properly planned, safely executed and fully documented.
All fuel residues, waste coatings, filter waste and removed contaminants are handled and disposed of responsibly through licensed waste channels — in line with current UK environmental legislation and Environment Agency guidance.
On completion of every refurbishment project, Britteco provides full compliance documentation and certification — supporting audit, insurance, regulatory and operational requirements for your site.
Accreditations & Certifications
CHAS Accredited
OFTEC Registered
SPA Passport Certified
APEA Member
APHC Member
ISO 9001
Quality Management
System · Certified
Fuel tank refurbishment requires the right equipment, process knowledge and honest assessment of what each tank actually needs. Britteco provides a professional fuel tank refurbishment, tank lining and bund lining service for commercial and industrial clients across the UK.
Works can be carried out at your premises or at Britteco's own workshop facilities — depending on tank size, access, scope of work and the level of disruption acceptable to your operation. Both options are available on every project.
For larger commercial tanks in reasonable structural condition, refurbishment and relining can be more economical than full tank replacement — avoiding the cost of a new tank, groundworks, installation, disposal and the associated downtime of a major replacement project.
A deteriorating fuel tank is an environmental liability. Leaks from ageing or poorly maintained tanks can result in significant Environment Agency fines, costly ground remediation and serious reputational damage. Where the tank is suitable, refurbishment and bund lining can reduce that risk. Inspection, monitoring and maintenance remain necessary, and replacement may be the appropriate option.
Cleaning, testing, lining, bund coating, component replacement, alarms, pipework and certification — all delivered by Britteco as a single managed refurbishment programme, minimising downtime and eliminating the coordination overhead of multiple contractors.
If inspection reveals that refurbishment is not cost-effective — particularly on smaller tanks — Britteco will tell you honestly and recommend the most practical solution, whether that is relining, repair or full replacement. You will never be sold a refurbishment that is not in your best interest.
On completion, Britteco provides full compliance documentation and certification — supporting audit, insurance, regulatory and operational requirements. Ongoing inspection and maintenance schedules are also advised to maintain compliance and extend operational life further.
If fuel contamination is present alongside tank deterioration, fuel polishing and filtration may be required as part of the refurbishment programme — restoring stored fuel to EN590 and ISO 4406 standards before or after tank works are completed.
Learn About Our Fuel Polishing ServiceThe starting point is the tank condition, not a coating choice. Our fuel and oil tank inspection service can assess visible defects and suitable tests. Where remaining steel thickness needs investigation, see ultrasonic thickness testing. Use the findings to compare the scope, downtime and cost of repair, lining and replacement.
Common questions about fuel tank refurbishment, tank lining, bund lining, tank restoration, integrity testing and compliance for commercial and industrial fuel storage systems across the UK.
Fuel tank refurbishment is the process of restoring a commercial or industrial fuel storage tank to a safe, compliant and serviceable condition without replacing it entirely. Depending on the tank's condition, this can range from rust removal, surface preparation and repainting through to complete internal tank lining, bund lining, pressure testing, integrity testing, component replacement and compliance certification.
For larger commercial tanks in reasonable structural condition, refurbishment can be more economical than full replacement — avoiding the cost of a new tank, installation, groundworks and disposal. For smaller tanks where the combined cost of cleaning, testing, coating and component replacement approaches or exceeds the value of the existing unit, full replacement may be the more practical option. Britteco will assess your tank honestly and advise on the most cost-effective approach.
Depending on the tank's condition and requirements, refurbishment can include: fuel removal and safe isolation, internal cleaning and sludge removal, external surface preparation, rust removal and corrosion treatment, pressure and integrity testing, application of internal and external fuel-resistant coatings and lining systems, bund lining and bund wall coating, replacement of pumps, valves, gauges and other components, installation or replacement of high level alarms, low level alarms and overfill prevention devices, and full compliance certification on completion.
Tank lining involves the application of specialist fuel-resistant coating or lining systems to the interior of a fuel storage tank — protecting the tank shell against corrosion, leaks and long-term deterioration. Internal surfaces are cleaned, dried and prepared before lining materials are applied in multiple layers using industrial-grade fuel-resistant materials. Tank lining can extend the serviceable life of an existing tank considerably and is a proven method of avoiding costly fuel leaks and environmental incidents.
Bund lining involves applying specialist fuel-resistant coatings to the bund wall and floor surrounding a fuel storage tank. Bunds are legally required under the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 to provide secondary containment in the event of a tank leak or spill. Bund lining protects the bund structure from fuel penetration and deterioration, maintaining its integrity as a secondary containment barrier and ensuring compliance with Environment Agency regulations.
Bunded fuel storage installations in England are governed by the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001, which require that secondary containment is capable of holding at least 110% of the tank's capacity. Equivalent regulations apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Britteco provides compliance documentation on completion of all bund lining and refurbishment works.
Both options are available. In most cases, refurbishment works are carried out in-situ at your site — minimising disruption and avoiding the cost of tank transport. Where tank size, access constraints or scope of work make on-site working impractical, tanks can be transported to Britteco's own workshop facilities. The most suitable approach is determined during the initial assessment and quotation stage.
Common signs include: visible external corrosion or rust, paint deterioration or blistering, fuel contamination or sludge build-up, failed pressure or integrity tests, leaking pipework or failed valves, bund wall cracking or deterioration, non-functioning alarms or gauges, and tanks approaching the end of their expected service life. A condition assessment will confirm the extent of work required.
NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) is a method of assessing the structural integrity of a fuel tank without causing damage. Techniques include ultrasonic thickness testing and weld inspection. NDT is typically used on larger commercial tanks where a precise assessment of remaining wall thickness and structural condition is required before refurbishment proceeds — confirming whether the tank structure is sound enough to justify the investment in refurbishment.
The recommended frequency depends on tank age, condition, fuel type and regulatory requirements. Commercial fuel storage tanks should be inspected and tested periodically — and any time there are signs of deterioration, contamination or component failure. Britteco recommends an inspection and testing schedule based on the specific tank and site conditions.
Timelines vary depending on tank size, extent of work required, whether works are on-site or at our workshop, and site access conditions. A straightforward external refurbishment may be completed in a day or two; a full internal lining, bund lining and component replacement programme on a larger tank may take several days to a week or more. Britteco provides project timelines at the quotation stage.
The expected lifespan depends on the quality of work, the tank's original condition, the type of coating or lining system applied, and ongoing maintenance. A well-refurbished tank with a quality internal lining system can provide many years of continued service. Britteco advises on an appropriate inspection and maintenance schedule on completion to maximise operational life.
If structural inspection or NDT testing reveals deterioration beyond the point where lining or coating can provide a reliable long-term result, or if the combined cost of refurbishment on a smaller tank approaches the cost of a new replacement tank, full replacement and safe decommissioning may be the more practical option. Britteco will always give you an honest assessment — you will never be recommended a refurbishment that is not in your best interest.
Yes. Component replacement is a standard part of Britteco's fuel tank refurbishment service — including pumps, valves, gauges, pipework, high level alarms, low level alarms, overfill prevention alarms and other associated fuel system devices, inspected and replaced as required.
Regular bund inspections are recommended — typically every one to three years, depending on lining type, tank usage, environmental conditions and regulatory requirements. Bund integrity is critical to secondary containment compliance under the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations. Britteco recommends a site-specific inspection schedule on completion of bund lining works.
Yes. Britteco's fuel tank refurbishment service covers commercial and industrial diesel storage tanks, heating oil tanks, generator fuel systems, gas oil tanks and bunded fuel storage installations — including sites across airports, farms, logistics depots, hospitals, MOD sites, transport depots and manufacturing plants. The same assessment, cleaning, lining and certification process applies, adapted to the specific tank type and requirements.
Yes. On completion of every fuel tank refurbishment project, Britteco provides full compliance documentation and certification — supporting audit, insurance, regulatory and operational requirements. An ongoing inspection and maintenance schedule is also recommended.
Use the enquiry button on this page and send your basic site details — tank type, estimated size, location, current condition and any known issues. Britteco will review the requirements, advise on the most appropriate treatment approach, and provide a site-specific quotation.
Some tanks are past saving. Here a corroded steel oil tank is cold cut and removed, and a new bunded tank is installed in its place — the replacement route our inspection reports recommend when repair no longer makes sense.
A guide to the refurbishment decision, plus two completed replacement and removal projects. These cases illustrate alternatives when a tank is not being retained; they are not refurbishment case studies.
