Emergency Contact Information

In the unlikely event that you have an emergency involving your heating or cooling system, such as a leak or a spill, please contact us at (800) 834-8590 or (410) 235-1066. You can always reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and our knowledgeable customer service representatives are trained to help you resolve your problems.

If you smell gas inside your home, take everyone and leave the house IMMEDIATELY. From outside your house, call your gas supplier using a cell phone or from a neighbor's house. If you cannot reach your supplier, then call 911.

Fuel Tank Anchoring for Baltimore County Customers in Flood Zone A

Due to the environmental devastation left behind in the wake of Hurricane Isabelle, Baltimore County Development of Permits and Development Management in conjunction with the Maryland Department of the Environment has created new building code that relates to and enforces the anchoring of aboveground fuel oil and propane tanks located at addresses within flood zone A of the 100 year tidal flood plain.

As we approach the upcoming heating season it will be unlawful for any distributor to fill these fuel storage tanks that are not anchored to the ground by an approved system. As a customer that is required to be in compliance with the new regulation, we strongly urge you to arrange to make the necessary upgrades to your fueling system that will continue to allow us to make deliveries to your address.

Here are some documents that will help you as you begin to determine whether you are are affected by this building code:

To ease the burden of locating a contractor to make the required upgrades, Carroll Independent Fuel has the capability to provide you with the services to meet this new regulation. Should you have further questions regarding this matter, feel free to contact us at 410-261-5356.

Above Ground Fuel Tanks

According to Maryland law, customers are responsible for the care and maintenance of their fuel tanks. You can help ensure safe equipment operation by performing an occasional visual inspection of your fuel tank. Here are some things you can check for as you examine your tank - if your answers to any of the following questions are "yes", then give us a call. We will have a trained tank technician come out to examine and fix your problem:

Are the tank legs unstable or on a shaky foundation?
Are there any signs of rust, weeps, wet spots or excessive dents on the tank's surface?
Are there any drips or signs of leakage around the filter or valves?
Do all oil lines between the tank and the furnace run either under concrete or above ground without being enclosed in protective tubing?
Is there danger of snow or ice falling on the tank?
Is the tank vent clogged or restricted because of ice, snow, corrosion or insect nests?
If you have a vent alarm, is the whistle silent when the tank is being filled? (Ask your delivery person.)
Are there signs of spills around the fill pipe or the vent pipe?
Are you using more oil than normal?
Is PVC or plastic pipe used for any portion of your fill or vent line?

Fortunately, most tanks are covered under homeowners insurance policies. It's a good idea to check with your insurance provider just to make sure.

Vent Alarms

A vent alarm is a crucial mechanical device attached to your fuel tank that serves two purposes:

First, it allows air and pressure that is developed during the delivery process to escape from the tank safely. A fuel storage tank is not designed to withstand more than 6 psi of pressure at one time. When the pressure exceeds 6psi, the tank may fail, causing a fuel leak.
The alarm also helps your fuel delivery person to know when your tank is almost full during the delivery process. As the delivery driver pumps fuel into the tank, the vent alarm whistles to signify that the tank is not yet full. When the tank is full, the whistle will stop, and the driver stops pumping fuel into the tank. Without a functioning vent alarm, you risk an overfilled tank or spilled fuel. This is important because our drivers are trained to rely on this device because the sight gauge has the potential of not being accurate.

If you suspect that your vent alarm is not functioning properly, please contact us to arrange a service call from one of our certified technicians who is trained to repair this important device.

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