If a customer is converting to an alternative fuel and leaving the oil tank, what must remain intact?

When converting to an alternative fuel while leaving the oil tank in place, the vent pipe must remain intact for several important reasons. The primary function of the vent pipe is to allow air to escape from the tank during the filling process and to provide ventilation to prevent the buildup of vapor pressure inside the tank. If the vent pipe is removed or modified, there could be risks of tank collapse due to vacuum conditions, and the potential for dangerous pressure build-up, leading to safety hazards.

Furthermore, maintaining the vent pipe ensures that any residual oil in the tank can safely breathe and avoids issues related to stagnation and corrosion, which could compromise the integrity of the tank over time. Therefore, keeping the vent pipe intact is essential to ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of the existing tank as it transitions to a new fuel system.