OFTEC Oil Pipework and Supply Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What colour is MDPE (medium-density polyethylene) pipe approved for oil supply use in the UK?
- Blue
- Yellow
- Black (Correct answer)
- Orange
Correct answer: Black
Black MDPE pipe is approved for oil supply use in the UK; yellow MDPE is used for gas distribution and blue MDPE is used for potable water supplies.
Question 2: What is the minimum depth of cover required for buried oil supply pipework under a non-trafficked area such as a garden?
- 250mm
- 300mm
- 450mm (Correct answer)
- 600mm
Correct answer: 450mm
Under non-trafficked areas, a minimum cover of 450mm is required for buried oil supply pipework to provide adequate protection from accidental damage.
Question 3: What minimum depth of cover is required for buried oil supply pipework passing under a driveway or other trafficked area?
- 300mm
- 600mm (Correct answer)
- 750mm
- 900mm
Correct answer: 600mm
Buried oil supply pipework under driveways or trafficked areas requires a minimum cover of 600mm to provide protection against damage from vehicle loads.
Question 4: Which type of joint is NOT suitable for use in buried oil supply pipework?
- Compression fittings on copper tube
- Electrofusion joints on MDPE pipe
- Soldered (capillary) joints on copper tube (Correct answer)
- Mechanical compression fittings on MDPE pipe
Correct answer: Soldered (capillary) joints on copper tube
Soldered (capillary) joints are not suitable for buried oil pipework as they can fail under ground movement stresses and are not approved for underground oil service.
Question 5: When oil supply pipework passes through a wall or floor, what protection must be provided?
- Fire-resistant lagging around the pipe
- A sleeve to protect the pipe and allow for thermal movement (Correct answer)
- A union fitting at each side of the wall
- Bitumen paint applied directly to the pipe
Correct answer: A sleeve to protect the pipe and allow for thermal movement
Oil supply pipework must be enclosed in a sleeve when passing through walls or floors to protect it from physical damage and to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction.
Question 6: What is the maximum recommended length of flexible hose connection between the oil supply pipework and the burner?
- 250mm
- 500mm (Correct answer)
- 750mm
- 1000mm
Correct answer: 500mm
The maximum recommended length for a flexible connection between the oil supply pipe and the burner is 500mm; longer connections increase the risk of hose failure.
Question 7: Where should the body of a fire valve be positioned relative to the appliance room?
- Inside the boiler room directly adjacent to the appliance
- Outside or away from the area where fire could occur, with only the sensing phial inside the room (Correct answer)
- At the oil storage tank adjacent to the outlet valve
- At the point where the oil supply enters the building
Correct answer: Outside or away from the area where fire could occur, with only the sensing phial inside the room
The fire valve body must be positioned outside the area where fire could occur, with only the sensing phial inside the room, ensuring the valve itself remains undamaged and able to operate if fire breaks out.
OFTEC Oil Pipework and Supply Systems 2
What colour is MDPE (medium-density polyethylene) pipe approved for oil supply use in the UK?