NORA and with the help of the Institute for Business & Home Safety has brought the Insurance Industry and Oilheat Industry together.

When NORA first started this journey we wanted to accomplish the following:

Over the past three years, NORA and the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) have accomplished a great deal. We have developed high quality educational materials to help the insurance industry understand the great strides being made to improve technology and maintenance of homeowner's tanks.

The following describes the training and educational materials produced in this process.

For the oilheat industry

• Training Posters- On Aboveground Tank installation, When a Spill occurs: Inside & Outside, Pre-delivery: Avoid Spills, Static Testing Process
• Training Videos- Tank Inspection Procedures, Installation & Maintenance, Intro to Static Test, Installation for Fiberglass and Poly Tanks; Avoid Spills & How to respond, and Fuel Delivery.
• Revised & Updated Training Manual- Heating Oil Storage Tank: Guide for Quality Installation & Maintenance with Inspection Forms.
• New Certification Programs- Advanced Tank Education and soon to be release the Static Underground Tank Course.
• RBCA- Methodology for risk based corrective actions

For insurance industry

• Oilheat Primer- A self run PowerPoint presentation with voice over which reviews the home heating oil industry, tanks, and our efforts to improve safety.
• On site Custom Instructional Classes taught by our Tank Experts
• Inspections Check off lists: Initial, Routine, and Pre- Delivery fuel oil storage tank evaluations forms for Above and Underground tanks.
• Pamphlets: Protect Your home Heating Oil Tank: A guide to better understanding. The company may insert their own logo.
• Website Database- Look up Oilheat Dealers who employ NORA certified technicians that can conduct tank inspections.
• PowerPoint presentation is posted on IBHS’s website, disastersafety.org/conference.

In November, NORA and State Farm Insurance made a joint presentation during the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Conference. State Farm shared how NORA’s education and research information is used in their daily operations. NORA also presented the progress on related activities to help the Insurance community, the advances in tank technology and leak detection innovations.

Insurance Industry getting more “comfortable” with Oilheat

NORA has been diligently working to bridge the gap between the Oilheat Retailers and Insurance Agents on their concerns with tanks. “NORA has established a strong working relationship with insurance companies, and developed a Roadmap for Good Practices”, stated John Huber, NORA’s President. This roadmap has three categories: Release Prevention, Release Detection, and Corrective Action. In the past, the Insurance Industry was only involved when a fuel storage tank failed. NORA has created new and updated material to demonstrate that our technicians are highly qualified and informed about tank issues, and take appropriate preventive actions.

Release Prevention starts in the field with technicians and drivers committed to good practices. NORA has developed training courses, videos, posters, and text books to educate our industry on new advances and reinforce skills to properly install and maintenance tanks. NORA’s products to improve performance in the field and reduce releases are listed below.

· Advanced Tank Education Program: The program is appropriate for all Oilheat personnel, drivers, and anyone responsible for tank installation & maintenance. The eight-hour seminar covers: why tanks fail, external & internal corrosion, and tank inspection & assessment. Every passing test will earn 8 NORA CEU credits- A great way to earn part of the 24 credits needed to renew your Bronze, Silver, or Gold certification!

· Videos topics: Polyethylene/Steel Above Ground Tank Installation (Video #9); Guide for Quality Installation & Maintenance (Video #8); Heating Oil & Environment: Avoid Spills, How to respond (Video #4); and Fuel Delivery (Video #3). All DVDs can be purchased at www.norastore.org . To earn more CEUs take the online quiz after watching each video at www.noraed.org .

· Bulletin Posters: Shows step by step instructions and illustrations on the following topics: Oil Release (If an oil release occurs outdoors); Above-ground Steel Tank Installation; and Pre-Delivery). Hang a poster up for a constant reminder of good practices.

· Heating Oil Storage Tanks: Guide for Quality Installation & Maintenance-This text book has been re-released to include the current manufactories’ information needed to install their products correctly. Also, a tear off Tank Inspection Forms is included. Each book also comes with a pocket guide for tank inspections and best practices.

NORA will continue to update the Industry on the developments on Release Detection and Corrective Action. Contact NORA to receive an up to date status report. For more information on the Advance Tank Education Program contact your state association for a class schedule. For any other inquiries, contact NORA’s headquarters at info@nora-oilheat.org

Education for Homeowners Insurance Agents

NORA released a CD to educate homeowners’ insurance agents on the issues surrounding fuel oil storage tanks. The presentation is in a PowerPoint format with audio to accompany each slide; it runs 30 minutes. You can view this at- nora-oilheat.org,

NORA encourages all dealers to use this in their communications with insurance companies. To receive a copy please contact NORA by email- info@nora-oilheat.org.