The Bulletin - December 2008

Dec 2010

The Bulletin

Chairman’s Report

4

Editor’s Report

7

Business Manager’s Report

8

Brian Baker Editor 52 Milton Grove Bletchley Milton Keynes

Letters to the Editor

11

New APEA Members

11

News

15

Press Releases

28

MK3 5BH tel:

+44 (0) 1908 252332

fax:

+44 (0) 1908 252319

mob:

+44 (0) 7932 785166

email: Bakerb4@sky.com

Jamie Thompson

Articles 32

Fails

70 Wangford Road Reydon Southwold

How the UK’s First Fatal Car Accident Unfolded

35

Pros and Cons of Above Ground and Underground Storage Tanks

36

in the Storage of Fuels

Suffolk IP18 6NX Tel/fax: +44 (0) 1502 722999 Mobile: +44 (0) 7770 625851

APEA 2010 Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner

43

Ask the Experts

70

Interview with Mike Jennings, Engineering Director, Gilbarco

73

Veeder-Root

email: Jamiethompson@ukonline.co.uk

Jane Mardell Business Manager PO Box 106

*Due to the constraints of space in this issue, Part 2 of Total Vapour Solutions by

Saffron Walden

Rodney Carter of Petroman, will be published in the March 2011 issue.

Essex CB11 3XT

Branches Branch reports

75

Tel/fax: +44 (0) 845 603 5507 Mobile: +44 (0) 7815 055514

Training 2010/2011 course dates and booking details

United Kingdom

78

email: admin@apea.org.uk

Front Cover - Gareth Bourhill (Immediate Past Chairman) opening APEA 2010 Live Conference Published by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration A company Limited by Guarantee registered in England No. 2261600Opinions expressed in this Journal are not necessarily the views of the Association.

3

CONTENTS AND EDITORIAL

Christmas Eve Tragedy - 2 Die When Non-Approved Container

Publishing Chairman

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Welcome to my first Chairman’s report following my inauguration into the role at the AGM during APEA live 2010 at the RICOH Arena.

It is both an honour and a privilege to be in this role and I look forward to serving the association during my period in this role.

APEA Live 2010 was extremely well received and I would like to thank F2F Events for their management and the events committee, especially Bob Conlin, the Committee Chairman, for all the hard work that was put in to make this a success. I have received feedback from various sections of the industry and all is positive; one member actually said that it was the best event that he has ever attended. This can only bode well for the future.

Thanks also must go to the various sponsors of the event and the awards, their contribution makes the APEA Live 2010 the success that it was; the awards judges, whose task gets harder every year as the standard of the entries rise; and last but not least, the members, both corporate and individual, whose attendance at the event ensures that it is supported by everyone involved within the association.

I would also like to thank Gareth for his service as Chairman over the last two years; he has done a sterling job and he should be proud of his time in the role. Rest assured I will be contacting him for advice when needed!

The APEA is a unique organisation which encompasses “Industry and Regulators working together”. This in my mind, as the Head of Petroleum (Enforcement) for the London Fire Brigade, is a building block for the future of safety and best practice within our industry. I am conscious of the fact that there is still inconsistency in enforcement and it is part of the association’s aims and objectives to promote understanding of the regulations and enforcement options through this publication, hence the “ask the experts” column, that was put in by Brian Baker, our editor, has proved to be popular and has answered some interesting questions. I have found the Bulletin itself to be a valuable tool, with the excellent articles, 4

technical descriptions and specifications helping me in my role of assessing suitability of equipment.

I also know that the branch meetings provide a forum for views and opinions. Also speakers with a variety of topics are in attendance so that the day can both be a networking and learning experience. I would like to ask that all members try to attend their local branch meeting where possible; it is these meetings and the feedback from them that provide the National Council with ideas on how to go forward to best serve our members.

Please see the details further on in the Bulletin so that you can locate your local branch representative, their full contact details are available.

Speaking of branches, it is my intention to attend branch meetings in all regions during my Chairmanship to answer any questions that members may have regarding the association and to provide, if needed, feedback to the National Council.

The new “Blue Book” revision is well under way and we hope that this publication will be available during the first quarter of 2011. The amount of work carried out on the various topics has been considerable and therefore a slight delay in the intended publication date has occurred; rest assured that the guide, once published, will be the foremost of its kind available and, like its predecessor, is a “must have” for all within the industry.

The industry has certainly changed during my time and will no doubt continue apace, the various changes in technology, fuel type, operational aspects of petrol filling stations, to name but a few. It certainly means I need to ensure that myself, as a regulator, am up to speed in all areas; this is forever changing and I am sure that all members have noticed this as well. It is important that as a regulator I have the knowledge so that I can “competently” carry out my duty as an inspector warranted under the Health and Safety at Work Act. In fact competency is covered under section 18 of the Act and is something that all regulators should be aware of. This said, it is also the

responsibility of the industry side that all persons who work in hazardous areas are deemed competent, so it does go both ways! This being said I am sure that you are aware that the APEA carries out various training courses throughout the year on varied topics, the dates of these courses are available both within this Bulletin and on the website so please take time to look at what is on offer.

At the time of writing this report we have received bookings for three training course attendances by five employees of Ghana Oil. This has been as a result of the association’s attendance at the Petroforum event earlier this year in Malaysia, and has resulted in Ghana Oil becoming corporate members. We have also had members joining from Turkey. It bodes well that we are now becoming more and more an international association - I hope this trend continues. The interest from Turkey has also set up the possibility of opening a Branch there; this option will be further explored in the New Year.

My final thoughts for this edition of the Bulletin can be best described as a few more thanks and best wishes. Firstly thanks to all members of council for the work they put in to make the APEA what it is today, thanks to Jane for all her hard work in running the business side, all the members for continuing to support the APEA and all the companies, who despite the current economic climate, continue to generously support the APEA event and advertise within the bulletin and the yearbook.

All that remains now is to wish everybody a safe and happy festive season and that the coming New Year is both happy and prosperous for all members.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

Welcome

everybody

to

your

History and my experience of 40

bumper sized Bulletin Journal which

years in the fire industry tells me that

for the December issue is regarded

it would be a dangerous route to cut

as our conference edition and this

and trim back the role of the

time you will see a lot of pages

petroleum inspector as often we are

dedicated to our show piece event

regarded as the “insurance” that

so please take some time out to

matters are in order. So if there are

read the associated conference

those in management positions that

article and more will follow next year

will read this editorial think very

with the technical presentations.

carefully before reigning back. After all, we are public servants looking

conference due not only to my

after the safety of the people we serve!

any other professional organisation

personal workload but the effects of cutbacks which are being felt in the

I have had a lot of enquiries of late

public sector here in the UK as the

asking about the publication of the

government

new Blue Book that seems to be

reviews

public

membership rates are far lower than that I am aware of.

As I write this report I am about to

awaited with eager anticipation

pack another suitcase to travel to

since the last issue in April 2005 (was

Malta to conduct more training

it really over 5 years ago!) Well, I

overseas as our presence continues

scrutinised,

have been liaising with Jamie

to grow beyond the shores of the

challenged and may cause a shift

Thompson, Chairman of the APEA’s

UK.

on how local authorities go about its

Publication Committee, and it is

presence in Malaysia, Turkey, Malta,

looking like March 2011 will be the

Ireland, and China. More recently

spending on just about everything.

It is likely that every single service offered

will

be

business.

Already

we

have

had

a

time. The amount of work that has

we have had an enquiry from Outer

inspection

gone into it, which is donated by a

Mongolia

programmes of petroleum licensed

wide collection of individuals, all

Authority demonstrating just how far

sites

of

expert in their respective fields, and

our wings are spreading these days

frequency? That said, UK legislation

without whom it would not be

and

For

example, be

will

reduced

in

terms

I

from

hear

their

we

Petroleum

have

several

does not REQUIRE inspections of

possible to produce, cannot be

delegates travelling to the UK for

petrol filling stations so why do we

calculated. So well done and thanks

training from Ghana Oil. All this

do it?

to all those contributors.

Well the South East Licensing Co-

Each

member

activity in less than 7 years since we (including

ordinating Group (SELCOG) have

Corporate Members) will receive

put together a paper the reasons

one FREE COPY, worth £70 if you are

why, as Petroleum Inspectors, we

a

visit. (Published elsewhere in this

Association on 1st March 2011, so

edition).

make

paid

up sure

member you

of

renew

this your

membership in plenty of time.

Take for example the control of a dangerous

substance

outside the UK – simply amazing.

For me I need to close this particular missive and celebrate the truly

remarkable

rescue

of

33

Chilean miners which makes you feel proud of the feats that mankind can reach and the emotions it

as

This is yet another benefit of

petroleum spirit with a flash point of

membership and I can tell you that

< - 40 degrees centigrade that is

with increasing publishing costs I

controlled by a licence. Would a

proposed a small increase in our

As it is that time of year, a Very

Petroleum Licensing Authority feel

subscriptions recently to be met with

Happy Christmas and Prosperous

confident

licence

a firm NO! This is because any profits

New Year to you all and see you in

without inspecting to see if it is

made by your Association are

the trenches next year.

suitable to operate safely? Is that

ploughed straight back in, which is

due diligence by not inspecting?

why at just £30 per year, our

in

issuing

such

started offering our training services

a

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

brings.

Brian 7

EDITOR’S REPORT

Sadly I could not make this year’s

I hope that all of you that attended the APEA AGM, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner in October, enjoyed yourselves.

There is a comprehensive article on the event and this can be found on page 43 together with photographs covering the day and evening events. Preparations are underway for the 2011 event and details will follow in the next issue.

2011/2012 Yearbook

BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT

You should have all received your 2011 Yearbooks at the beginning of October. Please let me know if you have not received your delivery and I will follow this up. All UK deliveries were delivered by recorded delivery.

I will be starting work on the 2012 Yearbook in February.

This year anyone who registered online for the 2011 diary will be able to update their details for the 2012 one, so making it easier for you.

Please remember that only members that complete the online process are included in the Yearbook.

You can also benefit from the following if you wish to advertise in the Yearbook: • All existing ‘Bulletin’ advertisers receive a 50% discount off the 2012 Yearbook rates • Any advertiser taking out a full page advert in the 2012 Yearbook is entitled to a website banner free of charge from April 2011 to April 2012 on the APEA website • All APEA members are eligible for one free entry in the Petroelum Industry Company name listings and one in the Trade Directory section, please select the relevant Trade Directory heading when registering

2011 Membership 3rd Edition Blue Book

Bulletin - articles/news items Thank you to all of you that have contributed to this issue of The Bulletin.

Please send me any news items, press releases or articles for the March 2011 issue and I will pass them on to our Editor for approval. The deadline for final copy is 10th January.

We are always pleased to receive contributions from our members and it ensures that the Bulletin remains an interesting and informative read.

Bulletin - 2011 Advertising Advertising renewal letters were sent out in October to all existing advertisers. I have taken a number of bookings for 2011 so if you wish to secure the best position for your advertisement, please return the booking form as soon as possible, as all bookings are on a first come first served basis. All artwork should be sent to me by 10th January.

Remember that if you book in all four issues you receive a 25% discount and we are able to offer discounts for those of you that wish to book for more than one issue but less than four issues.

You will also receive a 50% discount on Yearbook advertising too for the 2012 issue.

If you would like to book advertising in the Bulletin for 2011, please call me on 0845 603 5507 or email me at admin@apea.org.uk for a booking form.

Publications

You will find your 2011 renewal notice letter with this copy of the Bulletin, if you have not received it please let me know.

Anyone joining the APEA between October and December 2010 will 8

already have had their membership period extended to include 2011.

The revised Blue Book 3rd Edition will be printed in Feb/March and will also be available to purchase and download in pdf format from the APEA website.

All members that have paid their 2011 membership fee by 1st March will receive a free hard copy of the Blue Book.

As usual you can pay via the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk or by cheque or credit card.

The Blue Book is available at the discounted rate of £40 to APEA members.

If you wish to purchase a copy please contact me on 0845 603 5507 and I will be able to provide you with

details on how to purchase.

The guide is currently being revised and will be printed in Feb/March and will be available to purchase and download from the APEA website. As I mentioned before only members renewing their 2011 membership by 1st March will receive a free hard copy.

We also publish the Code of Practice for Ground floor, multi storey and underground car parks.

This can now be downloaded directly from the APEA website.

Training Thanks to all of you that have booked on the APEA training courses.

The 2010/2011 dates are detailed on page 78 of this issue of the Bulletin and are also on the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk where you can book online or download a booking form.

I can also arrange bespoke courses for companies, which enables members to receive training at a discounted rate and at a time and location suitable to them.

If you are interested in hosting a bespoke course for your company please do not hesitate to contact me for a quote.

We can offer discounted rates for these courses if you are able to provide a venue and catering.

You can book online from the Training page on the APEA website or you can download a booking form from our website training page; just click on the course you are interested in and the course details and form are displayed or please contact me by email or by phone and I can email you a copy.

Also anyone booking a training course now, that is not an APEA member will automatically receive membership to the APEA.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

There have been 42 new members joining during July, August and September and details can be found below.

Website The new website should be up and running in January, but I will Sir, Further to an article printed in the Bulletin

Sept

2010

keep you posted by email when this is ready.

The website continues to be a useful site for information, to make online bookings and payments. I am glad so many of you are using it.

If you wish to contribute anything to the site please email it to me for review.

General Assistance

make it known that our company

we are aware of previous confusion

being Northern Pump Distributors, is

Finally if any of you need any assistance with general or technical matters, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0845 603 5507 and I will endeavour to help.

Jane

from clients.

entitled

not the same as / nor is associated

Contractor Issued False Electrical

with Northern Forecourts Limited'.

Certificates (P20) , we would like to

We felt it necessary to publish this as

Northern Pump Distributors

Sir, In the September edition of the Journal, the information concerning the Regulators Compliance code in Kim Bennett’s ‘Ask the Experts’ article stated that the Enforcement Concordat had been replaced by the Regulators Compliance Code, when in fact it is still very much ‘alive and well’. It still has relevance at an individual level to the majority of regulators who originally signed up to it. The Compliance Code does not apply to the decisions of regulators and local enforcers in individual cases, whereas the Concordat, which applies to such individual level actions, continues to be relevant.

I am not surprised that regulators are confused, as it was never made very clear what its continued status was when the new Regulators Compliance Code was launched, not helped by the fact that a draft of the code suggested its pending demise.

What is important is that all enforcers are aware of its continued existence and that its principals and that of the new code are applied in any dealings with businesses. This needs to be backed up by regulators publishing clear service level and performance standards, along with an enforcement policy so that businesses in their dealings with regulators are left in no doubt as to the policies and standards regulators are striving to work to.

The Dept. for Business Innovation and Skills web site www.bis.gov.uk. has more information on the current status of the Enforcement Concordat.

Reply from Kim Bennett.

I am indebted to Paul and to Terry Guthrie of the South Yorkshire Fire

and Rescue Service for this correction to my response in the last Edition of the Bulletin about the Regulators' Compliance Code.

There is a memo on the BERR website stating that the Code does not replace the Enforcement Concordat but will work alongside it, although the Concordat is up for review. Let's hope that the BERR makes a better job of letting us all know about that when it happens as neither I nor any of my colleagues in HSE or the Local Authority were aware of this document, which was issued last year.

The response is not very clear as to how the two documents work alongside each other, although many of the matters in both are the same - openness, proportionality etc. The text of the document can be found on the BERR website and search under Enforcement Concordat.

Steve Cross Hartle BMS Drakes Court, Alcester Road Wythall, Birmingham West Midlands B47 6JR

Bernie Lewis Met Police Property Services Dept 17th Floor Empress State Building Lillie Road London SW6 1TR

Alan French Met Police Property Services Dept 17th Floor Empress State Building Lillie Road, London SW6 1TR

Andrew Jones Landrover Uk Ltd Lode Lane, Solihull West Midlands B92 8NW

Gary Bevan Met Police Property Services Dept 17th Floor Empress State Building Lillie Road London SW6 1TR

Ivan Thompson Derby City Council 1st Floor, Celtic House Friary Street, Heritage Gate Derby DE1 1QX

Detailed below are new members that have recently joined the APEA during July, August and September 2010.

July Tim Crotty Hartle BMS Drakes Court, Alcester Road Wythall, Birmingham West Midlands B47 6JR Sean Stacey Upton Commercials Ltd Blandford Road North Upton, Poole Dorset BH16 6AA

Paul Walker Regulatory Enforcement Trainer and APEA member. prwalker@live.co.uk

Julian Kershaw

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR/NEW APEA MEMBERS

New Members

N Foster 11205 Misty Ridge Way Boynton Beach Florida, 33473 United States

Jimmy Miller G & A Barnie Building Services Ltd 16 Carsegate Road South Inverness Highland IV3 8LL

Apostolis Drakoulis 26 Zaimi Street P.Faliro, Athens 17562, Greece

Kurt Wachter 14 Mill Close Great Bardfield Braintree Essex CM7 4RJ

P Howlett PDH Electrical Specislist Ltd 1 Cedar Close Bacton, Stowmarket Suffolk IP14 4NS Colin Solman Johnson Controls 41 Chard Road Binley, Coventry West Midlands CV3 2PW Anthony Freeman APF Training & Consultancy 2 Patseamur Mews Longlevens Gloucester GL2 0XL

NEW APEA MEMBERS

Jason Carey PJ Carey (Contractors) Ltd Carey House Great Central Way Wembley Middlesex HA9 0HR David Hartle Hartle Ltd Drakes Court, Alcester Road Wythall Birmingham Warwichshire B47 6JR Joyce Hodgson Bishop Retail Ltd Bridge End Garage Howden-Le-Wear Crook Co Durham DL15 8ES

August Urs Furrer Harriton & Furrer, LLP 84 Business Park Drive Suite 302, Armonk New York, 10504 United States Dave Dixon D & K Services Ltd 6 Forge Close Market Rasen Lincolnshire LN7 6PY Christoper Savage Gortnaskea Electrics 234 Washingbay Road Aughamullan Dungannon Tyrone BT71 5DS

12

Claire Coulter North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards 79-81 Merry Street Motherwell ML1 1JJ Alison Campbell Orkney Islands Council Trading Standards School Place Kirkwall Orkney KW16 3HU Ian Gilmore Medway Council Trading Standards Gun Wharf Dock Road Chatham Kent ME4 4TR Michelle McNab West Lothian Council 5 Inchmuir Road Whitehall Industrial Estate Bathgate EH48 2EP Annette Long Leicestershire County Council Room 600 Learning and Development Section County Hall, Glenfield Leicestershire LE3 8RA Michelle McGinley North Lanarkshire Council Trading Standards 79-31 Merry Street Motherwell ML1 1JJ September Adrian Wagstaff 9 Roan Court Macclesfield Cheshire SK117AQ Brian Canny Larkhill Cottage Paddock Hilll Mobberley Cheshire WA16 7DE Andrew Eggington Ipsotek Ltd Tuition House 27-37 St George's Road Wimbledon SW19 4EU

Peter Barton The Petrol Tank Company Ltd Unit 4 Ashacres Ind Park Sudbury Rd Draycott in the Clay Derbyshire DE6 5GX Darrin Francis 4 Wickhambrook Court Felixstowe Suffolk IP11 2XY Desmond Rice Derry City Council 98 Strand Road Derry BT48 7NN Kjetil Pedersen WSP Fire Engineering WSP House 70 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1AF Colin Brewer 32 Redlands Road Penarth Cardiff CF64 2WH Matt Clayton Gilbarco Veeder-Root Crompton Close Basildon Essex SS14 3BA Paul Gilden Tunbridge Wells Roofing Limited Springfield Road Springfield Works Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 0RD Stein Alvern Phoenix Petrol Stations Limited Room 802 Peninsula Buildings 4 Praed Street London W2 1JJ Michael Hiatt 136 Bond Way, Hednesford Staffordshire WS12 4SL Michael Holland-Porter Reaction Group Lupins Business Centre Weymouth Dorset DT4 7SS James McAdam McAdam Stewart Architects Ltd Banbridge Enterprise Centre Scarva Road Banbridge Down BT32 3QD Dale Micallef London Fire Emergency Planning Authority Petroleum Group - Fire Safety Regulation 2nd Floor, 169 Union Street London SE1 0LL

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

Firefighters used aerial appliances to

share. It has two refineries in the

douse the flames and were still

country, and as long as it retains

getting the blaze under control at

these then it is likely to keep its retail

around 10am.

stations both in Germany and in

The service station has recently

surrounding countries. The same is

been taken over by Darwen-based

true of the Netherlands and Spain

clearance by Washington to mount

firm

(the two other European countries in

a £100billion bid for BP as the

company is in the process of

which

embattled

company

revamping the site. A spokes person

although BP has always struggled to

undertakes a high-stakes gamble to

for Euro Garages said: “There was

compete in Spain against the

cap the Gulf of Mexico spill.

just one person on site who acted

dominant

Oil giant Exxon has been given

British

Euro

Garages

and

the

the

firm

has

formerly

refineries),

state-owned

The U.S. government has told

quickly and helped to ensure that

Repsol. It currently ranks third in the

Exxon that it will not stand in its way

the fire remained confined to the

market.

if it chooses to attempt a takeover.

kiosk building. “We are currently

Other markets in which the BP

Sources said the American oil group

working with the local fire service to

brand is unlikely to disappear are

- which was responsible for the

determine the cause of the fire.”

those where it is the market leader,

world's biggest oil spill until the disaster in the Gulf - had expressed a 'serious interest' in the deal. The development came as BP removed a containment cap on the well to put a better one in its place.

During the procedure there will be no means of controlling the leak,

meaning

some

2.5million

gallons of oil will gush into the sea until it is sealed again. Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, BP has lost more than half its share value. BP refused to comment

on

the

takeover

speculation - but conceded it could take seven days to place a better cap on the well.

or has a strong convenience store

UK, BP looking to divest its service station network?

proposition. For example, despite the fact that BP no longer has a refinery in the UK, it has a strong and

Following the Gulf of Mexico oil leak and the heavy financial losses incurred by BP that could total $70 billion over the next two years, industry speculation is mounting that it

is

seeking

buyers

for

its

downstream assets, including its network

of

service

stations.

In

Europe, the German retail network has been cited as a likely candidate for sale, but the company has so far made no concrete announcements regarding

divestments

or

their

location. Given that BP sells more refined fuel in Europe than in any

UK, Lancashire. Lane closed after service station fire

other

part

of

the

world,

any

divestment would have a significant impact

Six fire crews tackled a blaze at a

upon

the

region's

competitive fuel retail landscape.

profitable service station presence, aided

by

franchising

and

the

extensive rollout of its convenience store offer, BP Connect, and its Wild Bean Cafe concept. Furthermore, despite the company's international status, the UK is BP's time-honoured home.

Networks without BP-owned fuel supplies nearby are now rare.

Indeed, earlier this year in France, where the oil giant does not have a refinery, BP sold its comparatively small network of 416 service stations to Israeli investment firm The Delek Group. Similarly, in 2009, BP sold its network of 1,230 sites in Greece, another country in which it had no refining capacity. On this basis, further service station divestments

motorway services on the M61. A

BP has a retail presence in 10

kiosk close to the BP Connect

markets in Europe, and in total there

forecourt at Bolton West Services

are just under 8,000 BP- and Aral-

caught fire just before 7am. A

branded service stations across the

position that BP commands in most

member of staff raised the alarm

continent, 40% of which are owned

of the retail markets in which it

and was later praised by her bosses

by the company. This makes the BP

operates, competition laws would

for her actions.

network the third largest in Europe.

make it difficult for oil majors within

Furthermore,

the same country to purchase BP's

Fire crews from Chorley and

BP-branded

sites

will invariably only come alongside refinery divestments.

Due

to

the

relatively

strong

Horwich rushed to the blaze, just off

account for 10% of all European

network.

the southbound carriageway. Police

service station fuel sales (some 33

predicts that large dealer groups

sealed off the slip road leading to

billion litres), making it the second

such as Delek could purchase the

the services and the inside lane of

largest fuel retailer in the region,

sites. Other potential suitors include

the M61 southbound was closed for

behind Shell.

new entrants such as Russian oil

around an hour.

Instead,

Datamonitor

Germany is BP's largest European

giants Gazprom and Lukoil, both of

Rush hour traffic slowed initially but

retail market, in which it has 2,365

which have made in-roads into the

there were no delays after 9am.

branded sites and a 23% market

European fuel retail market in recent

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

15

NEWS

UK, London. US oil company given the nod to mount £100bn BP takeover

any day. “The fact that they did so

this sector, the consequences are

The possible divestment of BP's

at 6.01 on a Sunday morning was

severe. “It can destroy lives, shatter

network of service stations is nothing

little short of miraculous. “So too was

local

new, and is likely to have been

the fact that not one of the few

damage to the environment which

under consideration by the firm long

people on the site or in the

can last for generations.” In a

before the Gulf of Mexico disaster.

surrounding area on that Sunday

statement, Mr Young, who is head of

Nor is the strategy of divesting

morning lost their lives.” Total UK

legal at Total UK, said: “I would like to

downstream assets specific to BP.

company

Young

take this opportunity to reiterate

Indeed, BP's bitter rival Shell recently

apologised “to all those who have

how sorry we are to all those who

announced that it was seeking to

been affected by the incident”,

have been affected by the incident.

withdraw from 30 retail markets

adding that the firm fully accepted

“We fully accept our responsibilities

worldwide. However, the oil leak

“our responsibilities for the events

for the events that took place at

years.

secretary

Lee

communities

and

cause

and BP's impending need for cash

that took place at Buncefield in

Buncefield in 2005 and recognise

could speed up the sale of selected

2005”. But Hemel Hempstead MP

the devastating consequences that

networks, and even tempt the firm

Mike Penning has condemned the

the

to sell off some of its refining and

level of fines and said he would ask

surrounding

retail assets, even in its integrated

Attorney General Dominic Grieve to

businesses.

and most profitable markets.

assess

UK, London. Firms ordered to pay almost £10M over Buncefield blast

whether

they

were

too

NEWS

parts in the Buncefield oil depot explosion. French energy giant Total

of

this

money

will

having their businesses, lives, homes and

health

industrial

destroyed

disaster

by

which

an

should

never have happened and was obviously completely preventable.

“I will be using the powers I have as an MP to ask the Attorney

workers and the public over the

General

2005 explosion. Hertfordshire Oil

sentence has been unduly lenient.

Storage Limited (HOSL) must pay

“Frankly these fines are an insult to

£2.4m and British Pipeline Agency

my constituents.” The explosion, on

Ltd

TAV

Sunday 11 December 2005, is widely

Engineering Ltd and Motherwell

thought to have been the largest in

Control Systems were told at St

peacetime Europe. It measured 2.4

Albans Crown Court they must pay

on the Richter scale and could be

£1,500 each. Total were fined £3.6m

heard 125 miles away.

pay

£780,000.

if

he

thinks

that

the

with £2.6m costs, Hertfordshire Oil

Gordon MacDonald, from the

Storage Limited received a £1.45m

Health and Safety Executive, said

fine with £1m costs and British

“Five companies have been held to

Pipeline Agency Ltd must pay a

account publicly for the failings that

£300,000 fine plus £480,000 costs.

led to the Buncefield explosions.

Motherwell Control Systems 2003 Ltd

“This is the culmination of a thorough

and TAV Engineering Ltd were both

and complex investigation carried

fined £1,000 with £500 costs.

out by the Environment Agency and

Judge Sir David Calvert-Smith said: “Had

the

explosion

happened

during a working day, the loss of life

the Health and Safety Executive into what was Britain's costliest petrochemical accident.

may have been measured in tens or

“Incidents like the explosion at

even hundreds. “The failures which

Buncefield are exceptionally rare.

led in particular to the explosion

But they shouldn't happen at all.

were failures which could have

“Risks created by these industries

combined

must

to

produce

these

consequences at almost any hour of 16

communities

was

an

the and

unprecedented

industry have learnt many lessons.”

must pay £6.2m for failing to protect

must

on

at the leniency of the financial fines.

are still waiting for compensation for

combined fines and costs for their

had

incident from which we and the

compensate my constituents who

pay almost £10m between them in

“This

has

lenient. “I am deeply disappointed “None

Five firms have been ordered to

incident

be

managed

effectively

because when things go wrong in

UK, London.

Greenpeace activists close down BP stations in London BP

petrol

London

stations

were

shut

in

central

down

by

environmental activists on 27th July 2010.

Campaign

group

Greenpeace claimed it had shut off the fuel supplies to all stations in the area. The oil company said about 20 sites had been affected. BP said activists stopped the flow of fuel by flipping

safety

switches

on

forecourts, then removing the levers to

prevent

the

petrol

stations

reopening. Greenpeace said it wanted the company to adopt greener

energy

policies.

A

BP

spokesman said the petrol stations would be reopened as soon as it was safe to do so. He described the stunt

as

“an

irresponsible

and

childish act which is interfering with safety systems”.

Greenpeace said the protest was being held to urge Bob Dudley, who will take over from outgoing BP chief executive Tony Hayward from October, to move away from “his predecessor's obsession with highrisk, environmentally-reckless sources of oil”.

At one station in Camden, north London,

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

Greenpeace

climbers

interceptor.

until 48 hours after a delivery to assess whether the discrepancy was

green

Later enquiries on site found that a

“sunflower” disappearing into a sea

blanking plate on the vent within the

of oil. At others, protesters put up

tank manhole had been left in

On 1 April 2009 the remote

version

showing

the

real.

position. So the petrol entering the

wetstock analysis team raised the

beyond petroleum.” Greenpeace

tank had been unable to vent and

alarm over the discrepancy in the

said the safety switches will be

the whole had been pressurised until

fuel in the tank. The Environment

returned.

organisation's

it could take no more. When the

Agency was notified on 1 April 2009

executive director John Sauven

hose was released from the tanker

at

said: “The moment has come for BP

the pressure within the unvented

confirmed that one of the petrol

to move beyond oil.

tank pushed the fuel back out of the

tanks had a leak and when it was

offset and hose.

later excavated, it was found to be

signs

saying:

“Closed.

The

Moving

“We've shut

down all of BP's stations in London to

6.38pm.

Pressure

testing

was

heavily corroded along one edge

come up with a better plan. They're

identified in that the tank manholes

and there was a hole. Over the next

desperate for us to believe they're

cannot be accessed when the

couple of days there were no visible

going 'beyond petroleum'. Well

tanker is in position because it is

signs of a major leak or strong petrol

now's the time to prove it.”

parked over them.

smell and no sign of fuel pollution in

UK, Suffolk, Lowestoft.

Major spillage at ASDA site

UK, Cambridgeshire.

Esso & ROC fined for petrol station leak

give the new boss a chance to

A

potential

design

flaw

local watercourses.

Mrs McDonald said that when the alarm went off at the petrol station only 1,500 litres of fuel had been lost.

During August there was a major

Ely Magistrates Court heard that

petroleum spill of approximately

10,000 litres of unleaded petrol

4000 litres at the new Asda Petrol

leaked into groundwater from the

Filling Station at Lowestoft. This site is

Villa Service Station in High Street,

sandwiched

the

Trumpington in March 2009. They

Superstore and the main inner relief

were told that although about 7,500

road leading up to the bridge. It is a

litres had been recovered by Esso,

very busy area.

2,500 litres are still unaccounted for.

between

The spill occurred during the first splash

of

fuel

the

new

of the incident an emergency team

tanks.

The

had been set up with numerous

tanker had unloaded the first two

organisations, a local pub had to be

pots of 7,000 litres each into the

closed and local shops and houses

80,000 litre petrol tank without

were assessed for risk.

underground

into

Magistrates heard that at the time

petrol

obvious problems. Half way through

Mrs

Anne-Lise

McDonald,

If ROC employees had responded appropriately, the quantity of fuel lost would have been significantly reduced.

ROC, the operator of the service station, said the supervisor on the day of the leak was unable to explain why the staff member had not followed procedures when the alarm went off as he had been fully trained. All staff were undergoing refresher training.

A representative of Esso, owner of the

land,

equipment,

infrastructure told

and

Environment

Agency investigators that tanks at

the third pot the flow of fuel into the

prosecuting for the Environment

tank started to slow until at one

Agency, told the court that an

point it was no more than 1 litre/

analysis of the tank contents, known

that single-skin underground storage

minute. There was no clear cause of

as a wetstock analysis, showed that

tanks, such as the one that leaked,

the blockage. It was decided to

following a delivery on 29 March

were at risk of unexpected and

cancel the delivery pending further

2009, the tank started losing regular

sudden

enquiries. The tanker faucet was

quantities of fuel every hour.

programme

She

the site were not due to be replaced. He said it was recognised

failure. of

There

was

replacing

a

them

closed off. The hose was slowly

said that the change in fuel level

although continued use of them

drained into the tank until it was

had caused an alarm to go off in

was not prohibited.

empty.

was

the service station at 5.30am on 30

Mrs McDonald told magistrates

subsequently disconnected from

March 2009. The sales assistant did

that the site of the petrol station is on

the tanker approximately 4,000 litres

not know what it was and switched

a major aquifer and that the leak

of petrol immediately sprayed out of

it off. At 7am he told his supervisor.

had had the potential to affect

When

the

hose

it over the tanker, the driver and

The remote wetstock analysis

water resources. Whilst there was no

other persons nearby. Fortunately

team received information on 31

evidence of migration of the fuel

nobody was hurt and due to the

March 2009 that there was a

away from the site, groundwater

wide interceptor channels that had

discrepancy

tank

taken from a borehole at the Villa

been specified on this site the spill

contents

normal

Service Station was found to be

was soon collected in the new

procedure not to raise the alarm

but

in

the it

fuel

was

polluted with petrol.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

19

NEWS

replaced BP's logo with a new

In response to the incident an emergency team was set up with

Esso Petroleum Co Ltd pleaded

Staffordshire Police spokesman said

guilty to:

staff were alerted to the theft by

numerous organisations including

On or about 30 March 2009 you did

Cambridge

cause

City

Council,

Detectives have launched an

Cambridgeshire County Council,

polluting matter to enter controlled

investigation into how the thieves

the Health Protection Agency, Fire

waters, namely groundwater at the

managed to evade the filling

Service, Police, Ambulance Service,

Esso Villa Service Station, 57 High

station's

the Environment Agency and the

Street, Trumpington, Cambridge,

automatic

utility services to assess and highlight

Cambridgeshire.

recognition system, installed as part

potential risks and assign roles,

Contrary

and

of Morrison’ defences against drive-

responsibilities and required actions.

section 85(6) Water Resources Act

away petrol theft. Officers were

1991.

gathering evidence at the scene

Fined £3,500

while a fuel tanker replenished the

time of the leak a local pub had to be closed and local shops and houses were assessed for risk. People were advised to be alert for smells of petrol

and

any

problems

with

drinking water and to alert relevant authorities if necessary, and to raise health concerns with the NHS. Utility

to

noxious

alarms.

or

Mrs McDonald said that at the

poisonous,

section

85(1)

UK, Burton-on-Trent.

Thieves steal petrol worth £45,000 at filling station - and no one notices

companies had to monitor their

Normally you fill your tank at a

trenches and underground pipes to

petrol station. But thieves who

check for ingress of petrol.

launched a night time raid on a

Magistrates heard that Esso had

supermarket topped up a tanker

one previous conviction and a

and made off with £45,000 worth of

number of formal cautions for

fuel.

NEWS

breaches of the same section of the

Under the cover of darkness, they

Water Resources Act 1991. After the

secretly drained the tanks at the

hearing,

Agency

Morrisons filling station in Burton,

said:

Staffordshire, unseen by the public

“Although Esso has spent a great

and undetected by a sophisticated

deal of time and effort recovering

surveillance

the lost fuel, much of the fuel could

believe it would have taken four

have

hours to siphon off the contents of

Environment

officer

David

been

Griffiths

prevented

from

system.

Detectives

storage tanks under the station

escaping in the first place.”

If the automatic tank alarms had been responded to more quickly it

forecourt.

The

gang

struck

between

CCTV

cameras

and

number

plate

depleted stocks.

UK, Redditch. Huge fuel spill closes M42 Hundreds of litres of diesel spilled across the M42, closing it for more than six hours, following a crash involving a fuel tanker and another lorry. Police closed the southbound M42 at junction three for Redditch following the collision between junctions three and two.

The

fuel

tanker,

carrying

an

estimated 500 litres of fuel, ruptured spilling diesel across all three lanes.

The Hazardous Area Response Team from West Midlands Ambulance service,

three

rapid

response

vehicles and two ambulance crews were sent to the scene as well as one crew from Redditch Fire Station and the Environmental Protection Unit from Stourport.

One of the drivers, a man in his 30s

could have greatly reduced the

midnight and 4.30am, escaping

amount

and

with more than 22,000 litres of

of

unleaded petrol and at least 16,000

inconvenience and concern to

litres of diesel. Police are still puzzled

dismounted from the rest of the

many nearby residents, businesses

as to exactly how they pulled it off

vehicle, suffered minor cuts to his

and the emergency services.

without raising suspicion, especially

face and arms and was taken to

as

used

the Alexandra Hospital for further

ROC UK Ltd pleaded guilty to:

pneumatic drills to break into the

assessment and treatment. The

On or about 30 March 2009 you did

tanks.

driver of the other lorry, a Latvian

of

petrol

subsequently

the

lost amount

it

is

believed

they

whose

lorry

damaged

cab

and

was

had

badly

become

or

PC Adam Cornes, at Burton

man in his 50s, was injured but was

polluting matter to enter controlled

police station, said: 'The offenders

in shock and was also taken to

waters, namely groundwater at the

would have had to use a large

hospital as a precaution.

Esso Villa Service Station, 57 High

vehicle or a tanker to remove this

Fire-fighters spent two hours at the

Street, Trumpington, Cambridge,

large quantity and it would have

scene using special absorbency

Cambridgeshire.

taken

pads and granules to try and soak

cause

poisonous,

noxious

several

hours.

We

are

appealing to anyone who may

up the fuel as well as pumping the

section 85(6) Water Resources Act

have

remaining diesel in the tanker into a

1991.

Wellington Road and saw the fuel

Fined £7,000

being removed to come forward.' A

Contrary

20

to

section

85(1)

and

been

travelling

along

portable container.

At one point tailbacks reached

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

five miles as motorists were diverted

the fireworks and that it was his

Buncefield

off the motorway and onto the slip

intention to sell them.”

Hertfordshire in 2005, said it was

fuel

refinery

fire

in

road at junction three. Just one lane

Mark Jackson, prosecuting for

reviewing the future of 480 directly

of the motorway was re-opened by

West Midlands Fire Service, told the

owned forecourts and contracts to

5pm causing delays of about one

court Ryan kept hazard type three

supply 300 franchised-out stations.

hour

and four fireworks.

minutes

for

frustrated

The French company accounts for

commuters battling through the rush

Mr Norton added outside court

hour traffic as Highways Agency

type four has a slight explosion

than 3bn litres of fuel and lubricants

officials checked for any damage

hazard while the more dangerous

each year, and has recently put its

the diesel had caused to the

type three carries a risk of minor

Lindsey

carriageway and to ensure it was

blast and projectile capability.

Lincolnshire up for sale. But the

not a skid risk. The motorway was eventually fully re-opened at 8pm.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said the use of a special

9% of the UK market, selling more

oil

refinery

in

North

“If you restrict where the blast can

company, which employs 6,500 staff

go then it becomes very destructive

and is said to support 35,000 others,

and these were tightly packed in,”

says it will not quit the country.

he said.

Gazprom, which is controlled by the

pressurised washer and suction

“I can’t say what the effect here

machine had meant they had been

would have been – one could only

able to soak up the fuel from within

say

It

would

with a quarter of all its gas.

have

The Kremlin has been accused by

the carriageway avoiding the need

definitely blown out the windows

the west of using energy as a

to resurface which would have

and potentially caused structural

political weapon after it cut off

closed the motorway overnight.

damage.”

UK, Teen kept 200 kilos of fireworks in Highgate flat

potentially.

state, provides mainland Europe

supplies to the Ukraine and Belarus.

Harjit Rashoda, defending, said

Gazprom Neft is keen to expand

Ryan had paid £1,000 for the

outside Russia. It recently bought the

fireworks. She added he was due to

service stations and other interests of

start

the main oil company in Serbia.

a

course

at

Birmingham

University next month.

Aug 2010.

A teenager kept more than 200 kilos of fireworks in two kitchen cupboards 15 storeys up a city tower block, a court heard.

Liam Ryan of Wilmcote Tower, Upper Highgate Street, Highgate, was given a 12-month community order by Birmingham Magistrates yesterday after pleading guilty to three offences which amounted to him storing dangerous fireworks

David

Magistrates waived the cost of the £6,000 prosecution. be

confiscated

by

petrol stations but added: “I don't

training, said Mr Jackson.

understand why a heavily indebted

UK London. Gazprom may buy Total’s UK petrol stations The Russians may be coming – to a upheaval in the oil industry comes to pass. French energy group Total

19-year-old had a collection of

wants to sell off up to 500 UK

more than 100, with names like Next

forecourts

Generation

Moscow is an interested buyer.

Galactic

Destroyer,

Rocket,

Radiation

Outburst and Supernova.

he did not see any possible strategic threat from Russia buying British

Speaking outside the court, fire

Missile

UK

the

safety officer Mick Norton said the

Scud

former

brigade, who plan to use them for

petrol station near you, if the latest

without a licence to sell them.

a

critical of Gazprom in the past, said

But they added Ryan’s fireworks would

Clark,

government adviser who has been

and

Gazprom

from

Gazprom

goes

round

buying

downstream assets when it needs to spend large amounts on getting gas out of the ground.”

Ireland, Motorway stations, 300 jobs on the way Around 300 new jobs are to be created with the opening of the first motorway service areas in the

The Muscovites have long eyed a

country. Irish company Applegreen

major move into Britain but backed

has begun recruiting staff to fill the

Mr Norton, who recovered the

off after ideas of taking over British

jobs, which will be created when the

fireworks during an inspection at the

Gas triggered a minor political

rest areas -- incorporating Burger

one-bedroom council flat at the 20-

earthquake

Westminster.

King and Costa Coffee restaurants,

storey block in June last year, said it

Gazprom declined to comment

showers, rest areas, playgrounds,

was the first time he had ever

about its latest plans, but well-

and fuel outlets – open in counties

encountered such a case.

placed sources in Russia told the

Dublin, Louth and Kildare. The full

in

“I was very surprised to find such a

Guardian that its oil arm, Gazprom

and part-time jobs will be mainly in

huge quantity of fireworks in such a

Neft, was looking at the petrol

food service, with additional jobs in

small space,” he said “Mr Ryan was

station assets. Total, which was

retail, cleaning and maintenance.

very open about when he bought

recently fined £3.6m for its role in the

Construction is in the final stages,

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

23

NEWS

20

Australia, Queensland, Tinana. $20,000 blaze at service station

site

area and found that there was a 50

expected to be the first to open in

per cent reduction in invertebrates

September or October 2010. Sites at

in the Almond at Livingston Rugby

Castlebellingham and Enfield will

Club. “However, the river appears to

follow. The project represents an

be recovering.” Sepa said a “great

investment of more than €70m by

deal”

been

A petrol bowser at the United

the Superstop consortium, which

collected and removed, adding

service station on Gympie Road,

also includes Top Oil and Pierse

that a final warning letter had been

Tinana, was destroyed when a 59-

Contracting. Petrogas, the Irish firm

served on the company responsible

year old man tried to fill his 9kg

that operates the Applegreen filling

for the site.

petrol cylinder at the wrong one.

with

the

Lusk

northbound

stations, recently reported that fullyear profits plummeted to €1.7m last year from €5.4m in the previous year, but insisted it is going ahead with planned expansions.

Director of operations Joe Barrett said

the

investment

demonstration

of

was

the

a

firm's

commitment to providing quality to Irish drivers. “We have invested heavily in the Irish economy across our network and this is just the latest demonstration of our commitment to provide outstanding value and quality

to

the

Irish

motorist.”

Applegreen is the country's largest

NEWS

independent forecourt retailer, with 57 sites in the Republic and an expanding

network

in

the

UK.

Established in 2004, it employs more than 650 people.

of

the

fuel

had

Brad Coleman from United said

Nigeria, Kano. 11 killed, 40 houses razed as petrol tanker crashes into buildings

that instead of asking for a qualified technician to refill the cylinder the man attempted to fill it himself at a bowser meant only for cars.

No fewer than 11 persons were burnt

beyond

recognition

in

Jekadafari, Gombe State, when a petrol tanker went out of control and crashed into buildings and vehicles. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that nine others were seriously injured, while 40 houses and business shops were destroyed and burnt in the resultant inferno. Mr Fidelis Osakwe, Sector Commander of FRSC in Gombe, confirmed

the

accident

in

an

interview with NAN. He said when the driver lost control of the tanker, with registration number Taraba XB

UK, Scotland, Edinburgh. River wildlife hit by latest diesel spill

157 TRR, it rammed into parked vehicles and buildings. Dr.James Madi, Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital, Gombe, gave the figure of those who died as

A diesel spill in the River Almond

“more than 11.”

has halved the number of animals

Mr. Abbas Mohammed, Gombe

found in one part of its waters. A

Divisional Secretary of the Nigeria

major

was

Red Cross, who was involved in the

launched in May 2010 after vandals

rescue operations, said they took

caused 2,000 litres of diesel to spill

the nine injured persons to the

into

clean-up

operation

“He had a fridge in his car and it started up and with the vapours from the petrol cylinder, ignited.” A police spokesman said the man left the scene soon after the fire started

but

there

were

no

suspicious circumstances. “He left because he had burns to his leg, it was an unfortunate accident.”

Maryborough Fire Service station officer Steve McLaren said firefighters cut off power to the bowser and used a C02 extinguisher to douse

the

flames.

“When

we

arrived it wasn’t completely out so we put down a foam blanket. The service station was evacuated and the

entrances

shut

off.”

Mr

Coleman said the estimated cost of damage was in excess of $20,000 as well as loss of business over the next few days until the bowser was replaced.

Greece, Athens. Shell complete exit from Greek retail arena

The

Scottish

hospital. Dr .Daniel Musa, Permanent

Shell and Motor Oil Hellas Corinth

Protection

Agency

Secretary, Gombe Ministry of Health,

Refineries have announced that

(Sepa) said “extensive pollution” to

who was at the Specialist Hospital,

they have completed the sale of

the river had occurred at the scene

told NAN that all the injured persons

Shell‘s

of the spill in Kirkton, Livingston.

would be treated free of charge.

Greece. As well as the sale, an

NAN

was

agreement for the continued use of

accident

the Shell brand in the Greek market

the

water.

Environment

Ecologists monitoring the spill have recorded a 50 per cent reduction in

reports

confusion

that

when

there

the

downstream

assets

in

by Motor Oil Hellas was signed.

at

occurred at noon as people ran in

Livingston Rugby Club. Simon Cole,

all directions for their lives. The

a senior environmental protection

inferno extended far beyond the

Hellenic Competition Commission

officer

“Sepa

spot of the accident, as the fuel

on 11 June 2010, the EUR 245.6

ecologists have been carrying out

flowing from the tanker covered

million (USD 333 million) transaction

ecology impact assessments in the

more than 200 square metres.

involves Shell‘s retail, commercial

invertebrates

24

for

in

Sepa,

the

river

said:

Following

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

approval

from

the

fuels, bitumen, chemicals, supply

on

in

contamination predominantly under

and

December last year requiring the

the service station was discovered.”

distribution,

and

liquefied

Caltex

Oil to

Australia perform

PL

petroleum gas businesses, as well as

company

site

She added: “Caltex continues to

a lubricants oil blending plant.

assessment at 1 Gordons Hill Rd to

a

work with the EPA in monitoring and

With both companies due to co-

determine the extent and risk of fuel

operate on several levels going

loss from an underground storage

forward, the agreement includes

tank,” the spokeswoman said. “The

the creation of a marketing joint

assessment was completed and the

venture between Shell and Motor Oil

EPA

Hellas for the trade of aviation fuels

information.”

under the company name Shell &

has

requested

further

The proprietors of the service station declined to speak to the

MOH Aviation Fuels.

removing the contamination. “There is no evidence to indicate harm to animal or marine life.”

South Africa, Vitol moves to buy into Shell Retail in Africa

NEWS

The Shell retail network of around

Sunday Tasmanian, citing legal

700 retail stations, as well as the new

advice. Leaking underground fuel

aviation joint venture, will retain the

tanks

pose

significant

Shell brand and products through

environmental

problems,

trademark licensing agreements.

particularly to groundwater, through

With the completion of the deal,

contamination

Shell Hellas A.E. will be re-named

toluene, ethyl benzene and xylenes

Coral A.E. Shell Downstream Director

contained in petrol. Benzene is

Mark Williams said: “The decision to

considered to increase the risk of

sell our downstream businesses in

cancer in humans if present in

Greece follows a comprehensive

drinking water at just five parts per

d'Ivoire, Ghana and 14 other African

strategic review. It fits with our drive

billion.

states. The deal would mark a new

to simplify our global downstream

Campbell said to his knowledge the

portfolio and concentrate on larger,

council had not been informed of

integrated

the leak.

assets

in

growth

Clarence

if

untowards

Australia, Tasmania, Hobart. Caltex petrol leak probe 30,000 litres

benzene,

Mayor

Jock

there's

I'm

anything

told

about

it

immediately,” he said. Leaks from underground fuel storage tanks installed in the post-war years have caused environmental problems in the United States and Australia in

Leaking underground fuel tanks at a busy petrol station spilled 30,000

the

world's

largest

independent energy trader, said it was in talks to buy African fuel stations from Royal Dutch Shell, the company's first move into supplying end users. Vitol said in a statement it was looking to acquire businesses from Shell including 1,300 fuel retail sites in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Cote

step for Vitol in supplying end users.

The company, best known as an oil trader, has other businesses

“Usually

markets.”

by

Vitol,

recent years.

“They're all vintage from the late

including exploration, production and storage. Vitol trades over 5.5 million barrels of crude oil and products per day along with deals in coal, power and carbon emissions but has never before been involved supplying the retail market. The potential

deal

envisaged

Shell

retaining a stake and its brand

litres of fuel at a Hobart suburb.

1950s and early '60s from when all

Investigations have begun into how

the oil companies came looking for

remaining for the retail business, Vitol

and when more than 30,000 litres of

market share at that point in time,”

said.

petrol leaked from the storage tanks

Ald Campbell said. Underground

of the Caltex service station at

petrol

Eastlands on the Eastern Shore.

leaking

The service station, at the corner of Gordons Hill Rd and Cambridge

tanks

were

at

Hobart's

discovered

was under way to mitigate the effects of the leaked petrol, which

spokeswoman for the Environment

appeared to have been in the

Protection

ground

for

some

time.

investigations and remediation work

“Independent

had begun.

undertook site investigations at fuel

consultants

broader restructuring that Shell is carrying out and meets with Vitol's growth aspirations in a continent it knows well,” said a spokesperson on behalf of Vitol. “All three partners are confident that with the existing structure, organisation and Shell brand this will continue to grow into

lost,

Caltex Eastlands service station in

apparently over many years, is

late 2009 and found no evidence of

equivalent to slightly more than the

a recent leak,” she said. “During

they added. Last week, Shell said it

capacity of a large fuel tanker. “The

these investigations, evidence of

planned to sell some of its fuel

EPA served an Investigation Notice

historic

stations in India.

26

of

an

investment firm. “This deal is part of a

work at that site is continuing.

one kilometre from the waterfront. A

amount

Partners,

African founded and managed

Shopping Centre and is less than

The

Investment

Barracks in 2001 and remediation A Caltex spokeswoman said work

said

Helios

Anglesea

Rd, sits above the Rosny Park

Authority

Vitol was acting in partnership with

leaded

petrol

an increasingly profitable business,”

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

PRESS RELEASES

Franklin Fueling Systems announces the acquisition of PetroTechnik Ltd, Suffolk, UK Madison, Wisconsin – September 7, 2010 – Franklin Fueling Systems, one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of petroleum equipment, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of PetroTechnik Limited (“PetroTechnik”) for cash.

PetroTechnik is the supplier of Universal Petro Pipe (UPP) and polyethylene containment, piping and tightness testing systems for the underground storage and transfer of flammable liquids. PetroTechnik also manufactures and distributes Cookson and Zinn (C & Z) above and below ground storage tanks and pressure vessels. PetroTechnik's consolidated annual sales are approximately 25 million pounds sterling.

28

Don Kenney, President of Franklin Fueling Systems, stated, “The acquisition of PetroTechnik and its subsidiaries in the UK, France, Brazil, India and China, doubles Franklin Fueling's global pipe and containment sales, doubles our revenue in Europe and increases our overall non-U.S. sales by fifty percent.

“Franklin Fueling Systems is now able to supply customers globally with both the UPP brand electrofusion pipe certified to European (EN) standards, as well as the market leading APT brand flexible pipe certified to U.S. (UL) standards. Electrofusion pipe is the preferred technology outside the U.S. PetroTechnik’s existing distribution network reaches over 100 countries including many in emerging markets around the world which provides Franklin international distribution for its other industry leading petroleum equipment products including pumping systems, fuel management systems, and vapour recovery

systems. Franklin also gains a proven team of industry leading sales, marketing and technical personnel recognised as the global leaders in electrofusion piping products, with an estimated ten million meters of pipe installed in over 30,000 sites across more than 150 countries.

“PetroTechnik, founded in the early 1990s, has built its reputation on the same principles as Franklin: quality, availability, service and innovation, as well as a strong sense of responsibility to provide the highest value to its customers.

PetroTechnik’s worldwide customer base is supported by sales representatives and employees located around the world.”

Kenney concluded, “We are pleased that PetroTechnik has the confidence in Franklin to continue its shared vision of commitment to its customers. John Boudry, Chief Executive Officer of PetroTechnik, will provide consulting services throughout the integration.”

Mr. Boudry added, “This union is a wonderful step forward for the entire

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

Dumbarton Service Station

First Scottish Dealer for Murco Murco Petroleum is pleased to announce that they have expanded their dealer network north of the border with the addition of Dumbarton Service Station Ltd, in Dumbarton, west of Glasgow.

Sisters - Sandra Stuart and Violet Devlin

Owned and managed by sisters Sandra Stuart and Violet Devlin and their brother David Stuart, the business has been in the family since 1985.

In

that

time

they

have

operated under several fuel brands, the last six years being with Esso.

At the beginning of 2010, they decided to look for a new fuel

Jim Mulheran, Murco’s Dealer Sales Manager

supplier and approached three companies, Murco being one of them.

Violet Devlin explained: “Of all the deals put forward, the price supported margin deal offered

by Murco was by far the better package.

“Murco really wants us to do well and be a profitable business and they are geared up to help us in whatever way they can. Their quality fuels, reliable deliveries and strong Murco branding are as you can imagine vitally important to us, but it is their knowledge, contacts and ongoing general support and advice that really makes them different.

“From supplying waste bins for our forecourt to assisting us to get better deals on our pump and till maintenance, everything is geared

towards us having a better business.

“If we thrive, so will Murco and you can’t say fairer than that.”

Jim Mulheran, Murco’s Dealer Sales Manager says: “We are delighted to welcome Violet and Sandra to our dealer network. Since the recent expansion of our company owned station network into Scotland, we have been looking to recruit high quality dealers to complement these sites. I am confident that Dumbarton Service Station will be the first of many Scottish dealers to join us and I look forward to growing the Murco brand significantly in Scotland. The clear message to Scottish dealers and their English and Welsh counterparts of course, is don’t sign a new supply agreement without first speaking to Murco.”

Tokheim invests in Fairbanks Tokheim announced on 14th September that it has invested in Fairbanks Environmental Ltd and has signed a partnership agreement to help Fairbanks develop its business globally.

Fairbanks is the UK’s leading independent provider of wetstock monitoring & management and on site compliance services to the petrol retail industry. Fairbanks’ systems help minimise petroleum losses by detecting leakage, fraud and dispenser meter inaccuracy thereby saving its customers’ money and ensuring legal and environmental compliance.

Bob Conlin and Steve Jones,

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

29

PRESS RELEASES

industry as a whole. I think it speaks to the globalization of the industry when two companies from different regions of the world come together in order to provide their customers with as broad a product offering as possible. Both customer bases will greatly benefit from this acquisition, which will also provide vast growth potential for two industry leading lines of pipe.”

Franklin Fueling Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE), a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and automotive fuels.

Recognised as a technical leader in its specialties, Franklin Electric serves customers around the world in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal water and fueling applications.

Fairbanks Joint Managing Directors said “we believe that this partnership gives us the best possible opportunity to deliver our services in new markets, through Tokheim’s extensive international presence, whilst maintaining our independence and allowing us to keep day to day operational control of the business.”

“We are very happy to team up with Fairbanks, believing that our new relationship will accelerate the growth of Fairbanks, whilst giving Tokheim opportunities to provide additional added value services through its network of service businesses,” said Patrick Berthon, Tokheim President.

PRESS RELEASES

About Tokheim Tokheim Group S.A.S., based in Paris, France, is one of the world's leading manufacturers and service providers of fuel dispensing and automation equipment.

With operations in many countries around the globe, Tokheim offers customers a complete range of fuel dispensers and pumps, retail automation systems, payment terminals, media devices, replacement parts and upgrade kits, and a full range of support services, including service station construction and maintenance. For more information, visit www.tokheim.com About Fairbanks Fairbanks Environmental was founded in 1996 with the aim of providing the petrol forecourt industry with a cost effective solution for remote wetstock management and control.

The business established a market leading position in the identification of underground leaks and over dispensing pumps which have led to many millions of pounds being saved by its customers each year. In addition to its UK success Fairbanks has key contracts in Australia and mainland Europe using its ibank realtime data analysis system.

Fairbanks is also a leading contractor for on-site compliance services in the petrol industry. Most notably as approved verifiers of fuel 30

dispensers and in delivering Risk Assessment and hazardous area reporting For more information, visit www.fairbanks.co.uk

Morrisons select Fairbanks Fairbanks, the UK’s leading wetstock management specialist, has been engaged to provide its services across Kevin Arnold and Ray Monk Morrisons petrol filling Ray was employee number three, station network. originally working as part of the As part of a comprehensive production team and then moved service package, Fairbanks is to the warehouse ensuring all orders providing tank alarm monitoring, are picked, packed and arrive wetstock analysis and loss when requested. investigations, supplemented by onHaving a keen interest in DIY Ray site meter calibration and verification services. This is in can always be relied upon to sort addition to the risk assessment work those annoying and awkward jobs around the building from a dripping it already undertakes for Morrisons. tap to revamping work cells.

Fairbanks’ systems highlight Ray said “In my 20 years I have unacceptable wetstock losses that moved buildings with Hytek twice. may be as a result of over-issuing As I joined they relocated to larger dispensers, theft or potential leaks in the underground storage system, premises in Elsenham on Golds with each incident being Business Park and again in 2001 to investigated by a dedicated team Delta House Elsenham to purpose built premises occupying 20,000 sq of data analysts.

Mark Todd, Director of Petrol at ft.

To mark Ray’s long service Kevin Morrisons, said “Morrisons is Arnold, Hytek managing director, committed to operating its filling stations to the highest standard and presented Ray with £1,000 worth of the assurance Fairbanks offers will holiday vouchers. complement our internal procedures. We’re looking forward to working with the team at Fairbanks.”

Fairbanks’ Commercial Director Michelle King added “We are delighted to have secured this business with Morrisons. The industry has embraced the benefits of real time data analysis and we are pleased that such a significant forecourt operator as Morrisons has chosen Fairbanks’ system.”

Hytek Employee Long Service Award Ray Monk has completed 20 years service with Hytek (GB) Ltd. The company supplies fuelling and Lubrication equipment, alongside products for the oil heating industry.

Joining Hytek back in August 1990

25 Years Of Excellence at Hytek Hytek Fuelling & Lubrication Equipment Suppliers were 25 years old in August.

The company, started by Kevin Arnold and Ian Taylor with just one product, a commercial diesel dispensing pump the “109”. This pump was supplied to pump installers and authorised oil companies for use in the transport industry to refill vehicles with fuel.

Today Hytek supplies over 6,000 fuel and lubricant dispensing products from stock ready for immediate dispatch and next day delivery throughout the UK as standard.

Hytek design and assemble many of their own engineered products.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

As they also distribute for leading petroleum

equipment

suppliers

including Goodyear, Husky, Tuthill,

PetroForum to Launch in Africa

PetroTechnik, ALFA Lube and CimTek filtration.

They were the first to come out with a full range, colour product catalogue and now offer alongside and links to sales and technical details.

Monthly promotions and new products used to be sent by post to customers. They can now receive an email version, which gives customers more details than the paper version, letting customers choose how they want to receive information.

The web site does not allow end users to see trade prices as Hytek only supply the trade. End users use the site for information and then place their orders directly with us.

Kevin Arnold is still the managing director

and

Hytek’s

founding

principles remain the same today as they were 25 years ago. The main aim is to answer the phone within three rings, treat customers how you would want to be treated and offer fast friendly advice with excellent customer service.

Hytek employees are very loyal with three having served over 20,

The African downstream market is being shaped by complex dynamics. An emerging middle class continues to drive domestic consumer demand in many economies while new frontier markets are beginning to open up.

Add to these drivers a sharp focus on infrastructure and development and the case for opportunities in Africa is very strong indeed. In recent years Africa has seen the withdrawal of the major oil companies - only Total still holds strong with an 11% share of the market. With this retreat the market is open for development from national oil corporations and other leaders in the industry, paving the way for a future of potentially huge rewards for those with the know-how and contacts.

So with all eyes on Africa, OpenRoom Events felt it was time to spread its wings further over this region. With a number of African fuel retailers and service station providers making the trip out to Malaysia for the 2010 PetroForum, the case for a focused event in Africa for the downstream market became clear and PetroForum Africa was born.

connections for those companies already making steps into this evolving market.

The event will bring together leading fuel retailers who operate service stations from across the region. There has been a good early response, with a number of organisations showing firm interest in the event, including: Total Uganda, Engen, BP South Africa, Essar Kenya, Sasol, African Petroleum, Metro Petroleum, YB Petroleum, NOC Kenya, Sonangol Congo, Cobil Congo, Gulf Energy Kenya and NNPC. Equipment and solutions suppliers have been quick to sign up too, and with over 60 companies already confirmed, it promises to be a sell-out event.

To bolster the importance of this inaugural event, we are delighted to have the support of Petroleum Africa as our media partner.

Published monthly since 2003, Petroleum Africa is the world’s leading magazine dedicated to following the petroleum industry in Africa, and with a news gathering network which spans the entire continent, they are the ideal partner for this pan-African event.

PetroForum has an established reputation with a 10-year history of successful events across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. To see how they work, a short film of the 2010 Asia PetroForum can be seen on: www.openroomevents.com

With the event’s unique format

PetroForum Africa takes place on

combining a conference with a

1st-2nd March 2011, at the Hyatt

service. We pride ourselves on a

one-to-one

program,

Regency Hotel, Johannesburg. For

dedicated team of professionals

PetroForum will give global suppliers

further information or to reserve your

and are looking forward to the

the perfect platform to explore

place, please contact Annabel at

challenges the future holds with the

opportunities in this region if they

info@openroomevents.com

introduction of modern fuels.

have not yet done so and to reassert

telephone 020 8222 8837.

seven over ten and ten over 5 years

meetings

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

or 31

PRESS RELEASES

this, a CD with page turner facility

Christmas Eve Tragedy 2 Die When Non-Approved Container Fails

By Ian Clarke Principal Environmental Health Officer - Public Protection North East Lincolnshire Council

ARTICLES

On the chilly but dry morning of Christmas Eve of 2007 the owner of a taxi business purchased 24 litres of petrol from a neighbouring filling station to see the firm through the festive period. The fuel was dispensed into an unsuitable, unlabelled plastic container, which he took into the taxi office just a few yards away. The container broke, the fuel leaked out and was then ignited, causing an intense fire. Two female employees within the office died at the scene and the proprietor suffered burns.

This article sets out the circumstances of this tragic incident and examines some of the practical and enforcement issues arising from it, focusing in particular on the container used.

In about 1998 a 25 litre “plastic” container was manufactured by Polimoon Ltd for Ecolacid, a water based product. In about 2006 it was acquired by Immingham Service Station Ltd. The container was kept in the workshop and was used for storing petrol from vehicles being worked on.

The taxi office was situated on the north side of the petrol forecourt.

Just after 8am on Christmas Eve 2007, the proprietor, Mr B, went to the service station to buy five gallons of fuel as a reserve for when the petrol stations were closed for Christmas. He did not have a container for this and persuaded the attendant, who was also a mechanic in the workshop, to provide one.

The Ecolacid container was produced, the attendant informing the proprietor that it was used for holding petrol in the workshop. It was filled with 23.85 litres of fuel, with a 10cm air gap at the top. The service station till rang up a sale of £25 at approximately 8.18am.

Mr B returned to the taxi office and 32

placed the container between the fridge and the outside door, under a breakfast bar top. A portable gas heater was also in the office; it is not known if it was lit. A tennis ball hole appeared on a corner of the container and moments later, despite a desperate attempt to get the container outside, the fuel ignited inside the office. Mr B fell out of the door, his clothes on fire. His wife and another employee were trapped inside.

A call to the fire department was logged at 8.19am.

The ensuing investigations involved several enforcement a g e n c i e s working in cooperation with each other and in liaison with the coroner.

North East Lincolnshire Council’s public protection s e r v i c e investigated the deaths at the taxi office and p o s s i b l e breaches of the service station’s petroleum licence.

This work was done by trading standards petroleum officers and the health and

safety enforcement team working together, sharing evidence and expertise. The service station was also subject to enforcement by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Humberside Police examined the potential case for manslaughter and led the initial investigation.

Formal interviews were conducted by the police, with officers from the public protection team supplying questions, observing and contributing to the interviews.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service examined the site to determine the source of ignition. While a number of possible sources were present, the actual source could not be positively identified. The Health and

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

suitability of the container and whether the petroleum licence conditions had been breached. The health and safety team had to determine why the incident happened and whether or not a breach of health and safety requirements had occurred at the taxi office.

While the investigations took place, two sisters of one of the deceased employees raised their concerns with their local Member of Parliament and the matter was raised in the House of Commons (Hansard 13 Oct 2008 : Column 645 Deaths of Ann Mawer and Sue Barker). The sisters have continued

campaigning to tighten up requirements relating to the sale of petrol into containers.

Whilst enforcement of health and safety requirements at petrol stations is usually undertaken by local authorities, in this case the

main activity on the site is that of motor vehicle repair and consequently the site falls to the HSE to enforce general health and safety requirements.

Therefore the investigation at the service station was limited to the Petroleum (Regulation) Acts 1928 and 1936 offences.

The petroleum licence for the service station had been renewed in 2007, expiring on December 31, 2007. This licence was subject to a set of standard conditions that had been in force since 1996. A new licence dated January 1, 2008 was issued on the December 18, 2007 incorporating the National Model Licensing Conditions.

The licence conditions in force at

the time of the incident stated that an approved container “means a metal container of a capacity not exceeding 23 litres permanently labelled ‘petroleum spirit – highly flammable’ with a secure leak proof cap, or a plastic container not exceeding five litres capacity which complies with the requirements of the Petroleum Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982, or any amending legislation”.

They required that “… petroleum spirit shall be dispensed … into an approved container”.

The general conditions of the licence also included the following

condition: “Where work is required to be done on any petroleum fuel tank of any motor vehicle, petroleum spirit shall be drawn off ….. This shall only be into a metal container …/ conspicuously labelled ‘PETROLEUM SPIRIT – HIGHLY FLAMMABLE’….”

However, the workshop was not within the licensed area, and therefore was not subject to the licensing conditions.

Thus, while some aspects of the petroleum licence offences regarding use of an unsuitable container appear straight forward – a 25 litre unmarked plastic container having been used – it was recognised that a defence could provide mitigating evidence if it were to be shown that the container could have met UN standards.

The HSL report stated: “These results suggest the container would be suitable for storing petrol in terms of there being no adverse reaction between the container material and petrol, but it just fails to meet the pressure rating recommended by HSE for plastic petrol containers.” The manufacturer said they would not recommend the use of these containers for storing petrol.

A guidance note about plastic containers, provided by HSL, included the following information: “The inclusion of UN approved containers within the model licence conditions was to cater for people at work. Unless a container is certified and approved to display the UN mark for carrying petrol … there is no automatic ‘approval’ for use at a licensed petrol filling station under the current UK legal and licensing arrangements. Apart from the legal requirements, a properly

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

33

ARTICLES

Safety Laboratories (HSL) at Buxton examined the remains of a container removed from the burntout office, comparing it to a container obtained from the service station workshop.

It was determined that a charge of manslaughter was not appropriate and the investigation was passed to the Public Protection service. The petroleum officer’s investigation focussed on the

ARTICLES

applied UN mark is important so that the site operators know that the container can legally be filled …”

Based on the examination of a similar container, HSL concluded that “the container involved in the incident does not fully meet the requirements of a United Nations (UN) approved container for the carriage of petrol and should not have been used at a petrol filling station”.

In their opinion the container was not suitable for storing petrol. Due to the damage to the container in the incident, they were unable to confirm that the containers were identical.

Whilst the suitability of the container was one important aspect of the trading standards team investigation, the health and safety team had to try to determine why the container failed. Clearly the container was capable of holding petrol without dissolving. One consideration was that the container had failed due to excessive vapour pressure as the fuel warmed.

It was known that the container was only tested up to a hydraulic test pressure of 150 kPa, while petrol containers have a recommended test pressure of 160 kPa. The specification of petrol sold is given in The Motor Fuel (Composition and Content) Regulations 1999 as amended, which implement EC Directive 98/70 as amended.

Assuming the fuel was compliant with the “winter specification”, vapour pressure of the fuel should not have exceeded 70kPa (measured at 37.8°C).

The incident occurred on a chilly morning, which would be reflected in the temperature of the dispensed fuel. The container had not been placed by the gas fire and there was insufficient time for the fuel to have warmed to such an extent that it 34

would have burst a sound container due to excessive vapour pressure.

HSL expressed the view that the appearance of the hole was suggestive of bursting; this could occur if the wall of the container was weak. It had been determined that the container was about 10 years old and therefore it may have had some physical deterioration, weakening the walls of the container. Mr B stated that he fell at the doorway of the office in his attempt to get the holed container outside. He got up and booted the container away. “When I booted the container, the container didn’t seem to be like a malleable plastic, it seemed to be more like an egg … it seemed to just break.” This strongly points to the container being brittle.

Mr B’s statement also indicates that the fire did not occur until some moments after the initial bursting of the container.

For plastics drums and jerricans, unless otherwise approved by the competent authority, the period of use permitted for the carriage of dangerous substances shall be five years from the date of manufacture of the receptacles, except where a shorter period of use is prescribed because of the nature of the substance to be carried. (ADR 2007 Economic Commission for Europe Committee on Inland Transport European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Volume 1 Part 4 Packing and Tank provisions, paragraph 4.1.1.15) It was concluded that the container had most probably failed because it was unsound due to embrittlement; this was strongly indicated by the manner of the failure.

This incident is a classic illustration of the domino theory of accidents having many points where the fatal sequence of events could have been stopped. Whilst the direct cause of the fire and explosion could be attributed to the failure of fuel container and ignition of spilled petrol, it is the indirect causes that are of significance in prevention:

- Failure to ensure the container provided was in a sound condition, fit for purpose. It seems likely that because of customary use of the container in the workshop for temporarily decanting petrol, the danger was not recognised.

- Failure of service station to observe the licence conditions regarding dispensing into appropriately marked suitable containers.

- An unsafe act of taking container of fuel into office.

a

- Failure to recognise the presence of unprotected sources of ignition in the office.

In a joint hearing at Grimsby Crown Court on February 22, 2010, Immingham Service Station Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching its Petroleum Licence, an offence under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 section 1(3), and was fined £7,500. Mr B pleaded guilty to breaching the requirements of Sections 2(1) and 3(1) the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; he has fined £2,400; in determining the fine, the court had regard to his present circumstances.

In follow up work carried out by the public protection petroleum officer, test purchases were carried out at 14 retail petrol stations in the borough in 2009. The container was hidden from view of the service station attendants, who were located in their kiosks, which should have resulted in a challenge before the sale was approved. Seven of the stations failed to make a challenge.

Test purchasing was repeated in 2010 with two failures; further tests are to be undertaken this year.

This incident highlights the importance of the simplest of controls – the use of an appropriately marked container for petrol with the assurance that the container is likely to be fit for purpose. It also provides a graphic reminder that plastic containers deteriorate with age and should be subject to periodic checks and replacement.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

How the UK's First Fatal Car Accident Unfolded the

world's

roads

every

day,

according to the campaigning charity marking

Road

Peace

National

which

Road

is

Victim

Month. So who was the UK's first fatal car accident victim - exactly 114 years ago - and what happened?

Nonetheless, the National Motor Museum's libraries officer Patrick Collins admits there was “quite a lot

“peculiar sensation”, according to a contemporary edition of Autocar.

Mrs Driscoll had hesitated in front of

the

car

and

seemed

“bewildered” before being hit, the inquest heard.

Three

of

the

German-

manufactured, French-assembled

There was little more than a

cars were being demonstrated at

handful of petrol cars in Britain when

the Dolphin Terrace, an area at the

labourer's wife Bridget Driscoll, 44,

back of the palace, according to

took a trip to the Crystal Palace,

an edition of local paper the

south-east London, on 17 August

Norwood News published on 22

1896.

August 1896.

So she could be forgiven for being

It

reported

May

Driscoll

as

Edsall's

claiming the driver “did not seem to

imported Roger-Benz which was

understand what he was doing”

bewildered

by

Arthur

part of a motoring exhibition taking

and

that

he

place as she attended a Catholic

towards them.

had

zig-zagged

of anti-car feeling” in the UK at the time.

“A lot of people didn't want drivers running around the country scaring horses,” he explains, adding that there were fewer than 20 petrol cars in Britain at the time.

This was reflected in the rules of the road at the time. To the frustration

of

early

drivers,

the

nation's first cars were subject to strict safety laws which had been designed for steam locomotives weighing up to 12 tonnes.

Red flags Each vehicle was expected to have a team of three in control; the driver, the fireman - to stoke the

League of the Cross fete with her 16-

“The car then swerved off, and

engine - and the flagman, whose

year-old daughter, May, and a

[the] witness looked to see where it

job was to walk 60 yards in front

friend.

was, and it was then going over her

waving a red flag to warn horse-

But as the Times recalled 70 years

mother. (Here witness broke down.)

drawn traffic of the machine's

later, when giving mention to a

Her mother was knocked down, and

approach.

memorial service for Mrs Driscoll at

the car was at once pulled up,” the

The flag requirement was ditched

her local church, hers was the

paper reported, in rather equine

in 1865 and the walking distance

misfortune of becoming the UK's first

terms.

reduced to 20 yards, although speed limits of 2mph in towns and

traffic fatality.

“At the inquest, Florence Ashmore, a domestic servant, gave evidence

4mph in the country remained in

'No outrage' However, there were conflicting

place.

that the car went at a 'tremendous

reports

and

Mrs Driscoll died just a few weeks

pace', like a fire engine - 'as fast as a

manner of Mr Edsall's driving and the

after a new Parliamentary act -

good horse could gallop',” it read.

jury returned an accidental death

designed for the new and lighter

verdict.

petrol, electricity and steam-driven

“The driver, working for the Anglo-

about

the

speed

cars - raised the speed limit to

French Motor Co, said that he was

He had been driving only three

doing 4mph when he killed Mrs

weeks at the time and - with no

14mph, while the flagman role was

Driscoll and that he had rung his bell

licence requirement - had been

scrapped altogether.

and shouted.”

given no instruction as to which side

The car's maximum speed, the inquest heard, was 8mph but its speed

had

been

deliberately

limited.

One of Mr Edsell's two passengers during the exhibition ride, Ellen

of the road to keep to.

The Croydon Chronicle quoted

The coroner told her inquest that he hoped hers would be the last death in this sort of accident.

one witness as saying “the machines

Little did he know how times would

made a great noise” but that he did

change over the following century,

not think it would drown out the

with the Royal Society for the

tinkling of the alarm bell.

Prevention of Accidents estimating

matter-of-fact

more than 550,000 people have

the driver shout “stand back” and

newspaper reports give no hint of

been killed on Britain's roads since

then the car swerved - giving her a

public outrage or hysteria at the

then.

Standing, told the inquest she heard

The

era's

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

35

ARTICLES

Almost 4,000 people are killed on

new menace.

Pros and Cons of Above Ground and Underground Storage Tanks in the Storage of Fuels

By Paul Rich, Operations Manager OHES Environmental Ltd

ARTICLES

Paul Rich - Operations Manager and Dan Jones – Divisional Director – Contaminated Land of OHES Environmental explain the U.K.’s Environmental Damage Regulations which came into force about a year ago and highlight some of the pros and cons of above ground and underground storage tanks in the storage of fuel.s Environmental Damage Regulations (EDRegs) came into force across the UK about a year ago to comply with a European directive that extends the ‘polluter pays’ category of legislation. In England, the responsibility for enforcing the regulations lies with the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Marine and Fisheries Agency and Local Authorities.

Corresponding local bodies and relevant agencies in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will take on the enforcing role in their respective territories whilst observing the subtle differences in legislative interpretation and legal status of these countries.

The EDRegs makes every company and organisation potentially responsible for any pollution damage, its clean-up and the restoration of damage to habitats and species. With over 30,000 incidents of damage to the environment occurring every year in the UK you can be assured that these regulations will start to be felt as enforcing authorities come to terms with them and their reach; and whilst these regulations will only apply to serious environmental damage they will require more extensive remediation and to higher standards than before this legislation 36

came into force.

Environmental damage under the EDRegs is defined as damage to: (a Protected species or natural habitats or a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), or (b Surface water or groundwater, or (c) Land As fuel site operators and downstream sector workers we are exposed more than most to the possibility of falling foul of these and other environmental regulations. We have already seen three cases being brought before the courts under the new regulation and you can be assured that this is just the tip of the iceberg once the enforcing authorities ‘find their feet’ and come to understand them fully. You therefore need to be prepared and take action now to reduce your risk of exposure to the regulations when

going about your daily business.

An area that enforcing authorities are keeping an eye on and one which does interest them are the issues surrounding ASTs and USTs used for fuel storage. One thing for sure is that there is no ‘winner’ as far as the use of either is concerned but it is all about understanding the risks associated with each type of tank and ensuring you have plans in place to manage the potential risk they pose to the environment.

In the following paragraphs we have highlighted some of the obvious areas of concern relating to the use of these different types of tanks based upon years of working with them in many different types of environmental settings, from heavy industrial sites to nature reserves and SSSIs.

AST or UST? There are many factors to consider between the use of AST and UST fuel storage tanks and we certainly couldn’t cover them all in the limited space available, so not in any specific order, consideration of their use might include: • Fuel type; • Available space on site; • Installation costs; • Fire risk; • Regulation; • Maintenance; • Insurance; • Future use; and • Environmental Issues.

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a UST as shown in the drawing.

The method and associated costs of the investigation and remediation will therefore also vary. It may be possible to investigate a leak from an AST using a hand auger (e.g. in someone's garden following a leak from a domestic heating oil AST),

excavator or small drilling rig.

The method of investigation from an UST however will be much more intrusive with the need to be able to access deeper soils, requiring a larger drilling rig and associated equipment. Generally speaking, the costs associated with leakage from a UST will be higher than that for an AST. As a guideline, estimated costs for an investigation following a leak from an AST (assuming an estimated loss of 1,000 litres) may range from £2,500-£7,500. A similar loss from a UST, could lead to initial investigation

costs of around £7,500-£15,000.

Additional cost would however be incurred

with

the

potential

requirement for on-going monitoring and additional assessment.

In terms of assessing the contamination arising from a leak from an AST or an UST, both may present risks to different receptors.

A leak from an AST may pose a risk to site users (e.g. customers at a service station) that would not be present if the contamination was well below the surface.

The investigation carried out therefore clearly needs to identify the potential risks and remedial measures that are needed to remove any risks which are assessed to be unacceptable.

It may be relatively easy to simply dig out surface and shallow soil contamination following a leak from an AST; however, it is unlikely to be suitable to dig out contamination starting at a depth of 4.0m below ground level.

Alternative techniques such as pumping out contaminated groundwater, the vacuum extraction of vapours and chemical oxidation may be needed to remediate deeper

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37

ARTICLES

As an environmental consultancy we are predominantly concerned with the environmental impacts arising from leaks of fuel and associated product from both ASTs and USTs but would always recommend a pragmatic and risk based approach to assessment of potential pollution issues.

Common sense would suggest that it is easier to notice leakage from an AST, rather than from a UST; so once a leak has been confirmed you’d be well advised to investigate the extent of the contamination and assess the potential environmental risks associated with this, bearing in mind the comments above and to follow on the EDRegs. It should however be noted that an environmental risk only occurs when contamination travels from a source (e.g. leaking fuel tank) via a pathway (e.g. soils) to a receptor (e.g. nearby river). This is called a pollutant linkage. If no pollutant linkages are present, there is no risk, even if contamination is present. However, there may be issues associated with future site use which may introduce new receptors and create pollutant linkages which in turn may adversely affect the land value and its future use.

The assessment and management of environmental risks is however typically based on a ‘suitable for use approach’ where the sensitivity of the site is considered. Once the leak has taken place, there is a need to investigate the leak to confirm its extent and associated environmental risks. The method of investigation will depend on the ease of access to the lost product.

A leak from an AST will be more accessible and present in typically shallower soils than a leak from an UST which may have taken place some way down below ground level. The location and distribution of contamination is therefore different if the leak is from an AST or

contamination.

Early leak detection is therefore important with the potential for huge differences in costs of investigation and remediation that can arise as a result of a leak from an AST and an UST. Decisive first actions and positive and proactive engagement with the enforcing authorities if required is therefore highly recommended in order to mitigate the risk to the environment and the chances of you falling victim to the EDRegs and others out there.

The impact of these regulations hasn’t been fully realised yet because they are still new and subject to real life interpretation by the relevant enforcing authorities. It should, however, be noted that these new regulations are supplementary to existing regulation and support other environmental legislation and as such enforcing

understand the potential exposures they may have under the new regulations. Local Authorities, on the other hand, should be proactive in the management of their portfolios and talk to businesses and colleagues with enforcing authority responsibilities and establish appropriate channels of communication so they can start to understand the issues surrounding these and any other relevant environmental regulations.

Breaching the regulations is a criminal offence and once a breach of the EDRegs is realised the penalties for breaching the regulations include but are not necessarily restricted to: • a summary conviction, and fine not exceeding £5,000, plus imprisonment not exceeding 3 months (or both)

liabilities and does in fact establish new pollution liabilities.

Under the EDRegs these remedial levels are defined as: 1) Primary remediation: remediation and restoration to “baseline” condition and removal of any significant risks to human health 2) Complementary remediation: if a damaged site cannot be fully restored, restoration of alternative site in addition to partial remediation of the damaged site is required

ARTICLES

3) Compensatory remediation: interim losses between the time of any occurrence of the environmental damage and its full remediation (providing, enhancing or improving the same or new resources at damaged and/or alternative sites) There are some exemptions under the EDR which include: • Acts of terrorism • An exceptional natural phenomenon provided the operator took all reasonable precautions to protect against damage by such an event • An operator’s activities whose sole purpose is to protect the environment from natural disasters and the damage caused

authorities have a duty to act under the EDRegs in conjunction with other legislation, which may impose liability beyond the EDRegs (e.g.

Part 2A threshold; historic pollution Water Resources Act 1991).

Enforcing authorities may use other powers to prevent or remediate environmental damage so companies would be well advised to speak with representatives of the enforcing authorities and make appropriate contact with them at a local and regional level to 38

• a conviction on indictment and an unlimited fine and imprisonment not exceeding 2 years (or both) Directors, officers and managers may also be convicted if the offence is committed with their consent or connivance or is attributable to their neglect.

This legislation does put an everincreasing amount of pressure on companies and authorities with regard to their existing pollution

• Any incident that is covered by specified marine and nuclear conventions • Activities where the main purpose of which is to serve national defence or support international security To put the above in to some sort of context the following summary case studies of two incidents we have responded to involve the loss of

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70,000 litres of diesel from an AST and 35,000 litres of diesel lost from an UST. We can’t say for sure but both incidents are likely to have triggered the EDRegs and subsequent actions would have been taken by the enforcing authorities which may have included some of those listed above.

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Case 1 (Note: The investigation and remediation works started within 6 hours of tank failure.)

Loss of product from an AST arose as a result of an integrally bunded tank failure; and following an overfill it passed across the ground surface, entered a shallow 'French drain' present in an adjacent field and discharged to a nearby river.

Approximately 200m of watercourse were impacted and emergency works were carried out as stipulated by the Environment Agency to contain the product.

Following the initial works, an investigation was carried out using an excavator. The contamination was contained in the surface and shallow soils around the point of loss and along the length of the drainage channel. A remediation plan was developed which simply involved the excavation of the contaminated surface and shallow soils and their subsequent removal to landfill. In addition, product was removed from the watercourse and monitoring carried out to confirm no long term damage took place.

The remediation took approximately 4 weeks to complete and cost in the region of £75,000.

Case 2 On this occasion the loss of 35,000 litres from an UST was caused by corrosion and subsequent tank failure. Product was lost over an estimated 3 month period and was not noticed due to the large volume of throughput and the stock control system in place. Eventually, the lost fuel passed through permeable lenses in the soil and around deep drainage backfill and impacted on a nearby tidal river. Oil was then noticed by surrounding land users 42

during low tide and initial emergency works had to be carried out to remove the product from the watercourse.

Following this phase, an investigation and subsequent remediation of the impacted area was carried out. The investigation included the use of shallow and deep drilling techniques and an extensive monitoring programme was initiated. Based on the results of the investigation, remediation took place which involved the limited excavation of the worst impacted areas, the installation of abstraction trenches and wells, groundwater pumping and product removal and chemical oxidation and the use of oxygen releasing compounds.

The remediation took approximately 2 years to complete and cost in the region of £375,000.

Whilst these two incidents are different due to their environmental settings, both involved the loss of diesel which impacted on nearby watercourses and they clearly show that the time and cost to investigate and remediate the loss from the UST was on this occasion much higher.

These two cases and the many more that we and others investigate on a daily basis demonstrate now more than ever the requirement to seek out advice given by professional and competent advisers so that companies fully understand the potential exposures and consequences of not acting and the financial and related impacts this can have.

While there is no retrospective scope within the regulations, in the context of the new regime companies should consider gathering baseline environmental data for their sites and any nearby water bodies, protected species habitats or sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). This would assist greatly in assessing potential future liability and help to clarify whether 'environmental damage' as defined under the regulations has occurred or is threatened.

Glossary of terms: • LNAPL = Light Non Aqueous Phase Liquids. A relatively insoluble liquid that is less dense than water - e.g. fuel oils (also occasionally referred to as floaters).

• Vacuum

extraction

remediation

=

technique

A which

involves the application of a vacuum to induce contaminant flow towards extraction points.

• Chemical

oxidation

remediation involves

=

technique

the

A which

application

of

chemical oxidants to break down organic contamination (e.g. fuel oils) into carbon dioxide and water.

• French drain = A term often used to describe subsurface, usually unlined, linear drainage features may comprise a trench infilled with permeable materials.

• Permeable lenses =

In simple

terms, permeability refers to how well fluids will move through materials (e.g. soils). A permeable lens refers to a soil type with higher permeability than that in the surrounding soils and thereby such a feature may offer a preferential migration route.

Should you wish to discuss the implications

of

the

new

Environmental Damage Regulations and the issues around ASTs and USTs in more detail then please do feel free to contact us at: OHES ENVIRONMENTAL The Courtyard, Denmark Street Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 2AZ Tel: 0870 240 3329 Email: paul.rich@ohes.co.uk

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

APEA 2010 Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner

By Rob Tunnicliff, APEA Honorary Secretary The Conference

The conference opened with the how all parties involved must ensure retiring APEA Chairman, Gareth that they are acting together to Bourhill setting the scene for the day ensure that hazards are identified and giving us a brief run-down for and that all the control measures the day. The first speaker was Jamie identified are brought to Thompson, Chairman of the APEA completion. The system was Technical Committee, who gave a presentation on containment comprehensive and allowed for systems in very high risk areas. The unplanned audits to be carried out presentation looked at what systems efficiently to further enhance safety. were in place to prevent leaks to After closing the conference, the aquifers in Special Protection Zones exhibition was again busy with all 1 from a petroleum point of view delegates in attendance and after and how the Environment Agency lunch, which was served from two don’t seem to be taking account of large stations at either side of the these, and then asking the hard exhibition area thus facilitating a question “why not?” giving speedy service, the discussions examples from abroad and how we between colleagues old and new are expected to achieve a different continued. standard that doesn’t appear better!

The AGM Our next presentation was a The AGM was held immediately double header from the London Fire after lunch and with a smaller & Emergency Planning Authority number in attendance than was given by Mr Ray Blake, Head of probably possible, with many PAPS, and Mr Brian Humm Head of members still enjoying the hospitality Enforcement, who gave us an interesting presentation on the new guidance on Forecourt control measures, with special regard to unmanned Service Stations.

This will be the way forward for these operations so it was an important topic for all concerned. We then broke for refreshments where much discussion ensued!

Our next speaker of the conference session was Gareth Bourhill Stefan Kunter who is the of lunch and spending time in the Managing Director of Elaflex and he exhibition area. Gareth Bourhill gave a comprehensive overview of handed over to Geoff Oldham for the EU Directive on Stage 2 vapour the formal proceedings of the AGM, recovery as it applies in Europe and where Geoff expressed a desire to the UK. Stefan is very see all the places filled, by election if knowledgeable and always worth possible.

New Council members hearing but maybe I’m biased as I were elected; as Gareth was at the enforce the Regs! end of his tenure, Brian Humm was Our last speaker for the day was returned as the new Chairman.

Malcolm Railson, Managing Director Nobody had stood for Viceof Urgent Technology, who spoke to Chairman - that position was to be us about safety on forecourts and filled later. Our treasurer was

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43

ARTICLES

Once again the splendid Ricoh Arena in Coventry was the location for our Conference, AGM, and Awards Dinner as the previous year had been a success and everyone thought the location and venue were good. The exhibitors had time to set up and take down their stands again on the day before and after and the drinks this time were held in the exhibitor hall to avoid any crush and allow them to greet all their guests in the convivial atmosphere whilst impressing them with their wares thus continuing a positive step from last year and improving upon it.

This year’s event was the first one being organised for the Association

by F2F Events who promised to move our event forward and I hope you agree that they did! Despite the very difficult economic conditions of the past twelve months everybody worked hard behind the scenes and despite the difficult climate we were able to continue the fantastic support from our sponsors including adding some new ones. We also increased the number of companies exhibiting, with the conference delegates on the up and dinner numbers slightly down we are delighted that overall APEA 2010 was the biggest yet. We had some new events planned so we were excited at the prospect of the day if tinged with sadness that our Editor couldn’t make it due to work commitments. There was an encouraging bustle from the start, as delegates picked up their passes and goodies from our sponsors - I am sure we will remember their name!

Visitors could grab a coffee at one of the coffee bars and spend some time visiting the stands before the conference got underway at 10:30am. This is one of the most challenging things for the event committee to do; maximising the time available for exhibitor and visitor alike. Delegates came from a wide background; contractors, suppliers, retailers, oil companies, supermarkets, and regulators and with a good number from abroad.

The Awards Dinner

Geoff Oldham

returned unopposed and as Geoff himself was standing down a new Secretary was returned unopposed that being myself. There were two places not filled and all other posts were appointed as before.

We then moved on to the appointment of Fellows to the Association.

Killion Tallon proposed Tom Daly, Head of HAS Dublin as a Fellow of the APEA, for his dedication and work to the Association, in particular in reviving the Irish Branch and his unstinting work in bringing about the

ARTICLES Brian Humm and Tom Daly

new legislative regime that covers the country.

Brian Humm then spoke on behalf

Brian Humm and Jack Brinkhurst

44

Gareth Bourhill and Brian Humm

of Jack Brinkhurst and his many years of dedication in petroleum and how he was now back in the fold having retired and then moving around before going back to London. Both were voted for unanimously.

An extra-ordinary meeting of the council was immediately called and Louise Morgan was appointed as ViceChairman (or should that be person?) and E d w a r d Wheeler and Darren Smith were co-opted Louise Morgan onto the council so that we have a full compliment of officers.

The afternoon was a change this year in that we had workshops dealing with various practical aspects of petroleum and its enforcement and these were enthusiastically received with over 60 people attending each one. Our thanks go to the presenters for their time and effort in making these a success! Discussions continued over coffee and cakes and some great networking was obviously going on before we all broke to freshen up before the evening’s activities or went on our way home. We would also like to add a massive thank you for all exhibitors and delegates for attending and we hope you both enjoyed and received much from the day.

The Dinner and Awards ceremony was held in the evening and has become an event the industry looks forward to and with numbers of 560 taking dinner it was great to see that even in these financially challenging times people were willing to come out for the occasion.

The Association also recognises the important part that all the sponsors of the event play and without their input there would not be an event.

Our pre-dinner drinks were again sponsored by Eurotank which we are very grateful for and as last year, the drinks were available in the exhibition hall which gave our exhibitors somewhere to meet their guests and also allow those that just attend the dinner to view the exhibition stands.

Stephen De Wild introduced the evening entertainment, on behalf of the sponsors Franklin Fueling Systems; the acts were Sarah Tuke, Astoria and the Aerialists It was also good to see in the audience John Boudry who, as the former owner of Petrotechnik, has supported the APEA by sponsoring these events for many years.

Turning to the Awards, these were presented towards the end of the dinner and you can read a lot more about the winners and runners up in the following pages of this edition of the Bulletin, as we recognise their time and effort in entering for the awards. We also achieved a handsome charity collection which on this occasion was for Help for Heroes, the charity for injured Service Men and Women, that amounted to £4205.15 which will be more like £5,000 by the time the “Gift Aid” is added on. A great result from your generosity!

The event went on far into the night. What a day – what a night – with many still celebrating into the small hours of the morning and it seems the on-site casino had a few more guests joining them through to closing at 3am. The APEA event is “The” downstream industry event that provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for professionals of all persuasions - we look forward to seeing you all next year! Plans are already well under way.

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APEA Awards The APEA is grateful to all the companies for their time to complete and submit their entries and to the judges for their time and commitment spent judging the awards.

The APEA Innovation Award Sponsored by Brulines For the innovation that will have the most significant impact on our industry sector.

The APEA Health and Safety Award sponsored by Coteba Ltd Presented to the organisation with the best managed health and safety or environmental programme or system.

The APEA Quality Award sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann The APEA Quality Award recognises excellence in the development and management of quality improvement initiatives or systems.

The APEA Environment Award Sponrsored by Terence Barker Tanks Recognises that minimising the impact on the environment is a key contributor consideration in the way work is carried out, to minimise any impact on petrol forecourts.

The APEA Personal Contribution to the Industry Award sponsored by Elaflex Presented to the individual who has shown the greatest dedication and drive to improve standards, engineering practices or operational procedures.

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The APEA Small Enterprise Award Acknowledges the contributions made by sole traders and businesses with less than 10 employees within the petroleum retailing sector, who are often without the resources and infrastructure of the larger organisations.

Companies that entered the Awards Car Wash UK Clovemead DP Fuel Tank Services E and S Environmental Environmental Innovations Eurotank Environmental Fairbanks Environmental Ltd

Fox Construction Global-MSI plc Ipsotek McFadden Building & Civil Eng Ltd Murco Petroleum Ltd OPW Fueling Components Riegens Lighting

Risbridger Ltd ROL Electrical Testing The Premier Group Tokheim UK Ltd Topaz Energy Ltd Xmo Strata

The Judges The entries were of a high standard and the judges studied each one carefully. The scores were collated and the entries then discussed at the awards judging meeting to decide on the shortlist and then the deserving winner in each category.

The judges were: Peter Murfitt Phil Maud/Richard Quamrby Ian Jacques A Martiniussen Jacquie Holt Mark Orr Rob Tunnicliff Geoff Lee B W Catcheside Peter Brough Philip A Monger Mark Hardman Ray Nicolson Steve Wenham

Coteba Ltd (sponsor of Health and Safety Award) Brulines Group plc (sponsor of Innovation Award) Scheidt & Bachmann (UK) Ltd (sponsor of Quality Award) Elaflex Ltd (sponsor of Personal Contribution Award) Terence Barker Ltd (sponsor of Environment Award) LCM Environmental Ltd Stoke on Trent City Council Cookson & Zinn Fire Risk Management Ltd Manor Service Stations Petroleum Safety and Compliance Mission Construction Surrey County Council Environment Agency APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

45

APEA Awards Health and Safety Award Sponsored by Coteba Winner and runners up Winner - Topaz Energy Ltd

ARTICLES

Topaz Energy Ltd are delighted to have won the APEA’s Health and Safety Award for 2010. Topaz see this award as recognition of their ongoing commitment to improving their Dealer customer and HSE programmes across their business, and this award will reinforce the commitment that we already have to continue doing just that.

The winning submission relates to the development of a range of health and safety services and products that assist the Topaz Dealer customers with their day to day requirements. Their ‘Dealer Plus’ programme has already been recognised in the Irish fuels business as they won the Oil Company Initiative Award at the Irish Fuels and Convenience Retail Awards earlier

this year.

The Topaz Dealer Plus programme was launched in 2009 and very much differentiates Topaz from it’s competitors as it sets about providing support to it’s customers on Health and Safety which is not something that oil companies traditionally do.

The programme consists of: • Producing safety statements • H&S auditing • H&S related training courses to assist dealers • Operating a customer H&S helpline • Information updates through regional seminars and regular newsletters

Jonathan Diver from Topaz accepting the Health and Safety Award from Peter Murfitt from Coteba

Runner up - E & S Environmental Ltd E&S Environmental are very pleased to receive recognition from APEA for developing systems which improve health and safety effectiveness and give engineers total confidence whilst at work.

Our engineers believe the E&S Working at Height Road Tanker Testing System is currently the best on the market, and offers our customer a very flexible

arrangement to keep vehicles on the road.

The E&S testing system has been approved and accepted by all leading oil companies and lead tanker service centres and manufacturers throughout the UK. E&S, managed by Andrew & Nobby Clarke and now part of the Adler and Allan Group, are continuously striving for continuous

improvement and commitment to

In 2009, the company launched the ‘Hearts and Minds’ initiative to enhance its safety culture with more effective communication.

This involved training courses and DVDs – written, developed and delivered by senior management – bulletins, newsletters, unique onsite safety checklists and the chance for employees to win an all-expensespaid trip to New York.

The initiative saw near-miss reporting increase by 187%, the

number of risks being mitigated at source increase by 484% and no fatalities, minor injuries or dangerous occurrences to staff throughout 2009. The initiative also allowed the company to win numerous health and safety awards and gain several coveted accreditations.

Xmo Strata is very pleased to have reached the final stages of the APEA awards and looks forward to building on its achievements in 2011.

safety

for

all

engineers

and

technicians working on all sites from petrol filling stations, commercial premises and MOD sites. We have been recognised and given awards for safety from BP, Shell and ABB in recognition

of

our

continuous

improvement and commitment to working safety.

Runner up - Xmo Strata Xmo Strata is one of the UK’s leading sign installation and maintenance firms specialising in multi-site re-branding and maintenance programmes. Crews are currently working on forecourts, retail parks, high street stores and shopping malls nationwide.

The company claims to have the most highly trained crews in the industry and invests heavily in the health and safety of all who come into contact with its work.

46

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APEA Awards Innovation Award Sponsored by Brulines Winner and runners up The Ipsotek team was delighted to receive the APEA 2010 Award for Innovation based on its remote monitoring system for un-manned Petrol Filling Stations.

By analysing live video on site the system automatically sends alerts to a CCTV Control Room when irregular behaviours on the forecourt are detected, such as people without vehicles or vehicles spending too much time at the pumps. Using video/audio links the CCTV Operator is able to immediately assess and manage situations ranging from genuine customer problems to dangerous health and safety issues.

The system (in live use now for 18 months) generates highly reliable

alerts via a bespoke operator screen allowing management of a number of sites simultaneously. Further alerts for other safety related behaviours of interest will be added as identified. The flexibility of the video analytics system also opens the door to future developments addressing many other issues of forecourt operation such as ‘drive-off’ prevention.

The wide-ranging applications of Ipsotek’s Analytics technology include managing road traffic with TfL and The Highways Agency, detecting intruders at the London Eye, prisons and airports, and people counting at The O2, the LG Arena and Heathrow Airport.

Graham Hamilton and Andrew Eggington from Ipsotek accepting the Innovation Award from Phil Maud from Brulines

Runner up - Environmental Innovations Ltd The Pollution Containment (check valve) called the FlapstopperTM is set to revolutionise the way we deal with spills, firewater and in particular methanol/bio diesel spills on both industrial sites and forecourts.

From the onset we set out to design a valve that was retrofitable, required ultra-low energy for operation, was fast acting and cost effective. We achieved this and

much more including a fail safe locking, wireless remote controls, sensor triggering, RFID tag activation and most importantly battery operation – eliminating the need for cabling and the disruption of trenching.

We trust that with the recognition that APEA has brought to our technology that the message will spread amongst industry that there

is a viable 24/7 pollution containment system on the market that is both effective and affordable. Further, installation of which could save industry millions in fines, remediation costs and put them on the right side of the law.

After all prevention is better than cure and we share a common environment so we ought to do our best to protect it.

modern machine tools and manufacturing processes. By using state of the Art Computer modelling in the design process, and computational fluid dynamics software we can accurately predict product specifications and performance, before making physical prototypes. By using Computer Aided Machining to produce quality product we attain high levels of accuracy and fine

finishes whether in small or large batches.

Overall, we aim for our Product Innovations to include: more features, higher quality and longer life than existing products. Longer life equals lower life cost and added to this our innovative instructions and training for customers we aim to offer superior product support. We will continue to offer innovations to the Forecourt Industry.

Runner up - Risbridger Ltd As proud runners up in the Innovation category this year we were pleased to be able to demonstrate that we always work hard to add innovative solutions to our products capabilities and features rather than just offer what is already available.

To this end we employ highly talented and skilled Design Engineers, using state of the art Computer Aided Design software,

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Winner - Ipsotek

APEA Awards Environment Award Sponsored by Terence Barker Winner and runners up Winner - Environmental Innovations Ltd It was with great honour to receive

triggered to give round the clock

the prestigious APEA Environmental

protection and even made to close

Award for our retro-fit Pollution

automatically during the sounding

Containment (check valve) called

of fire alarms, during fuel deliveries

the FlapstopperTM. Based upon a

under the control of a RFID tag, a

patented design, this new ultra-low

high oil interceptor alarm levels, thus

energy,

converting existing drains and oil

fast

acting

valve

has

already been demonstrated to drastically

reduce

the

cost

of

interceptors

into

emergency

containment vessels.

bringing sites into environmental

Finally, we would like to state that

compliance and promises to even

if the recognition brought to our

solve

current

company as a result of winning the

nightmare of containing spills of bio-

APEA award leads to the installation

diesel, AdBlue and methanol on

of a single valve that prevents a

the

industry’s

ARTICLES

major environmental disaster then

forecourts.

The valves can be automatically

all our efforts have been worthwhile!

David Cole and Brian Back from Environmental Innovatons accepting the Environment Award from Jacquie Holt from Terence Barker Tanks

Runner up - Risbridger Ltd Risbridger were delighted to be shortlisted for the Environment award, this year, as we have a high regard for working towards providing solutions to protect the environment as well as manufacturing in a less wasteful and resource hungry way.

We believe that using excess material resources to make products with short lives is wasteful, costly and environmentally damaging. Our

products are made efficiently using state of the art methods available to us, and the life cycle of the products are designed to be lengthy.

Added to this we have for nearly twenty years designed products that can be safely and easily tested to fault find not just within the product itself but the systems into which they are fitted. We set out to make RIS-STOP valves Failsafe, and Testable during a routine delivery, as

historically some poorly installed or damaged

overfill

valves

have

remained undetected until their correct operation was required – too late. We are extremely proud of our unique testable range of overfill prevention devices, as well as the range of products we offer for Stage 1b and Stage 2 Vapour Recovery to help protect the Environment.

Runner up - Riegens Lighting Riegens Lighting Drive luminaire has been specifically created to provide an energy saving lighting solution for petrol forecourts and is currently being used by a variety of leading petrol distributors throughout the UK. Drive is a modern alternative to the older style traditional forecourt light fittings that use HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps i.e metal halide. By using the Drive luminaire in 48

conjunction with the latest technology in T5 lighting (fluorescent), the system can be easily dimmed and linked to daylight sensors to allow each forecourt area to automatically control the light level required. The addition of presence detection allows for the lights to be dimmed in the quiet periods or at night which allow for more energy savings to be achieved.

Lamps connected to a dimming system allow for a longer lamp life and also reduce expensive maintance costs, lower electricity bills and payback of changing to such a scheme within 6 months.

The Riegens Drive luminaire does not have to be part of a completely new lighting design scheme as the fitting allows for installation into the existing fittings/canopies offering a more cost effective solution.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

APEA Awards Quality Award Sponsored by Scheidt & Bachmann Winner and runners up Eurotank Environmental Limited is delighted to receive the 2010 APEA Quality Award.

In 2009 / 2010 the company has invested a significant amount of time and capital in developing our ISO 9000 system.

We have integrated a large part of the ISO system into our jobserver software, which significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to manage improvements, report and action near misses, accidents, customer complaints and suggestions for improvements by our field based staff.

A major part of our entry focused on a new site step up review

programme, which is managed remotely by our Health and Safety Director, Peter Cooper. All works that Eurotank undertake have the site set ups, photographed by our field personnel. These pictures are then uploaded against the job on one of our dedicated customer web portals, for our clients to view. Many hours are then spent by Peter, reviewing the photos to ensure that all of the main control measures have been put into place.

A significant percentage of the jobs we undertake have the site set ups reviewed in detail.

Positive reinforcement of good set ups is feedback to the engineers.

Lawrie Smail from Eurotank accepting the Quality Award from Ian Jacques from Scheidt & Bachmann

Runner up - Fairbanks Environmental Ltd Fairbanks in submitting their unique calibration vehicle ivan for the Quality Award focussed on the benefits to both the site operator and customer.

Ivan is a self contained meter calibration and verification vehicle, designed to increase measurement accuracy, reduce Health and Safety risks and reduce costly dispenser down time.

Fuel is dispensed into the four glass measuring vessels; an intrinsically

safe laptop computer calculates the accuracy of the meter and any cost savings to the site owner achievable through recalibration.

This fuel is then pumped into one of the four onboard tank compartments and the process repeated for each nozzle, reducing dispenser down time and customer inconvenience.

When the meter checks are complete, ivan off-loads the fuel into the service station tanks in the

same way as a conventional tanker.

The stage 1b vapour recovery system fitted to ivan prevents the unwanted escape of harmful vapours into the atmosphere when returning fuel. Ivan can also return fuel to above ground fuel tanks.

The accuracy of measurement and ease of operation ensures dispensers are back in use as quickly as possible, keeping disruption to the site and customers to a minimum.

manufacturing methods are state of the art and where relevant our products are third party certified to CEN / ATEX etc. We work with the best Distributors who add value to our sales network, and add quality support of our Product before it’s sold, and after it is sold.

In order to continue our product’s journey into forecourts in a quality way we set out product specifications and other technical

details, the tools required and correct sealants to use during installation. We supply pictorial instructions to the user, containing a methodology and sequence for the work needed to fit our products.

Finally we offer troubleshooting guidance, and on-site help if needed.

We will continue to supply quality products to help make Forecourts Safer places to work and visit.

Runner up - Risbridger Ltd Risbridger were pleased to be short-listed for the APEA quality award. We believe that quality is a frame of mind and a way of going to work, and have always aimed for ‘best quality’ in everything that we do.

To this end we continue to adopt high levels of commitment to Quality. We believe that our products have earned a reputation for Quality, because our

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

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Winner - Eurotank Environmental Ltd

APEA Awards APEA Small Enterprise Award Sponsored by APEA Winner and runners up Winner - ROL Electrical Testing ROL Electrical is delighted to be awarded the APEA award for small enterprise from its members and committee. ROL have been setting the standard in Northern Ireland by being the first and only fully accredited company on the island of Ireland for industrial hazardous areas installation and inspections.

Taking the lead in the region, Richard O’Lone believed that this was the correct course of action for the business to take.

ROL inspect COMAH sites weekly on an ongoing basis with the following services and benefits:

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• Inventory of Installed hazardous equipment • Detailed, Close and Visual inspection reports for the equipment BSEN60079-17 • Cable test results in line with BS7671 • Rectification of electrical defects

• Notification of defective items with change control process • Responding and feedback to the company PPM The services provided are endorsed by BSEN450011 (NICEIC) scheme reassuring our clients and duty holders that competent persons are used and backed by the appropriate experience, training and insurance; this is aligned with the DSEAR Regulations, Electricity at Work Regulations and good industry practice.

We hope that the recognition of the APEA award from the industry indicates to our existing and future clients that we are helping them meet their legal Richard O’Lone from ROL Electrical Testing acccepting obligations as far as electrical the Small Enterprise Award from Brian Humm from the APEA installations are concerned.

Runner up - McFadden Building and Civil Engineers Ltd McFadden Building and Civil Engineering Limited are a Small Company that can offer a wide range of services to the independent retailer, from interceptor cleaning to a knockdown and re-build of a Petrol

50

Station. With our in-house architects we can offer clients up to the minute, forward thinking contemporary designs of sales buildings and forecourt fuelling areas.

The Company consists of two

partners Paul McFadden and Nigel Storey who are both site based to ensure our reputation for high quality work and good health and safety is maintained.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

APEA Awards Personal Contribution Award Sponsored by Elaflex Winner - Trevor Mason As I was totally unaware that I was

company’s board for their

even entered for this award, it came

support

as a complete surprise when my

operation and the team of

name was called out to collect it.

people that have worked for

I would therefore like to thank Elaflex and all of my colleagues in

in

building

our

me since PCL and PFS Ltd was first established.

the industry that put my name

I look forward to another

forward and for their support over

successful APEA conference

the last 26 years of working together.

next year and the good work

I would also like to thank our

continuing.

Trevor Mason accepting the Personal Contribution Award from Anton Martiniussen fro Elaflex

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APEA 2010 Delegate Registration

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APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

APEA 2010 Conference Speakers Conference sponsored by Franklin Fueling Systems

Gareth Bourhill APEA Immediate Past Chairman

Jamie Thompson Chairman APEA Technical Committee

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Ray Blake and Brian Humm London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority

Malcolm Railson Urgent Technology

Stefan Kunter Elaflex

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APEA 2010 Exhibition and Workshops

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ARTICLES APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

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APEA 2010 Pre-Dinner Drinks Sponsored by Eurotank Environmental Ltd

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APEA 2010 Awards Dinner

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Margaret Murray from Help for Heroes

Awards Dinner Entertainment Sponsored by Franklin Fueling Systems

Sarah Tuke, Astoria and the Aerialists

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Ask the Experts Q I am an Inspecting Officer and recently I came across a Periodic Inspection Report that stated in the “Defects” section "High diverted neutral current – “B” unsatisfactory" What does this mean, what is the impact of this statement and should I consider any follow up action?

Answer; An High Diverted Neutral Current will only apply where the site utilises a TNC-S earthing arrangement provided by the Electricity Supply Company or where a TN-S Earthing arrangement can’t be guaranteed.

This can be quite a technical and complex subject with many electrical contractors and electricians failing to understand correctly so I fully sympathise with the local petroleum officer.

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To keep things short and easy to understand since the publication of HS(G) -41 back in 1989 and all editions of the “Blue Book” since. The use of TNC-S earthing systems is prohibited for use on new or sites where a major refurbishment is planned; the use of a dedicated TNS or TT system are the preferred methods.

The “Risk” to sites where TNC-S is used is that an electrical current called the “Diverted Neutral Current” (DNC) can flow in the site’s metalwork at a level where an incendive spark could occur should cables be disconnected or metal items be separated even if the circuits to be worked on are electrically “Isolated”.

This DNC cannot be controlled as it is generated in the electrical distribution network by other consumer’s loads hence the uncontrollable risk.

What has been recommended is that TNC-S earthing systems are never used for new sites and where sites are undergoing a major refurbishment then the existing TNCS systems are replaced with one of the preferred methods.

For existing sites using TNC-S systems 70

then the electrical tester at the “origin” of the installation measures the DNC. If this value is measured above a value of 100mA then the “Blue Book” in Annex 14.3 gives great explanation of what to do. It is certainly NOT the case that removal of the TNC-S earthing should be the preferred correction; in fact it clearly states that this could cause greater problems.

What I would expect a competent electrical tester to correctly suggest is that they list it as an “Unsatisfactory” defect but they should recommend that a period of regular monitoring of the DNC is considered say over a three month period and based on the results of these further tests then further recommendation may be made.

I would therefore expect the local petroleum officer to then see made available by the site operator, the proof that this monitoring has been carried out, and the results of this greater investigation.

I would also suggest that an ordinary Commercial or Industrial Electrical contractor would not have the appropriate skills to do this work and a competent electrical tester working for a recognised electrical contractor with hazardous area experience of filling stations is used for all filling station electrical work and testing. A list of such contractors can be found under the NICEIC Hazardous area scheme at www.niceic.com/contractor/schem es/approved-companies.

Gareth Bourhill Electrical Consultant Q What considerations should be made if Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Panels) are to be installed on the existing forecourt canopy and sales building?

Answer; Regarding the possible installation of PV system on forecourts, there really should be no major concerns regarding the electrical installation

regarding the delivery, storage and dispensing of fuel. But I would always suggest having a word regarding your plans with your local petroleum officer.

However there are a few basic things that may be forgotten that are very important.

If the panels are to be placed on the canopy and/or the sales building roof, the panels are very fragile and need to be fixed to a frame that will hold the panels in position and at the correct angle to the sun. Generally a Unistrut or other modular steel framework will be sufficient for this, but you must at the design stage take into account the additional weight of the framework, the PV panels and inverters. Also you must consider the wind loading on the structures because of the angle the panels get mounted at. I would suggest that you must involve a structural engineer to take into account the total weight being added and the wind loading for any existing canopy or sales building, as not all existing structures may be suitable without some form of strengthening or upgrading.

You need to consider safe working access to allow maintenance of the panels and to access the plug/socket DC voltage connections on the PV panels during the working life of the system.

If the inverters are installed at height, thus keeping the DC Cables as short as possible, future access must be considered.

The AC voltage cables (these are wired in a “ring” configuration) are then brought back into the electrical switch room by the normal cable routes.

The installation is not normally in an hazardous area so no need for ex electrics. But just remember the cable routes may go via the underground ducts and require to be adequately sealed.

At the switchgear you will have the main circuit breakers and control system for the PV panels. At the switchgear position we by law must

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

have a suitable electrical control approved by the power supply company; this device basically “synchronises” the voltage, current and frequency of the generated electricity from the PV cells via the invertors to be connected into the power supply from the power company.

You should again at the design stage involve your electricity supplier as legal application must be made to them seeking approval for

connection of the solar system; your electrical contractor can do this for you but depending on who the local electricity company is it can take a number of weeks if not months to get the appropriate written permission and often the electricity company may want to come to site to carry out tests before connections are allowed to be made.

You also need some warning labels to indicate that the site has two

SELCOG – Reasons to Routinely Inspect Petrol Stations

By David Sommers, Hampshire County Council

ARTICLES

Risk assessed inspections are carried out to protect the environment and public safety and to ensure the integrity of the site infrastructure and the management and operation of secondary control and prevention systems.

It is the statutory duty of a Petroleum Licensing Authority (PLA) to enforce petroleum legislation, and should they not do so, they would be leaving themselves liable to prosecution under the HSWA.

There are many sites that have either old tanks, old equipment, poor management, or high staff turnover. Faults are often found during the inspections, but these can be addressed by advice from the Petroleum Officer (which can help to prevent them turning into bigger problems.)

It is impossible to carry out effective petroleum inspections without a risk prioritised inspection regime being in place.

1)To monitor and guide on the continual improvement of sub standard sites.

Although the obligation to keep up with developments within the industry lies predominantly on the shoulders of the licensee, the opportunity to bring lateral thought, and elaborate on the wider implications of non compliance, sometimes places fresh impetus on simple improvements.

These improvements may be insufficient to warrant formal action but are often common sense, and with advice coming from a position of authority, often reap results.

72

Without inspections and/or enforcement taking place, in the event of a fire or explosion on licensed premises, the licensee could use the defence that the PLA was liable as they did not carry out their duties. I doubt that there is a PLA that would like to be subject to that type of claim/publicity.

sources of power to warn any maintenance staff or inspectors It’s not a very complicated system but obviously important that things are connected correctly, as there are Statutory duties to be observed under

the

Electricity

at

Work

Regulations 1989 and DSEAR 2002.

Gareth Bourhill Electrical Consultant

It would be inappropriate for any PLA to issue a Petroleum Licence not knowing the condition or management competency of the Licensed Site giving risk to fire and explosion.

Inspections are necessary to audit that the safe measures required are being upheld and complied with so as to minimise risk to life and the public in general.

There are virtually daily reports of spillages, fires, impact collisions, leaks and various accidents giving rise to the reasons why such locations are licensed and risk assessed in the first place.

Legislation has been formulated that recognises that petroleum spirit is a dangerous substance having a low flash point and must be adequately controlled.

3)There

is

a

consistent

need

to

provide

application

of

legislation and standards that SELCOG serves as a conduit for

There are very few forecourt inspections that do not find something wrong that requires correction by the operator.

2)To assist in ensuring that those storing, selling and working with petrol on a daily basis are aware of their responsibilities for the safety of themselves and the public and operate within guidelines.

and actually produces technical policy for 31 PLAs. SELCOG also serves as a learning group

for

new

Inspectors

consequently communication

and

provides among

each

member authority.

With thanks to all members who contributed to this information.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

Interview with Mike Jennings Engineering Director Gilbarco Veeder-Root

By Brian Baker

Mike, I need to go back to the beginning and ask about your career and background as well as how you came into the industry – and when!

Well, I guess it all started in the “60s” when every weekend would be spent visiting local war surplus shops where you could buy electronics literally by the ton on a pocket money budget. This inevitably led to modification and then construction of radio equipment, pirate radio and then a legal amateur radio licence before I’d even left school.

Play time had to end and I went to college to properly qualify as an electronics engineer then, while working for Thorn Consumer Electronics, I went on to further qualify in Quality Assurance and Test Engineering. I left Thorn as a Reliability Engineer and took a temporary job at the more local Gilbarco until something else turned up! That was in 1977.

I have to thank the Highline1 and its father Mike Ramsey for the opportunity to engage in a wide range of technical disciplines in a company that grew almost on a weekly basis; it was a great foundation and I have just moved from one interesting challenge to the next.

You must have seen a lot of changes over this time; can you summarise those changes and what do you think stands out for you?

Self Service was obviously the big one; we motorists leapt at the opportunity to stand in the rain and fill our own cars – and it transformed the somewhat sleepy industry with huge equipment sales and shop automation products. The full transition to unmanned sites became possible with improvements in card payment security.

FEF CoP (Forecourt Equipment Federation Code of Practice) was simply an extension of that activity.

Our UK stations are safer and environmentally much friendlier than in the 70s which is credited possibly entirely to the efforts of the APEA and its members – the challenge perhaps is, keeping it this way.

Favourite question: I have become Basildon’s historian by default and have a great collection of documents and photos going back to the 1930s.

I suppose the biggest change relevant to this interview is the drift away from prescriptive work codes to risk based controls all at the same time as construction & design standards have become International. I have a feeling that our industry is less innovative as a result – it’s challenging now to gain approvals derogation for a field test of something substantially new.

I guess a big change of late has seen the introduction of Vapour Recovery – Stage 2. What role have you played in that with GVR? Well, probably because I have been responsible for product design in the UK (we actually installed VR2 in the UK as early as 1992) and latterly Germany, where I also lived for a while, I had been very aware of the leading work done by the industry there. So, when the UK VR2 opportunity became apparent it seemed obvious to import this stable technology, so our UK and German design teams worked together to provide retrofit kits and new dispensers. My involvement with the

History lesson comes next. Gilbarco is a combined word for the original company known as Gilbert & Barker.

Can you tell us a bit about how the company came about and have they also been based in Basildon the whole time?

The company started in 1865 in Springfield Mass. and was soon acquired by Standard Oil who later became Exxon. G&B began the formal UK enterprise via an export arrangement with the Vickers Company in 1946 which developed into a new company STEMCO (Standard Oil Manufacturing Company) based in Tottenham High Rd. Camden, with the Elliot brothers as a distributor.

The new post-war town of Basildon was offering incentives to industry and STEMCO, under its new name of Gilbarco, moved to the current site in 1964. Two years later our parent company moved to our current head quarters in Greensboro NC. Esso sold Gilbarco to GEC in 1988 while the Basildon facility grew to become a major exporter to Europe until the demise of then called Marconi when we were acquired by Danaher who already owned Veeder Root. Along the way Gilbarco acquired Avery Hardoll – our UK competitor for many years.

Basildon’s profile changed again when Manufacturing was moved to Salzkotten – acquired in 1998.

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Mike Jennings, Dispenser Engineering Director at Gilbarco, is well known in our industry with his long experience in dispenser design and engineering and I was able to speak to him recently following his return from abroad. This is what we spoke about.

Now an age old topic – are you a suction or pressure pumped fan?

What do you see are the principle advantages and disadvantages of the two pumping systems?

I have to be careful here, we produce both! As an engineer, pressure makes sense, there is no need for gas separation and the whole site is quieter with less parts so theoretically should be more reliable. A suction site though has the advantage of reduced single point of failure whilst a pressure site requires more technology to assure environmental integrity. Typically the decision is based on how many dispensers per site – the more there are the more pressure makes sense as power consumption drops and the cost of additional controls is amortised over lower priced dispensers.

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I suspect your expertise is called upon beyond Gilbarco-Veeder Root. Can you tell us what committees, organisations, trade bodies you are involved in and what your role is?

Well Brian, regulatory and standards committees are not my current Raison d'être and it’s far better left to experts, but I have dipped in from time to time. I suppose It started with the tail end of BS7117 and early IFSF (International Forecourt Standards Forum)and most recently the FEF COP. I have been a reasonably active member of the PPMA-FEF (Petrol Pump Manufactures Association now the FEF) over the years as both Technical and latterly Exec member and latterly at CECOD (Committee of European Manufacturers of Petroleum Measuring and Distributing Equipment-the FEF’s European sister Assoc) where the MID and particularly, the now published VR2 Directive and related CEN mandate have been a priority activity.

There are new players around but when exactly did Gilbarco merge with Veeder Root? What was the thinking about that particular union?

This goes back to the Danaher acquisition; Veeder-Root was actually at the core of what 74

became Danaher so the expertise to appreciate the synergy was present at senior level. Other than Gilbarco being a profitable bargain from the ashes of Marconi the product synergies of environmental, payment and automation systems and dispensers was the key. It’s taken a few years but with recent acquisitions such as Fafnir the product bundle is increasingly holistic with tight technical integration.

More history I am afraid. I know the first ever pump installed in the UK a kerbside type was installed by Legge & Co in Shrewsbury in 1913 but do you know where and when the first electric pump was installed?

Well, no. It would have been circa 1934 and probably a Bowser but I have no hard evidence to support that. There were a number of small engineering companies converting imported pumps – being typically of US origin they needed to meet UK safety and electrical regulations.

The older types of pump used to have Sight Glasses; do you know when this was introduced and why?

The sight glass had two basic functions; the first ones, latterly with spinners, were there to give the customer confidence that fuel was flowing and was clean – a countermeasure perhaps because on electric pumps customers could no longer see the fuel in the glass metering tank.

Latterly they became a W&M requirement to indicate the presence of air or gas, and were first marked with the “priming level”. Gas separators only really worked when the Frenchinitiated OIML regulations started to bite and the dispenser manufacturers had to develop separators that actually functioned rather than just venting foam.

Dispensers often go outside of tolerance (or off strike as we call it).

Why does this happen and how large a problem is it?

Also known as drift. The majority of meters are positive displacement piston types and rely on the fuel to lubricate the moving parts –

eventually the bores, pistons and cranks all wear as does the rotating valve and this leads to a change in measure and not always negative, some designs drift positive. The rate of wear is a complex mix of materials quality, dirt in the fuel and obviously, throughput. These PD meters are busier these days so drift beyond limits will happen more frequently.

The issue profile is further raised by retailers who have tighter limits than the +/- 0.5% W&M tolerance and the ever increasing price of fuel.

Typically a meter will settle down after a few thousand litres and remain flat or at least predictable for many years before end of life and more rapid wear.

At GVR we have the ECO screw meter which has an incredibly long ‘flat’ period and the recently announced V+ meter with advanced materials.

Coming towards the end now – if you could tell us what are your pet likes in the downstream sector, what would it be?

People and the technical diversity of our products and systems.

Equally, what do you not like?

I’d like to see more innovation and I suspect this will come now that the alternative fuels market is developing. Just when things started to settle down ….

So when you are not hard at work, what do you do to relax or what pastimes do you pursue?

For many years I have been very active with classic sports cars, and more recently a wife-friendly river boat. I have taught evening classes in the past and one day would like to pick it up again.

Very good to catch up with you Mike and thank you for taking time out and we value your knowledge as always.

Thank you Brian, it has been a privilege, and keep up the most excellent work at the Bulletin.

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

The Yorkshire and Humberside Branch held its Autumn meeting at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield, on the 29th September 2010.

Andy Kennedy (Branch Chairman) welcomed the members and outlined the events of the day.

Keith Hodgson (Branch Treasurer) introduced the speakers. The first one of the day was Andy who took the delegates through “On site safe working systems” – “What is the Law and what actually happens”. This covered: HSAWA 1974.

Management of HSAW Regs.

1999/2002/2006.

Particular attention was paid to “Health and safety Offences Act 2008” which came into force on 16th January 2009. Key points: Maximum fine in Magistrates Court raised from £5K to £20K – per offence!

Imprisonment available in both courts for mainstream Health and Safety offences, Magistrates 12 months Crown 2 years also prison will not be limited to directors and senior managers but will be extended to any employee who fails to take reasonable care for the health and safety of others and themselves.

Having dealt with the bad news emphasis was placed on the need for training, regular reviews of Risk Assessments and Safety Method Statements, better dialogue

between site staff and contractors, and regular site audits. Finally, Andy made his presentation freely available to members should they wish to make use of it.

Our second speaker was Phil Prow who took the delegates through “vapour management and Control – Future challenge for the industry. Phil focused on the “European Directive 2009/126/EC” beyond the VR2 2010 Deadline. This will require member states to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provision necessary to comply with this Directive before 1st January 2012. Members States shall ensure petrol vapour recovery systems become mandatory, with a petrol vapour capture efficiency equal to or greater than 85%. This will apply to any new service station or any service station which undergoes a

major refurbishment. It is actually intended for stations with actual or intended throughput greater than 500m3/year or in the case of stations situated under permanent living quarters or working areas, where the limit is 100m3 /year.

Article 7 states that by December 2014 the commission shall review the implementation of the directive. This will include threshold levels, and the need for automatic monitoring. The

results will be reported to the European parliament accompanied by a legislative proposal.

Phil then moved on to vapour capture followed by a short video where, by the use of a special camera, the vapour release could be seen when manhole chambers were lifted and vehicles are refuelling. Phil went on to explain the various systems out in the field: “Condensing systems” – “Fugitive Emission Control Systems” – Combined Technology Systems”.

Finally the delegates were left to consider the possible outcomes from the 2014 review. An insistence on automatic monitoring/tightening of thresholds if targets are not met.

Our final speaker of the day was Graham Hamilton who took the delegates through their system and its use of CCTV remotely monitored Petrol Filling Stations. A trial is currently underway at a supermarket site in Basingstoke where the cameras via a clever software package, pick up extended nozzle activity at unattended vehicles and members of the public without a vehicle. The alarms are fed back to a remote monitoring station where an operator can instantly view the forecourt and communicate verbally to anyone present. The alarms can be extended to cover other things dependant on the type of camera installed; thermal

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BRANCHES

Yorkshire & Humberside

imaging for instance will detect fire etc.

Finally Andy summed up and thanked the speakers and everyone else for their support. This was followed by an excellent buffet lunch after which the delegates split into two groups and enjoyed a guided underground tour of the mine taking in the history of mining.

Craig Brocklehurst Branch Representative

North West

BRANCHES

"DIARY DATE THURSDAY 24th MARCH 2011 The next meeting of the North West Branch will be on Thursday 24th March ‘2011’. Venue and speakers to be advised in the next issue of the Bulletin. The North West Branch AGM will also be held on this date.

Louise Morgan Branch Representative

Eastern The APEA Eastern Branch meeting and industry workshop took place on Wednesday 29th September 2010 at Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich.

EB members met up at Hintlesham Hall, where some years ago we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the APEA. We are grateful to John

76

Boudry, the former Chairman of PetroTechnik for his kindness and support of the Eastern Branch as well as facilitating a visit to the PetroTechnik Ltd factory for a presentation/demonstration of their state of the art computer modelling machine, from which the pipe/joints are made and critical areas can be predicted. The PetroTechnik's UPP System is a complete leak tight underground pipework and containment system that will last the lifetime of the site, ensuring cost efficient fuel delivery and complete protection for the surrounding environment.

After formalities and a brief introduction our busy agenda was occupied with speakers and subject matters. Jean Fincken, LFDA, updated on Regulator Update. This has become an essential slot to attend to ensure you are up to date with the latest on regulatory issues.

Jean is doing a sterling job with her brief. Gary Burgess of BP covered DSEAR issues in particular with regard to tanker delivery risk assessment. After a short break we had a presentation by Ian Clark, Principle Environmental Health Officer, North East Lincolnshire Council. Ian talked about the harrowing incident at Immingham Taxi Office (also known as Fred’s Taxis). Ian was involved with the case following the unfortunate fatalities of two women in the Immingham Taxi Office Explosion.

The presentation also looked at some of the legal issue processes and procedure that arose following the explosion. Our final speaker of the day was Clive Dennis of the HSE under the heading "Learning the lessons of Buncefield" which dwelt on matters related to the Buncefield incident.

The location and topics made for an excellent turnout and we are grateful to everyone for turning up to support the EB. As one member said, this is one of the few places where we actually get some industry training whilst in addition updating ourselves on current regulations.

A two course lunch with tea and coffee was provided and

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

factory. Our thanks go to all the speakers and also to PetroTechnik’s Lee

Markham,

Product

Development Manager, Paul Ridge, Engineering Manager, Angie and Miri and all the other people who made us feel so welcome.

In recent days we are pleased to learn that Eastern branch member Trevor Mason of Purfleet Forecourt Systems (PFC), won the ELAFLEX Personal Contribution to Industry Award at the APEA conference, exhibition and awards dinner at Ricoh Arena in Coventry . This award is presented by ELAFLEX to an individual who has shown great commitment to our industry, with dedication and drive to improve standards, engineering practices or operational procedures. If you would like to nominate someone for next years awards, please contact Jane Mardell, the APEA Business Manager at admin@apea.org.uk or even nominate yourself. The 2011 awards will be launched next July; it is a simple process with some questions to complete.

The next Eastern Branch meeting is on December 8th at Hanbury Manor, Marriott Hotel near Ware. To attend please contact me directly by email, text or phone as places are filling up quickly Anton Martiniussen Branch Secretary c/o ELAFLEX Ltd Elaflex@aol.com Tel: 07831595620 direct 01992452915

Scotland Nothing to report

Southern Nothing to report

Ireland Nothing to report

Midlands Nothing to report

North East Nothing to report

Branch Representative and Secretary Contact Details Eastern Adrian Holyomes - Rep HYTEK GB LTD Delta House Green Street, Elsenham Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire Tel: 01279 815600 email: adrian@hytekgb.com Anton Martiniussen - Sec ELAFLEX Ltd Riverside House, Hoddesdon Herts EN11 0PA Tel: 01992 452 950 Mob: 07831 595620 email: elaflex@aol.com North East Mike Silmon - Rep and Sec W O Silmon Ltd Industry Road, Heaton Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE6 5XB Tel: 0191 224 0777 Fax: 0191 224 0707 email: associationtreasurer@apea.org.uk Midlands Rob Tunnicliff - Rep 37 Victoria Park Road Tunstall Stoke on Trent ST6 6DX Tel: 07815 069846 email: rob.tunnicliff@stoke.gov.uk Peter Emery - Sec Anchor Safety 19 Adonis Close, Tamworth Staffordshire B79 8TY Tel: 07972 599 765 email:peter_emery@btconnect.com North West Louise Morgan - Rep Petrocom Ltd Wash Farm (Office) Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe Lancashire L39 0HG Tel: +44 (0) 845 678 0790 Fax: +44 (0) 845 678 7820 Mobile: +44 (0) 7789 744281 email: louisemorgan@petrocom.co.uk Bob Conlin - Sec Fairbanks Environmental Ltd The Technology Management Centre Moss Lane View Skelmersdale Lancs WN8 9TN Tel: 01695 51775 email: bobconlin@fairbanks.co.uk

Scotland Ian Hillier - Rep North Ayrshire Council Bridgegate House,Irvine KA12 8BD Tel: 01294 324969 email: ihillier@north-ayrshire.gov.uk Paul Devine - Sec South Lanarkshire Council Consumer and Trading Standards North Stand, Cadzow Avenue Hamilton ML3 0LU Tel: 01698 476170 Fax: 01698 476180 Mobile: 07795 090903 email: paul.devine@southlanarkshire.gov.uk Southern Philip Monger - Rep Petrol Retailers Association Meadowside West EndSherbourne St John Basingstoke, Hants RG24 9LE Tel: 01256 850164 Fax: 01256 851273 email: phil.monger@ukonline.co.uk Sue Meadowcroft - Sec 1 Rock Cottage South Cornelly Bridgend CF33 4RN Tel: 07795 841891 email: sue@high-cross.com

BRANCHES

afterwards we went by coach to the

Ireland Killian Tallon - Rep Topaz Energy Ltd Topaz House Beech Hill, Clonskeagh Dublin 4, Ireland Tel: + 353 1202 8705 email: killian.tallon@topazenergy.ie Ronnie McArdle - Sec McArdle Doyle Limited Unit A8, Santry Business Park Swords Road Santry, Dublin 9 Ireland Tel: 00353 1 8423404 Fax: 00353 1 8423416 email: mail@mcardle-doyle.ie Yorkshire & Humberside Craig Brocklehurst - Rep Lbi Installatiosn Ltd The Former Post office Station Road, Sowerby Bridge Halifax West Yorkshire HX6 3AA Tel: 07703336264 email: craig@lbiinstallations.com Michelle Brocklehurst - Sec LBI Installations Limited The Former Post Office Station Road, Sowerby Bridge Halifax HX6 3AA Tel: 01422 833122 email: michelle@lbiinstallations.com

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

77

2010/2011 Training Course Dates Petrol Filling Stations Construction, Safety and Environmental Protection 12/13 April

Luton

12/13 June

Manchester

13/14 Sept

Solihull

1/2 Nov

Glasgow

Wetstock Management

Luton

10/11 May

Manchester

14/15 June

Glasgow

20/21 Sept

Solihull

Manchester

12 April

Luton

14 June

Cardiff

13 Sept

Glasgow

Explosives and Fireworks

Petrol Filling Stations Risk Assessment, Audit and Inspection 19/20 April

15 Nov

7 Sept

Manchester

13 Sept

Luton

21 Sept

Derby

5 Oct

Solihull

DSEAR

Petrol Filling Stations – Enforcement Procedures An Awareness 11 April

Solihull

16 May

Belfast

6 June

Luton

12 Sept

Cardiff

14 Nov

Manchester

Forecourt LPG Installations 9 March

Luton

9 June

Belfast

14 Sept

Glasgow

10 Nov

Solihull

2010 9 Dec

TRAINING

Electrical Installations An Awareness

Luton

2011

Petrol Filling Stations; Vapour Recovery Installations 2010

6 April

Manchester

25 May

Solihull

6 Dec

Manchester

1 Feb

Manchester

17 May

Belfast

2011

24 May

Solihull

28 Sept

Luton

9 May

Luton

13 Sept

Glasgow

9 Nov

Glasgow

3 Oct

Manchester

29 Nov

Luton

7 Dec

Cardiff

7 Nov

Cardiff

Courses will be designed around the new TCB Document, Guidance for Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations.

Please contact the APEA Business Manager on 0845 603 5507 or at admin@apea.org.uk if you wish to find out about purchasing a copy. APEA Members can purchase the guide at the discounted rate of £40 (non member rate £120).

It is strongly recommended that attendees have access to this document during courses.

All courses can be booked online at www.apea.org.uk on the ‘Training’ page.

Bespoke courses can be made available provided the minimum number of Delegates is 8. This offers a discount.

For details of this and any other training enquiry, please contact: Jane Mardell - Training Coordinator, (contact details on page 3) or Brian Baker, Training Chairman Mobile: 07932 785166 78

email: bakerb4@sky.com or brian.baker@milton-keynes.gov.uk APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk