The Bulletin Magazine - June 2010

The Bulletin

Journal of the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration

June 2010

Chairman’s Report

4

Editor’s Report

7

Brian Baker Editor 52 Milton Grove

Business Manager’s Report

8

Bletchley Milton Keynes

New APEA Members

11

News

15

Press Releases

29

tel:

+44 (0) 1908 252332

fax:

+44 (0) 1908 252319

mob:

+44 (0) 7932 785166

email: Bakerb4@sky.com

Articles APEA 2010 Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner

MK3 5BH

40 Jamie Thompson Publishing Chairman

45

Downstream Industry still in decline

49

70 Wangford Road Reydon Southwold

History of Petrol Filling Stations Part 14 Pumping Systems - Pressurised Pumping

50

Suffolk IP18 6NX

Misinformation about Conductive Pipes

53

The Premier Girls - Race for Life 2010

53

The Shape of Things to come?

54

Interview with Maureen Briggs, Craigavon Borough Council

56

Ask The Experts

58

APEA attend PetroForum 2010 in Malaysia

62

Tel/fax: +44 (0) 1502 722999 Mobile: +44 (0) 7770 625851 email: Jamiethompson@ukonline.co.uk

Jane Mardell Business Manager PO Box 106 Saffron Walden

Branches Branch reports

Essex CB11 3XT

65

United Kingdom Tel/fax: +44 (0) 845 603 5507

Training 2010 course dates and booking details

Mobile: +44 (0) 7815 055514

70

email: admin@apea.org.uk

Front Cover - Enclosed petrol pump at a funeral directors in Slough, Berkshire 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

E-10 & Single-Wall Fiberglass Tanks...Are there Emerging Problems with Compatability

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Welcome to another edition of “The Bulletin” which is packed full of interesting stories and articles.

My thanks go to all those members that contribute to the publication as it does make life just that little bit easier for our Editor. Brian Baker carries out a magnificent job in keeping the Bulletin fresh and interesting for our members and on Brian’s behalf I would ask that if you have any comment, working on a particularly interesting project or just have something you wish to say about the filling station industry then just email Brian or myself.

This is a very busy time for us on Council with lots of things going on both in the UK and internationally.

Our Vice Chairman, Brian Humm, has just represented the Association at the PetroForum in Malaysia and made lots of contacts there and many of them are very interested in what our Association does, so I look forward to reading Brian’s report.

Just as this edition falls through your letterbox in late May, I will be representing the Association at the 3rd Annual Oil Distribution & Retail 2010 Conference in Beijing, China.

This is a wonderful opportunity for me to promote internationally the work that the Association does and to make new contacts. At this event I have also been asked to join one of the round table discussions on Service Station facilities for the future which would include future services and technologies; other delegates will come from all over the world for this event. I will be taking pictures and will write a report for our next

edition of the Bulletin.

Back on home soil and I’m delighted that the Yorkshire and Humberside Branch has been reformed on the 29th April and my thanks go to Keith Hodgson and the initial members of the Branch for putting all the hard work in, so if you live or work in this area or may be there on business why not drop in to one of their future meetings as I’m sure they would be delighted to meet you. My apologies as I have not listed the new Chairperson of the Branch or other office bearers as I’m writing this report in advance of their AGM on the 29th of April.

On the 15th April I will be attending the North West Branch AGM and Technical meeting, which I look forward to catching up with the work of our members in that area.

Yesterday I attended our training committee meeting and I was delighted with the continued progress the Association is making in this area, and I would thank all the people who deliver these training courses for the Association and give freely of their own time in providing this valuable service. We have had lots more enquiries for training both in the UK and internationally and we do need to further promote this service as we believe we are the only organization dedicated to offering specific training for the retail filling station industry. We have generic courses plus we can bespoke a course for an individual organisation on their own subject matters.

Work on the third edition of the “Blue Book” is well under way and

the first full draft should have been out to all industry stakeholders for comment by now. We are still on target for publication in October 2010 and again my thanks go to all the APEA members involved in this work.

APEA 2010 is also well organized with F2F Events and you will see more promotional material for our annual event later in the publication. If you have not already done so then you should be making plans now for your dinner bookings and accommodation for what promises to be another great success.

So as you can see we have lots going on at both Branch and Council level and if you do wish to get more involved with how the Association is run or what we do then please contact myself or any Council member.

All that is left for me to do is to wish you and your family a wonderful summer no matter where you may be travelling to on vacation and to enjoy this, the latest edition of the APEA Bulletin.

changes in the draft document.

The APEA are not only the joint publishers of this book but as we are of course interested stakeholders we are giving our members an opportunity to look at the draft and make comment back to ourselves, NOT TO THE Energy Institute, as comments will be collated together and submitted as an APEA comment. We have already sent emails to our members, inviting them to comment where we have their email addresses on the membership database. By publication here we also invite members that the draft document and official comment sheet, can be seen at our website

using the following link; www.apea.org.uk/index.cfm?objec tId=2EBE02B8-DA0E-A517A21C6AB0E9C49D54 Please note that the technical content in this draft has not yet been finalised. Information presented has not yet been subjected to review outside of the respective working groups, and so after the consultation period has closed, the technical content may change.

Due to this reason, the draft should not be referenced yet by any person or body.

Deadline 28th May for comments.

“Stop Press” Dear Member, as this edition of the Bulletin is going to press the 1st Draft Edition of the proposed 3rd Edition of the publication titled “Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance And De –Commissioning of Filling Stations” otherwise known as the “Blue Book” has just been circulated to all Industry Stakeholders.

This is the first time that the individual work of all the various working groups has been seen in one document. and includes any new technical content which has been produced by them. Both new content and deleted/modified content is identified via tracked 4

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

was

studying

the

recently

published edition of the Retail

suppose

I

am

biased

as

a

contributor.

Marketing Survey, the March 2010

We seem to creeping nearer to

issue, and found myself thinking that

the pinnacle of our year as APEA

from 1967 until 31st December 2009,

2010 is well and truly on the horizon.

over 30,000, yes, 30,000 retail petrol

We have been trying to put the

stations have closed in 42 years – a

conference together and hope it

phenomenal

yet

draws a good attendance and

retail

keeps pace with innovation and

customer

amount

demands

and for

shopping and goods other than fuel

changes within our market.

have risen dramatically thereby

There seems to be a lot of interest

showing that as a nation, our habits

from members in Ireland at present

have

which from Council’s point of view, is

changed

out

of

all

recognition.

fantastic as we are receiving new

If we had said to a local dealer 40

applications regularly. I have some

years ago that he would have his

trips to Ireland on APEA business

shop open all night and throughout

both north and south of the border

the weekend, that customers would

coming up and love the place. Well

come to his site and get cash out of

done you guys!

discussion and an explanation on what is commented upon and how, as petroleum inspectors, we link into the planning process. I am looking forward to this as the fundamental aspect of the workshop is delegate participation, so more on that perhaps in the next issue.

You will see a short news article

a machine, that they could select

On top of that we have some

reporting on the outcome of a legal

and purchase fresh salad food, and

excellent news in that the Yorkshire

case where two women lost their

in reward for all this, give them a

and Humberside branch are re-

lives following an explosion in a taxi

discount if they show a loyalty card,

forming after being dormant for

office in Immingham. It is always sad

the same dealer would think us all

some

all

to report the loss of any life but the

mad and completely stupid – I

encouragement to see branches

lessons that are being learned has

mean who would want to get fuel at

becoming active, like Ireland has in

caused a re-write of the guidance

2 o’clock in the morning?

recent years, and look forward to

on Portable Petrol Containers for

The history series continues and to

seeing regular branch reports from

which a second draft has been

be honest I have taken a back seat

this revitalised Branch in the coming

circulated

for a little while as the task falls to a

months.

Licensing Authorities through the

years.

It

gives

us

among

Petroleum

very able Jamie Thompson who on

On the training front, we have

national Petroleum Enforcement

this occasion is covering the short

completely overhauled our one day

Liaison Group (PELG). The final draft

modern

course on DSEAR, we are

in the

is expected in the summer and with

Pumps. I must admit when he told

process of launching a new one day

permission we hope to re-produce

me I wondered just how much can

course on Vapour Recovery and as

the PETEL Circular when it is ready.

be written on the subject – how

a trial I am running a one day

We continue to serve, we hope, as

wrong can I be?

workshop in Belfast in May purely on

conduit for all in the industry.

history

of

Submersible

You will see that the Ask the

dealing with plans, submissions and

It is time for me to stop writing

Experts section has continued and

the application of the national

before it becomes a “blog” as they

we would like some feedback on

guidance,

say nowadays. Hope you enjoy the

this – a phone call, e-mail or a note

Depending on how this goes it is

to Jane – as I am trying to gauge

possible we may be offering this at

interest and whether the members

strategic locations later in the year.

feel it is a worthwhile regular topic.

In the case of Belfast, delegates are

Personally, I think it is but then I

bringing in actual submissions for

the

Blue

Book.

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

read and until next time…

Best Wishes

Brian 7

EDITOR’S REPORT

I

The last few months have been very busy, especially with arranging bespoke training courses and producing the 2011 Yearbook. This is now at the printers, so I am off on holiday soon, sailing round the Greek Islands to relax!

2011 Yearbook Thanks to all of you that registered online for the 2011 Yearbook and also those of you who booked advertising, the artwork is now at the printers and the Yearbooks will be distributed on 1st October.

If you have not received your copy by the end of October please let me know and I will chase up your delivery. We will be sending all Yearbooks by Royal Mail recorded delivery and by courier so that we can follow up any non deliveries.

BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT

2010 AGM, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner Following the success of APEA 2009 we will be repeating the format for APEA 2010.

It brings together equipment suppliers, service providers, oil companies, independent retailers, supermarkets and regulators for a day of conference debate, new technology and product display, networking and industry recognition.

APEA 2010 takes place on 14th October at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

The event takes place in a dedicated conference and function centre, boasting top class facilities.

Anyone wishing to book for the Conference, Exhibition or Awards Dinner should contact Sally Jones at F2F Events by email at Sally@f2fevents.co.uk or by telephone on + 44 (0) 1442 289 920.

If you would like to enter any of the awards please contact me for an entry form at admin@apea.org.uk, please specify which award you wish to enter so that the appropriate form can be emailed to you. Details about the awards can be found on page 42.

I will be managing the AGM part of the event and information and nomination forms will be posted to all members with the September issue of the Bulletin.

Bulletin Thank you to all of you that have contributed to this issue of The 8

Bulletin.

Please send me any news items, press releases or articles for the September 2010 issue and I will pass them onto our Editor for approval.

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

Bulletin Advertising Thanks to all of you that renewed your advertising for the 2010 issues of the Bulletin and thanks to new advertisers too, especially in these difficult economic times.

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 too.

The advertising rates remain unchanged for 2010 and are listed on our website on the ‘Publications’ page at www.apea.org.uk If you would like to book advertising in the Bulletin for 2010, please call me on 0845 603 5507 or email me at admin@apea.org.uk with your requirements.

Publications 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.

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 dates are detailed on page 70 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.

New Members There have been 58 new members joining during January, February and March 2010 and details can be found on page 11.

Website The website continues to be a useful site for information and 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 feel free to log on and go to the APEA Resource Centre where you can submit your article for approval.

There is a ‘Help’ pull down menu if you need some assistance. If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

You can also use the website to change your contact details, just logon and you will be able to access your record. If you cannot remember your logon details please contact me.

General Assistance 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

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

January Matthew O'Rourke Shire Pumps Ltd 14b West Green Drive Stratford upon Avon CV3 7 9HZ Maureen Smith Aberdeenshire Council Gordon House Blackhall Road Inverurie Aberdeenshire AB51 3WA Sarah Fisher Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards Department 14 Martin Street, Stafford Staffs ST16 2LG Hayden Ventham Churngold Remediation Ltd St Andrews House St Andrews Road Avonmouth Bristol BS11 9DQ Kevin Greyling Coteba PO Box 13995, Mowbray Cape Town 7705 South Africa Neil Griffin Robinson Design Ltd 1/2 Merchants Quay Ashley Lane Shipley, Bradford West Yorkshire BD17 7DB Paula Saward Suffolk Trading Standards Endeavour House 8 Russell Road, Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX

Janet Knight Suffolk County Council Trading Standards Endeavour House 8 Russell Road, Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX

Jan Kusak JK Commercials Royal Edward Dock Avonmouth, Bristol Avon BS11 9BT

Theofilos Papadopoulos EKO A.E. 2 Messogion Ave. Athens Tower Athens 11527 Greece

Adele Cooper HSB Haughton Engineering Insurance Service Cairo House Greenacres Road Waterhead, Oldham Lancashire 0L4 3JA

Robin Cooke Leonard House, 12-14 Silver St Tamworth Staffordshire B79 7NH

Hamish Munro Halliday Fraser Munro 8 Victoria Street Aberdeen AB10 1XB

Geoff Ineson David Young Associates Ltd Carlton House Sandy Walk Wakefield West Yorks WF1 2DJ

Mark Higgins 29 Avocet Way, Watermead Aylesbury Bucks HP19 0ZB

Alan Breen Airfield Fuelling Equipment Ltd P.O.Box 3454, Slough Berks SL10DB Mike Raine Fuel, Tank & Pipe Unit 4 7-9 Owen Road Kelmscott 6111 Australia Dimitris Samaras Samaras & Associates 26th Octovriou 43 'LIMANI CENTER' Thessaloniki 54627 Greece Christina Tichomidou 5th Kallidopoulou Strt Scholitiflon Thessaloniki 54641 Greece

Michael Flanagan 38 Park Lane Blaxton Doncaster South Yorkshaire DN9 3AT

Edmund Holgate Shell 8 Redfern Road Hawthorn East Melbourne Victoria 3123 Australia

Tony Doorly Suffolk County Council Trading Standards Service Endeavour House 8 Russell Road, Ipswich Suffolk IP1 2BX

February David Harford D&S Fuel Installation Services Ltd PO Box 178 Malvern Worcs WR14 2YU

Roisin Dillon Inverclyde Council 40 West Stewart Street Greenock PA15 1YA

NEW APEA MEMBERS

Detailed below are new members that have recently joined the APEA during January, February and March 2010.

Tim O'Leary DL Group Consulting Engineers 1 Hodders Villas Ballincollig, Cork Ireland Mark Young 33 Whiteford Court Hamilton Lanarkshire ML3 7UW John Dodds Durham County Council Unit 1 Damson Way Dragonville Industrial Estate Durham DH1 2YN Ken Virtue P&K Construction Ltd 18 Cromwell Crescent Lambley Nottingham NG4 4PJ Keith Manning 5 Highgate Green Elton Peterborough Cambs PE8 6RX Bora Filipovic OPW Fueling Components EMEA Belohorska 39 Prague 16090 Czech Republic

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

11

Michael Stone 2 Wardlow Road Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 8US Malcolm Railson 9 Millway Northampton NN5 6ER Mark Zaslona DLA Design Group South Park Way Wakefield 41 Business Park Wakefield West Yorkshire WF2 0XJ

Marc Cunniff 5 Cross Queen Street Normanton West Yorkshire WF6 2DH

Saad Al-Kubaisi Qatar Petroleum Corporate HSE P.O. Box 70 Doha Qatar

Ronald Winwood Sure Electrical Services Lincoln Farm Kenilworth Road Hampton-in-Arden Solihull West Midlands B92 0LS

John Carrick Mullaghmore Moylough Ballinasloe Galway Ireland

T Wallace 7 Hermit Lane Higham Barnsley South Yorkshire S75 1PL

NEW APEA MEMBERS

Veronica Beard Foresight SHE Limited Unit 1 Wenfo Farm Rhoshill Cardigan Pembrokeshire SA43 2TU

March Rafael Beddoe States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service Fire Service Headquarters St Helier JE4 5TP

Sharon Bateson Moyle District Council Sheskburn House 7 Mary Street Ballycastle Antrim BT54 6QH

Chris Barton Hytek (GB) Ltd Delta House Green Street Elsenhan Bishop's Stortford Hertfordshire CM22 6DS Jennifer Andrews a2emc Limited 53 Aldin Way Hinckley LE10 0GE Peter Dennis Carmel Building Services (North) Ltd Unit 2C Midland Place Barlborough Chesterfield Derbyshire S43 4FR Dameon Hill Hills Oil Unit 1 Hill Farm Lane Tirley Gloucestershire GL19 4EZ Peter Lawlor Commercial Engineering Solutions Ltd Unit 34/1, Block 503C Greenogue Business Pk Rathcoole Dublin Ireland 12

Gail Mcewen Down District Council 24 Strangford Road Downpatrick Down BT30 7EH

George Macneill Flat 1/1, 1571 Dumbarton Road Scotstoun Glasgow G14 9XF Russell Bundy 2 Haselfoot Gardens West End Southampton Hampshire SO30 3DA Brian Back Environmental Innovations Limited Long Bar Sawbridgewroth Road Little Hallingbury Bishop's Stortford Herts CM22 7QU

Brian Hammond Guardian ECL Limited Guardian House Conqueror Court Spilsby Road Romford Essex RM3 8SB

Bernard Duffy Fane Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Ltd T/A Forecourt Services Inniskeen Dundalk Louth Ireland

Ashley Turner WCEC Architects Carrwood Court Carrwood Road Sheepbridge Chesterfield Derbyshire S41 9QB

Trevor Geary Armagh City and District Council Environmental Health Department The Palace Demesne Armagh BT60 4EL

Sam Adcock Hersham Electrical Engineers Ltd Unit 5 Shipyard Industrial Estate Ramsey Isle of ManIM8 3DT Andrew Licudi E&M Consulting Unit 6 Block 1, Watergardens 11111 Gibraltar

Steve Lucas GKL Solutions Ltd 26 Holbrook Road Fareham Hampshire PO16 0TL Bernard Wright CFG Nationwide Site Services Ltd Unit 1-3 Forest Vale Industrial EstateValley Road Cinderford Gloucestershire GL14 2NY

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

A garage from the Forest of Dean has lost thousands of pounds after thieves targeted its diesel supply.

John Hall and John Martin, who run the Ross Road Garage in Huntley, were left more than £11,000 out of pocket after a large amount of diesel was siphoned from their tank.

Mr Hall, who has been at the site for more than 20 years, said the garage and neighbouring businesses were often targeted because of their remote location.

He said: "We get our fair share of burglaries, but nobody ever seems to see anything.

"We've all been robbed along here at some point. It just seems to be one after the other, because we're so far out. We also don't have the police presence we used to.

Years ago we had a patrol car which could come down the road looking in on us, but there's none of that now." Mr Hall said the thieves had managed to find their way into the tank via a manhole cover in the ground. He said: "It must have been very early in the morning on Saturday February 27. "We'd had a delivery on the Thursday, so there was plenty of it in there. They removed the manhole cover, then they broke the lock which was holding the top on, and then they must have got a large tube and sucked it out.

"They must have had a big truck to take it away, because that's a lot of fuel. "Mr Hall said the cost of replacing the fuel had been incredibly expensive. He said: "To put back what we had before they came cost us £11,237." Quite a few stations have been done like ours, and although I admit we're in business to make money, we also employ people and we need to be able to protect their jobs."

A police investigation has been launched and officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward. A Gloucestershire police spokeswoman said: "Between 10pm

on Friday February 26 and 8.15am on Saturday February 27, 9680 litres of fuel were stolen from a garage in Huntley. The stolen diesel is valued at around £10,000.

"In the last year there have been a total of four thefts or burglaries from business premises in Ross Road, these range from the theft of an advertising board to the theft of 150 decking boards.

UK, Fuel firm in talks to acquire Texaco outlets in Ireland British fuel group Malthurst is believed to be in talks with oil giant Chevron to purchase more than 20 of its company-owned Texaco filling stations in Ireland. It is understood that talks have been ongoing for some months. Malthurst formed two companies in December in preparation for its entry into the Irish market: MRH (Ireland) Petroleum Ltd and MRH (Ireland) Properties Ltd. Founded in 1997, Malthurst is the largest independent owner and operator of petrol stations in Britain, accounting for about 4 per cent of the market. It is headquartered in Essex and has 300 filling stations in England and Scotland using a number of brands, including Texaco and BP. It also runs a wholesale fuel business distributing to commercial and domestic customers. MRH (GB) Ltd recorded turnover of £1.35 billion. Barclays Private Equity owns a 38 per cent stake in the business.

When contacted about the talks, a spokeswoman for Chevron said: ”No decision has been made about our Dublin assets at this time. Nothing has been finalised.”

Chevron owns the Texaco brand and runs a large network of filling stations in Ireland. It is understood that the group is keen to sell its company-owned sites. Chevron also owns Texoil in Ireland. This company distributes home heating oil and other fuel products around the country. The oil giants have gradually withdrawn from Ireland and other European markets in recent years to focus more on their upstream exploration and refining activities. Shell and Statoil sold their service stations to Topaz within the

past five years while Esso has retrenched its operation to the Leinster area. It is not clear how much Malthurst would pay for the Texaco stations but it would be expected to spend several million upgrading the forecourts and possibly rebranding them. At the height of the boom, filling stations in urban areas carried hefty price tags.

But valuations have plunged and many sites bought for redevelopment have recently had their forecourt operations restored.

Topaz is the biggest fuel group in Ireland with a share of 30 per cent. It expects to make an operating profit of €20 million this year on turnover of €3 billion-plus

UK, Immingham. Fines over taxi firm fatal blast Two women died in the explosion at the taxi firm.

A taxi firm owner and a petrol station have been fined after an explosion in Immingham in which two people died. Sue Barker, 43, and Ann Mawer, 52, died in the blast at Fred's Taxis in 2007 when petrol on the premises ignited. Mrs Barker's husband John Barker, 46, of Washdyke Lane, Immingham, was fined £2,400 after he admitted two counts of breaching health and safety laws. Immingham Service Station Ltd was fined £7,500 at Grimsby Crown Court for breaching its petroleum licence. The explosion happened on Christmas Eve, 2007.

After an investigation by North East Lincolnshire Council, Mr Barker was charged with failing to protect his employees in relation to the storage of petrol and failing to protect the public.

Immingham Service Station Ltd, of Pelham Road, Immingham, admitted breaching a condition of its petroleum spirit licence by dispensing the fuel into an unapproved container. North East Lincolnshire Council said Mr Barker had bought nearly 25 litres of petrol from the service station. He then carried it into the taxi firm's office, which also contained a gas heater and electrical appliances. The container broke and the petrol

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

15

NEWS

UK, Thieves steal £11K of diesel from Gloucestershire garage

spilled and ignited, causing the explosion.

The petrol station company and Mr Barker were fined at Grimsby Crown Court. The council's head of public protection, John Seale, said: "We hope that the conclusion of this case will once again serve as a reminder to the public and the retail industry of the importance of adhering to health and safety legislation."

Councillor Steve Beasant, the council's portfolio holder for community safety and public protection, said: "This was a very tragic case which should never have happened and I only hope that lessons have been learned."

UK, Caerphilly.

Businessman found guilty

NEWS

Feb 2010 - Businessman Gerwyn Brian Charles Evans trading as ‘Park Service Station’, Bedwellty Road, Cefn Fforest, Blackwood received a 2 year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £14,000 prosecution costs by District Judge Martin Brown when he was found guilty of 10 offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for breaching regulation 6(1) and 6(10) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.

In a four-day trial in Caerphilly and Abertillery Magistrates Courts, the court heard that between 22nd November 07 and 28th March 08 Mr Evans continued to use an underground petrol storage tank after it failed a tank test. He did this despite receiving specific safety instructions not to do so from Caerphilly County Borough Council Trading Standards Service.

Furthermore Evans received deliveries of petroleum spirit into a second unlicensed tank, which had been out of use for more than 12 months and had not been tested, to ensure it was sound. In evidence the court was told of occasions when the tanks used to store petroleum spirit were unlocked and incorrectly labelled. Moreover the authenticity of site records was also brought into question during the proceedings.

16

When delivering his verdict District Judge Brown said that in his view Evans lost credibility for the obstinate way he stood his ground regarding the use of the tanks and that for some of the offences he had no real defence.

Councillor Lyn Ackerman welcomed the result of the prosecution saying “A major concern associated with the storage and dispensing of petrol is the risk of fire and explosion”. Petrol is a dangerous substance, which is why stringent safety measures are in place for the protection of the public. Those who put residents’ health and safety at risk must be taken to task.”

UK, Maidstone. Swift Environment Agency action saves water quality A major environmental pollution incident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday (January 12th) after a lorry spilled more than 6,000 litres of diesel into waterways near Maidstone. The accident happened following a multi-vehicle crash on the M20, during which the truck transporting the fuel spilled its load.

Officers from the Environment Agency attended the scene to deploy oil booms and prevent the spread of the pollutant. The oil entered the Lilk Stream through the motorway drainage system and was carried as far as the top of Major Lakes fishery at Bearstead before it was contained.

Jan Leslie, spokesperson for the agency, commented: "Due to our prompt efforts, the impact of the pollution of the environmentally sensitive waterways has been greatly reduced and was prevented from spreading across the fishing lakes."

She added that full surveys will be undertaken to assess the impact of the spill on the affected stretch of river.

According to Environment Agency figures, oil and fuels are the most frequently reported pollutant found in inland waters, with more than 5,000 incidents involving these chemicals reported each year.

UK, London. Petrol retail body warns of job losses Planned rises to the business rates of independent petrol stations in England and Wales could cost 1,000 jobs, their trade body has warned.

RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association (RMI Petrol) said the estimated job losses would come when up to 200 petrol stations have to close. RMI Petrol said some of its members expect to see their bills rise fourfold from 1 April. HM Revenue & Custom's Valuation Office Agency said it was aware of concerns. "The Valuation Office Agency has been meeting with representatives from the industry to listen to their concerns and will continue doing so," said a spokeswoman. "The valuation officers have a statutory duty to carry out revaluation of business premises every five years”.

UK, Exmouth petrol leak at Exmouth filling station A petrol leak occurred at an Exmouth filling station. Fire crews responded to a report of a strong smell of fuel at the Shell Garage in Exeter Road on Friday, January 22, at around 11.33am. Two fire appliances from Exmouth and a gas detector from Exeter attended.

The crews confirmed a strong smell of petrol emanating from the forecourt. The electrical supply to the fuel pumps had been isolated. A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service said: "This was a small leakage of petrol from an underground fuel tank on the forecourt. "Fire crews used an Environment Agency spill kit to absorb the petrol spillage and isolated the forecourt pumps." The care of the incident was left with the manageress of the fuel station.

UK, Manchester. War veteran dies in lawnmower fireball William Baines had been filling his petrol lawnmower when he was engulfed in flames last June. An inquest in Stockport heard a box of

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

UK, Suffolk. Petrol attendant prevented explosion A petrol station attendant, who stopped a man from blowing up a petrol station with women and children inside, has been praised for his bravery. Rzgar Kareem grabbed the gushing petrol pump and a lighter out of the hands of Andrew Willoughby, before pinning him to

the floor until police arrived. "It was very scary," said Rzgar, 29, who works at the Murco petrol station in Newmarket Road, Bury St Edmunds.

"I was worried for the people inside as well as myself. There could have been a big explosion. "I saw him try to flick the lighter twice. Fortunately he was drunk and not able to light it.

"I remember one little girl was crying after I grabbed him. I told her 'don't worry'. "What he was doing was very dangerous," added Rzgar, who has lived in Bury for nine years and is originally from Iraq. "I've never seen anything like it in my life." He was speaking after Willoughby, 25, was jailed for two years by Ipswich Crown Court.

Trouble started after Willoughby had gone to the petrol station at about 12.30pm on October 3 and tried to buy wine. Staff refused to serve him because he already appeared to be drunk, said prosecutor Robert Sadd. He then tried to buy a can of beer but when he was again refused, he walked out onto the forecourt, took a hose and pulled out a cigarette lighter, Mr Sadd said. When interviewed by police, Willoughby, of Tayfen Road, Bury, denied that he intended to start a fire. Willoughby, who has previous convictions for violence, public disorder and robbery, pleaded guilty to threatening to commit criminal damage or arson.

"What he did wasn't anything other than deeply stupid. He realises that," said Matthew McNiff, in mitigation, at the hearing. He said Willoughby had a number of issues troubling him at the time and drank alcohol to cope.

The judge, Mr Recorder Nigel Peters, praised the bravery of Mr Kareem. He said the incident was 'very alarming', and while he accepted that he did not intend to start a fire, it could have had 'disastrous consequences'. Bury Insp Chris Galley said: "This incident had the potential to harm not only those present at the petrol station, but people living locally and passers-by on a busy route through Bury St Edmunds. "The quick thinking and fast actions of those staff members at the petrol station diffused the situation and prevented a major

incident from occurring and should be commended."

UK, Wolverhampton.

Petrol station hit by fire A petrol station in Wolverhampton was shut following a fire on the forecourt. A forecourt attendant averted a potential disaster at the 24-hour BP garage on Stafford Road, Fordhouses.

One of the overhead lights on the forecourt is thought to have short circuited at around 3am, causing sparks to ignite fuel fumes on the ground. Flames quickly engulfed a petrol pump and spread to the roof, setting light to the canopy and damaging the plastic overhead sign. The attendant, who was working alone, raised the alarm just in time as the blaze threatened to engulf other pumps.

Two fire crews from Fallings Park were called to the scene and police closed off Stafford Road as smoke billowed across the carriageway.

Crew commander Karl James said: “The fuel pump was well alight when we arrived and the flames had spread onto the roof and started to burn the canopy. “Four of the crew wearing breathing apparatus managed to stop the fire in its tracks.

It could have been very nasty if it had spread to the other pumps.”

UK, Cheltenham.

Arsonist built bonfire at Texaco garage Drunken Michael Easterbrook terrified staff at a petrol station by building a bonfire around one of the fuel pumps and lighting a flame.

Easterbrook, 23, piled up bags of coal and wood around the pump on the forecourt of the Texaco garage in Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. He then sprayed petrol from the pump over the pile.

Police and firefighters used a battering ram to overpower Easterbrook and drag him away from the pump, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Easterbrook, of Pitman Road, Cheltenham, was jailed for three years after he admitted making

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

19

NEWS

matches – which he kept for lighting candles at church – had probably fallen out of his pocket as he bent down to start the mower in his garden.

The great-grandfather then stood on them, the friction lighting the matches and igniting petrol vapours and fuel on his clothes. When he rushed in a panic into the passageway where he kept the mower, petrol which had already spilt on the floor fed the fire, engulfed Mr Baines and filled the passage with flames.

Neighbours called 999 after seeing smoke coming from Mr Baines's house on Chelford Grove, Bridgehall. Coroner John Pollard ruled his death was accidental, adding "What's more likely than not is that he has been filling up his lawnmower and perhaps some fuel has been spilt – it's easily done.

"There appears to be a strange and almost unbelievable sequence of events. Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction – and this is one of those occasions. "He has got the matches in his pocket as he bends over the mower to start it and they fall out of his pocket." Mr Pollard said there was then a series of coincidences in which the friction of his foot against the matches and the concrete set Mr Baines on fire.

He added: "He then panicked in a way which I guess most of us would."

Mr Baines, a former foundry worker who served in the navy during the Second World War, died from his injuries the next day at Wythenshawe Hospital. He was described by family as a very religious, independent and fit man, a keen gardener who did daily press-ups and seemed decades younger.

NEWS

arson threats at the garage on August 11 last year. Crown Prosecutor Kerry Barker said Easterbrook embarked on his “wildly reckless” behaviour because he had cut his finger on a bottle of whisky he bought earlier that night from the petrol station. Although attendant Jude Amalathas gave him a plaster for the bleeding finger, he refused to replace the bottle of alcohol, enraging Easterbrook.

He took bags of coal and wood from the forecourt display, piled them up around the fuel pump and threatened to start a “big fire”. Mr Barker told the court it was at 3.20am when Easterbrook went to the garage and bought a small bottle of whisky from Mr Amalathus.

Mr Barker said Easterbrook was angry and asked for a replacement bottle, but Mr Amalathas refused. Mr Barker said: “Mr Amalathus judged him to be drunk and declined to serve him. The defendant then made threats and said he would call the police. “Easterbrook picked up four bags of coal from the display outside the kiosk and took them to the pumps. He laid them on the floor around a pump. He again asked Mr Amalathas for whisky and was again refused. He struck the window of the kiosk, cracking it. “Mr Amalathas called the police. The defendant went back to building a bonfire by picking up two bags of wood and putting them on the coal by the pump. “He then took the hose from the pump and dribbled petrol over it. “Then he sat on the floor, took out his cigarette lighter and lit it, producing a large flame. He looked at Mr Amalathas and said ‘big fire’.”

The prosecutor said Easterbrook then lit a cigarette and when police arrived he said: “I’ll blow this place up”. Mr Barker told the court: “Police witnessed Easterbrook with a lit cigarette in one hand, waving it around.” After being arrested, Easterbrook admitted drinking three quarters of a bottle of vodka and a two-litre bottle of cider, Mr Barker said.

The defendant had a long criminal record, including previous court appearances for criminal damage and threatening to destroy property. Nadeem Aullybocus, 20

defending, said Easterbrook had a troubled past, was put into care aged 12 and had developed an alcohol problem by 13. He added: “He was upset to be refused alcohol – and when he is upset and people start on him he loses control.” Judge Martin Picton told Easterbrook his actions were “terrifying” for the attendant.

He said: “You created the risk of massive damage being caused had you set fire to one or more of the fuel pumps – and even potentially significant loss of life. “You were drunk but you were clearly capable of carrying out your actions, stacking up the bags around the fuel pump and dribbling petrol on to them. I am satisfied you were igniting your lighter as a potent threat. It was a wildly reckless action on your part which could have caused terrible harm.”

UK, Hampshire. Fire doused by firefighters at EXXON Fawley, oil refinery A fire was doused after erupting at part of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s Fawley refinery in southern England. The blaze, which began at 3.20 p.m. U.K. time, was extinguished by 3.55 p.m. and the oil refinery is now working normally, according to a spokesman for the plant. “The fire was brought under control and put out very quickly,” the spokesman said. “There were no injuries.” The refinery is the largest in the U.K., capable of processing 316,000 barrels a day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Hampshire Chronicle reported that the fire began in a feed drum at the refinery.

UK, London. Shell to sell up 9000 petrol stations as moves closer to takeover deal with Arrow Energy Royal Dutch Shell will sell full or part-stakes in as many as 9000 petrol stations worldwide and cut a further 1000 jobs as it intensifies its global

cost-cutting. The announcement came as Shell appeared to be edging closer to a deal with Arrow Energy to bolster the group's position in Australia's fast-growing industry supplying coal-seam gas to China and South-East Asia.

Peter Voser, the chief executive, said that Shell intends to leave about 30 of the 90 countries in which it operates petrol stations. The move, which is already under way, is part of a focus on more profitable markets and on exploration and production. "We are leaving retail markets where we have low volumes," Mr Voser told Shell's annual strategy briefing in London.

These would include Greece, Sweden, Vietnam and New Zealand. Globally, Shell holds interests in about 45,000 petrol stations, of which just under 30,000 are operated directly by the company.

It indicated that by 2012 it would sell about 2000 sites outright and cut the number that it operated directly by almost 7000. Sites no longer operated directly would follow a model that Shell has pioneered in America, where its retail sites retain the Shell brand and are supplied wholesale by the company but are operated by third parties. Shell is selling fuel stations in Spain and Portugal.

In France, it will leave many of its smaller, regional stations but plans to retain its more profitable, highvolume motorway network. Britain, where Shell operates about 900 fuel stations and is the biggest player by volume in the retail market, is not expected to bear the brunt of the sales. Richard Savage, of Mirabaud Securities, said that the move reflected an effort "to release capital to spend more on production".

Shell employed about 102,000 people before Mr Voser revealed the first phase of his re-organisation last July. He called for "more focus and more urgency", adding that most of the cuts would be in refining and marketing -- which is struggling in the face of the worst industry downturn in 20 years -- and in middle management. "The company had become too complicated and

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UK, Essex. Arson suspect captured on CCTV camera at tanker yard CCTV footage of a suspected arsonist has been released by Essex Police after fire destroyed four diesel tankers. Officers believe that one person deliberately started a fire on an industrial estate in Maldon. He was captured on camera running away from the scene in West Station Yard on 6 February. The storage tanks contained more than 190,000 litres (41,795 gallons) of fuel and the damage caused is estimated to be in the region of £500,000. A police spokesman said: "We are releasing the CCTV images in the hope that someone living locally in Maldon will be able to help us identify the person we are looking for."

Northern Ireland, Belfast. BP admits petrol had water in it A major fuel company has confirmed a shipment of petrol delivered around Northern Ireland from a Belfast terminal was contaminated with water. BP confirmed that it was investigating how the contamination in the tainted ultra low sulphur petrol happened.

The firm said that some of the petrol had already been taken by tanker to various filling stations before the discovery. So far there has been one reported breakdown as a result. A spokesman for the company said sales of the petrol were stopped as soon as it realised there was a problem. “The moment this was reported, the tank where the product came from was isolated

and deliveries stopped,” he said.

“There are no issues with product being delivered now. We are investigating the cause. “A very small number of petrol stations have reported high water levels in their tanks. In all but one case, the water settled at the bottom of the tank and was drained.” Deliveries were thought to have returned to normal.

Wales, Pensioner hit with £670 bill for spilling two litres of petrol at a filling station A grandfather who accidentally spilled petrol when he filled up at a supermarket was charged £670 to clean it up. Ron Wyde, 69, was buying four-star petrol at a Morrison's store when a pipe on the tank of his Vauxhall Astra accidentally came loose and leaked two litres on the floor.

The concerned pensioner immediately explained the leak to staff at the kiosk in Barry, South Wales, and waited for the fire service to clean up the overflow.

The Morrison's supermarket and filling station in Barry, South Wales, where Ron Wyde spilled two litres of petrol, had sent a letter from the chain demanding a staggering £670 for resolving the issue and threatened to send bailiffs to his property if he didn't pay.

Morrison's sent two service engineers from Wigan, Lancashire, to make sure the petrol station was safe and tried to charge the grandfather for the expense. The Bill stated that the engineers had spent six hours travelling the 440-mile round trip between Wigan and Barry to carry out the job - which took just 40 minutes using a jet wash.

Mr Wyde said: “It would be laughable if it wasn't such a big bill.

“It was a small amount of petrol about two quid’s worth. “The fire service had cleaned it up in minutes and they didn't charge for that. “I was amazed to get such a huge bill - it was a complete surprise. “I was being asked to pay for someone to drive all the way from the North of England to deal with a small amount

of petrol which had already been cleaned up.”

Grandfather Ron had just dropped wife Maureen, 67, at bingo when he pulled into Morrison's to put a splash of petrol into the tank of his Vauxhall Astra but the £670 he was hit with came to more than his total petrol bill for an entire year.

He said: “I told Morrison's I was not paying but they threatened me with recovery agents. “I thought they were behaving like bullies - I'm sorry I accidentally spilled petrol but I paid for it and the fire service cleaned it up.” Ron put the matter in the hands of his solicitors and Morrison's backed down. A spokesman said: “It was a specialist service and had to be carried out by an approved company. “However it was an error to charge the customer for the full amount. “We would like to apologise to Mr Wyde and as a result will cancel all charges to him.”

Ireland, Dublin.

Miracle escape at city petrol station Recently in South Dublin a tanker attempting to leave a petrol station overturned. The incident occurred at approximately 6am at the Tesco Petrol Station, close to Dundrum Town Centre. It is understood the tanker was attempting to move in the station's forecourt when it apparently slipped down a nearby slope. Gardai were soon on the scene and recovery trucks later arrived in a bid to remove the truck from the scene.

It is understood that nobody was injured. Meanwhile, price-weary motorists can expect further headaches over the next few months as the cost of fuel is set to increase. Industry experts have said that a deterioration in currency exchange prices will have a negative impact on the price of petrol and diesel.

Petrol is now averaging at nearly €1.28 a litre, which is an increase of 24c and diesel prices are also increasing, coming in at almost €1.20 on average. These increases are despite the low cost of a barrel of oil compared to years ago.

Across the eurozone, the price of

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23

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slower to respond than we'd like, so we are sharpening up," he said. The chief executive's remarks came as Arrow Energy said that it was in "active discussions" with Shell and PetroChina over their joint $US3 billion ($3.3bn) takeover offer Shell, which confirmed the talks but declined to comment, also announced positive news on the discovery of new supplies of oil and gas.

petrol remains at €1.11 in Austria but reaches as much as €1.32 in France.

Conor Faughnan of Automobile Association (AA Roadwatch) said that he believes the prices will not come down over the next month.

"We are definitely going to continue to get shocks and price fluctuations," he said. "But this is occupying minds around Europe, not just Ireland."

France, Paris. BP receives offer for its retail fuels and convenience business in France

NEWS

BP has received an offer from Delek Europe B.V., one of the largest fuel retailers in Europe and a subsidiary of the Delek Group Ltd, to buy its French retail fuels and convenience business including selected fuel terminals.

The proposed purchase price is €180million (approximately US$251 million), in cash, subject to working capital adjustments. On receipt of the offer to purchase BP's approximately 416 petrol stations in France, BP has entered into a period of exclusivity with Delek Europe and has started discussions with the relevant works councils. The sale would also include interests or ownership in three fuel distribution depots and it is expected to include a long term agreement for acceptance of fuel cards. The proposed transaction is currently expected to be completed in the second half of this year. Any final transaction will be subject to works councils and regulatory approvals.

As well as an agreement for BP branding to remain on the forecourts for a number of years under a licensing agreement, BP would also continue to supply fuel including premium BP Ultimate fuels under a supply agreement. If the offer is accepted and the deal is approved then BP would still continue to retain a significant presence in France through its business to business fuels, bitumen, lubricants and aviation businesses.

Staff currently working for the retail business would transfer to the new 24

owner. Jean-Baptiste Renard, BP's Head of Region for Europe and South Africa, said: "We believe the decision to sell is right for the business as it means the BP brand will stay on the forecourts. It is right for staff as their jobs would be retained, and it would give the new owners an opportunity to keep investing in the business." Zion Ginat, CEO Delek Benelux, commented: "Delek is excited to expand and develop its retail business in Europe through the proposed acquisition of BP's marketing business in France.

Delek is committed to drive value and to continue to strengthen the BP brand name in France for its customers and employees."

South Africa, Cape Town. Engen plans to take over BP Growing oil company Engen plans to take over the assets of its rival, BP, in the countries from which BP is pulling out. BP announced last week that it will be pulling out of five southern African countries as a result of a strategic review.

In an interview with Bloomberg, a top Engen official said the company will take advantage of this opportunity and buy BP assets as part of its expansion strategy and penetration into new markets.

"We're on a growth programme and they're selling assets," Wayne Hartmann, Engen's General Manager for international business, said in an interview in Cape Town yesterday. "We're very small in Tanzania and missing in Malawi."

While some of its rivals are reducing activities in Africa, Engen has a "positive outlook" on the continent and rolled out a record 30 sites last year, Hartmann said.

While the company has a "healthy balance sheet," a stock exchange listing to fund acquisitions has not been ruled out, he said. Engen, which has 40 filling stations across Botswana, is already listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange's foreign board and is the third largest oil company in Botswana after BP and Shell. In a statement last week, BP Africa CEO, Sipho Maseko, said he was confident the businesses they

are looking to sell will offer good value and great potential to a purchaser, particularly given the strong economic outlook of the region as whole. "A new owner can build on our good assets and grow the business further," he said. "All of our operations are leading marketing businesses with strong market shares, well-run operations, experienced and capable employees and strong health and safety performance." Efforts to get a comment from Engen Botswana were not successful. BP, which has been in Africa for over 80 years, has been operating in Botswana as an independent company since 1975 when it split from Shell.

BP Botswana has over 40 retail sites across the country where it has been competing with Shell, Engen, Caltex and Total. If Engen takes over BP in Botswana, it stands to enjoy the latter's wide range of customers and contracts, among them Debswana, BCL, BDF, the government's Central Transport Organisation, as well as big construction firms and transport companies.

USA, Tanker explodes at Donelson gas station A fuel tanker exploded at a gas station along Donelson Pike, injuring the driver of the truck. Kim Lawson, assistant chief with the Nashville Fire Department, said the fire started just before 8:30 a.m. at a RaceWay station along Donelson Pike near the Nashville International Airport.

Witnesses said they heard multiple explosions.

Lawson said the 68-year-old driver of the truck was burned over 60 percent of his body and was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. The driver is an employee of Florida Rock & Tank Lines, Inc. Officials said the tanker was empty, but it was moving fuel between the station's underground tanks at the time of the fire. The cause of the blaze was still under investigation. The cab of the truck and the engine were severely damaged.

Lawson said the driver was outside of the truck when the fire started.

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Witnesses said there were flames 30 feet high. Cil Bullard of Yorktown, Va., was staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites next to the station when she heard the explosions that rocked the hotel. "There was a big boom, and then a couple of smaller booms and then all hell broke loose," she said. "I thought something exploded on the roof because of the shaking."

Herlon Clark was working at the front desk of the hotel when he saw people running from the station and fuel shooting up in the air just before the explosion. "I don't know where the fire came from, but it was everywhere gas was shooting," he said. Hotel guests who were staying in rooms closest to the station were moved into an interior stairwell by hotel staff until the fire was put out.

Donelson Pike was closed for a period of time, but traffic was back to normal by 10:30 a.m. According to RaceWay, the incident is under investigation by several regulatory authorities, including representatives of the Occupational Health & Safety Administration. RaceWay said it is working closely with those agencies to determine the cause.

Canada, Que, Granby. Explosion at gas station heard 25KM away Crews are trying to piece together how a gasoline truck suddenly exploded at a Granby, Que., service station, injuring at least one man. The blast was heard 25 kilometres away. A service station employee was thrown several feet into the air when the gasoline truck blew up during what appeared to be a routine gas transfer. A colleague extinguished flames that were burning the man's clothes.

Emergency workers said the employee suffered serious, but non life threatening burns to his body.

The explosion also destroyed another nearby gasoline truck and a warehouse. Debris was found up to 400 metres from the service centre. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but fire fighters suggested it was triggered by a spark or other sudden heat source. Fire-fighters said flames 26

came perilously close to touching off nearby gas pumps, which would have resulted in further, likely bigger, explosions, before they were contained.

United Arab Republic, Qatar. Better safety system for petrol pumps Petrol stations in Qatar have been asked to install electronic devices to check fuel levels in reservoirs as part of new safety measures being implemented in light of the recent blast at a station in Doha. In an exclusive interview, Petrol Station Executive Committee (PSEC) chairman Engineer Saad Ali alKubaisi told Gulf Times the new electronic instruments should start to arrive in the country by April and usage would become mandatory

by June.

Some 50 passengers of a bus were injured when the underground storage tank at the petrol station in the Hilal area exploded in October.

“During investigations, we found certain safety instructions had been ignored. One was the lack of a safety aspect of the storage tank compartment,” said al-Kubaisi, who is also Qatar Petroleum (QP) HSE director. “There was an opening in the sand which coupled with ageing, allowed air to enter the tank and mix with the fuel,” the official said, while maintaining that the incident was “rare” not only in Qatar but anywhere in the world.

Reservoirs are encompassed by concrete chambers filled with layers of compacted sand to absorb vapour. “Reaching the target of June is important for us also, as chances of vapourisation increases during summer,” committee member Hassan Ali al-Qasmi, the director of Industrial Inspection & Monitoring at the Ministry of Environment (MoE), explained.

Apart from QP and MoE, the PSEC, which was set up in 2007 on the directives of HH the Heir Apparent, has representation from Woqod, Civil Defence and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning. Further, the 70 petrol stations currently operating in Qatar

will be subjected to a regular inspection system, al-Kubaisi said.

“An international consultancy is studying the conditions of petrol filling stations in the country,” alKubaisi noted.

The exercise is likely to conclude this year, leading to the issue of a law regulating the functioning of petrol stations in the country. The law is likely to cover issues like pollution, leakages and spills.

According to him, the strategy is not to disturb the stations while eliminating latent threats. The officials admitted that an evaluation of the petrol stations in Qatar had revealed problems with their inspection and monitoring systems, but insisted that PSEC was there to correct them. “The pace of development in Qatar was so rapid.

For the purpose of comparison, Woqod’s latest announcement of its plan to open 100 more petrol stations (with associated facilities) makes sense. “There’s room for more refuelling points especially in suburbia,” al –Kubaisi added. PSEC is responsible for liaising among the various state agencies, providing plans for rehabilitation and licensing of petrol stations, as per pre-defined standards in accordance with international guidelines.

PSEC evaluates and enforces regulations that range from safety to security and the environment. PSEC is also engaged in cross-border sharing of expertise, as evident from a recent visit to the UAE, officials pointed out.

India, Jaipur. Fire breaks out at petrol pump, two firemen hurt A major accident was averted when a fire broke out at Johar Brothers petrol pump, situated in the middle of a commercial and residential area in Jaipur. It was learnt that a tanker caught fire while refuelling. It could have destroyed homes and properties, had not the JMC fire fighters reached the spot on time and doused the fire in 45 minutes.

Over a dozen fire tenders were pressed into service. Two of the fire fighters suffered minor injuries. The

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police had a tough time controlling the surging crowd, who demanded immediate closure of the pump since it is situated in such a densely populated area.

The crowd allegedly manhandled the petrol pump owner.

They claimed that closure of the pump had been ordered by the home department in 1975, but nothing has been done so far by the UDH department. They put up a road block, forcing the police to chase them away. Talking to TOI, the fire officials said the cause of the fire is still unknown. Three people had lost their lives in a similar incident that happened at a petrol pump in Shashtri Nagar in October 2008.

Fire officer of Jaipur Municipal Corporation, Ishwar Lal Jaat said, “The area is thickly populated with houses and shops. Besides, there is a cinema hall on the left of the petrol pump. It is suspected the fire broke out while refuelling the underground tanker from a HPCL carrier. It could have been human negligence or 28

the heat which sparked the fire” he added. “An HPCL officer said there was 12,000 litre of petrol in the tanker out of which 8,000 litres were being transferred into the underground tank when the fire broke out.”

Eyewitnesses said there were four employees at the pump when the incident happened at 3.50 pm. They immediately fled. The residents allegedly manhandled some HPCL officials, who had gone to the spot to make inquiries. The HPCL authorities said a three-member member team will probe the incident and submit a report.

its refinery at Vadinar in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Essar Oil’s fuel from its outlets in Gujarat is priced at par with that of public sector that get Government subsidy for selling petrol and diesel at rates lower than the imported cost. In the other states, Essar Oil sells its petrol at Rs 24.5 a litre higher as compared to other state-run Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum.

Diesel is also priced at least a rupee more.

The

states

where

the

company has petrol pumps include -

Gujarat,

Rajasthan,

Madhya

Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil

India, Mumbai. Essar Oil to double petrol pumps to 2,500 Essar Oil, India’s largest private fuel retailer, is on expansion mode. The company is planning to nearly double its number of petrol pumps to 2,500 for the fiscal year ending March 2011. The company currently has 1,293 petrol pumps. The company produced 280,000 barrels of petrol and diesel per day through

Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. With the expansion

of

its

petrol

pumps

network, the company can more efficiently

utilize

its

increased

production of petrol and diesel, produced at its Vadinar refinery.

Essar is also expanding the non-fuel retail activities at its outlets. The company has plans to dispense CNG and Auto LPG from the outlets in the current year.

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

excited about the opportunities that

the

this acquisition will bring and have

stations

been

Brownwight & Wall.

very

impressed

with

the

acquisition

of

from

seven

group

filling dealer

technical and customer service that

The company is now building on

PTF Training Ltd are pleased to

Alec & Jeannie have provided to

this Scottish presence by adding a

announce that they are now part of

their clients. PTF will compliment our

further four stations in Scotland’s

OHES Environmental Ltd with effect

existing Driver Training programmes.

central belt.

from 1st January, 2010.

We will continue to strengthen

The

new

stations,

previously

Jeannie and Alec O’Beirne will

existing business through operating

owned by Express Service Stations,

continue working with the Company

excellence and satisfying customer

are located in Cumbernauld and

and all contact details remain the

needs.”

Clarkston in Glasgow, while the

same. The Company is pleased to

OHES Environmental Ltd is a wholly

Brownwight & Wall stations are

report that Robin Exley has been

owned subsidiary of OAMPS UK Ltd

situated west of Edinburgh in the

employed as Managing Director

who is a wholly owned subsidiary of

West Lothian and Falkirk areas.

designate. Robin brings a wealth of

Wesfarmers Insurance, a division of

knowledge to the business having

Wesfarmers Ltd, one of the largest

Jeremy Clarke said: “Our original

spent a lifetime in the oil industry.

companies in Australia. Wesfarmers

Scottish stations are performing well

Ltd is a diversified conglomerate

for us and we expect the new

environmental consultancy services

with

employees,

stations, which will all be branded

to the Petrochemical sector and the

revenue in excess of $51 billion and

Murco, to perform to the same

purchase

a market capitalisation of over $36

degree and add to our exposure

billion.

north of the border.

OHES Environmental Ltd provides

of

PTF

will

provide

expertise, strategic diversification

over

200,000

and synergies in the industry sector.

Jeannie

O’Beirne,

Operations

Murco’s

Marketing

Director,

“After a tough 2009, this is a great For more information contact:

start for Murco in 2010 and we will

Director, PTF Training Ltd said “We

David Barrett

continue to look for further network

are delighted at this move as it gives

Group Managing Director

growth opportunities throughout the

PTF Training the support of a much

OAMPS UK Ltd,

UK.”

larger organisation in which the

Windsor House, High St,

existing services provided by OHES

Esher, Surrey, KT10 9RY.

Environmental

Tel 01372 467266.

will

be

complemented by that provided by PTF. We are sure that our existing customers will benefit from the new structure and will give the same high level of support that Alec and I have enjoyed in the past.”

John Lewis Partnership acquires Clean Data with Triscan

E-Mail davidb@oamps.co.uk

Murco expands Scottish network In

September

Petroleum

2008,

announced

By any standards it has been an Murco an

Stewart Ower, Managing Director,

expansion of its forecourt network

OHES Environmental Ltd said “I am

and its first move into Scotland with

interesting year for the retail sector with businesses seeking to work even more closely with key suppliers to add

value

to

their

strategic

operational objectives. As ever, leading high street retailer, John Lewis Partnership leads the way on this

with

their

achieving

a

commitment

15%

reduction

to in

transport related CO2 emissions by 2013.

The

Lancashire

based

business, Triscan Systems Limited is one

of

those

smaller

suppliers

making a big difference in assisting in the measurement and control of these improvements.

The

John

Lewis

Partnership

operates a fleet totalling more than 1700

vehicles

including

HGVs

(articulated and fixed) and a variety of vans. All of these have now been integrated into a national network APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

29

PRESS RELEASES

PTF Training now part of OHES Environmental Ltd

of 14 regional fuelling sites enabling

be

fob is presented to the discreetly

a holistic and efficient management

identified when the raw information

How

could

improvements

located on board vehicle data

aproach to be adopted towards

was open to question?

device (OBD) then similarly touched

performance measurement. It was

Following a comprehensive review

against the reader at the fuel island.

not always the case though as the

of potential suppliers of commercial

This provides information relating to

business discovered it had data

fuel management solutions John

the vehicle and driver identity and

integrity issues to overcome in the

Lewis Partnership decided that the

the odometer reading without any

first

‘Clean Data’ approach presented

manual keying of information; data

by Lancashire based technology

integrity therefore remains intact.

instance

where

fuel

was

concerned.

Ray Proud, Senior Analyst with

business Triscan Systems Limited

John Lewis Partnership commented

would best meet their requirements.

identification of inefficient vehicles

- “As one of the ‘UKs’ high profile

Manual data entry at the point of

and drivers that perhaps have a

retailers with a substantial fuel

fuelling would be a thing of the past.

‘heavy foot’, which in turn leads to a

budget,

we

recognised

that

now

allows

the

reduction in fuel consumed. The

centralised reporting, clean, robust

specifically focussed on providing a

centralised database has meant a

and well presented information

central database of commercial

considerable

were prerequisites for the success of

fuel transactions for all John Lewis

administration

this project. Ongoing trials now exist

and

and

improvements in productivity for

for

improvement

Waitrose

depots

reduction and

in hence

fuel

substantially improving the quality of

Central Transport and the depots.

Triscan

data collected. Since the project

The next step for the project includes

upgrade helping considerably with

started, environmental impact has

an assessment of Triscan’s latest

improvements.

Management

become a priority and now CO2

reporting

and

decisions can now be taken in the

emissions form part of the reported

software

which

knowledge that the resultant data is

information.

charging

number of visual and functional

robust

between depots also formed part of

improvements over its predecessors.

the project brief and this has now

Triscan continue to work closely with

was

been made considerably easier

John Lewis Partnership in ensuring

completely independent with its

following the networking of the

that the solution evolves to meet its

own

vehicle

long term objectives. The Magna

consumption

PRESS RELEASES

-

with

of

company’s

system

objectives

the

The

The

the

something

that

was

hithertoe difficult to achieve”.

Historically,

each

locally

depot

supported

fuelling

application to monitor fuel issued

and

Cross

the

fuel

island

technology across all sites.

Triscan’s Kisskey technology has

of each depot prevented vehicles

enabled substantial improvements

from one depot fuelling at another

in the quality of the fuelling data

site, other than as a ‘guest vehicle’

collected and vehicles can now fuel

to that depot. Hence, the ‘host’

at any depot rather than being

depot

restricted to the home depot.

would

be

required

to

will

provide

a

Park distribution centre is due to join

and reordered. The independence

physically ‘cross-charge’ fuel used.

management

the networked solution in 2010.

Gilbarco VeederRoot acquires Fafnir GmbH

Required improvements relating to

GREENSBORO, N.C. USA – 10

The arrangement also required

both vehicles and drivers, where

March, 2010 - Gilbarco Veeder-Root

depots to provide their own, often

excessive fuel consumption figures

has acquired Fafnir GmbH, based in

differently

can now be identified for example,

Hamburg,

reports of fuel used and individual

has lead to more targeted driver

specializes in the development and

vehicle consumption to partners in

training

production of sensors and systems

central transport. Poor odometer

reduction in fuel used.

formatted,

monthly

programmes

and

a

Germany.

Fafnir

for monitoring and measuring liquid levels

and

vapour

flow.

The

readings and thus very poor quality

The reporting tools have helped

of data were key issues due to each

monitor this and the data is collated

company offers a broad range of

driver having to enter the vehicle

for

tank

details manually. This situation was

consumed as well as CO2 emissions,

monitoring technology for fuelling

compounded further where offsite

which since the project started has

operators,

fuelling data, collected from the use

become

products for the process industry.

of fuel cards, was not easy to obtain

indicator for environmental impact

and collate. Overall, it was proving

reporting.

monthly

a

reviews

key

of

fuel

performance

gauging

Fafnir’s

as

and well

as

commitment

vapour sensing to

the

industry over the last forty years has resulted in a large installed base of

difficult and time consuming for the

The key success of the trial proved

organisation’s transport team to

to be the accuracy of data where

sites

provide any coherent information

drivers no longer had to enter

regional,

relating to fuel consumption and

odometer readings. The process

companies in Europe, the Middle

poorly performing vehicles.

could not be simpler. A clever key

East and Africa, Asia, and beyond.

30

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

that

spans and

multi-national,

independent

oil

enjoys

recognition

strong

and

reputation

for

an

brand excellent

customer

focus,

quality, and innovation.

from

their

online

catalogue,

to

daily

matters

preferring

to

configure their own hose assemblies

concentrate on policy and special

or Slimline 2 nozzle and much more.

projects.

He said: “We believe the website

Tony

Jenner

explains:

“I

am

offers our customers easy navigation

confident that the company will

through

lines.

prosper as a result of younger and

innovative team of employees in

Customers

receive

more energetic management, and

Hamburg will broaden Gilbarco

quotations on request and look up

whilst I am still enthusiastic about the

Veeder-Root’s tank gauge and

their account data.” The site will

business I also feel a need to slow

vapour recovery offering for our

continue to evolve but he said he

down a little.

retail

hopes that businesses will take the

“Fafnir’s leading technology and strong

brand

and

along

commercial

with

its

fuelling

our

product

can

and let Barry take the reins; we have

president, Gilbarco Veeder-Root

explore the site and trade with us on

a strong team of professionals on

EMEA & Asia.

it.

the

said

Peter

Dilnot,

“Fafnir’s product

portfolio, coupled with Gilbarco’s strong

distribution

and

service

network, will be of great value to our customers.”

Fafnir’s prior owner, Dieter Sager,

to

open

“I am quite happy to step aside

accounts,

customers,”

opportunity

also

Check it out www.elaflex.co.uk

staff

who

enthusiastically

support Barry with a view to taking the company forward.”

Cameron Forecourt appoint Barry Jenner as M.D.

He continued: “I wish Barry every success in his new role and hope that he finds it as fulfilling as I have

commented, “We are pleased to

Barry Jenner has taken over the

welcome Gilbarco as a partner that

position of Managing Director of

thank my friends and colleagues for

will

commercial

in making my time at the helm both

enhance

the

outstanding

fuelling

solutions

success Fafnir has enjoyed since the

specialists Cameron Forecourt Ltd his

father

and

over the years.

I have much to

enjoyable and rewarding.”

company’s beginning over forty

from

company

Barry, aged 42, has been working

years ago. We are excited about

founder, Tony Jenner, who now

with the company since finishing his

joining our two businesses together.”

occupies the role of Chairman.

engineering apprenticeship with the Royal

Fafnir will retain its product brands

Aircraft

Establishment

in

Farnborough in 1990.

and will continue to operate out of its Hamburg, Germany location as a

He joined as a service engineer for

division of Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

two years before working with the

Rolf Schaal and René Albrecht will

installation team for a further year.

continue as Managing Directors of

Since then he has worked in every

Fafnir.

department gaining

ELAFLEX launch new website ELAFLEX

LTD,

Hoddesdon

first

of

the

company

hand

practical

experience of all of the functions of the business.

Barry has also been instrumental in

are

pleased to announce the launch of

the

their

development of the comprehensive

new

website.

Anton

installation systems

and used

further

Martiniussen MD of ELAFLEX LTD

business

explained that UK customers and

company. Barry has a keen interest

by

the

in the industry and is serving his

enquirers can now select products

The change is a logical

as

APEA Southern Branch; he is also

Barry Jenner has

working with the APEA/IP committee

b

on the current revision of the “Blue

e

move

second year as Chairman of the

c

o

m

e

increasingly involved

in

the

Book”.

In regard to his appointment as

day-to-day running

Managing

of the business in

comments: “I am really enthusiastic

recent years, whilst

about my new role. We have

in deference to his

invested heavily in the company

age,

has

infrastructure in the last few years

less

and are now in a position to go

active in attending

forward to the next stage. I am very

Tony

become

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

Director,

Barry

31

PRESS RELEASES

Fafnir

fortunate to have the enthusiastic

federal

with

KPS products, and it also gives an

support of my colleagues, all of

protection of ground water, and

important signal to other markets,

whom are equally excited about

which, after consideration of the

like

the prospects for the company.”

tests and results has given their

Luxemburg, countries that have

support for an approval.

similar rules and a strong tradition of

When asked about Tony’s future role

with

the

company

body

working

Austria,

Switzerland

using steel pipes.

Barry

“The test institute has announced

explained: “People who know my

that the tests of our pipes gave a

Dad will understand that he is not

permeation result so low that it is to

Fredrik Hellner

the sort of bloke to take full

be considered equal to zero”, says

Sales & Marketing Director

retirement, but this arrangement will

Mr Lars Selling, CEO of KPS. “We are

fredrik.hellner@kpsystem.com

allow him the time to do the things

very proud that our pipes are the first

Tel: +46 702 85 75 21

he wants to yet still remain involved

of their kind to pass the tough

with the company. As Chairman his

German demands on safety and

job will be to provide guidance and

environmental protection. It is the

be involved in special projects and policy decision.”

advanced

Cameron Forecourt provides a full range of services embracing the supply,

result of research, development and

installation

and

maintenance of fuel tanks, pumps and their associated control and gauging systems.

PRESS RELEASES

Break-through for Kungsörs Plast: Unique approval for KPS conductive pipes in Germany

manufacturing

technology. We now look forward to be able to offer the German market a competitive alternative which is corrosion-free, conductive and very

lars.selling@kpsystem.com +46 706 72 14 44

Hytek pair celebrate decade of service Two employees at fuelling and both celebrated 10 years of service.

petrol stations in Europe, and is

Peter Parker is a well established

thereby the largest market for petrol

member of the production team. He

pipes, and the German approval

originally

opens the door to a substantial new

apprenticeship

market.

Engineering,

pipes from the major oil companies

authorities have approved the use

in Germany”, says Fredrik Hellner,

of KPS conductive plastic pipes for

Sales & Marketing Director. “There

use at German petrol stations. The

are also well established installation

Swedish

thereby

companies on the German market

becomes the first to be able to

who have shown interest in our

supply plastic petrol pipes to the

products.”

The

Germany has the most restrictive

CEO

Today, Germany has the most

“There is a great demand for our

German market.

Lars Selling

lubrication specialists Hytek have

quick and easy to install.”

After extensive tests, German

manufacturer

German

has

year

Electrical travelled

Greg Coates has also been with the company for 10 years, and is responsible for marketing, which includes designing and producing

approval

is

an

acknowledgement of the quality of

the Hytek product catalogue.

To mark their long service, Peter

the European standard. Only pipes with zero permeation are allowed to be used. In practice, this has meant that only steel pipes have been approved until now, but now the break-through has come for plastic pipes.

After several extensive tests of Swedish supplier KPS’s conductive pipes, the company’s pipes have been approved for the German market. An important factor in the approval process have been the involvement of LAWA (Bund/Länder32

in

5

working career.

on permeation which is different to

a

and

a

lived in Canada during his past

for petrol pipes, and a special rule

Wasser),

completed

throughout the Middle East and

rules in Europe regarding approval

Arbeitsgemeinschaft

and

Left to right, Greg Coates, Kevin Arnold and Peter Parker

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

and Greg were each presented

support the commercial fuel market.

owners to make sure they have

with a watch by Hytek managing

The Normond “G” Series gauge,

properly calibrated dip-rods on site.”

which is available with a 6”, 8” or 12”

director Kevin Arnold.

Gilbarco Veeder Root and Cameron Forecourt form new Partnership.

Cameron

Forecourt

part

of

the

agreement

Cameron Forecourt is also taking

the most accurate and reliable

over the manufacture of dip-sticks

manually

for use with road tankers.

operated

hydrostatic

gauge on the market. Each gauge

Cameron Forecourt understands

is individually manufactured and

the

calibrated using the tank data

prompt service and delivery and

customer

requirement

for

and

supplied by the customer and also

plan to gear manufacture of the

Gilbarco Veeder Root have formed

takes into account the specific

Normond gauges and dip sticks to

a new partnership giving Cameron

gravity of the product being stored.

be able to supply a speedy turn

responsibility for the sale, installation

This process returns a product

round service.

and

designed

ongoing

Ltd

As

dial face, is acknowledged as being

maintenance

of

Normond and Veeder Root tank

to

give

far

greater

Explaining the additional benefits

accuracy than the simple and mass

of the highly accurate TLS electronic gauging

system

which

magneto-strictive technology,

uses probe

Cameron’s

Sales

Manager, Martyn Gent, says that the days of simply storing fuel in above ground tanks with a gravity fed hose and nozzle are long gone! and

managers

professional are

now

conscious of the need to accurately monitor both fuel usage and true wet

stock

figures.

Many

organisations have previously relied upon “book stock” calculations derived from key or card operated fuel management systems. Whilst this practice gives theoretical stock figures there is often no direct correlation

to

actual

stocks,

therefore potentially allowing stock gauging

products

in

the

UK

commercial market.

produced

gauges

offered

by

competitors.

losses due to leaks or theft to go undetected.”

Equipment covered under the

Other gauges in the Normond

He adds: “By installing a Veeder

agreement includes TLS products,

range are the “C” Series which are

Root TLS tank gauging system the

dip-rods

and

also calibrated in the factory to tank

operator can obtain true wet stock

familiar Normond hydrostatic tank

data supplied by the customer, and

figures at the touch of a button.

gauges.

the “E” Series which is self calibrating

Systems are available to give this

The deal sees Veeder Root, world

and displays the tank contents

information locally via an integrated

leaders in the manufacture of tank

expressed as a percentage of full.

printer or directly to a remotely

gauging

All

are

located pc by use of a GSM

systems, acknowledge the immense

manufactured to the same exacting

modem. There is also an ability to

experience of commercial fuelling

standards and subjected to final

interface the Veeder Root TLS

systems

testing before dispatch.

system directly to fuel management

and

the

and

reliable

leak

gained

by

detection

Cameron

Forecourt over almost 30 years in this specialised market.

Appointing Cameron Forecourt as distributors

for

not

only

Normond

gauges

Regarding dip-rods, Don Murray,

systems such as the Jig Saw range of

Southern Installation Manager for

products which is the equipment

Cameron’s explains, “dip-rods may

recommended by us”

the

sound an old fashioned concept,

Eoin O’Neill, Gilbarco Veeder Root

traditional Normond equipment but

but if gauging problems arise and

European Marketing Director for

also the TLS range of gauges has

the original dip-rod is available it

Veeder Root products is highly

ensured that the company can offer

gives an engineer a known starting

enthusiastic about the appointment

a complete range of products to

point. It’s my advice to all tank

of Cameron Forecourt as distributors

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

33

PRESS RELEASES

“Responsible transport

for their products.

services clients require to maintain

present day motor fuels including

the integrity of fuel storage tanks

ethanol enriched E5, E10 and Bio

working with professionals who will

and

diesels.

provide a high quality service

technology to keep companies in

In addition to the lining of UST’s,

embracing the supply, installation

EPA compliance and employs best

approval was also given to the

and maintenance of our products.

business

installation of the “Dopa 1” double

This is really important to us as we

environmental compliance.

“We

recognise

that

we

are

need to know that our systems are

fuel

using

practices

out

correctly. It is also comforting to

partnership.

that

complete

Cameron’s

have

knowledge

commercial

systems

are

therefore able to provide our joint customers with a comprehensive range of products of services.”

Springs,

PRESS RELEASES

O’Brien’s recent announcement to add to its predominantly East Coast service in the US with the opening of a new division in Colorado Springs, Colorado. of

Holbrook Environmental, Inc, a long compliance

in extensive use throughout Europe.

A family member worthy of special mention is IDOPS Co-operative of

of

Companies

within

service

provider based in Maryland, said “This will benefit my clients by providing all of the quality testing and monitoring services they have

Bratislava.

Using the ADISA system and lining materials, they have completed the double

exclusive

This announcement follows Leighton

base and approximately one metre system. Backed by this approval, it is

We at King Tanktechnic Ltd are

to

be

license

awarded to

an

undertake

We were awarded our license in 1997 and since then we have These tanks, at the time of writing are

Leighton

No mean feat as the installation consists

twelve

tanks

each

safely

holding fifteen million litres.

storing

lined including bases, support pillars and

roof.

The

photographs

petroleum

attached to this article show the

product (Yes that is eighteen million

enormity of the project which ran

plus!)

from 2007 to 2009.

18,728.900

litres

of

The lining materials and installation

Moving on to a new service King

fully

Tanktechnic Ltd can now offer to run

accredited European test houses,

in tandem with our tank lining

namely – the German Institute of

operation. We are now equipped to

Building Technology. The German

carry out safe and proper remote

BAM.PTB and TuV. The Swiss SEV/ASE.

tank cleaning and fuel polishing.

have

been

tested

by

As a result, the ADISA lining system

We developed this service to

has been proved impervious to

enable us to comply with requests

Future Fuels, Euro Fuel, all grades of

from oil companies which will not

O’Brien’s

pre bury testing, daily SIR tank monitoring, additional EPA testing, and the most advanced tank and fuel cleaning services.” Holbrook also adds that he will continue to run the Maryland based office under Leighton O’Brien in future.

As of today, Leighton O’Brien will provide total cradle to grave tank and fuel management solutions to a 34

of

and another six, each capable of

globally renowned Pascal perfect

wider area in the US. It offers all the

the

fuel storage installation.

Environmental along with added of

of

Czechoslovakian strategic reserve

come to expect from Holbrook benefits

lining

All the tanks were fully double skin

successfully lined 770 tanks. article

skin

capable of holding nine million litres

“ADISA” tank lining.

this

storage tanks. This system lines the up the shell wall and is named the TK

Fuel storage tank upgrades which really work!

expertise

Holbrook Environmental services.

UST

new

attained the necessary high level of

services, announces its acquisition of

known

the

All the “Family” members have

Colorado-

President

about

Europe.

supplier of integrated tank and fuel

Holbrook,

more

“Family”

Leighton O’Brien Inc, a renowned

Steve

skin lining system to flat bottomed

proud to be part of an international

Leighton O’Brien Inc announces acquisition of Holbrook Environmental, Inc Colorado

ensure

a of

and

to

edge

Visit leightonobrien.com to find

being installed and maintained know

leading

The King Tanktechnic Fuel Polishing Unit

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

approximately 70 microns thick) Fuel is returned to the tank during the cleaning process and this agitates and suspends any contaminates in the fuel.

The cleaned fuel is then passed through the King Tank Coalescer Cycle phase process. This removes all water particulates left in the fuel.

The Coalescer phase process can reduce the amount of mixed water from 5,000 parts per million (ppm) to 5 ppm in a single pass.

It provides a total process which removes debris and sludges from tank walls and bottoms by using the fuel as the process medium, finally Two tank service vehicles

polishing and returning the fuel with

allow man entry into petroleum

visit to a typical six or seven tank

its optimum quality and integrity

tanks unless they are gas free.

filling station site or a distribution

retained.

We have a reputation for not

depots’ storage tanks, working in

While extending the life of the

doing anything unless we can do it

conjunction with our Tank Cleaning

pumping system it also gives our

properly and in order to be correctly

Unit (TCU pictured) to remove the

customers

equipped, the directors of King

waste and sludge from site as part of

uncontaminated fuel.

PRESS RELEASES

Tanktechnic,

as

part

of

clean

burning

their

research into this area, travelled to the

USA

to

witness

the

long

established and successful systems in place there.

Using the information gleaned from meetings and demonstrations in America we have designed and built the King Tanktechnic Fuel Polishing Unit (FPU) which is pictured here. As you can see, we have not entered into this half heartedly.

Our new FPU is without doubt the largest and most efficient mobile unit in the UK. In fact it is at least the size of the American units and we all know how large everything is there!

In addition to that used in the USA

Lining a 62m x 31m x 8m 15,000.000 Litre tank

we have incorporated equipment used by Royal Air Force and N.A.T.O.

the process, if the need arises.

The

FPU

is

seeing “Professional amateurs” using

We worked on the principle that if

throughput of 1,000 litres per minute

unitary equipment consisting of air

a Harrier or Tornado is travelling at

if necessary. This method of cleaning

driven pumps and IBC’s carried in a

mach one, the last thing the pilot

tanks

contaminates,

van but we at King Tanktechnic

wants is water in the fuel creating an

including water without the need for

have never subscribed to doing

ice slug blockage! By using the

man entry.

anything unless we do it properly.

removes

capable

of

We are all accustomed now to a

air bases to de water aircraft fuel.

same equipment we know that we

Fuel passes through a series of

There is a wonderful and quite

can remove water suspended in

filters which remove accumulated

famous quotation from Red Adair

fuel.

debris and sludge from inside the

and it is “If you think it’s expensive to

and

tank. It removes all particulates

employ a Professional to do the job,

capacity allows its use, on a single

down to 3 microns (A human hair is

wait until you hire an amateur!” Red

Our 38

FPU’s

throughput

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

Adair (1915 – 2004) said that whilst

government contracts, locking in

4. The Access for All programme is

standing in a burning oilfield in

the recovery and strengthening

part of a wider programme to

Kuwait.

businesses throughout the country."

harness the power of public

a

procurement in support of growth

when combined with skilled and

nationally available online training

through three specific agendas of

trained personnel working safely

course

businesses,

supporting small and medium-

with state of the art equipment. Our

regardless of size and sector, can

sized enterprises; encouraging

family of companies prides itself on

access free of charge. It is part of a

apprenticeships,

series of joint initiatives by the Office

youth employment; and reducing

of Government Commerce and

carbon

Department for Business, Innovation

information see the Policy Through

and Skills aimed at making the

Procurement action plan on the

procurement market clearer and

OGC website www.ogc.gov.uk.

counts,

especially

always aiming for best practice.

(Photographs by Mr Ratislav Rasus)

Free course to help smaller firms bid for government contracts

Contract

which

all

is

firms bid for the £220 billion of public sector contracts awarded each year was today launched jointly by Small Business Minister Lord Davies and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne. the

Contract’, shows participants how supply goods and services to the

the UK (these make up 99.9 per

by clicking through to learndirect

cent of all businesses, contribute

on the Business Link website at

60 percent of private sector

www.businesslink.gov.uk/procure

employment, and 50 per cent of

ment. The course, developed by

turnover).

Government

and

hosted

by

to 4 hours and can be taken section by section as time allows.

2. The e-learning tool was originally launched in 2007 and previously

procurement

cost

how

and

to

more

the ‘Winning the Contract’ course

public sector, explains the public demonstrates

For

small and medium enterprises in

to identify business opportunities to

process,

emissions.

and

1. Businesses can register to access

learndirect, takes a maximum of 3 ‘Winning

training

5. There are an estimated 4.8 million

course designed to help smaller

course,

the

simpler.

A free online public procurement

The

Winning

submit

£49.99.

Following

an

evaluation early last year, the

tenders. It has helpful hints and tips

course

has

been

radically

to guide and inform businesses on

to

INDIA – March 11, 2010 – Gilbarco

the bidding process, and where to

comprehensively cover all aspects

Inc. announced today that it has

find

of

completed

public

sector

contract

opportunities.

Trade,

Investment

and

Small

Business Minister Lord Davies said:

built

upon

GREENSBORO, N.C. USA/MUMBAI,

refreshed the

and

Gilbarco Inc. completes acquisition of petroleum Dispensing Pump Business Unit of Larsen & Toubro Limited

procurement

process.

the

previously

Government has removed the fee

announced

to ensure accessibility for all

Petroleum Dispensing Pump (PDP)

businesses.

business unit of Larsen & Toubro

acquisition

of

the

Limited (L&T). Located in Mumbai,

“Small and medium-sized businesses already sell their goods and services

3. The Glover Review was launched

India, L&T is a leading industrial

to the public sector, but many more

in the Budget 2008, to look at the

conglomerate. The PDP business unit

could do so.

barriers faced by SMEs when

manufactures, sells, integrates and

sector procurement to a wider

competing

services petroleum dispensers, LPG

range of suppliers provides new

contracts. The report made 12

equipment,

opportunities for small businesses as

recommendations

at

systems solutions. L&T’s PDP business

the UK economy heads towards

making the procurement process

unit has a significant installed base

growth.”

more transparent, simple and

of sites that spans both multi-

strategic. Government accepted

national

Liam Bryne, MP said: "Small and

all

companies,

medium-sized businesses are the

implementation

began

Gilbarco Inc. is wholly owned by

engine-room of our economy. We

immediately through the OGC/BIS

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR).

want them to harness the spending

Access for All programme.

See

The acquisition is a reaffirmation of

power of government to grow their

Accelerating the SME Economic

Danaher's interest in India and its

businesses and create jobs. This new

Engine

http://www.hm-

commitment for long term growth.

free course will help those businesses

treasury.gov.uk/glover_review_ind

PDP will be joining fourteen other

to

ex.htm.

Danaher companies in India.

Opening up public

Chief Secretary to the Treasury

compete

effectively

for

12

for

public

sector

aimed

recommendations work

and

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

and

and

automation

regional

primarily

in

oil India.

39

PRESS RELEASES

Experience

APEA Live 2010 returns to Ricoh Arena on 14th October The APEA’s annual conference, exhibition, AGM and awards dinner has been rebranded as ‘APEA Live 2010’, and will be held in the Jaguar Exhibition Hall at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Thursday 14th October. The state-of-the-art venue will host the biggest day in APEA’s calendar for the second straight year, following the overwhelming success of the 2009 event.

In addition to the selection of the same stunning venue, APEA will also largely maintain the successful format of last year’s event. That said, there will be a selection of fresh additions to the day’s structure and content, all designed to provide members with an even better experience in 2010. Details on this and all related event information feature within this APEA Live 2010 preview.

Conference The conference element will take place during the morning and present a stellar line up of inspiring speakers, who will provide the latest information on areas relevant to your business. At the time of going to press, confirmed speaker highlights include:

ARTICLES

•

Chairman’s opening remarks Gareth Bourhill, APEA Chairman

•

Why tanks should go below ground Jamie Thompson, APEA Technical Chairman Jamie Thompson Associates

•

Unmanned petrol stations Ray Blake/Brian Humm London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority

•

Vapour recovery efficiency standard Stefan Kunter, Elaflex

•

Environmental damage regulations Stewart Ower, OHES Environmental

AGM The APEA Annual General Meeting will take place at APEA Live 2010, and will follow the morning’s conference. Free to all association members, the AGM registration process will be overseen by APEA Business Manager Jane Mardell, details for registration will be sent to members with the September issue of the Bulletin.

Book online at www.apea.org.uk 40

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

Training and Demonstration Workshops Brand new for 2010 will be a series of training and demonstration workshops, set to take place during the afternoon, after the AGM. Sessions will be available to conference delegates only (at the rates listed below) and will cover such topics as an update on the next revision of the Blue Book; forecourt pipework and component installation techniques, wetstock real time monitoring explained and dispenser peripherals such as temperature compensation and stage II; providing an opportunity for delegates to gain first hand knowledge and experience.

These bite size sessions will be bookable in advance (details below) and places will be limited.

Conference delegate booking details In 2010, APEA are providing members with the opportunity to customise their visit to the daytime elements for this event (namely the exhibition, conference and training/demonstration workshops), in order to ensure they gain what they need from the day.

APEA have also decided that their members should receive preferential reduced delegate rates to non-members. Therefore the daytime delegate rates/packages are listed below:

Delegate Package

Rate (excluding VAT)

Exhibition attendance only (excludes lunch/refreshments)

Free-of-charge (members and non-members)

Conference attendance (includes lunch/refreshments)

£25 (members) £45 (non-members)

Training and demonstration workshops (4 sessions planned)*

£10 per session (members) £20 per session (non-members)

VIP all-inclusive attendance – includes attendance to conference, all 4 workshop sessions, and lunch/refreshments

£45 (members) £85 (non-members)

ARTICLES

Delegate packages

*Training and demonstration workshop attendance is only available to delegates that have purchased a conference delegate place.

This pricing structure allows APEA members to attend the conference for £15 cheaper than they did in 2009. Furthermore, conference delegates will have the choice of purchasing training and demonstration workshop places that match their own interests, thus ensuring their experience is relevant and valuable. The VIP option allows members to enjoy all the content the day has to offer, at a cost-effective rate. Finally, free-of-charge exhibition entry will ensure a busy, vibrant forum for networking; information on how to book an exhibition stand is featured later in this preview.

To book your day delegate pass at APEA Live, visit the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk.

From the home page, click on the APEA Live 2010 event link, which will take you through to the tailored event booking page. Here you will be able to select which delegate package you wish to purchase, then book online there and then.

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

41

Categories The APEA Innovation Award 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.

Awards Now in their fifth year, the prestigious APEA Awards will take place in the evening, and will continue to recognise and reward those organisations and individuals who demonstrate excellence in their areas of expertise. The 6 categories remain consistent with last year, please see column to the left for categories.

Sponsors Confirmed awards sponsors:

Coteba Ltd, sponsors of the APEA Health & Safety Award Project Director, Mark Day, said, “As a major provider of construction and project management assistance, Coteba Ltd is delighted to sponsor this award for the second straight year.

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.

ARTICLES

The APEA Environment Award 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.

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.

integral to everything we do in this industry, and we will be the first to congratulate the winner of this important award.”

Awards nomination; key facts Application on the web. There will be two ways to submit your application. In addition to completing the downloadable form you will be able to register online and complete your applications on the APEA website allowing you to save your work and return later to finish your submission. Our aim is to make the application process as straightforward as possible.

APEA Small Enterprise Award judged by APEA members. This award belongs to all members, so members are invited to select their favourite from the shortlist by an online voting system. This will take place in advance of the Awards event with individual members and corporate member nominated persons being eligible to vote by email or fax.

Self nominate or be nominated. In the past, some members have expressed their reluctance to promote themselves, but would gladly complete the application form if a third party thought they were good enough and contacted the APEA to nominate them. Furthermore, there are many worthy entries amongst members which would otherwise remain unpublicised. Therefore, APEA encourages all members who are customers, service users, other stakeholders or third party observers to identify organisations, individuals, projects and initiatives which merit recognition and to simply nominate them. APEA will do the rest.

Increased coverage. All shortlisted entries will have a visual presence in the Bulletin, on the website and throughout the Awards ceremony.

Who are the Judges? Once again, an excellent panel of judges has been accumulated for September’s judging event. 15 judges will each sit on 2 or 3 category panels; the process is highly transparent and entirely democratic.

Attending the ceremony You can book your place / table at this glittering ceremony today. Simply visit the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk. From the home page, click on the APEA Live 2010 event link, which will take you through to the tailored event booking page. Here you will be able to select the Awards option and proceed with your online booking. Rates (excluding VAT) are as follows: Individual Ticket £99.50 Table Ticket (seats 10) £950.00

Book online at www.apea.org.uk 42

Naturally, health and safety is

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

Exhibition In 2010, the exhibition within APEA Live will be bigger and better than ever before. Free-of-charge visitor entry to the exhibition element alone will ensure a real buzz on the show floor, presenting exceptional event participation opportunities for APEA members.

With more demand for stands than ever before, APEA has increased the number of exhibitor stands at the by 25%, allowing new companies to now get involved.

With little prior marketing, stand sales are proving very popular due to the huge success of the 2009 event, so to avoid any disappointment you should book your stand space or sponsorship package today. Various bespoke sponsorship packages are available; for further information on these great value high level exposure opportunities please contact (event organisers) F2F Events’ David Lonergan (details below). Regarding exhibition stands specifically, the space rates are as follows:

ARTICLES

Exhibition stand package

Rate (excluding VAT)

3 x 2 metre (space only) stand

£995

3 x 2 metre (shell scheme) stand

£1250

3 x 4 metre (space only) stand

£1790

3 x 4 metre (shell scheme) stand

£1980

Contact David Lonergan on 01442 289928 or e-mail davidl@f2fevents.co.uk for more information on stand packages, positioning and for all other sponsorship packages available.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for cost effective and extensive marketing/selling to key decision makers and lucrative budget holders. David looks forward to hearing from you, and ensuring you maximise your involvement with this fabulous event.

Accommodation In order to assist your arrangement of accommodation at this event, APEA has, in partnership with CV One Ltd, setup the following bespoke link, which will provide an introduction to possible hotel choices within the Coventry area: https://www.conferencebookings.co.uk/delegate/CVNAPEA2010 If you wish to, you can book accommodation via this link.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For any enquiries regarding this event please call 01442 289 920 Book online at www.apea.org.uk 44

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

By Marshall Mott-Smith, President Mott-Smith Consulting Group, LLC Surprises are not often welcome in the world of managing underground storage tank systems.

We all prefer the predictability and comfort that time-tested technologies provide.

However, when surprises occur with these trusted technologies, it is truly an unsettling situation, and “surprise” is a word that best characterizes recent observations reported by inspectors performing internal inspections of older single-wall fiberglass underground storage tanks (before the mid-1980’s) that have been converted to E-10 service.

These inspections and observations have been performed and discovered all around the country, but mostly in Florida.

Background Information

to document the inspector’s findings. UST’s that fail the NLPA 631 evaluation criteria must be repaired, and if that is not possible, they must be replaced.

Field Observations Again, in Florida, E-10 has only been marketed by service stations and convenience stores for about two years. In the past two years, it has come to the attention of the inspectors performing these internal secondary containment evaluations that over one half of the single-wall fiberglass tanks they have inspected (over 700) are exhibiting unusual internal characteristics.

These characteristics were not observed by the inspectors before the transition from MTBE to E-10.

The general observations include blistering, cracking, splitting, degradation of the gel-coat, wrinkling, softening, delaminating, and wicking of exposed fiberglass filaments. There was even one photograph of one UST that had a hole at the six-o’clock position. The conditions were observed within single-wall fiberglass tanks manufactured by different tank manufacturers.

The following photographs are samples of a number of photos that document some of these visual observations from the internal inspections along with a short description of the conditions.

The owners of the tanks shown in the photographs responded quickly and responsibly to correct the problems and to bring the USTs into compliance with state rules and local ordinances by installing secondary containment. They have requested that specific site information and company names

states like Florida, California, and several New England states with rules more stringent than the federal 1988 EPA technical standards have a higher percentage of underground storage tanks with secondary containment.

Many other states have a higher percentage of single-wall corrosionprotected tanks than double-wall tanks. Additionally, after the Energy Act in 2005, most states only require secondary containment for new and replacement tanks, and not for existing tanks. Given this situation, there is usually no reason to perform internal inspections on single-wall corrosion-protected tanks except for in those few states requiring existing single-wall tanks to upgrade with secondary containment.

The December 31, 2009 Florida Department of Environmental Protection secondary containment deadline for underground tanks was established in 1990. At the end of the 2009, approximately 95% of the UST facilities in the state had upgraded their tanks with secondary containment. Of the 10,000 facilities with 23,000 USTs in Florida, over one thousand USTs have been upgraded with internal methods of field-installed secondary containment. Prior to installation of internal secondary containment, an internal evaluation of the integrity of the UST must be performed in accordance with NLPA (National Leak Protection Association) Standard 631.

This includes the assessment of the tank wall thickness, internal corrosion, hardness, and general internal conditions.

Photographs are taken Blisters on the bottom third of the tank

In several parts of the country, E-10 has been in use for over 20 years.

However, in the last two years, the transition from MTBE as an oxygenate to ten percent Ethanol (E-10) came to UST owners and retail consumers of unleaded gasoline in the rest of the country with little fanfare. The conventional wisdom and guidance from government regulators, industry experts and associations, testing laboratories, and consulting professionals was that E-10 was generally compatible with all of the components of UST systems. The primary operational concerns have been an increase in fuel filter maintenance and increased vigilance with keeping water out of the bottom of USTs given the propensity for ethanol to combine with water.

At the time of the transition to E-10, most UST systems around the country were compliant with the 1998 Environmental Protection Agency deadline for single-wall corrosionprotected tank systems.

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

45

ARTICLES

E-10 and Single-wall Fiberglass Tanks…Are There Emerging Problems with Compatibility?

Blisters on the side walls of the tank

Cracking

ARTICLES

Wrinkling and softening of the gel-coat/primary surface

Internal erosion, wicking, and delamination

Wicking and delamination on the bulkhead seam Perforation with ingress of water at the six o’clock position

Separation and delamination of gel-coat from the sub-layers of the FRP laminate (substrate)

46

Delamination of the gel coat from the substrate

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

be excluded from this publication, but have allowed the publication of the photographs in the general interest of promoting improvements in industry standards and additional research.

Industry Research

ARTICLES

A review of industry research supports the observations found in the internal inspection photographs.

The industry research also concludes that there is still much that is unknown about the effects of ethanol on fiberglass USTs. In particular, a May, 2002 document

by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. that was sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, the Fiberglass Tank and Pipe Institute, the Steel Tank Institute, and the Western States Petroleum Association provides a concise explanation of some of the research and findings of numerous documented studies.

The document was entitled “Impact of Gasoline Blended with Ethanol on the Long-Term Structural Integrity of Liquid Petroleum Storage Systems and Components”. The following are excerpts from the document and have only been edited to add the document’s page number for reference, and to remove the document’s reference numbers to accommodate the space constraints for this publication: • The higher alcohol content in water bottoms may be locally detrimental to FRP tank walls that are qualified only for low alcohol blends; however, no such problems have been reported or evaluated in the literature. (page 3) • Resins typically used in FRP tanks (e.g. isophthalics, terephthalics, and vinyl esters) exhibit some level of swelling (with weight gain) and softening when exposed to alcohols, including ethanol. (page 4) • Softening can be measured as reduction in hardness and material stiffness, which can be measured by mechanical tests for Barcol surface hardness and modulus of elasticity. These physical changes are a function 48

of permeation, which can be measured by absorption and swelling tests, and are largely reversible if the laminate is allowed to dry. After desorption of alcohol, some permanent loss of mechanical properties may occur, but the mechanism is not well defined. Reduced stiffness, along with creep, results in a lower resistance to buckling, a key design criterion for FRP tanks. This behavior may affect the adequacy of safety factors for buckling design of FRP tanks exposed to ethanol/gasoline blends. (page 4) • However, few analytical or experimental data have been published to show how reduced properties due to ethanol exposure (e.g. softening and stiffness reduction) relate to longterm performance under sustained (creep) loads such as caused by soil and hydrostatic pressure on underground tanks. (page 5) Most manufacturers of single-wall fiberglass USTs have had warranties in place for ethanol at 10% levels as early as 1981, and almost all UL-listed double-wall USTs are completely compatible with ethanol blends.

Manufacturers had three choices of testing in accordance with UL 1316 (see Table 14.1). Manufacturers choosing to market tanks only for petroleum use (under the first column “Tanks for Petroleum Products” in Table 14.1) could forego the ethanol testing.

Conversely, manufacturers wishing to market tanks for 100% ethanol or ethanol blends could have their tanks tested and listed by UL under the other two columns in Table 14.1, Type A. However, the Simpson Gumpertz & Heger literature review states that ethanol immersion testing was not required by UL 1316 before 1987.

Another good source of information is provided by the State of Wisconsin’s UST Program with a “Historical Timeline for Storage Tank Ethanol Compatibility” on their website: http://commerce.wi.gov/ER/pdf/ bst/ProgramLetters_PL/ER-BST-PLHistoricalTimelineTankEthanolComp atibility.pdf

Two of the conclusions from the Simpson Gumpertz & Heger literature review state that: • Ethanol tends to soften FRP and reduce its mechanical stiffness.

Immersion tests conducted according to the UL 1316 tank standard qualify FRP tank laminates for ethanol storage based on the retained strength, stiffness, and Izod impact resistance. Most tanks meet the requirements of UL 1316 for the storage of gasohol (10% ethanol content). There is concern that tanks that pre-date the UL testing (i.e. tanks produced prior to the early 1980s) may not be ethanol compatible; however, major tank manufacturers indicate that the tanks are constructed of similar resins and should perform satisfactorily. (page 13) • The published literature does not adequately cover the effects of reduced material stiffness due to ethanol storage on the creep buckling strength of FRP tanks. This issue requires further research and/or evaluation of manufacturer test data, analyses, and research findings on the subject. (page 13)

Steel Tanks The effects of ethanol on steel tanks were also investigated in the Simpson Gumpertz & Heger document, particularly with the potential for internal corrosion from phase-separation of the wateralcohol layer and the potential for microbial corrosion. There was no evidence given in the literature search with problems associated with stress corrosion cracking that sometimes occurs with large denatured ethanol ASTs at high stress areas.

The personnel performing the field internal inspections for secondary containment have not encountered any unusual observations with steel tanks. They have observed some internal corrosion pitting and microbial corrosion, but nothing that is unusual or anything they did not see before the introduction of E-10.

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

Recommendations Wide-spread use of E-10 is relatively new for most of the country (within the last two to three years). While much industry and laboratory research of E-10 compatibility has been performed

by UL and other national and international testing authorities, the

Downstream Industry still in decline Information recently released by Experian Catalist in the Energy

Of the leading brands, they are as broken down as follows;

Institute’s Retail Marketing Survey (March 2010) indicated that another

BP

1,179

270 filling stations closed during 2009

Texaco

999

and that there are now 9,013 Retail

Shell

930

Filling Stations in the UK as at 31

Esso

900

December 2009.

Total

818

Murco

395

Jet

361

This compares with 39,958 sites that were operating in 1967 – that is 30, 945 sites that have closed in 43 years! A closer look at the number of

The Supermarket brands are

sites by type of operator can be

likewise, 2008 numbers in brackets;

summarised as follows; Tesco

450 (+ 9)

Oil Companies

5,582

Morrison’s

292 (+ 4)

Main Retailers

1,083

Sainsbury’s

254 (+7)

Supermarkets

1,271

ASDA

179 (+6)

Other Retailers

1,077

Others

96 (- 14)

truly

wants

to

manufacture

a

product that doesn’t work. Instead, this is merely an attempt to solicit reputable and qualified industry professionals to initiate a long term independent study to evaluate and measure the “real world” effects of E-10 on UST and AST storage systems, and to raise an awareness of a potential problem. This is particularly important at this time when the EPA is considering the potential effects of E-15 on UST systems in response to the

Ethanol

industry’s

push

to

replace E-10 with E-15. A decision to rush to E-15 use would not be beneficial.

Marshall T. Mott-Smith, President Mott-Smith Consulting Group, LLC 2268-2 Wednesday Street Tallahassee, Fl 32308 mtmott-smith@comcast.net 850-391-9835 work 850-591-1434 cell www.mott-smithconsulting.com

The Autogas Market breakdown to the following; Shell BP Texaco Total Unbranded/Other Morrison’s Jet Gleaner Esso ASDA All Others

226 209 73 66 62 57 30 29 27 14 87

Total

880 (+74)

Other Details The number of nozzles have reduced from 74, 873 to 66,537 as at 31 December 2009 The Annual Total Deliveries in Tonnes remained about the same over the last 10years at 37,002,000 for the year with diesel accounting for over 20m tonnes per year The number of sites open for 24 hours was 3,186 in 2009, BP having the largest number with 694 sites.

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

49

ARTICLES

However, they did find the following conditions at one site with an older internally-lined single-wall steel tank with delamination problems.

real-world performance is still evolving.

Nevertheless, one only has to consider the historical performance of early flex-pipe systems, tank bladders, and older piping and dispenser sump systems to know that design performance is not always equal to field performance.

Finally, it is also possible for higher ethanol concentrations to be present in the bottom of the tank, particularly if phase separation has occurred with excess water. For owners that are not vigilant about keeping water out of the bottom of their tanks, the possibility exists that the tank surface may be periodically exposed to higher than 10% concentrations due to phase separation of ethanol.

However, this article is not intended as an indictment for manufacturers, for no manufacturer

History of Petrol Stations Part 14, Petrol Pumping Systems - Pressurised Pumping

By Jamie Thompson Development of the pressurised pumping systems in European Service Stations

ARTICLES

In the early days the petrol filling stations developed as an addition to an existing business providing added benefit for existing customers; they were generally quite small and there were many such premises. With the introduction of self-service filling stations in the 1960's the design of the petrol station layout became more important; the tanks were moved away from the dispensers, road tankers could fill without disturbing sales and for the first time engineers had to become more aware of the limitations of the suction pump which had been the preferred system for distributing petrol in Europe.

In the USA the submersible petrol pump was developed from a water pump. This became widely used in that country and it remains as popular as ever.

The main difference between the two systems was that a suction pump has the motor in the dispenser, and the pressure pump has the motor situated inside the tank.

The UK and European use had been restricted to a few sites in those early years in the 1960’s and 70’s as US trained engineers and others tried out this method of pumping in the other wise “suction 50

orientated” Europe.

It was unfortunate at the time that we all used unprotected steel pipe buried under the forecourts and while both suction and pressure systems experienced leaks from corroded steel pipe those sites with pressure lines seemed to experience the most spectacular losses which proved to be quite large and eventful.

The pressurised pumping system did not recognise the difference between a hole in a petrol pipe and a nozzle being opened and as soon as the corrosion caused a hole product would be pumped out at a high rate.

In London one pressurised system caused a 10,000 gallon loss in a very short period and following this incident in the 1980’s the petroleum section started to require the few pressurised sites that remained to change to suction systems or replace the pipes with double wall or trenched systems.

Physics and Economics are Now Driving Change When we look at the changes within the industry in Europe at present we see a large increase in the use of the pressure pumping systems that had traditionally favoured the suction system and there are good practical, economic and indeed environmental reasons for this gradual change.

The physical limitations of the suction system can be calculated and depend upon a number of critical factors and more importantly in recent years the chemical nature of fuels we are now using are reducing those limitations further.

Let us examine these limitations

At one site in Denmark a leak caused an explosion with one death and injuries to 9 people and in the UK numerous large leaks had both operators and regulators questioning the wisdom of pressure systems.

It was clear also that many people in Europe did not fully understand the systems and in one case when a mechanical leak detector shut down a submersible pipe (for the correct reason - there was a leak!) the maintenance engineer was called out by the operator because his pump did not work, the only way he could get the pump started was to remove the mechanical leak detector and, of course, a large loss followed.

- The suction pump situated at the dispenser has limitations of pull to a depth of approx 4m, which is measured from the bottom of the tank to the level of the suction pump. With larger tanks being installed up to 3m in diameter, there is not much room to play with tanks being installed 1m below ground - The maximum length of run for a suction pipe to operate successfully would be approximately 60m after which pumping problems will occur.

- These limitations are based on calculations at sea level and with installations at higher altitudes the limitations are much lower.

- The changing specification of the fuels that we now use has also contributed to a worsening situation regarding suction systems.

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

- More unleaded, higher octane fuels with increasingly more additives are making it more difficult to use suction pumps within the limits described above.

- The more gaseous nature of the fuels causes cavitation on a suction pump and causes vapour lock when the whole systems stops.

- The problems are exacerbated in the summer when warm weather heats up both the product and lines, again causing vapour lock and the subsequent dispensing problems.

Service Station Design

ARTICLES

In all European countries the drive of the oil industry is for larger more efficient sites with the smaller sites closing and the larger sites with other profit centres being developed to serve the changing customer needs.

This change of design ensures that the road tanker stand is situated well away from the dispensing in order to allow petrol deliveries to take place without interfering with pump sales. The size of the sites is increasing with car parking provided for the customer who also visits for non-petroleum sales.

The European engineer, traditionally used to the suction system, now has to examine the option of using submersible pumps if wishing to retain flexibility in the design of the site.

Although this move towards pressure systems has been driven by the physical nature of the site and the limitations described above, the more enlightened engineers are also praising the economic virtues of using submersible pumps in this cost conscious environment.

With new service station designs it is estimated that a pressure system uses 75% less underground pipe than a suction system, although this would be likely to be secondarily contained pipe work.

On Going Savings in Maintenance There is also clear evidence that 52

the savings do not stop there with even greater savings being made on the maintenance of equipment.

Using pressure technology means there are less motor/pumping systems working at the station. Less moving parts to break down means lower maintenance costs.

Experience has shown that failure of submersible pumps is extremely rare. They have a proven track record with excellent reliability and reduced down time; one of the reasons for this is that they operate inside the tank in ideal conditions, submersed in fuel, which cools and lubricates the motor. There is the added bonus of reduced energy costs, which also contributes to increased profits.

Environmental Considerations As an ex regulator I had major concerns as to the past performance of pressure systems in an environment where leaks frequently occurred, and with that in mind the industry has certainly responded over the years to meet those challenges offering both new materials and leak detection technology to reduce this risk considerably.

The use of unprotected single wall steel pipe work, which historically caused such horrific leak problems for service stations all over the world, is thankfully a thing of the

past. Engineers constructing service stations using pressurised systems at this present time have such a wide choice of non-metallic pipe work suitable for operating at high pressure often secondarily contained with built in leak detection devices.

The sophistication of mechanical and electronic line leak detection systems supplied with the submersible pumping system can now enable lines to be automatically tested for substantial leaks (12 litres per hour) which operate each time the pump stops and the delivery cycle ends. In more sensitive environments lines can be checked to a finer test (0.38 litres per hour), at predetermined intervals.

These tests only form part of the whole safety package, which would include secondarily contained lines, together with class 1 leak detection systems that recognise the smallest leak and shut down the submersible pump preventing the types of losses we experienced in those early days.

These better arrangements are designed to keep the pressure pumping system operating safely and efficiently in all environments.

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

Lars Selling, Kungsors Plast AB From the oil well to the passenger car, products and components are conductive. Road tanker tyres and fill hoses are conductive. Fuel dispenser hoses and nozzles are conductive. Plastic fuel hoses in passenger cars are conductive.

Why? Because they can be grounded to earth to increase safety margins and decrease risk (a common precaution for decades).

Hence, the KPS conductive product range is not unique; it is merely providing what most other suppliers and applications have used and taken for granted over many years: a higher level of safety.

See this link for credible expert comments on the latest video: www.kpsdownload.com/videocom ments.wmv Our conductive pipe systems have been installed for over 14 years without any electrostatic ignition incidents; unlike non-conductive

systems, where a number of fires have been attributed to electrostatic discharges.

Further, safety margins in a grounded conductive systems are dramatically better than those of a non-conductive system. Therefore, the conductive system is also future proof with regards to some of the biofuels that can be expected to have more severe charging characteristics than fuels on the market today. Safety margins in a non-conductive system are at best low and will in some circumstances be non-existant.

Our products in the KPS Petrol Pipe System™ are approved to or comply with the highest standards: • ATEX 1999/92/EC • EN 13463-1 (as only approved supplier) • EN 14125 (we were the first to be approved in 2005)

The Premier Girls Race For Life 2010

By Sadie Clark, The Premier Group

The Premier Group’s, Sadie Clarke, Penny Hughes & Heather Walls will be joining their former colleagues Joy Burgess, Melanie Thomas & Sarah Williams along with approximately 1,800 other women from North Wales, on Rhyl promenade for the Race for Life on Sunday 6th June 2010 at 11am.

The event raises funds for Cancer Research UK, with participants

running, jogging or walking the course along Rhyl seafront.

This is the second time the Premier Girls have taken part in the event.

Whilst last year they chose to walk the 5kms, which took exactly an hour, this year they intend to jog the full distance, and are in training to do so in a reasonable time.

The event in Rhyl has a fund-raising target of £86,822.00.

The race is one of many taking place over the summer across the UK. It is hoped 700,000 women will take part nationwide to raise more than £60m for the charity.

• UL 971 • DIBt-approval to German regulations (as first and only approved plastic pipe supplier).

• KPS is the only pipe supplier that currently allows third-party audit of products in current production under the ERA Fuelstar Surveillance Scheme.

• KPS is the inventor of and first ever supplier of CE-approved plastic LPG-pipe.

• KPS has been making plastic petrol pipes for longer than any other supplier.

We lead the development and are proud of and serious about it.

Non-conductive piping is not exempt from the laws of physics so we just cannot ignore how basic electricity works. Everyone needs to concentrate on continually improving their products as we at KPS are proud to do to ensure safety for all.

Kungsors Plast ABmanufacturer and supplier of the KPS Petrol Pipe System™ Sadie, Penny, Heather & Joy were pleased to be able to take part in the event again, and to have recruited their former colleagues Sarah & Melanie to join them. They said “The stories of some of the women taking part last year were very moving, and the atmosphere was fantastic. The participants were of all ages and abilities, from athletes running the course, walkers at a more sedate pace, Mum’s with their baby daughters in pushchairs and elderly and disabled women in wheelchairs.”

Thanks to the generosity of their friends, family, colleagues and suppliers from within the industry, The Premier Girls raised £677.00 for Cancer Research UK last year. Their target for this year is £1,000.00.

If you wish to contribute to this worthy cause, you can donate through the Race for Life website.

Please visit www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/pre mier-girls to make a donation, or alternately contact Penny or Heather at the Penmaenmawr office on 01492 623787.

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

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Misinformation about Conductive Pipes

The Shape of Things to Come?

By Brian Humm, LFEPA the mode of operation has now been changed to pre authorisation attended self service, the forecourt is still being observed by the control staff.

An advantage of this situation from a safety point of view is that all containers would be observed before being filled and obviously anyone who could possibly be considered underage would have to enter the store and can be challenged before any transaction takes place.

The site has labelled all dispensers informing the customer that it is a

years invested within this business and I have decided to operate in this way.”

Following a major refurbishment in 2008, the site was equipped with Tokheim Quantium T dispensers and associated Entuitive point of sale equipment, this allows for the pre selection of an amount in £s to be allocated to an individual dispenser, the customer then fills his vehicle as normal with the dispenser cutting out once the selected limit has been reached.

Mr Nanthabalan approached the LFEPA for advice regarding the change, the Authority had no objection to the changes although

pre pay site and also has a loudspeaker message at intervals to the effect that “this is a pre pay service station, please pay in the shop before refuelling, thank you for your cooperation”, one drawback of this is that the site has now received noise complaints from neighbours!.

I have witnessed the site in operation and have noticed that in the whole it seems to be working, some people are objecting

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January 2010, London Borough of Hackney.

An independent retailer has decided that enough is enough, after the losses incurred through “Drive Offs” during 2009 amounting to in excess of £10,000, Balasingham Nanthabalan, who owns and operates Mare Street Service Station, London E8 under the Texaco banner has decided to bite the bullet and start operating a Pre Pay system at all times.

“2009 was a particularly bad year for people not wanting to pay for fuel and I decided that I couldn’t carry on suffering the losses, I am an independent retailer with over 25

54

because as with any new procedure it will take some time to adapt, Mr Nanthabalan said “we have had some complaints from customers, especially long standing ones, but they all seem to understand the situation once I

explain the reasoning behind my decision.”

Will this catch on? One drawback that was thought of is that the shop sales would suffer but early indications show that the shop is trading at the same level as last year, it will take time for people to adapt to this method of purchasing fuel but as Mr Nanthabalan said what business can carry on with the size of losses that this industry seems to attract?

As a footnote, because of the poor weather being experienced within the area, Mr Nanthabalan suspended the pre pay to alleviate congestion on the forecourt, in the small period of this suspension the site suffered 2 drive offs in excess of £75 each!

Needless to say it quickly reverted back to its new image.

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

Interview with Maureen Briggs, Craigavon Borough Council

By Brian Baker Northern Ireland has 26 Petroleum Licensing Authorities at present and have operated through some very difficult times. One Authority, Craigavon, had enormous problems a few years ago when the officer covering petroleum retired and Maureen Briggs took over by expanding her role as the Licensing Officer. I recently had the chance to speak to Maureen about the current situation in Northern Ireland. Here is what she said;

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Hello Maureen, I was trying to recall how long it has been since you took over your role as the petroleum officer for Craigavon Borough Council, perhaps you could remind me and what you discovered on taking on the role?

Hi Brian, I was given the responsibility for Petroleum Licensing early in 2007.

At best the system inherited could be described as antiquated. There were no systems or procedures to follow or give guidance. In Northern Ireland D.S.E.A.R. came into force in 2003 but there did not appear to have been any attempt to either inform licensees about requirements or to enforce the requirements. It was obvious from the start that the petroleum licensing function had been a very low priority for too many years.

This had permitted unscrupulous dealers to operate in the area with little legislative compliance.

It was not until I consulted you through the APEA that we began to make meaningful headway. With your assistance we put in place a two year plan for inspecting under both the Petroleum (Consolidation) Acts N 1929 & 1937 and Dangerous Substances and Explosive 56

Atmosphere Regulations (NI) 2003.

We developed workable systems, policies and procedures. We also put in place a program to ensure officers would attain the required competencies by receiving appropriate training. Additionally we revised our terms and conditions and the council agreed to formally adopt the ‘Guidance for Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations’ as the standard for all new filling stations or refurbishments. This has proved very beneficial as it provided a standard which officers, licensees and architects could work towards.

So how many sites do you have that are licensed? Are they all retail filling stations or do you have workplaces as well that dispense petroleum?

When we first took over there were fifty six sites listed as requiring a petroleum licence. For the size of Craigavon (area 260 square kilometres, population 90,000 – 100,000.) this number was quite high.

However upon commencing inspections and enforcement we discovered a number of sites were derelict – these sites needed to be decommissioned, some other sites decided to close rather than try and comply with the new requirements.

We currently have 38 sites of which two are work places.

It is well known that there has been a political divide in the Province. Has this affected you in conducting your role as an Inspecting Officer?

The political divide has not affected either me or other licensing officers.

Our role is to ensure the safe storage of petroleum. We provide as much

assistance and information as possible to all sections of our community.

Now there are slight differences in petroleum legislation from the mainland UK. Can you share those differences as Northern Ireland tends to follow what we do over here?

While there are differences, our regulations really mirror those in England. We follow guidance issued in the rest of U.K. through H.E.L.A. (N.I.). I suppose one of the differences which I have noted is that in Northern Ireland when an application for a Petroleum Licence is refused the applicants right of appeal is to the Health and Safety Executive N.I. I know you have some problems with a few operators. Can you outline what they have been?

When we first took over the function we were met with resistance from a minority of operators.

These operators did not want to provide information relating to contact details, technical details or stock details.

A Prohibition Notice was served on one operator after discovering evidence of a large spill on the forecourt (it was suspected fuel was off loaded directly into the chambers without attaching the hose to the fill point). The site had no emergency procedures and there was no information relating to stock.

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

the dispensers were ripped out at night leaving live electric wires and escaping petrol vapour from the suction lines (an attempt had been made to plug one of the lines with a small

Saxa

salt

cellar!).

The

responsibility for the station then fell to the landlord of the site who worked

towards

having

the

prohibition lifted. During this work it was discovered that two tanks believed

to

have

been

decommissioned had been left in the ground empty but the chambers had been filled with concrete giving the

impression

of

total

The Health & Safety Executive Northern Ireland (H.S.E.N.I.) is the same as the Health & Safety Executive in G.B. in terms of set up and structure and deals with petroleum through partnership arrangements. Within our Regional Petroleum Licensing Group one of our committee members, Sean Martin, sits on the Fuel Oils Liaison Forum – a partnership forum with the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland.

I seem to recall that you had a successful prosecution last year.

Can you explain how that came about?

decommissioning. Obviously a lot of work

was

required

before

the

prohibition notice was lifted.

As we continued our inspections we discovered another station which could

not

provide

information

relating to decommissioning of two tanks on site. Upon investigating it was discovered that the same practise of filling the chambers with concrete while leaving empty tanks in the ground had taken place. On this particular site, while driving to an

We had a number of prosecutions in 2007 & 2008 for storage of petroleum without a licence. In 2008 we refused a Petroleum Licence in respect of one filling station. In Northern Ireland any appeal for refusing a Licence is made to the Health & Safety Executive. In this case the operator exercised his right to appeal. After investigating the Health & Safety Executive upheld our decision on all but one point.

appointment, our Health and Safety Officer noticed men with Kango hammers attempting to break the concrete in the chambers – yet another prohibition notice.

However, I must state that the majority of the Licensees have taken the issue very seriously, taking on board the requirements and, where necessary, putting plans in place to comply. We have had a number of major refurbishments and two new filling stations. These have been a major learning curve for us. Currently architects

are

developing

engineered solutions on an existing station with major design concerns this

is

proving

very

interesting

indeed.

In Northern Ireland you have your own Health & Safety Executive. Tell us

how

that

works

and

The role of Licensing Officers in Northern Ireland is very much a multi task role. Our responsibilities cover petroleum licenses, entertainment licenses, amusement permits, street traders, places of marriage/civil partnership, registration of hairdressers etc. Obviously there is a health and safety aspect to many of our functions. In Northern Ireland we are currently working towards the introduction of The Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2009 (akin to the Regulatory Reform Order in England). Licensing Officers here are currently in negotiation over the role they will have in relation to the Order.

what

relationships exist between PLA’s and your HSE?

I believe you multi task so what other duties on licensing are you responsible for and do they involve health and safety aspects?

Over here we have Regional Groups that feed into our national

Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Group (PELG) Do you have a similar Regional Group that deals with purely petroleum matters?

We just established our Regional Group at the end of last year. This group reports to S.O.L.A.C.E. (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) and to the Fuel Oils Liaison Group. We have developed a work plan and hope to harmonise policies and procedures throughout Northern Ireland. This would be very beneficial to licensees and enforcement officers.

Moving away from the “Day Job” do you have other interests beyond work or what do you do to relax?

My partner is a big fan of motorbike racing, so I accompany him to races. We also have friends who own hot air balloons and each year we go with them to various ballooning festivals throughout Europe. However I would say that neither is very relaxing – I think I sleep to relax!

Here is a typical cliché type question – what would be your idea of total success?

A typical cliché type question deserves nothing less than a typical cliché type answer, so my idea of total success is living a life of contentment, happiness, love, health, vitality while providing my own unique value to the world.

So where would you like to be in 5 years time?

I suppose if I am honest I would love to own a business of my own – so who knows hopefully I might be able to sell my unique value!

Thank you Maureen, a pleasure as always to talk to you and I think I am coming over soon to give some technical support to your colleagues so I look forward to that and have to say that I really like coming to Northern Ireland as it is a wonderful place.

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

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Further to the notice being served

Ask the Experts Q I am inspecting a Filling Station and cannot locate any records that the drainage system and site Separator has been checked or cleaned. Is there anything I can do as the Inspecting Officer to satisfy myself that the drainage system is in order?

a vapour recovery hose back in to the vapour space of the road tanker. The saturated vapour is then returned by the road tanker to the terminal and when the tanker is next loaded the vapour is sent to a vapour recovery unit in the terminal which converts it into fuel.

Answer Yes there is. As a very crude test locate some tissue paper or paper hand towel. Something that is light and absorbent. Lift the separator cover lid and screw up the tissue paper and drop into the separator itself. If the paper disappears in few seconds it is likely that the separator is heavily contaminated with fuel and requires an uplift and cleaning.

You can do this with a Three Stage Interceptor as well

The Pressure Vacuum valve (P&V) is normally situated at the top of the petrol vent pipes, the vent pipes are usually joined together, at either low or high levels.

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What has happened is that hydrocarbons have soaked into the tissue paper and caused it to become heavy and it sinks below the surface of the separator liquid level. It is a simple but effective method. By the way do not forget to walk the drainage runs (AO Drainage Channels) along the Tanker Stand, Dispensing Area and Entrance/Exit points to ensure the channels are free from refuse and debris so that any spillage can flow back towards the separator Brian Baker, Milton Keynes Council Q I know that on a Stage 1b Vapour Recovery System there is a Pressure and Vacuum Valve Fitted at the top of the Vent Stack. Can you explain why it is there and how it works?

Answer Stage 1b vapour recovery takes place while the road tanker is delivering fuel to the underground tanks.

The object of this is to restrict the vapour which would in the past have come out of the tank vent pipe, and return the vapour through 58

The Pressure setting of 35mbar on the P&V valve means it will not open until the pressure at the P & V valve reaches 35mbar. This encourages the vapour to return to the road tanker during delivery, but if there is a pressure build up in the system it will allow it to be relieved. It also restricts vapour losses from tanks during quiet periods.

approved to EN 12784, this is a legal requirement.

While the majority of P&V valves are fitted on top of the vent pipes some manufacturers have installed these at lower levels for ease of maintenance, but the flame arrestor in all cases should be on top of the vent pipe.

Jamie Thompson Chairman Technical Committee Q In the definitions of the Standard Licensing Conditions is a term called “The Approved Arrangements” can you explain what this actually means and why is important from a Petroleum Licensing point of view?

The vacuum valve setting is 2mbar and is needed because once the delivery has taken place fuel is then sold and air comes back into the tank to replace the fuel dispensed through the pumps.

All P&V valves should be protected by an end of line flame arrestor

Answer I should start by saying that the Petroleum Licence conditions to which you refer are the ‘model licence conditions’ that Petroleum Licensing Authorities (PLA’s) were advised to use from August 2006. This guidance is provided through PETEL 65/61 which can be found on the HSE Web Site -http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/6561.htm The full definition reads as follows:1.1 Approved Arrangements means those arrangements relating to the design, construction and mode of operation of the licensed premises, which accord with the plans and specifications approved by the Petroleum Licensing Authority.

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

The actual Licence Condition that refers to ‘Approved Arrangements’ is:2.3 The Licensee shall not undertake or permit to be undertaken any material alterations to the approved arrangements, unless the written consent of the Petroleum Licensing Authority has been obtained.

The definition of ‘material alterations’ is also given within the licence:1.2 Material Alterations means any alteration, which could affect the risks from fire and explosion at the Licensed Premises and will include: - the change of or cessation of use of the licensed premises;

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- the removal; temporary or permanent decommissioning; repair; replacement; modification; or installation of any tank used for the storage of petroleum-spirit and any pipeline or vapour pipeline associated with the storage and dispensing of petroleumspirit; - the change in use of a tank used to store petroleum-spirit; - the removal without replacement or installation of any petroleum-spirit pumps/dispensers; the removal or installation of any part of the site’s leak detection, spillage or delivery control system; - the installation pump/dispenser in location;

a of a new

- a change in the Mode of Operation of the dispensing equipment; - the removal or installation of any electrical equipment within the hazardous areas of the licensed premises; - the construction of any buildings or works within the 60

hazardous areas or elsewhere on the licensed premises; and - the storage or cessation of storage of any other dangerous substances on the licensed premises.

I believe that this gives clear parameters for the approval and licensing of petrol filling stations. The PLA must ensure that a proposed new build or knock down and rebuild of a petrol filling station is designed to be constructed in compliance with current guidance i.e. Blue Book and appropriate European Standards. Once approval has been granted, and construction started, the PLA has to be satisfied that the site is constructed as per the approval. On completion of the works, and on receipt of the necessary test certificates, the PLA must collect the licence fee and issue the licence.

Once the Petroleum Licence is in force, it is the duty of the licensee to comply with Licence Conditions, including the seeking of approval for any proposed alterations.

To ascertain that unapproved alterations have not been carried out, the PLA needs to ensure that they have an audit trail of what has been approved. This is not just a bureaucratic exercise; it is to ensure that the right level of risk control is maintained. To give an example of this, I can quote a case where a licensee decided to carry out a grade change, and swap diesel and petrol between two tanks, they did this without approval, and as a consequence petrol ended up in a 50+ year old single skin steel tank, with no history of being installed to a standard suitable for petrol, with the tank venting directly above a window of neighbouring premises, and the diesel tank was vented into the Stage 1b vapour recovery system, when this was discovered during a periodic inspection, enforcement action was promptly taken.

To ensure that the ‘approved arrangements’ are clear to both the licensee and the enforcing officer, some PLA’s include approved drawings and a schedule to the licence showing all equipment that has been approved, the types and ages of the tanks, the safe working capacities of the tank compartments the fuel stored and the dispensers served by those tanks. As there is another Licence condition requiring a copy of the Petroleum Licence to be kept on the licensed premises, this information is always available to both Petroleum Inspectors and site staff.

Ray Blake Head of Petroleum, London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority Q In respect of electrical fuel pumps I have heard the term the “Zener Diode Barrier” What does this mean, what is its purpose and how does it work?

Answer Thanks very much for the question, I could of course just give a one sentence answer, that it is what’s called an “Associated” piece of apparatus for an intrinsically safe system. However this answer I do not think would mean anything to anybody other than suitably competent electrical technicians and Engineers.

What I would say since you have given me the space to answer in more detail is that a Zener Barrier is an absolutely critical device where one has an Intrinsically safe system/Circuit.

These devices, and I have put in some pictures (courtesy of MTL Instruments) were introduced in the late 1950’s as “Shunt – diode safety barriers” when process controlled computers were starting to be widely applied in the chemical process industry and have been used ever since. The name Zener has been used loosely when talking about these devices because one of the barriers three principle components is a Zener diode the other two being a resistor and a fuse.

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

If we look at the dictionary “Intrinsic” means “adjective belonging to the basic nature of someone or something; essential” so an Intrinsically safe circuit or system is essential for safety in our context.

However with the introduction of other electronic devices the standard Shunt – diode barrier is now gradually being replaced by a Safety Isolator, again an “Associated” piece of apparatus but these isolators can be of the “Optical” or “Galvanic” type. This can give designers better control options plus they do not need the dedicated low impedance high Integrity Earth connection that is paramount for the safe operation of the Shunt – diode Barrier.

There are various electrical protection concepts detailed in the BSEN 60079 set of standards Exd (Flameproof),Exe (Increased Safety), for example Exi is “Intrinsically safe” and with reference to the most recent standards has three sub groups Exia, Exib and now Exic each of which is suitable for only one, some or all hazardous Zones.

I would therefore suggest that what some people may describe as an Zener Barrier may actually be an Isolator device instead. This will be particular to the design of the dispenser head, leak control equipment; tank contents measuring system that typically use these devices.

Fig 1 - Showing an typical “Zener” Barrier

So what’s the purpose of these devices and where can they be found? Well they are found on what’s called an Intrinsically safe system or circuit, and I would like very much at this point like to clarify a statement that is often said incorrectly when I’m out and about meeting people. Often I hear people saying that a piece of equipment maybe a junction box, dispenser or light is “Intrinsically safe”. In a word its rubbish and a miss quotation of what they have said.

If we take Exia equipment which could be placed in a Zone Zero, then to have something that is truly “Intrinsic” then we are not going to be putting lights or motors in that type of Zone because of the electrical parameters and opportunity for an incendive spark to occur or heat generation.

capable of doing this design) will calculate out what they are trying to measure and do and select a barrier to suit their application.

When the system or circuit has been designed, nobody should add, change or alter the system or circuit or any of the equipment without prior approval of the designer in case the parameters now do not make the circuit intrinsically safe.

The barriers themselves can never be installed in a hazardous area unless inside some other form of Ex protection, possibly an Exd

Fig 2 - Showing an selection of “Zener” Barriers and Isolators

So ultimately Intrinsic safe systems and circuits are always for what we call instrument systems, in other words because through specific and very detailed electrical circuit design where all parameters are taken into account then we are left with a system that operates at such low energy levels that measurement of temperature, levels, flow rates and pressure are the only possible outcomes. Hence on an typical filling station we will find these circuits in the places described earlier.

There are thousands of different barriers and isolators, made by different manufacturers depending on what circuit you are planning to have and use. The specialist system designer (and I would suggest a normal electrician would not be

enclosure as you can see in Fig 2 the barriers have “Safe” and “Normal” electrical connections so these devices themselves could cause an incendive spark on the “Normal” connections. As such these devices may be within control panels or equipment in the sales building or if installed in the dispenser will likely be in the dispenser head but always, no matter what, above the vapour barrier and in a non zoned “safe”area of the dispenser.

So a barrier or if an isolator is used ist is just one part, albeit an essential part of the Intrinsically safe circuit.

Persons working on these items or systems must be suitably trained and competent, as a simple mix up of connections of the safe and Haz area connections could lead to an catastrophic event.

I hope this has perhaps helped explain things a bit better and sorry about the long answer! But you did ask!

Gareth Bourhill, APEA Chairman

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

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They have changed little in the last 60 years as their function and safety concept of controlling incendive sparks in potentially explosive atmospheres is still the same today as it was back then.

APEA attend Petroforum 2010 in Malaysia

By Brian Humm, APEA Training Chairman Following on from the APEA visit to Oman in 2008, it was once again decided that the Association would send a representative to the Petroforum event being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 23rd to 25th March. The aim once again was to promote the association to a wider audience, to encourage membership and promote general awareness of the association’s aims and objectives.

ARTICLES The event itself was organised by OpenRoom Events Limited and was sponsored by Petronas Dagangan Berhad, Malaysia’s leading Oil Company, it took the same format of a one day conference and then two days of round robin business meetings of 15 minute intervals between oil companies and suppliers. The delegates for the event were from 40 oil companies, with both regional and global companies being represented, the suppliers were just as well represented with 56 companies with approximately 130 delegates.

The event was held at the Saujana Hotel/Saujana Club, situated just outside Kuala Lumpar.

Early on the morning of the conference an optional visit to two modern Petronas owned petrol filling stations had been arranged, two coaches left the hotel with approximately 60 delegates on board.

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The first site was Mutiara Damansara, a modern petrol filling station which is company owned and dealer operated, built in 2005, the site is classed as reasonably busy and has a throughput of 700,000 litres a month, also attached is a fast food outlet and a cake shop, it also has an ATM. The site itself was partial attended service, with attendants on the forecourt to facilitate with fuelling if required, the physical aspects of the site which were of interest to me were the tanks, which in this case were “per matank” which is a double skin tank, which has a steel inner tank with a GRP outer tank.

One thing that struck me was the tank label, not only did it show the tank safe working capacity, but the type of tank and the date of installation!.

The pumping was by pressure because of the extreme heat of the country meaning that suction was virtually impossible, also the fact that the tanks contents were measured

by dipstick and not tank gauges which somewhat surprised me.

The site was clean and well maintained and representatives of Petronas were on hand to answer questions.

The second site was the latest development by Petronas, Service Station Jalan Kolam Air Lama, Built in 2008, a larger site with a throughput of 1.1 million litres a month, again this was partial attended service, the difference with this site though was the store, to the left of the shop was a coffee outlet and to the right was a fast food retailer, but when you walk through the rear of the store you enter a shopping mall, which is also owned by the oil company, this area has numerous food outlets and a few specialist retailers, this in turn leads to the “Mall of Champions” which is a motorcycle museum, with associated shops, which is aimed at the thousands of motorcycle clubs which operate within Malaysia, as you can imagine a very large store indeed.

The forecourt was once again clean and well maintained, once again the pumping system was pressurised, the underground storage tanks in this instance were double skin GRP and the tank measurement was via dipstick.

Once again Petronas representatives were on hand to answer questions.

The visits were, as agreed by all, an interesting insight into the workings of filling stations within this country.

The conference in the afternoon was chaired by Mahinda Valipuram, Managing Director of KPS Petrol Pipe

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

ARTICLES

System, he welcomed all the delegates and outlined the events to be held over the next two days.

The first presentation was from David Barrett from RPS Energy, entitled Fuel Retailing – Tough choices to drive future success, this was well received by the attending audience.

Next to present was Mr William Chua, General Manager of Smart Energy Pte Limited, who gave a really fascinating insight into the refuelling stations in Singapore who retail Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). CNG is looked upon as a proven alternative and Eco friendly fuel. A well received presentation indeed.

Following a refreshment break the next topic covered was from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, represented by Sanjeev Agrawal, Senior Design and Development Manager, he outlined his companies automated online maintenance system for his company’s network of petrol filling stations.

Next up was an insight into the

64

petroleum retail market in Pakistan, given by Kalim Siddiqui who is the President of Byco Petroleum Pakistan Limited, a relative newcomer to the market which is showing aggressive growth, a very interesting topic which was well received.

Following on was a presentation from Claire Livesey, Managing Director of Circle Limited, a design company, who gave a really informative and very well received presentation on environmentally friendly initiatives design.

The final presentation of the Conference was from Koenraad De Bruyne, COO and Retail Director of Tas’Helat Marketing Company who gave a presentation on Asset management within the petroleum retailing industry, once again very well received and thought provoking.

The conference was closed at this point by Mahinda Valipuram who thanked all the conference speakers and everybody agreed that it had been an interesting day.

The evening was spent at a welcome dinner at the hotel poolside, a great opportunity to talk to

a variety of people, discuss the association’s aims and generally give advice as to why we were attending the event.

Days two and three were taken up by the business meeting format.

Openroom Events allocated me a stand adjacent to the entrance of the hall, on this stand were copies of the latest bulletin, a sample of the Blue Book and a laptop showing a looped presentation about the association and the training courses that we provide, over the 2 days I spoke to well in excess of 100 people, gave out 130 bulletins and received enquiries regarding the association and training courses offered from a host of companies from all parts of the region.

Over the two days a total in excess of 800 “one to one” meetings were held and feedback from delegates that I spoke to inferred that this event was a valuable way of doing business.

After lunch on day two the business meetings closed and some of the delegates were treated to a VIP tour of the Petronas Towers in the heart of Kuala Lumpar, this was a spectacular sight from close up and the view from the 41st floor was simply breathtaking.

Final thoughts on this journey, firstly it was an interesting few days, the conference was well run and facilitated, and it will broaden the association’s connections within this region.

May I extend a thank you to Emma and Fiona of OpenRoom events for the opportunity to attend this conference and the valuable help and assistance they offered to the association throughout.

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

enforcement procedures for disused tanks.

Enforcement powers for this situation come under Section 73 of the Public Health Act 1961. This was introduced following an explosion at Dudgeon’s Wharf in East London

Southern

Simon Deacon of the EA

assessed and checked for integrity, and found to be sound.

The second presentation of the day was on the environmental effect of decommissioned fuel tanks by Simon Deacon of the Environment Agency.

Simon advised that groundwater contamination is extremely difficult to remediate, and every care must be taken to avoid its occurrence, and as a result, it is highly likely that new petrol station builds will not be approved in SPZ1 areas.

Paul Reyner, new Branch Chairman

Barry Jenner who has done a sterling job during his three years of office.

The first presentation of the day was on tank lining and the effects of ethanol by Paul Brittel of Graphite UK. Paul gave a brief background of the company and their achievements to date, and explained in detail the properties and benefits of their lining system.

Paul advised that a fuel tank lined approx. 8 years ago was recently

Lunch

Paul Brittel of Graphite UK

Simon also advised that the ‘Blue Book’ update, which is to be published shortly, gives more guidance on tank decommissioning.

A splendid lunch which consisted of lasagne, chips and salad, was served at 12.15 p.m. which was enjoyed by all, followed by a selection of mouthwatering desserts.

The first presentation of the afternoon was by Brian Humm and Neil Roberts of the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority on

Brian Humm and Neil Roberts of the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority

resulting in the deaths of five firefighters.

Currently one of their directives is that underground fuel tanks may only be filled with water for a fixed period after which the tanks must be permanently made safe.

Neil ran through their process for site visits/inspections, and showed several photos of tanks that had been removed from the ground; he also showed some examples of

Henry Betts of Autogas Limited

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

65

BRANCHES

The Winter meeting/AGM of the Southern Branch took place on Thursday 4th February 2010 at Marlborough Golf Club; Phil Monger welcomed all 34 members and guests in lieu of Barry Jenner, who could not attend due to work commitments.

Phil chaired the AGM which started at 10.30 a.m. which was concluded at 10.45 a.m. by the newly elected branch Chairman, Paul Reyner; many thanks go to

installations not properly decommissioned.

The fourth presentation was an LPG update given by Henry Betts of Autogas Limited.

Henry advised that Autogas Limited is a joint venture between Calor and Shell.

He stated that recent technical innovations include pipeline condition testing, stock control system, dispenser temperature compensation and forecourt LPG tank statutory testing.

Autogas Limited have 221 sites on petroleum forecourts; the majority being Shell branded.

Henry reported that there are approx. 154,000 LPG vehicles in the

10.45 – 11.15 Control biofuel contamination issues Dr. Philip Nathan E&S Group/Adler & Allan Ltd 11.15 – 11.45 Electrical testing on remote sites Richard Curnow RD & RE Curnow Electrical Ltd 11.45 – 12.15 Site sensitivity and environmental risk Mike Carpenter of BP

Sam Carson & Lisa Hawker

the delivery assessor’s role and the new sites for fuel deliveries.

Assessments are valid for 5 years,

BRANCHES 66

Q & A session

changes should be notified and

12.30

recorded.

Finger buffet lunch, with dessert,

by Mike and the team is collated

UK, with approx. 1,400 public access refuelling points.

The last presentation of the day was on DSEAR and driver training, by Mike Carpenter and Jeff Tallis of BP. Jeff advised that they provide various driver training courses covering legislation and safety standards (10 golden rules) BP were the first oil company to ban mobile phones being used when the tankers are being driven.

BP in the UK assisted their colleagues in the US to set up their own training standards.

Jeff advised that their drivers each have approx. 8 days training per annum, of which firefighting is included; recently highlighted areas of concern include driver tiredness and conflict awareness.

Mike followed this by explaining

12.15 – 12.30

but all site changes, such as grade

The DSEAR information collected

Jeff Tallis of BP

OHES Ltd

process involved with risk assessing

followed by entry to Brooklands Museum.

and sent to a central place to allow

There will be an attendance

site specific delivery instructions to

contribution of £15.00 per member

be given to the tanker drivers for

(inclusive

each delivery.

coffee) payable in advance. If you

of

lunch

&

morning

Similarly, site problems, such as

wish to attend the meeting please

broken fill caps, missing padlocks

contact me for a booking form on

are fed back using a standard

07795

delivery point defect report.

sue@high-cross.com. Payments must

841891

or

by

email

at

In closing the meeting, the new

be received by 28th May, to enable

branch Chairman, Paul Reyner,

catering arrangements to be made;

thanked all speakers for their well

please advise if you have any

received

specific dietary requirements.

and

informative

presentations, and wished all a safe journey home.

The next Southern Branch meeting

Brooklands is just off the A317 between junctions 10 and 11 of the M25;

both

will be on 8th June at Brooklands

and

www.streetmap.co.uk

Motor Museum, Brooklands Road,

accurate directions.

Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN.

Places

www.multimap.co.uk

are

limited,

booking

is

Agenda

contact

me

10.00 – 10.30

questions/queries.

Arrival/coffee

you

early Please

have

any

We look forward to seeing you for what

10.30 – 10.35

so

advisable. if

give

promises

to

be

another

interesting meeting.

Address by Paul Reyner, Southern Branch Chairman

Sue Meadowcroft Branch Secretary

10.35 – 10.45 Clarification of issues raised at the Winter meeting

Eastern The APEA Eastern Branch met at

Martin Window, Hampshire CC and

Imperial war museum Duxford on

Brian Humm - London Fire Brigade

March 31st 2010 .

Guest and speakers were greeted

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

Kathy Early

at this splendid facility with tea, coffee and biscuits. A good turnout by members supporting the branch made for an excellent event. After the formal welcome the branch conducted its AGM and election of officers. The Secretary reminded everyone of the competition act.

Reports were presented by the Secretary branch

& Treasurer and by the representative

Holyomes.

The

Adrian

previous

years

officers were thanked for their service and support. In line with the requirements

of

our

AGM

the

following were elected to the Eastern Branch to serve for the coming year.

Chairman John Boudry Secretary & Treasurer Anton Martiniussen Committee member John Brooks

The accounts have been duly and comment on these. Kathy Early audited and approved by of DP Fueltank Services talked about members. There were no objections. their technology of Nitro-foam The Eastern Branch would also like to thank PetroTechnik, Hytek, and Elaflex for their support during the year. We wish Alex Boudry who has resigned from the committee, success as he leaves to set up the Asia Pacific PetroTechnik office in Singapore.

The Eastern Branch continuous to strive to bring its members quality speakers and interesting subjects. Jean Fincken of the LFDA gave the “Regulator Update”. This is an essential Eastern Branch slot to attend to ensure you are up to date with the latest on Dr Terry Rogers regulatory issues as well as issues of concerns. Dr Terry Rogers – inerting as an innovative method presented on “The process to developed for the inerting of fuel Standards”. He gave an informative tanks in lieu of water. This method insight about the process to creating was designed to positively vent standards and how to participate explosive vapours from the tanks in a

Committee member Jamie Thompson Committee member Lee Clark Committee member Jean Fincken Branch Rep Adrian Holyomes Auditor Mike Alston

Trevor, Brian and John

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

67

BRANCHES

Eastern Branch meeting

been made to Graphite (UK) Ltd, ELS Ltd – Energy Level Systems and Brulines Ltd. Roger Bailey of ELS gave a brief presentation on their new “DCD” box

that

incorporates

gauging

equipment that eliminates the need to run cabling from the tank farm to a building. It also has the facility to offer broadband connection for remote tank monitoring.

Some

members

took

the

opportunity to look at some of the In discussion

Midlands

BRANCHES

Anton an dAlan

controlled and safe manner, an environmentally friendly way to clean

tanks.

Unforunately

Ian

Jacques, MD Scheidt & Bachmann UK was unwell and had to cancell at short notice. Members also enjoyed a presentation from a member of the Duxford historical team. The above is a summarised note (the APEA is not responsible for any comment or opinion howsoever expressed.). A most sincere thank you goes to all our speakers who

The Midlands Branch held its spring meeting at the National M e m o r i a l A r b o r e t u m , Staffordshire on the 15th April.

A presentation was given by a member of the A r b o r e t u m volunteer staff on the vision and work done there which members found interesting and quite emotive.

Steven Rees-Pullman gave a presentation on the effects of biofuels on steel tanks and ancillary equipment

and

the

options

available to minimise the effect, this included tank water management and

lining

the

tanks.

He

also

explained the recent changes that

memorials at the Arboretum but as it would take up to 3 days to see the entire site, members promised to return at a later date.

After the meeting and lunch there was the opportunity for members to take a short 20 – 30 minute micro

made it such an excellent venue.

Notes for the diary and subject to confirmation.

Autumn

meeting

September 29th. Early Christmas lunch December 8th. If you would like to attend any of these events please email me elaflex@aol.com to be placed on our mailing list.

Agendas will be posted nearer the time. The new committee will be advised by email of the next planning meeting.

Anton Martiniussen Branch Secretary 68

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

light flight at a near-by facility but due to the inclement weather this was postponed.

The Branch AGM will be held on 14

Midlands

Paul Devine - Sec

Rob Tunnicliff - Rep

South Lanarkshire Council

37 Victoria Park Road

July 2010, further details will be sent

Tunstall

to members in due course.

Stoke on Trent ST6 6DX Tel: 07815 069846

Peter Emery Branch Secretary

email: rob.tunnicliff@stoke.gov.uk

Consumer and Trading Standards North Stand, Cadzow Avenue Hamilton ML3 0LU Tel: 01698 476170 Fax: 01698 476180 Mobile: 07795 090903 email:

Nothing to report

Peter Emery - Sec Anchor Safety

Scotland

19 Adonis Close

Nothing to report

Tamworth

North East Nothing to report

Staffordshire B79 8TY Tel: 07972 599 765 email:peter_emery@btconnect.com

Ireland Nothing to report

Branch Representative and Secretary Contact Details Adrian Holyomes - Rep HYTEK GB LTD

Southern Philip Monger - Rep Petrol Retailers Association Meadowside West EndSherbourne St John Basingstoke Hants.

North West

RG24 9LE

Louise Morgan - Rep

Tel: 01256 850164

Petrocom Ltd

Fax: 01256 851273

The Malthouse

email: phil.monger@ukonline.co.uk

48 Southport Road Ormskirk

Eastern

paul.devine@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Lancashire L39 1QR

Sue Meadowcroft - Sec 1 Rock Cottage South Cornelly Bridgend CF33 4RN

Delta House

Tel: 01695 572400

Tel: 07795 841891

Green Street, Elsenham

email:

email: sue@high-cross.com

Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire

louisemorgan@petrocom.co.uk

Tel: 01279 815600 email: adrian@hytekgb.com Anton Martiniussen - Sec

BRANCHES

North West

Ireland Bob Conlin - Sec Fairbanks Environmental Ltd

Killian Tallon - Rep Topaz Energy Ltd Topaz House

ELAFLEX Ltd

The Technology Management

Riverside House, Hoddesdon

Centre

Herts EN11 0PA

Moss Lane View

Tel: 01992 452 950

Skelmersdale

Tel: + 353 1202 8705

Lancs WN8 9TN

email: killian.tallon@topazenergy.ie

Mob: 07831 595620 email: elaflex@aol.com

North East

email: bobconlin@fairbanks.co.uk

Scotland

Industry Road, Heaton

Ian Hillier - Rep

Tel: 0191 224 0777

Ireland

Julian Rafter - Sec Olive Engineering & Design Services

W O Silmon Ltd

Tyne & Wear NE6 5XB

Dublin 4

Tel: 01695 51775

Mike Silmon - Rep and Sec

Newcastle upon Tyne

Beech Hill, Clonskeagh

North Ayrshire Council Bridgegate House

Ltd The Old Egg Farm Waynestown Dunboyne Meath

Irvine KA12 8BD

Ireland

email:

Tel: 01294 324969

Tel: +353 1 8253670

associationtreasurer@apea.org.uk

email: ihillier@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

email: jrafter@ipservices.ie

Fax: 0191 224 0707

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

69

2010 Training Course Dates Petrol Filling Stations Construction, Safety and Environmental Protection

Electrical Installations An Awareness 25 May

Bournemouth

9/10 Nov

22 June

Cardiff

21 Sept

London

Petrol Filling Stations Risk Assessment, Audit and Inspection

24 June

Manchester

24 Sept

Derby

Luton

19 Nov

Bristol

26 Oct

Belfast

9 Dec

Luton

23 Nov

Sheffield

Wetstock Management

8/9 June

Cardiff

8 June

Glasgow

15/16 Sep

Dublin

10 June

Dublin

5/6 Oct

Derby

21 Sept

Manchester

9/10 Nov

Glasgow

Explosives and Fireworks Forecourt LPG Installations

DSEAR

16 Sept

Luton

23 Sept

Manchester

Petrol Filling Stations – Enforcement Procedures An Awareness (One day) 6 hours Continued Professional Development

14 June

Glasgow

28 June

Bristol

27 May

Luton

7 Oct

Glasgow

13 Sep

Birmingham

2 Sept

Milton Keynes

12 Oct

Cardiff

18 Oct

Cardiff

TRAINING

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 Humm, Training Chairman Mobile: 07818 097141 email: brian.humm@london-fire.gov.uk

APEA Training Team Jamie Thompson Independent Consultant

Gareth Bourhill

Kim Bennett

Principal Training Consultant -

Senior Environmental Health

Electrical Safety

Officer

Forth Valley College of Further and

Milton Keynes Council

Higher Education Bob Conlin Director, Fairbanks Environmental Brian Humm Deputy Head of Petroleum, LFEPA Brian Baker Fire Safety & Petroleum Officer Milton Keynes Council 70

Richard Wigfull Consulting Engineer J. Wigfull & Co Ltd

Joe Maerz Operational Manager Rural & Public Protection Team Essex Trading Standards

John Dallimore Consulting Engineer

Jean Fincken

John Dallimore & Partners

Petroleum Inspector, LFEPA

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