From the B. S . I

done to cause this explosion and resulting catastrophe. In the strong light of day, I blinked at the old farmer, who looked at me calmly, a smoking shotgun under his arm, and a large black fowl about the size of a young eagle lying lifeless at his boots.

"Bloody crows!", he observed. "There was one on the roof while you were in byre - they eat a man's field. of barley to hell. I shoot everyone of the buggers I see. Did the shot fear ye?"

I concluded my examination and departed, my feelings too deep for words, having adjured Wyatt Earp to replenish his fire extinguisher. Perhaps I should also have instructed him to extend the warning Notice displayed "Petroleum Spirit, Highly Flammable, No Smoking or Naked Lights" to include "or discharge of firearms at any bird or fowl". Well, its all in the days work, I suppose, and who will say that the Petroleum Officer has a humdrum task? Would members please note that the A.G.M. of the Association will be held at the West Midland Fire Service H.Q., Birmingham, on Wednesday 25th April 1979. The speaker will be Dr. G.J. Jeacocke, M.Sc., D. Phil., of the H.S.E., who will speak on conveyance.

NEW ADDRESS FOR EDITOR

From 12th January 1979, the Editor's address will be:

J.S. Crewe, Editor - The Bulletin, clo Personnel Section, Chief Executive and Clerk's Dept., Essex County Council, P.O. Box 11, Coun ty Hall, Che Ims fo: i., CM1 1LX.

NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM THE

Measurement of petroleum liquids and gases

BSI has recently published BS 5579 StandaY'd Y'efeY'ence conditions j"0Y' measuY'ement oj" petY'oleum liquids and gases. This standard, which is bases on the International Standard ISO 5024 sets out conditions, temperature ' pressure and humidity for measurement purposes.

The standard differs from its international counterpart in that it includes the reference condition for humidity in connection with the measurement of gases. This is normal in the DK, but is not accepted in certain other countries and therefore omitted from ISO 5024.

(BS 5579, subscribers' price 54p)

Electrically conducting rubber floorin&

BS 3187 E [peiY'icaZ L]1

Y'lIbi 'Cl , is a revision of the previous standard, using metric units. The nominal thickness of the rUbber flooring is restricted to 6 mm (approximately! in: which represents the bulk of this type of flooring currently manufactured.

Electrically conducting rubber flooring is used mainly in buildings which house the manufacture of certain explosives in which an important requirement is the provision of a comparatively lowresistance discharge path to earth. Special measures are then taken to eliminate the possibility of electric shock and fire by placing wiring and controls outside the zone of risk, and the use of portable electric equipment and flexible connections is prohibited. An upper limit is placed on the maximum permitted electrical resistance of the flooring and there is no lower limit.

It is essential that electrically conducting rubber floowing in accordance with this British Standard be used only in those situations where the special precautions mentioned above are taken into account in the design, installation and maintenance of the electrical installation and equipment, so as Virtually to eliminate the possibility

of electric shock and fire. The standard recommends that a warning notice, stating that the floor is electrically conducting, should be displayed in any room fitted with conducting rubber flooring. (BS 3187, subscribers' price £1.14) WHAT THE STARS FORETELL

Motorists will soon be assured of obtaining better quality petrol following a major tightening-up of BS 4040 Petrol (gasoline) for motor vehicles. This specification forms the basis of the familiar 'star' system, displayed on pumps to indicate the relative anti-knock qualities of the various grades of petrol on public sale in the UK.

Previously, these gradings have been based entirely on research octane numbers (RON) , which provide an indication of anti-knock performance at low speeds only. Now BSI has revised the standard to include new minimum requirements, based on motor octane numbers (MON) , to counter the much more significant problem of highspeed knock, which can seldom be detected by the consumer yet may give rise to engine damage. Another important innovation is the inclusion of procedures for sampling petrol flUm pumps, based on practical experience. The methods of specifying distillation characteristics and associated test procedures have also been updated, in accordance with current international practice.

UK regulations relating to petrolengined vehicles are subject to continual review as a result of current concern over the quality of exhaust emission and the protection of the environment. Closer control of petrol quality will assist engine designers in meeting emission requirements, and the limit for lead content (0.45g per litre of petrol) quoted in this revision consolidates changes in legislation since the previous (1971) edition, hitherto covered by amendments. This limit is expected to be retained until the end of 1980 and then reduced to 0.40 g/li tre in accordance with EEC Directive 78/611, EEC.

By curtailing quality variations in each grade of fuel the new standard should enable vehicle manufacturers to produce engines tuned for maximum energy conservation. BS 4040 will not, however, become effective until 1st February 1979 to allow time for retail petrol stocks to be brought into line with the new requirements and for appropriate regulations to be amended. Motorists should, in any case, continue to use the grade of petrol recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Copies of BS 4040 may be obtained from BSI Sales Department, 101 Pentonville Road, London NI 9ND. Price £1.90.

NEW BSI CODE FOR EXPLOSIVES

Most people learn but not often, if wi th explosives.

from their mistakes they happen to work To ram home this message BSI has published a new code of practice, BS 5607 Safe use of explosives in the construction industry, which examines the practical implications of working with this invaluable, yet potentially lethal, commOdity.

Hazardous operations are part and parcel of the industry, but the risk element increases sharply when explosives have to be used for tasks such as road construction, tunnelling and demolition. This is due to the repetitive cycle of operations (drilling, blasting, rock-clearing, etc) that is normally used for excavation, unlike quarrying and mining where blasting can be carried out at predetermined times. Allowance must also be made for fume clearance after blasting, extension of rail track , compressed air lines and water pipes, ventilation ducts, lighting cables and occasionally the erection of roof supports. After a time the work settles into a fixed routine, and familiarity can sometimes breed complacency.

BS 5607 stresses the need for constant vigilance at all levels to prevent bad working habits and thus ensure the safety of those handling explosives at the blasting site and anyone else likely to be affected, including members of the public. Comprehensive recommendations are given for the safe storage, handling transportation and use of blasting explosives and accessories for tUnnelling, shaft sinking, underwater blasting, land clearance and excavation. A special appendix on demolition is included since this represents one of the main applications for explosives in the construction industry. The code also advises on 62