The Bulletin – February 1989

Journal of the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration

Talking Point

The Association has received reports of an overfill of a petrol tank and the subsequent spillage of the product at one of the driver controlled delivery sites. The site is part of the trial between the Health and Safety Executive and UK Petroleum Industries Association who wish to obtain eventual agreement to allow Driver Controlled Deliveries Nationwide. This incident must be viewed as a set back for those supporting this initiative.

The Association considers it is time that the HSE and Industry took another look at the safety of these installations and actively support the initiative put forward by the APEA to fit mechanical overfill prevention devices as part of a safety package which will provide enhanced public safety at such installations.

THE AGM llth APRIL

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will take place at the Queensway Hall, Dunstable on April 11th.

This year the Association is arranging for three speakers to talk on the new British Standard on Petrol Pumps.

SEMINAR 1989 OCTOBER 3rd

The annual petroleum seminar for 1989 will be held at the Queensway Hall in Dunstable on October 3rd.

T?is year the topics for the seminar will have an environmental link.

Vapour and recovery.

Tank and leak detection systems. Overfill Prevention Devices. Secondary Containment Systems. are.f1eing called for this seminar and as usual an 1 mn WI be arranged for the day.

Details will be d · perso ma e available to all members other H requmng further information may the on. ecretary Mr. B. Taylor.

HSE REVISING TWO CODES

The Health a d s f Guidance note C n a ety . are revising including p t 1S2 on flammable hqmds m Bulk Tanks depots. The Association has draft has n e draft and has been critical where the proposed · · petroleum industr rev1s1oi: .to accepted I?ractice in the expected t y. In addition a new Gmdance Note is 0 cover flammable r "d . stores and w·ll b . . iqm s m can and drum designed to 1 le published m the summer. This code is has ace the Home Office code. The APEA petroleum st on these proposals and its likely effect on authorities of petroleum licensing storage code. Associations own can and drum

HSE VIDEO ABOU INDUSTRAL ASSESSMENT OF MAJOR

The Health and Safe Planning Auth ·t· ty Executive (HSE) advises d on ies about 1. . of land whic JCatlons for the posmg major toxic f h would introduce substances advices about appl.' or explosion hazards. HSE also th · · ications for the d 1 e vmcmity of exisf eve opment of land in advice is intended ;ngh hazards_ installations. This make informed e P the Planning Authorities to . h c1s1ons about d J m1g t put at risk peopl · eve opments which . . e outside such installations.

A video about the work of th been released. It g· b e HSE m this area has just insight into the the use of _case studies, an methods and the siti the assessment advice given to Apo .which lie behind the mg ut ont1es by the HSE.

The importance of ma· h . is illustrated by the use planning · b . d h. h h· 1saste1s m the UK and a roa w ic ave mvolved either fil d I . the release of a toxic substance. man exp os1ons or

The video. entitled 'C<t!culated Ri"k. 1 .. F. • 1 · I · ·i " . a.st.s 1 01 9 minutes. I .ts uvm ahle price £50, includin VAT ,. (FI v· . P(J B '.) g ,rom 7EX. tston. ox .15, Wetherby, Yorkshire f,523

LPG GAS FIREBALL KILLS BOY

An exJ?losion hurled two propane cylinders across a dual carnageway producing a fireball which killed a 12 year old boy and burned two others.

Plessey Controls Ltd and a subcontractor, Detector Cutters (1984) Ltd, were installing traffic loop detector cables at a road junction in Oldbury when the accident happened. A lorry hired to Detector Cutters was being used as an equipment store and to house three LPG cylinders and a lit unsecured bitumen boiler which was connected to one of the cylinders. The lorry had been left unattended with the boiler burner lit. At about 11.30 am an employee decided to move the lorry and as a result the bitumen boiler fell over. A fire quickly spread in the vehicle, which also contained jerry cans of petrol and other flammable materials. At around 11.42 am one of the LPG cylinders exploded and the other two were flung across the road, killing Martin Slater and injuring two other schoolboys. Two occupants of a passing motor caravan and two ambulancemen were treated for minor injuries and the effects of smoke.

At Dudley Crown Court Plessey and Detector Cutters both pleaded guilty to charges under Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Detector Cutters were fined £15,00 with £1340 cost, and Plessey UK Ltd £2,500 with £250 costs.

FEES FOR PETROLEUM LICENCES: HEALTH AND SAFETY (FEES) REGULATIONS 1989

The Regulations will come into operation on 20th April 1989. Given the necessary approval, the fe_es for petroleum Iicencees will be increased as shown m the third column of the following table:FEES PAYABLE TO KEEP PETROLEUM SPIRIT

Item Current Fees

For a licence to keep a quantity not exceeding 2,500 litres £21 per annum exceeding 2,500 litres, not exceeding 50,00 litres £31 per annum exceeding 50,000 litres £61 per annum for transfer of a licence £5 each

WASTE BINS ON FORECOURTS

Proposed Fees

£22 per annum £33 per annum £65 per annum £6 each

A number of petroleum licensing Authorities in the South East of England have expressed about the fire risk in plastic waste bins adpcent to i:etrol pumps. It is now understood that metal bms or metal liners to the plastic bins are now available from two companies supplying these articles. Lympac and A. E. Finch.

GLASS FIBRE TANKS

The installations of Ferranti Glass fibre tanks throughout the UK is progressing steadily since the first installation in Cambridgeshire in July 1987.

66 GRP tanks have been installed in 21 sites in the UK. Shell Oil are the first major Oil company to install a full site using GRP tanks, 8 x 6000 gallon tanks have been installed at a site in Ipswich where GRP suction lines will also be used.

One of the first GRP tanks to be installed in the UK some 21 years ago by BP Oil was removed from the ground recently when the site was redeveloped. The tank which had been used more recently for deisel oil showed no obvious signs of deterioration.

SURREY LEAD THEW AY

Jim Cook the senior petroleum officer of Surrey County Council has recently reported that his Authority is now insisting on the larger capacity petroleum interceptor on all new filling station developments in the

Jonathan Richard Lyne

R. L. Winwood P.M . Forecourt Services Ltd.

Nigel Andrew Collison BP Oil Ltd.

County. The interceptors which in line with the HSE draft code must have a retaining capacity equal to the largest compartment of the road tanker delivering to the site, currently 7500 litres. A number of these interceptors have already been installed at new sites.

Dr. Michael Nott Retail Division , BP Oil UK Ltd. M. G. Elston UK Manager Dover/OP W

Mr. D. McKay Conoco Ltd.

Arthur D. Davies J. Sain s bury pie

During D C . ecembe r 1988 . . ambnd ge shire h. h two incid e nts o ccurre d m pulle d ap a rt w ic r esulte d in hose joints b e in g ca us· on self- ser v· mg d a m age to th ice petrol di spen se r ho se s , petrol ove r th e f e petrol pumps a nd spill age of orecourt.

The fir st · · ca mpe . Incid e nt wa s r ve hi cle dr· · ca use d b y a ca ra van t ype petrol d . ivm g awa f with ispe n ser with Y rom a Tokh e im multiple h ad hose Whi ch of th e ve hicl e b e in g e nt a n g le d ee n replace d in th o rm e d a loo p aft e r th e noz zle

A s th e ve h · 1 e pump hol st e r . ho lst er ic e dro ve aw h res ult a and b ecam e e nt ay , t e nozzle fe ll out o f th e hi gh le nt th e o n th e ve hicl e, th e until it h ose Joint , thu s part co mp a n y with the ro ppe d o ff aft ' e ose foll owed th e ve h icl e

T he d e r a sh o rt di st a nc e a m age t · shows H o th e pum a s i oweve r ' With th e p was sli ght , as pho to N o. 1 wh; w was se nt to t h e co no zzle now o ut o f th e h o lst e r , of b usy at thi s p o int a nd th e a tt e nd a nt , look · e n , hea rd th e a h r vm g swee ts t o a coachl oa d m g , a rmed t he o n se d wa rnin g a n d with o ut

Afte r abo ut 1 . over t he 3 li t res of t k pump a nd f pet ro l ha d b ee n di sc h a r ged m g a de li very of p o re co urt , t h e m a n age r wh o was t 1a ilm g b h ' et1o l a ndh e 1n d t he ea rd th e no ise o f th e h ose Pe tro l ca mp p u mp sw itc h e i ' ra n across a nd use d t h e fu rt h e r fl ow of t h e ki osk , thu s s top pin g a n y

Th e m a n age r a le rt t h · ' 11 ' e d t he F. e sp1 c1ge a rea wit! f 11 e Se r vice, who cove red T h 1 oa m k . . e pump wa s d is co nn ec t e d' m a l1l g t h e_ s it u at io n _ safe . k io s k a Wa Hlll f! re pa ir at t he e le ctri ca l p o in t 111 th e

Th e second incident a g ain involve d aTokh e im multiple p e trol di sp e ns e r a nd an H G V. which pulled awa y fro m th e dispen ser with part of th e vehicl e becoming entangl e d in th e h o se lo o p This time , howeve r, the no zzl e end ho se joint p a rt e d company with the hose but not b e fore ca u sin g se ri o u s dama g e to the pump as ph o to N o . 2 sh o ws.

Th e column which th e p e tro l pip es run up , to th e hi g h ho se manifold was twist e d so much that one o f the petrol pip es fr a cture d ca u sin g a los s of product. Th e co ntrol staff sa w th e incident and o p e rated the stop button thus pre v e nting any furth e r s pill a ge. The y al so a lerted th e Fire Se rvice wh o att e nded and m a de th e in s tall a tion safe

Th es e two in cid e nt s rais e se ve ral qu es ti o n s , for ex a mple :

1. Sh o uld h o ses b e fitt e d with bre ak a wa y joints ? If so , at wh a t point o n th e ho se ?

2. th e re be a grea te r di st a nc e b e twe e n pump is la nd s t o pre ve nt vehicl es p a rking to o clo se to pumps?

3. Sh o uld pump co n s tru c ti o n s e s pec ially hi g h h ose o utl e t pump s, b e built to w ith s t a nd thi s ty pe o f in cid e nt :

4 Th e h ose e nd sw ivel joints a re re quired t o with s tand a n e nd-_pull t es t of 2 ,000 N e wt o n s ( a pprox 453 P. S. I. ) as re qwre d by th e a m e nd e d B S 3395. It wo uld a pp ea r th a t in cid e nt No. 2 co mpli e d with thi s re quire m e nt.

Tw o fu r th e r in cid e nt s occ ure d a t a Sa in s bury's s it e in Ca mbri dge , th e fir st on e s imil ar t o th e above , but thi s tim e a lad y m o t o ri st , le ft th e nozz le in th e f u e l pip e o f h e r vehicl e drove o ff. B efo re th e n ozz le b ro k e at th e mill e d nn g o n th e spout , t h e hi g h leve l hose a rm o f a Fe r ra nti p u mp b e n t ove r at a n a n g le o f 45 ° _

B. D. Ta ylor , C a mbridges hire Count y C ouncil

L a te r a t this site, a lady motorist parked her car at a petrol pump and approached the control point and asked the attendant "Can I purchase 1 gallon of petrol " . " Yes she was told. " Oh good, I ' ll just fill my cardboard box in the boot " . " No shouted the attendant, you can ' t fill a cardboard box ". " Oh" said the lady, " I just want some petrol to clean some spots off my three-piece suite " The lady started to return to the vehicle then stopped and returned to the attendant. "Well , if I purchase a plastic bag from Sainsbury ' s food hall can I fill that " ? "No " said the attendant and advised this lady to go to a motor factors to purchase the correct container.

This incident was witnessed by a petroleum officer 1 , who was in the kiosk on routine inspection purposes , and l swiftly left the kiosk and firmly, but politely , explained the various dangers to the customer advising her not to use petrol for cleaning. He recommended a proprietary brand of cleaning agent which she later bought from Sainsbury's.

With these types of incidents , and I suggest many similar throughout the country known to the industry , is it time to continue with unattended self-service facilities?

In the February issue of the Forecourt Trader , a petrol retailer wrote an article in which he states " The cashier's fun_ction in a forecourt shop is now primarily one of sales assistant with extra duties to look after the petrol sales area , and the place for pump jockeys no longer exists "

I suggest petrol retailers read their Conditions of Licence more often inste a d of putting them in a drawer at the back of the kiosk.

Petrol Filling Stations

ELECTRICAL SAFETY CHANGES PROPOSED IN

NEW CODES

This paper was written for the Electrical Contractor Magazine and is reproduced here for information of members.

Historically the oil industry in this country has been subject to Government legislation. The Safekeeping of Act 1862 was introduced following a number of fires, to cover safekeeping of petroleum oils which "Yere. at that time being used for heating, cooking, and hghtmg by a large proportion of the population.

At the time of the introduction of the motor car, petrol was manufactured and distributed from the refinery in with marketing forces urging bulk storage of petrol m underground tanks to meet the increasing demand from a motoring public, the first serious distribution of petroleum spirit began to the public via petrol filling stations in the 1920's.

The Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, an enabling act, consolidated the earlier legislation and made petr?leum licensing authorities responsible for the issue of hcences to keep petroleum and to impose such conditions on the licences as they deemed necessary for such safekeeping.

The petrol pump soon developed from the early hand pump, to an electrically operated motor with a hght _for the advertising globe. Early pumps would not be considered safe today; records show that in London pump manufacturers had to remove lights from within the pumps and replace them with flameproof lamps, as the_ lar_np was a potential ignition source of petrol vapour. This first for electrical safety was followed by a Home c1rcular fror_n the Chief Inspector of m 1949. who laid down requirements and gmdelmes for associated electrical equipment in petrol pumps.

In the early 60's the advent of self service petrol stations f1rst electronics into the petrol pump. The mechamcal heads recording the of the fuel remained at first, with data bemg sen.t ?ack to the main control via a flameproof pulser umt within the pump. The mechanical heads soo? vamshed and the electronic petrol pump as we kno':'I' it today developed. In 1968 the Home Office responsible f?r the legislation, updated a 1957 model c?de .of for filling stations and gave guidance on wmng and switching of petrol pumps at filling sta.tions. A working party was also set up to give guidance to manufacturers of petrol pumps as it was now that a standard for electrical safety was needed and m 1971 a A certification standard SFA 3002 1971 petrol metenng pumps was published.

In 1974 the responsibility for this legislation passed t.he Home. Office. to the Health and Safety Executive followmg the mtroduction of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, this together with Local changed petroleum licensmg authont1es from hundreds of small authorities to the upper tier or County Councils which assisted towards a more uniformed approach to safety.

NEW PROPOSALS

The Health and Safety Executive have recognised the pressure from Industry including the electrical

contractors for the need to revise the outdated Home Office Code. Work on a new code, including a whole section on electrical installation and testing, has been completed and the document circulated for public comment. These comments are being collated and following further meetings of the committee, the document is due to be published later this year. The Petrol Pump Manufacturers Association has also been active in these discussions and indeed has been instrumental in the· preparation of a new British Standard on petrol Pumps. The BS committee PCL/6 is proposing to issure the following standards.

BRITISH STANDARD 7117 1989

Part 1 Metering Pumps and Dispensers at Filling Stations and used to dispense hqmd fuel. This will become a standard for certification by BASEEFA to replace the SFA 3002 document and amongst other things, include requirements to provide means of isolating the electronics to prevent damage while testing circuits at the filling station.

Part 2 Guide for the Installation of a Pump onto its foundations. This is due for publication later this year.

Part 3 Guide for Maintenance Repair and alteration of Pumps and dispensers. This part will be published later this year. The issue of the guidance note on Petr?! Stations HS(G) 41 Construction and Operation will be closely linked with the BS on Petrol Pumps and the documents will be cross referenced and petroleum licensing authorities like the oil industry will be looking to these documents as a standard for petrol filling stations in the future.

PRESENT PROPOSALS

The present pitfalls for electrical contractors who have to install the wiring at petrol filling stations, or who are asked to provide a test certificate, is that only_ are they required to be expert on the electrical mstallat1on, but also have a firm understanding of the concepts of hazardous zones for flammables atmospheres. (BS 5345).

As an example The Kent Trading Standards Department recently prosecuted an electrical contractor under Section 33 (1) (K) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for recklessly making a statement by means of an electrical certificate, to the effect that the electrical installation at a licensed premises was satisfactory. A petroleum officer inspecting the i:remises some months after the date of the electncal test certificate immediately noticed that two ordinary 1.3 amp socket outlets and other less obvious defects which he suspected, contravened the usual electrical requirements. A subsequent inspection by a consulting engineer revealed a wealth of faults in the electrical installation. The contractor appeared in Folkestone Magistrates Court on 4th February 1988 and after entering a plea of guilty was fined £500 with £375 costs.

It is a fact that frequent reports are received of electrical certificates having been issued to filling stations to find that audio equipment is installed too close to pumps, a light is clamped to tank vent pipes. all in hazardous areas. It is my experience that electrical contractors in the main, are competent in the tests they

carried out, but fall short in their understanding of the hazard zones concept. The new code will give guidance in this but it must be supplemented by proper training, I am sure that the HSE, petroleum licensing authorities and the oil industry would participate in any trade organised training programme which would improve standards all round.

One part of the code will require a register to be kept at the filling station which will record the site from initial installation showing the mechanical and electrical diagrams. When tests are made or alterations made a record must be kept of these visits. It will be a requirement that all petrol filling stations hold a current (within 12 months) electrical test certificate.

Electrical safety at filling stations is only part of the overall safety plan. In Industrial premises where flammable liquids are kept and handled there is strict control and the premises are secure against entry. We must remember that at public filling stations safety is paramount and the Oil Industry work together with regulatory authorities to maintain this policy.

THE FUTURE

One of the reasons for changes in the code of practice has been mentioned and the changes in marketmg by the Oil Companies, it is also clear that these marketing trends will continue to change and no doubt the codes of practice will need revision once again!

Petrol companies are marketing their products with fewer sites with large volumes of sales. In 1977 there

were 29, 751 retail outlets in the UK of which 15% were self service sites, this has now dropped to 20,197 with 45% self service, it is projected that the number of self services sites will level out at around 16,000 with the upward trend for self service and unattended self service to continue.

The larger sites will have more sophisticated equipment, electronic gauges to read tank contents, card readers and note acceptors on the pump island and many more pumps and dispensers with a wider choice for fuel. The Multi product dispensers currently in favour provide two customers with up to four grades each for simultaneous filling. The largest forecourt designs, for economic and engineering reasons will begin to favour the installation of submersible pumps, these are placed within the tank and push out the petrol under pressure to the dispensers on the islands. The industry also are looking at GRP tanks to replace steel, and the use of plastic and GRP petrol lines in the future

Controlled petrol Deliveries are an experimental stage and vapour balancmg dunng of product is also likely in the future. This a_ll demonstrates the constant changing face of the pubhc filling station most of which has some electrical input.

CONCLUSION

The electrical contractor who works on these filling stations will need to be fully conversant with the HSE Guidance Note of Petrol Filling Stations and also the British Standard Code of Practice on Petrol Pumps both due to the published later this year.

Heavy Fines on London Operator

The London Fire Brigade prosecuted a company director and his company following contravention of licence conditions and conveyance regulations.

On Monday 24th August 1987 at 16:32 hours A Road Tanker was observed parked on the forecourt of 45 & rear of 47-51 Parkhurst Road , Islington , London, N7 with a hose connecting the Road Tanker to one of the unde'.ground petroleum spirit storage tanks From the road 1t was observed that there was no one in attendance at the delivery point.

After a brief inspection it was confirmed that petrol was bei.ng delivered from the compartment 1 of the road tanker mto the storage tank 3 via an offset fill pipe.

Upon further in ves tigation s it was found that a Mr OMID SHARBAFI the person appointed by the hcrn see to be 111 charge of the storage tank s during the deliver y mt o th e m was in the kiosk taking refreshments with a Mr CHRISTO PHER FAHY the driver of the ve hicl e from which the d e liv e ry was being made. C ontrary to paragraphs 8 & 10 of the Dangerou s S ub s t a nc es .(Conveyance by Road in Road Tank e r s and Ta nk conta m e r s ) Regulation s 198 1.

T he re was a lso no d e li ve ry certificate made out for this d e liv e r y contrary to paragraph 7 of the Dange rou s S ub sta n ces ( Co nveya nc e by Road in Road Tankers and Tank C onta m e r s ) Reg ulati o ns 198 1.

U pon in sp ect ion of th e offset manhole it wa s observed that th e number s id e ntify in g th e offset fill pipe s wer e tota ll y ob li terated b y t he s lud ge within the manh o le c on trar y to paragraph 4 o f t he Da ng ero us S ub stanc es (Co n vey an ce by Road in Road Tank e r s a n d Tank c ontain e r s ) R e gu lati o ns 198 1

When Mr SHARBAFI .asked to produce the previous 6 months dehvery cert1f1cates he explained that they were not on site, contrary to paragraph 11 of th Danaerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in R e 0 . ) R oad Tankers and Tank contamers egulations 1981.

As a result of this inspection the Company MAKRIS SERVICE STATIONCS LIMITEJ:? elected Trail at Snaresbrook Crown ourt as did the Co , managing director Mr. ANDREAS Mr & Mhr FAH 1 Y went to Highbury Magistrates ourt w .ere t 1ey were both found auilt and fined £100 each with £25 costs. "' Y

On Friday llth November 1988 after a three da t ·i 'ys ra1 the above-named company was found by the jury of three offences under the above legislation and its managmg dtrector Mr. Andreas Michaelides of one offence.

The prosecution arose out of the alleged failure by the company to comply with cond1t1on s contained in its petroleum licence relating to CYM.A petroleum filling station, 45-51 , Parkhurst Road, Islington , N7 between 23rd and 27th August 1987 and of contravening the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Tankers and Tank Containers) Regulation s 1981 by failina to mark clearly three offset fill pipes leading to tank s with th e sa me numbers as tho se with which the petro le um spirit storage tanks were marked in th at th e number s on or near the filling point s which were not visible in in spec tion we re totally obliterated by s ludge and having fail e d on 25th August 1987 to k ee p at th e filling station copies of the pr esc rib ed cert ificat es r e lat in g to d e li ver ies of petroleum spi rit mad e thereto for th e period of s ix mont hs prior to th e 24t h Aug u s t

1987. Mr Michaelides was also prosecuted in respect of the same offences but as a director of the company it being said that they were attributable to his neglect.

The jury convicted the company of all three offences by a unanimous verdict in respect of two of them and a majority of ten to two with reference to failure to clearly mark the three offset fill pipes referred to above.

So far as Mr. Michaelides was concerned the jury found him guilty, unamimously, as a a director of the due to his neglect, for its failure to keep certificates relating to deliveries of petroleum spmt at the filling station for the six months prior to 24th August 1987. It acquitted him however of the other two offences although as indicated above it did of course convict the company in respect thereof.

. His Honour Judge Rucker fined the company £1,000 of each offence, a total of £3,000 and Mr. ichaelides £250 in respect of the count upon which he was · d . The company was also ordered to pav a of £2,000 towards the prosecution's The fme costs are to be paid in 28 days and in the case of Mr. M1chaelides if not paid within the period he is to serve a period of 30 days imprisonment for default.

'.Vlakris Station Limited according to the evidence give t tl 1 . . n a 1e tna owns and operates fourteen other f11lmg stations.

FINE OF £14,000 FOLLOWING SPILLAGE URING ROAD TANKER DELIVERY

Obs · a d r ervations made by a Trading Standards Officer on t Ivery of petrol being made at a self-service fillino s at1on led to Pet N ·11 b Burke er evi e Burke and Elizabeth Jane

D tradmg as Darby's Corner Self Serve Poole orset a .· ' · D 'ppeai mg at a Magistrates Court on 12 ecember 1988 h f · L · · · char es eac acmg, as JOmt hcencees, seven d g unde1 the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 an the Petroleum Act 1928

The charges were as follows: Licence Conditions:-

!. Failed to tak d · · f e ue precautions against the escape o petroleum spirit or vapour from an underground storage tank.

2

3

4

· Failed to keep storage tank fill pipe covers securely closed and locked.

· Failed to keep manhole chambers free from dirt deposits or other obstructions.

· Failed to maintain that no cavity which might form a collecting space for petroleum spirit or vapour was beneath a pump.

5

6

· Failed to keep posted a notice that could be easily by_ persons er:iployed on the premises setting out uch of the cond1t1ons that had to be observed by employees as are attached to the licence.

· On 12 October did contravene the provisions of Regulation 20 (I) (a) and Schedule 4 of the Dangerous Substances (Conveyance by Road in Road Tankers and Tank Containers) Regs 1981 in that before a delivery of petroleum sptrit into a storage tank was begun he/she failed to secure that a person was in charge of the storage tank for the purposes of the said de livery.

7. Same as 6 but for a different elate __:_ 20 October. Both partners pleaded guiltv to each charae and were fined a total off 14Jl00 with £SO costs. i=-

NEWSAGENT GETS A ROCKET

At Gloucester Magistrates Court on 29th November 1988, Lewis Meesons, a national company owning newsagents shops and trading in Gloucester's Kings Square shopping precinct under the name Centre News, was fined £2,250 for offences under the Explosives Act 1975 relating to fireworks; also 410 kilograms of fireworks valued at !5,000, and siezed by a Trading Standards Officer, were ordered to be forfeited.

Mr Graham Limbrick, prosecuting, said the laws were designed to prevent and limit explosions. Otherwise, "'It clearly could be calamitous." Mr David Turner from the Trading Standards Department visited the store on October 26th 1988. He had seen that the fireworks on display to the public were shown safely, but noticed that fireworks in the storeroom had not been put in metal containers and that there were far too many. The loose fireworks were seized immediately, leaving less than 250 kgs there.

Mrs Alison Hewitt, for the firm, said normally each Lewis Meeson store manager ordered their fireworks from Astra through headquarters.

But this year there had been a mix-up in arrangements, she said. John Menzies were due to swap stores with Centre News in Kings Walk but they had changed their minds and opted a Cheltenham store instead.

When September came, Centre News· store manager wondered why he had no fireworks and had been told to order them directly from Astra.

Astra did not know how many fireworks they would be able to deliver. if any at all. But when they did deliver, the store manager did not know there were too many.

She said the firm realised the seriousness of the offences and that they had spent a lot of money upgrading storage facilities.

The charges related to keeping 660 kilograms of fireworks in La Class B registered premises instead of 250 kilograms. to having 163 kilograms _on instead of 50 kilograms and to keeping 96 kilograms improperly stored. There was a £750 fine on each charge and costs were awarded to the prosecution.

POOR CONDITION AT PETROL STATION

On !Oth November 1988. Watson Petroleum Ltd. Brinkworth, Chippenham, trading as Whiteline Service Station. Lyndhurst Road. Christchurch, Dorset, were prosecuted at Christchurch Magistrate's Court for contravening the following conditions which were attached to Ltheir licence under the Petroleum Consolidation Act 1928 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

1. Failing to keep a drainage interceptor channel free of dirt deposits and other obstructions.

2. Failing to maintain the loudspeaker system.

3. Failing to maintain fire extinquishers in good conditions.

4. Failing to provide an adequate supply of dry sand.

5. Failing to keep manhole chambers fret.' of dirt deposits and other obstructions.

The company pleaded guilty to the charge which arose following a site in5.pection made by a Petroleum Officer from the Trading Standards Department. and was fined £I()()() with costs of £50.

Branch Meeting

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING EASTERN BRANCH

Held at Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service, Parkside, Cambridge on 15th December, 1988.

1. The Chairman, Mr. L. Wilson, welcomed 18 members to the meeting and extended a warm welcome to the Association's Vice-Chairman, Mr. C. Knight.

Mr. Wilson explained to the members the circumstances as to why no branch meetings had been held for some time.

2. Apologies

3.

18_ written and verbal apologies had been received.

Mmutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting held were read and agreed.

4. Correspondence

5.

No correspondence had been received.

Chairman's Report

Mr· Wilson expressed this wish that the Eastern maintains the momentum of holding regular meetmgs as he felt that they were important to the enabling them to meet each other to discuss the various topics which involved the mdustry. He also said that he did not wish to enter in.to discussion as to why there had not been_ any meetmgs for some time, but thanked the pbrevious branch secretary for his work to the ranch.

Mr· that he had presided over two dunng this term in office and both meetmgs had been successful in attendance and content.

In answer to why a . a question from Mr. Chesworth as to had not been held, the National previous 'seer. Bt ·Taylor, explained that after the re ary had . d f 1 reasons, he had ob . res1gne or persona attempted to arran the branch papers and to organise a or a new branch secretary and workload as Natiom1. However, due to a heavy occupation, he had and in his own the arrangements unt"l en m a position to make h" I now Mr T l 1s smcere apologies t th · · ay or expressed 0 e members

After further questions b · Thompson said that it w Y Mr. Chesworth, Mr. the National Secretary toas the responsibility of Chesworth would be aw::en and that Mr. was Secretary for a time. e problems as he Mr. Wilson said that the branch ·t· was now m a pos1 IOn to progress forward after th" bi" hist f h E is 1p m the ory o t e ast_ern Branch, which has had a proud record of bemg an active branch for ma years. ny

6. Secretary/Treasurer's report

Mr. B. Taylor first presented the branch balance had been amended to include recent mterest paid by the building society which totalled £15 .02.

The total amount of monies in the branch account at the Woolwich and Anglian Building Society was £186.84p.

This balance sheet was discussed and accepted. Mr B. D. Taylor reported that he is not able to give a report hut expressed his wishes for the branch to

move forward, as he had a fondness for the Eastern Branch after being the Branch Secretary for five years.

7. Election of

Officers

Chairman Mr. R. Jones (Suffolk) was duly elected.

Vice-Chairman Mr. J. Chesworth (Bedfordshire) was duly elected.

Sec./Treasurer Mr. R. Green (Essex) was duly elected.

Auditor Mr. Alston (Essex) was duly elected.

Exec. Committee Mr. G. Isaacson (Cambridgeshire) and Mr. C. Misson (Essex) were duly elected.

Branch Representative Mr. R. Green was duly elected.

8. Open Forum

Mr. Brian Taylor commented on the importance of the branch to meet at regular intervals throughout the year. It is important to discuss and exchange ideas on topical matters in the petroleum industry.

It was agreed to arrange at least 3 or 4 branch meetings a year being in mind the National A.G .M. and Seminar takes place in April/October respectively.

9. There were several interesting proposals for venues and subject matter forward for discussion:-

Mr. Rod Jones Talk on Aviation Storage and Refueling of Aircraft at R.A.F. Mildenhall Air Base.

Mr. Gordon Kinnear Offered Hertfordshire Fire Brigade Conference Room as a possible venue.

Mr. Jamie Thompson Talk and show slides on technical matter relating to pressurised pipe-work.

Mr. Dave Ward Talk and guided tour on L.P.G. at Shell Bacton and at British Gas Bacton.

Mr. Rob Green Talk and guided tour at Essa Vapour Recovery Terminal Purfleet.

It was left that the secretary will try to arrange meetings for the months of March, June, September and December.

10. It was agreed by the meeting that the Secretary/ Treasure should seek the advice of the Executive Committee if branch funds fall below £50.00 application to National Treasurer re Capitation Fee per member.

11. Mr. Brian Taylor Outlmed matters of mterest which had taken place nationally at the A.P.E.A. Council.

(a) The A.P.E.A. is now a Company Limited by guarantee and that each member is only liable for £1. J. Thompson commented that the br_anch rules should be submitted to the National Council.

(b) U.K. P.l.A. having discussions wiht A.P.E.A. on driver control deliveries. That a working party may be set up.

(c) l.P. having discussions with A.P.E.A. on problems associated with high level alarms to prevent over-filling of U. G. tanks.

(d) A.P.E.A. is represented on B.S. re-making-up of a Petrol Pump. Mr. J. Thompson commented that there are 3 parts to B.S. part 3 dealing with maintenance and repair is causing the most difficulty when modifications are made to a petrol pump.

12. B. Taylor told the meeting of a problem he came across re-pump nozzle spouts falling into cars' petrol tanks.

Mr. C. Knight explained the principle of the breakaway nozzle and the efficiency of the break-away spout. He explained the advantages and disadvantages of the systems and that industry is aware of the problem.

There was a general discussion on Driver Controlled Deliveries and discussions are taking place with U.K. P.I.A. It was agreed at the meeting that each authority keep records on and A.P.E.A. conveyance sheets of all inspections where a tanker is seen off-loading on licensed premises. A copy of the conveyance sheet was given to each authority represented. A trial period of 6 months was agreed with all completed conveyance sheets returned to the secretary for analysis.

13. R. Green reported having problems with architects re-licensing of car-parks and asked the meeting for their views on licensing and comments on a code of practice. The views varied considerably and the meeting agreed to seek advice of the National Council with a view to set up a working party.

The Chairman Rod Jones closed the meeting with the customary show of thanks to our Cambridge Fire and Rescue Service.

filling cap"'

Fig. 1

Letter to Editor

Dear Sir, DEFECTS AT LICENSED PETROLEUM INSTALLATI ONS

During recent reinspections of Licensed Petroleum Filling Stations in this County a potentially serious defect has been encountered, on several occasions, regarding underground tanks.

This has involved the lower portion of the tank fill pipe coming away from its mounting and int? the tank. This Authority regards the tank f1llmg pipe. as important safety provision in it prevents bmld up during tank filling operations and provides a liquid seal. It's loss could possibly result m a hazardous situation arising.

A diagram is enclosed to show used in this Authority to identify the problem 1.e. excessive travel on the dipstick.

I hope that your Organisation will fmd this information useful and I would also be grateful for any comments you may have.

Yours faithfully, J. A. Robinson. . Chief Fire Officer & Petroleum Officer.

Fig. 2 Diagram shmving filling pipe m1ss111g and t.''\CL'SSt\L' tree trav'CI of dipstick.

THE PETROLEUM LICENSING AUTHORITY

Within the UK the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 is administered by petroleum licensing authorities. Some members from Industry have requested that the Association list those Authorities, they are evenly split within Scotland, Wales and England between Trading Standards Authorities and Fire Authorities. They are listed below.

Chief Fire Officer, County of Avon Fire Brigade,

County Trading Standards Officer, Bedfordshire C.C. Trading Standards Division, ,

Chief Fire Officer Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service,

Chief Fire Officer, Derbyshire Fire Service,

Chief Fire Officer, Devon Fire Brigade,

County

Chief

County Trading Standards Officer, Trading Standards Department, Berkshire C.C.

Chief Trading Standards Officer, Standards Officer, Cambridge C.C.

Chief Fire Officer, Cheshire Fire Brigade,

Chief Fire Officer Cheshire Fire Brigade,

Chief Fire Officer County,Fire Brigade.

Essex

Gloucester

Chief Fire Officer Cornwall c F,. e.

Chief Fire Officer Cumbria C ·. Fire Service Headquarters,

Chief

Chief

Chief

Humberside

Chief

Trading Standards Officer, Chief Fire Officer, Durham County Fire Brigade,

Fire Officer, East Sussex Fire Brigade,

County Council,

County Council,

Fire Officer, Hampshire Fire Brigade Headquarters,

Fire Officer, Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade,

Fire Officer, Hertfordshire Fire Brigade.

County Council,

Fire Officer. Isle of Wight County Fire Brigade.

Chief Fire Officer, Lancashire County Fire Brigade,

Chief Fire Officer, Leicestershire Fire Service,

Chief Fire Officer, Lincolnshire Fire Brigade,

Chief Fire Officer, Norfolk Fire Service

Chief Fire Officer Fire Brigade, Chief Fire Officer erland Fire and Rescue Service, ' Chief Fire Officer North Yorkshire Fire Brigade, ' County Council,

Chief Fire Officer, Somerset Fire Brigade,

Chief

Chief Fire Officer Oxfordshire Fire Service

Chief Fire Officer, Shropshire Fire Service,

Chief Fire Officer, Wiltshire Fire Brigade,

Chief Fire Officer, London Fire Brigade.

Chief Fire Officer. Greater Manchester County Fire Service,

Chief Fire Officer, Mersevside County Fire Brigade,

Chief Fire Officer, South Yorkshire County Fire Service,

Kent County Council

Fire Officer, Staffordshire Fire Brigade, Suffolk County Council,

Surrey County Council,

Warwickshire County Council, West Sussex County Council,

Western

Chief

Chief

States

Chief

Fire Officer, Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade,

Fire Officer, West Midlands Fire Service, Chief Fire Officer, West Yorkshire Fire Service, Clwyd County Council, Highland Regional Council,. Regional Council,

Orkney Islands Regional Council, Islands Regional Council Regional Council. Regional Co ·1

Isles Regional Council, Chief Trading Standards Officer, C

of Guernsey,

Fire Officer, Jersey Fire Brigade H.Q., Isle of Man Council, Chief Fire Officer, Dyfed County Fire Brigade, Chief Fire Officer, Gwent Fire Brigade, Gwynedd County Council, .

Chief Fire Officer, Mid Glamorgan Fire Service, Powys County Council,

South Glamorgan County Council,

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Chief

Borders Regional Council, Central Regional Council ,

Dumfries & Galloway Regional Council, Fife Regional Council ,

Grampian Regional Council,

NITROGEN INERT FOAM. THE QUICK INEXPENSIVE 100% SAFE WAY OF INERTING WITH NO PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH WATER SUPPLY AND TANKERING AWAY ETC. OR OTHER COSTLY TIME CONSUMING AND SOMETIMES NON-EFFECTIVE METHODS.

SUB-LICENCES are at the moment being considered to enable Companies to operate this patented process* with simple automatic equipment from their own small vans. EXAMPLE: It takes only a few minutes and one cylinder of Nitrogen to totally FOAM inert a 1500 gallon compartment, and so on. The sub-licences; officially registered at the UK Patent Office, will include full training being given in these procedures and other associated ANALYTICAL and NITROGEN services that may be required on the Forecourt, during the Contractors routine day to day work. Training may be undertaken on the Contractors own sites to save staff 'down time' and is simple and non-time consuming. Demonstrations can be arranged on our own glass panelled petroleum vessel.

NITROGEN INERT FOAM is suitable for 'MOTHBALLING' during periods of shutdown or extended 100% Nitrogen inerting for EXTENDED CLOSURES. After Foam filling the vessel is sealed off and remains 100% inert with Oxygen content at ZERO, no problems of re-distribution of improperly purged gases, or corrosion etc. as with water fill methods exist.

NITROqEN INERT FOAM may be used in f!10St situatio.ns for M.ANHOLE with !he product m situ, or if preferred the product may be lifted and quick and simple FOAM mert1ng may be earned out, before the work is undertaken.

NITROGEN INERT FOAM provides quick and inexpensive inerting prior to manhole removal and slurry filling.

NITROGEN INERT FOAM is highly suitable for inerting_ prior to and the excavated be loaded and safely transported foam filled for disposal if 1the dem?lit1on 1s undertaken, Fa.am filled, m safety on site. Foam filled vessels are unaffected by 'Pecker Perforation or porosity as are water filled vessels and any spirit leakage can be simply blanketed with this process.

NITROGEN INERT FOAM gives 100% safety during and as a PLUG,_ a_llows alterations to be carried out on pipework that has held product, in complete safety, m close proximity to hazardous areas. We also undertake all other Nitrogen and Hi-tech service associated with the Petroleum and Chemical Industries.

GAS FREEING

ULTRASONIC TESTING under totally inert or Water Filled conditions, and GRIT ABRASION to S.A.3 using 'NITROaBRADE' 6;;;)-equipment, under totally inert Constant Purge situations. * Patent Holders Nowsco Well Services (Of<) Limited, a subsidiary of Nowsco Well Services PLC of Canada.

We/beck House High Street Guildford Surrey GU1 3JF Tel: Guildford (0483) 38227

Corroshield have been lining petrol storage tanks for over a decade endorsing our quality of specification and experience in this specialist field

Corroshield System 80

not a

temporary solution: (it is new tanks for old)

by

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COMMERCE HOUSE, THE MALTINGS, STATION ROAD, SAWBRIDGEWORTH, HERTS. CM21 9JX Telephone: 0279 723448