Branch Reports

2. Tank Testing

The Committee is in the course of preparing notes on this subject. 3. .Contents Gauges

Details of gauges available have already been passed to the Editor of the 'Bulletin' for publication. 4.. Emergency Procedures

Drai1ts are ready for consideration at the next meeting '(jf the Committee. It was agreed that the certificate in its present form should go ahead, and the Hon. Editor was requested to arrange for the printing and distribution of these. It was suggested and agreed that these should take the form of an item in the 'Bulletin' together with a separately printed l'Oose leaf. After this report had been accepted by the meeting, the Committee ChaIrman announced that his Committee would be meeting shortly, probably in London, to . discuss the outstanding items. Any Other Business Under this heading the Secretary raised the subject contained in the recent Home Office Circular No. 186/1871 in paragraph 4 of which it is suggested that licensing authorities should take steps, in the exercise of their powers under Regulation 7 of the Petroleum Spirit (Conveyance by Road) Regulations 1957 to approve further parking space for vehicles carrying petroleum sparit.

After members had raised numerous queries concerning this circular it was agreed that the Hon. Secretary' should write to the Home Office in an endeavour to obtain clarification with regard to the type of parking place envisaged by the Home Office.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 4.0 p.m.

South Eastern

A meeting of the Branch held in the Council Chambers, Godalming on Thursday, 6th May, 1971. Present Chairman Mr. H. T. E. Jackson and 44 membeTs. Apologies ApolOgies for absence were tendered on behalf of 15 bers.

Minutes

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Branch held on 11th December, 1970 having already been circulated were confirmed and signed as a correct record. Finance The Treasurer reported on the Branch finances and though the final accounts for the Petroleum Technology Course had not all been settled it was likely that there would be a small profit.

Petroleum Technology Course, Aprll1971. The Secretary reported on the second course held at the Manor House, Godalming, a hall of residence of the Surrey University. A total of 51 members attended the course. Numbers were slightly below those of last year it being felt that a smaller number was more acceptable for the lecture accommodation. Even though the postal strike caused considerable difficulties with regard to registration aH the problems were overcome and the course opened on Tuesday evening, 13th April, 1971 with a dinner when the course was formally opened and delegates welcomed lily the Mayor of Godalming. Lectures and discussions were held throughout Wednesday and Thursday, the lectures on Thursday concerned the conveyance regulations and in the afternoon the members had the opportunity to examine a new road tanker kindly supplied by Messrs. Shell Mex & B.P. Ltd. On Fdday morning a panel was bombarded with questions on aH subjects on Petroleum work and the course concluded before lunch.

Generally the course ran very well both from the accommodation, catering, and instructive pOint of view and an appreciation would appear in the forthcoming issue of the BuHetin. It is expected that a course would be run on siltlilar lines next year in the Easter vacation.

Tank Contents Indicator The Chairman introduced Mr. S. Hetherington of the British Syphon Company of Hampden Park, Eastbourne who spoke to members on the tank contents indicators produced by his company. The indicator was a well-proved unique system for the measurement of contents of petroleum storage tanks. The system combines accuracy, safety and simplicity. It is based on a fundamental scientific principle that if a heavy probe is suspended in a tank CYf petroleum its apparent weight will increase as the level of the displaced petrol falls. H the probe is attached to a hydraulic 10ad-ceH unit the variation in weight can be made to register the amount of petroleum left in the tank. The indicator was developed from the Norwegian Tank 0 Meter as a basis with various modifications to overcome difficulties. indicator has a fail safe feature, is mechanically simple, has no electrical connections and is therefore flame proof, is easy to operate and gives a permanent indication CYf tank contents without the need for pumping. The installation is trouble free, and can be adapted to any layout and can be installed at any distance from tanks. The gauges themselves can be sited on any convenient vertical surface and two gauges can be fitted for one tank giving e.g. one reading at an off set fill point and a repeat reading in a kiosk or elsewhere. Mr. Hetherington produced models and leaflets on the indicators and at the conclusion of his talk readily answered a number of questions relating to the cost, installation, and working efficiency of the gauges. At the conclusion Mr. Hetherington was thanked fur his talk and demonstration by the Chairman, these thanks being warmly endorsed by the meeting.

Wessex and South Wales

A meeting of the Branch was held on Monday, October 18th 1971, at 11.0 a.m. in the offices of the Weights and Measures Department, Tredegar Street, Cardiff. Present 17 members were present and they were welcomed to Cardiff by Mr. O. W. Barnes, Chief Inspector, Weights and Measures, City of Cardiff, who had made the necessary local arrangements for the meeting. He outlined some of the problems of the City at the present period, involving demolition and re-development, temporary parking difficulties, and a major Central Re-development proposal, which had been the subject of an enquiry and which involved car parks with accommodation for upwards of 4,000 cars each. The Chairman suitably replied to the welcome and thanked Mr. Barnes for making the arrangements and visit possible. Apologies Apologies were received from 19 members, and the Chairman welcomed Mr. W. J. Davies of Risca U.D.C. as a representative for a new member.

Minutes The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held at Gloucester on April 5th, 1971 - which had been circulated with the Agenda - were approved and signed. Report of Honorary Secretary-Treasurer Since the last meeting the following matters have received attention.

The Rules and Constitution approved at the Annual General Meeting have been submitted to the National Secretary for confIrmation, but this has not yet been received.

Two new members have been notified; (1) The Engineer and Surveyor St. Thomas RD.C., Exeter; (2) Mr. F. J. Webb, Chief Public Health Inspector of Newton Abbott U.D.C. One associate member has been notified as transferring to another Branch.

Enquiries have been received from two authorities concerning membership.

British Syphon Co. Ltd. have supplied a leaflet on Tank Content Gauges, for distribution at this meeting.

It was not possible to arrange for this meeting to be he.ld at Wotton Bassett, and after consultation with your Chairman, it was decided to accept the very kind offer of Mr. O. W. Barnes to hold the meeting in Cardiff.

Members may wish to discuss the venue for the next meeting, which will be the Annual General Meeting.

The balance at the bank is £11.9.

Venue for next Annual General Meeting. 11he members expressed a desire for the next meeting to be held in Bristol if suitable arrangements could be made, or alternatively Bath. The details are to be left to the Secretary to resolve.

Tanker Parks The Chairman drew attention to difficulties which were arising in various a'reas concerning the parking. of. Tanker Lorries and enquired of the position in other distrIcts and whether any approved places had been provided in accordance with a recent Home Office circular. Members spoke strongly of the need for provision of parking and for commercial vehicles generally. It was appreciated that many substances conveyed by tankers were outside the scope of the Petroleum Regulations, but nevertheless dangerous. Mr. Barnes referred to a draft standard his authority had formulated for such accommodatl?n, namely: hardstandings, three chamber interceptor, fencmg of site, charging of fees, and an attendant. The first stage was for a site near the centre of the City, on a cleared area for a five year period, and the next phase would be a long term one on the outskirts serving a dual purpose of local and motorway traffic and that an exploratory meeting been held. It was believed that Salford Borough has carrIed out a feasibility study for the need of a security compound for such transport. Mr. E. C. Sandys (Exeter) has done an exercise to assess need and it was found only a few were petrol tankers the majority were conveying other corrosive or substances. The Secretary reminded members that some transport might be from the continent and that as this appeared to be a national problem the M.O.T. should sponsor or contribute to financing such provisions.

Mr. M. Clark (Cheaenham B.) stated that the problem was not solely that of Petroleum Officers and that the use of highways for parking was an expensive use of capital funds.

Mr. T. L. Cox (Wotton Bassett R.D.) referred to overnight parking of heavy transport and dangerous substances on housing estates, in addition to the danger there was the noise and traffic hazard; the Ministry should contribute to a solution of the problem.

Mr. D. Boyne (Bristol City) referred to this as a 'real problem' and that it was likely to increase. The latest moves appeared to be based on safety factors and getting such vehicles removed from city centres.

Mr. W. L. Janes (Newport C.B.) expressed the view which received general support of the meeting, that standards need formulating for such parking places. There may be numerous vehicles of large capacity and a wide range of ,chemicals. 'Bunding' of areas, access, spacing and fire fighting precautions all ought to be taken into account. Any Other Business 1. Disused Petroleum Tanks

MT. ·Barnes referred to de-gassing and cutting up by scrap merchants shortly afterwards. Mr. Sandys quoted the case of a tank filled with water splitting when lifted out and the Fire Brigade keeping it filled with foam until it gave a NIL reading, whereupon it was cut up.

If fiUed with concrete care was needed to prevent voids of up to 9" deep in far ends, unless the mixture was soft and pushed well into extreme ends of the tanks. Some concern was expressed on whether petroleum officers may be exceeding their responsibility in certain cases.

Certification and removal can be undertaken by commercial firms. It was generally agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Boyne that the Ass'Ociation should be asked to consider preparing a Code of Practice for the safe removal of disused petrol tanks. 2. Multi-storey Car Parks

Mr. Barnes opened a discussion on some of the problems aSsociated with underground and multi-storey car parks.

First Case. He had recently received outline application for a basement and sub-basement car park to accom800 cars. Apart from one at Cheltenham and

Chicago U.S.A., this was unique and it appeared that very little detailed study had been made. It provided for two entrances and two exits which were considered insufficient. This was intended to serve an office block clearly defined peak loading. Under these condit-

Ions experience of the G.L.C. had shown that traffic on the ramps .lead to fumes which overcame dnvers. The solution was to allow the combined use of entrances and exits all as exits at peak times, with 12 changes of air per hour - six per level, each split into areas, with concentration of trunking on the ramps.

Second Case. This involved a car park for 450 cars in with the University as a first stage provision ID a semi-basement with adequate natural ventilation.

When the need for extending it into the second phase mechanical ventilation would be needed to the first phase and when the third phase came about, mechanical ventilation would be needed to the second phase. There was no peak period of entry and exit, consequent'ly four changes of aIr per hour was sufficient. Mr. Barnes dealt with a number of questions and was thanked by the

Chairman for his presentation of his paper on these problems. Visit The Meeting adjourned for lunch and in the afternoon reassembled at the Blue Star Garage, Greyfriars Road, for an inspection of multi-storey and basement car parks. In the case of the multi-storeYed car park the garage front had been set back to 'clear' the underground tanks, and natural lighting and ventilation existed throughout. The licence condition allowed for the capacity of the tanks, plus five galls. per standing. No vehicle to be repaired or refuelled in parking area, one sprinkler per car space, one 2-gall. fire extinguisher per 25 standings. Steel shutters with fusible links to all connecting openings giving access to an adjoining office building. Surface drainage was via a threechamber interceptor.

This very successful meeting closed at 4.0 p.m. with a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr. Barnes for the arrangements.

Anglia

A meeting of the Branch was held at the Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon on Wednesday, 20th October, 1971. The meeting was opened by an address from the Mayor of Huntingdon, Alderman Matthew CoHinson, who welcomed members on behalf of himself and his authority. Present 28 members.

Apologies Seven apologies for absence were received. Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the previous meeting held at Harlow on 31st March, 1971 having been previously cirCUlated were approved and signed as a correct record. Matters Arising There were no matters arising. Chairman's Report The Chairman reported upon the difficulties which were expected to be encountered with regard to venues and business for future meetings. The members present were requested to put forward to the Hon. Secretary any suggestions which may occur to them for such future arrangements.

He went on to draw attention to the proposed second advanced seminar which was to be held in 1972 and at the same time expressed his congratulations to the Association regarding the arrangements for the first seminar which he said had been appreciated by all who attended. The Chairman then mentioned the recent Home Office Circular No. 186 with particular reference to the paragraph concerning approved places for tanker parks. It was agreed that discussion on this matter be deferred untj,J later.