The Bulletin – July 1972

Quarterly Journal of The Association for Petroleum Acts Administration

E.V.BEEBY

J. BEER

J. BENNETI

J. BIRKS

P. H. CARTWRIGHT D.HALL S. W. D. HARRIS G.H.HARVEY W. HETHERINGTON

THE ASSOCIATION FOR PETROLEUM ACTS ADMINISTRATION

Chairman: RP. HOLDAWAY

Vice-Chairman: J. W. HEWISON

Rugby RD.C. 2071

Worcester City 23156 Morley B. 5541 Chesterfield B. 2825

Council: B. HODGSON K. C. HUGHES

T.KERR

Wigton RD.C. 2133/5 Stafford B. 3507

ANGLIA

CUMBRIA

EAST MIDLAND

NORTHERN

NORTH WESTERN

SCOTTISH

SmITH EASTERN

Hartlepool C.B. 0429 2474 Newcastle-under-Lyme B. 60161 Gloucester RD.C. 26223

K. MacLEOD H. R MELLOR C. R. PESKETT R. E. J. ROD EN J. SHORT Dudley C.B. 55433 Witney U.D.C. 3241

Officers:

Hon. Secretary: J. W. FRID

SOUTH EAST MIDLAND WESSEX AND SOUTH WALES WEST MIDLAND YORKSHIRE

Hon. Electrical Adviser:

J. A. SHARP,

Hon Legal Adviser: P. D. WADSWORTH,

Hon. Editor: B. W. THACKER Branch Secretaries: J. W. FRID, B. HODGSON, J. BIRKS, P. H. CARTWRIGHT, H. R. MELLOR, J. SHORT, C. R. PESKETT, RE. DUST, R. HUNTINGTON, G. BALSHAW, J. BENNETT,

Glanford Brigg RD.C. Brigg 2441/5 Dumbarton 2351

Blackpool C.B. 23848 Godalming B. 6191/4 Birmingham City 021 235 3089 Paisley 041 889 5400

Hon. Treasurer: C. T. PEACOCK

Talking

Glass Fibre Petrol Tanks 44

Talking Point

COMING YOUR WAY?

Recent Press reports draw attention t'O the movement of vehicles carrying hazardous materials and at times accounts are g'iven of 'accidents involving such vehicles where lives have !been lost

Very little information is given, however, about the amount 'Of spillage fmm vehicles and the potential danger that might arise from such loss. One 'County Borough Pire Brigade alone at'tended nearly 60 'Such incidents I'ast year and we wonder what the tOital of such 'incidents throughout the country might !be.

A great number of hazardous substances are subject to 'Conveyance Regulations made under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 and presumably, therefore,in some way un'der 'the authority of ,the local Petrol'eu'm Officer.

Perhaps time is now opportune to ask if any advi'ce and guidance should be g'iven t'O Petroleum Officers 'as to ,their degree of respons'ibility and course of action, 'if an 'accident involving hazardous material occurs 'in their area.

notes and news

NEW MEMBERS

Member L. Dixon, Esq., Associate Members D. E. Matthews, Esq., W. K. Wicks, Esq., Shell Mex & B :P Ltd. ,

APPOINTMENTS

H.M. Chief Inspector of Fire Services

We are pleased to report t hat Mr. Kenneth Holland has been appointed H.M Chief -Inspector of F'ire Services on the retirement of Sir Henry Martin Smith. Mr. Ho'lland began his Fire Service career at Radcliffe, Lancash ire and has subsequently seen service with Barrow and Oldham, the National Fire Service, Suffolk and Ipswich Fire Service, Worcester Oity and County Fire Brigade, Lancashire County Fire Brigade, Bristol Fire Brigade and the West Riding of Yorkshire County Fire Service.

In 1959 h e was appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and in 1971 was made Commander of -that Order. He was further honoured 'in 1964 when Her Majesty The Qu ee n approved his election as a Servin g Officer of the Order of 6t. John of J e rusalem

Mr. Holland ·is associated with many committees and boards at n atio nal 'an d re g ional leve l and has a ls o actively participated in the 'Work of the British Standards Institute and t he Joint Fire Research Organisaliion He takes up his appointment a s fro m 1s·t 'September, 1972 and we take this opportunity of wishing him every success.

G. A. Boanas, Additiona1 Public Health Inspector, Whitby V D.e. has been appointed Chief Public Health Inspector.

D. R. Drake, Deputy Engineer and Surveyor, CoalviII e V.D.e., has been appointed Engineer and Surveyor, Swadlincote V :D C.

J.A Newson has been promoted Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, Hove.

L. H. Proctor, Deputy Borough Engineer and Surveyor, TIkeston, has been appointed E n g,ineer and Surveyor, Chesham V.D C.

B. E. Roberts, Chief Public Health Inspector, Martley R.D C., has been appointed Chief Public Health Inspector and Housing Manager, Heme Bay V :D.C.

RETIREMENTS

C. J. Clark, Chief Public Health Inspector and Housing Manager, Heme Bay V.D.C ., after 35 years in the post . H. Eatough, Chief Public Health Inspector, Whitby V.D.C J. W. May, Engineer and Surveyor, Swadlincote V :D.C., after 41 years local government service.

We wish these gentlemen a long and happy ret,irement

OBITUARY

It is with r eg ret that we report the death of :J. Kay, Engineer and Surveyor, Chesham V.D.C. T. Naylor, Chief Fire Officer, Rotherham C B.C.

Honorary Secretary's Note

The Special General Meeting of the Association, called to enable members to discuss the implications of Local Government re-organisation in relation to this Association, will be held at BARROW-UPON-SOAR R.D.C. OFFICES (Near Leicester) on WEDNESDAY, 11th OCTOBER, 1972.

lettersApplication of Legislation to Whisky, Gin, etc.

The expression 'Potable Spirit' is defined by the Inflammable Substances (Conveyance by Road) (LabelHng) Regulations 1971 as: 'any spirit intended for human consumption'.

The word 'spirit' ,is defined in Van Nos trands International Encyclopaedia of Chemical Science as: 'an aequeous solution of ethyl a lcohol, especially one obtained by distillatoj on'.

Regulation 2(1) (b) of the Petroleum Liquids) Order 1971 applies sections 6, 13(2) and 13(3), 14, 15, 16, and 18 of the Petroleum Act 1928 ,to solutions of ,the substances l isted in Part 1 of the attached schedules, whenever they give off an "inflammable vapour at a temperature below 23 °C or 73 °F.

Ethyl Alcohol and its synonym Ethanol appear in Part 1 of Schedules.

Samples of 'spirit' taken recently in this area show that it ,is not uncommon to find spirit with a flash point below 23°C being transported from the distillery to the bond store for the maturing process. We also found that several road tankers are in use transporting spirit with a flash point as low as 58°F or 14.4°C.

Hoping to have been of some service, Weights and Measures Dept., Alloa. Sean P. Cunningham.

Self-Service

I read with interest the letter on Self-Service by Mr. J. R. Domony in the April issue of 'The Bulletin' and whilst I

view his comments on the marketing aspects of self-service through note and coin acceptors with a certain degree of scepticism, having recently been saved from running out of petrol ,in the wilds of Cornwall, I am, however, delighted to find that from a safety point of ¥iew Mr. Domony has no fault to find, and I hope his experience will serve to change the attitude of those authorities who said 'We do not care what the others are doing, this is wrong and we will have none of it'. He now joins the ranks of the Home Office, the AP.AA, who support these systems and of course, the G.L.C. London S.W.I.

A L. E. Nap.

OUR FIRST

By A. Archer, Esq., A.M.!.F.E., Chief Fire Officer, Walsall

TWO

The resolution passed last year to hold a two day Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association .Is to be applauded as is the choice of the venue for the occasion. Both were an unqualified success. The venue being the most delightful town of Shrewsbury which situated as it is geographically, and with reasonable access by road and rail proved to be well chosen from the travel point of view.

The official welcome at the Music Hall by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Alderman Mrs. E. M. Parsonage, set the tone for a successful meeting. The Annual General Meeting was a lively discourse centred round the problems of the reorganisation of Local Government which takes place in 1974. It was pleasing also to have Mr. R. P. Holdaway elected to the chair on his home ground of Shrewsbury, I am sure a very popular election.

The Annual General Meeting was successfully concluded by lunch time giving the members the opportunity of taking lunch and refreshment at will. This period proved most satisfactory socially, enabling old colleagues to reminisce, and new acquaintances to be made. It also provided an informal background for more serious discussion of current and future problems, always an invaluable session.

The mood of professionalism deepened ,in the afternoon, and .the paper that was given by Mr. W.M.C. Jones, M.Eng., F.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., was of a high standard and of great interest to all present. Mr. Jones' experience with industry both at home and abroad together with that gained at the Department of Trade and Industry gave us a further understanding and insight into this increased field of activity. The forum which followed ranged over the wide aspect of the work involved in Petroleum Administration, and was chaired by Professor G. J. Jeacocke, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C., of the

DAY CONFERENCE

Home Office Inspectorate, in his usual able and exuberant manner.

On the second day Mr. D. J. Comley, RSc., C.Eng., enlightened the members in a most insructive and interesting manner on the problems of Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant systems, a problem which is of widening and continuing interest to all in the petroleum administration field.

The Civic Reception provided by the Corporation of Shrewsbury for members and their ladies was a huge success, members being met by the Mayor and Mayoress, and the entertainment, 'Songs from the Shows', provided during the evening by the 'Portland Singers' was of a very high standard. This opportunity for the ladies to be present was welcomed, and although the attendance was good perhaps it could be encouraged further ,in the future.

As so often is the case at Seminars, Conferences and similar professional meetings, it is during the informal periods, such as the Civic Reception, when so much knowledge, information and anecdotes are imparted. It ,is true to say that one probably learns more from colleagues in an informal atmosphere, than one could acquire in the Lecture Room or from pages of a formidable technical tome.

It was certainly evident as the evening progressed that many anecdotes were recounted, and I think these were probably due to the refreshments flowing from the Bar.

The Conference reflected a deep interest and concern by the members for the Association, its work, and its future. I am sure that its position as a professional body was enhanced by the proceedings which took place in Shrewsbury.

GLASS FIBRE PETROL TANKS ON MOTOR CYCLES

Six Die after Four Separate Traffic Accidents

Reprint from Fire Prevention No. 94, published by the Fire Protection Association

In Fire Prevention No. 92 we reported in an article on 'Road Vehicle Fires' on the high incidence of motor cycle fires and on the high fire casualty rate. Attention is now drawn to a comparitively new fire hazard to motor cyclists.

A collision between a car and a motor cycle in St. Ives, Huntingdonshire, on Friday, 20th August, 1971 resulted in the deaths of three people. The glass fibre petrol tank of .the motor cycle fractured on impact and this contributed largely to the fierce fire which immediately followed, causing the deaths of the motor cyclist and the two occupants of the car. The pillion passenger on the motor cycle was thrown clear and injured. This incident was reported by the Chief Fire Officer of the County of Huntingdon and Peterborough Fire Service.

Three similar traffic accidents have occurred, in each of which the motor cyclist died when the glass fibre tank ruptured and caught him in a pool of blazing petrol. In two cases where the collision was with private cars, these were also splashed with blazing petrol, set on fire, and their occupants injured. These three accidents in London S.E.15, on 18th January, 1970, Envelle, Staffordshire on 6th July, 1970 and Hovingham, North Yorkshire, on 16th May, 1970

are described in the Report of H.M. Inspectors of Explosives 1970.

It is not illegal to sell these plastic tanks but it is contrary to Section 2 of the Petroleum Spirit (Motor Vehicles, etc.) Regulations 1929 to use them:

"2. The petroleum spirit shall not be kept otherwise than in metal vessels so constructed and maintained in such condition as: (a) to be reasonably secure against breakage; and (b) to prevent the leakage of any liquid or vapour there'from."

No user has yet been prosecuted in the above cases prosecutions were obviously out of the question as the users were killed. The manufacturers have, however, been persuaded to stop production.

A British 'Standard for glass fibre reinforced petrol tanks for motor cycles was being prepared but is now in abeyance because information obtained from the United States indicated that it is not possible for these tanks to withstand collision.

PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY COURSE, UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

18th to 21st April, 1972

The delightful setting of the Manor House at Godalming was again the venue chosen by the Course Convenor, Mr. C. R. Peskett, Secretary of the South Eastern Branch of the Association for Petroleum Acts Administration for the third Petroleum Technology Course which was attended by 42 representatives -of Local and Fire Authorities and 7 from Industry, such a representative gathering ensuring a free flow of topics for discussion.

The course was officially opened by a dinner on Tuesday, the 18th, when a welcome to those attending was given by His Worship the Mayor of Godalming (Councillor H. Denningberg) and the Chairman df the South Eastern Branch of the Association (Mr. H. T. E. Jackson), a short address was also given by the Course Convenor to acquaint all with the facilities offered at the Manor House during the course.

The first lecturer on the morning of the 19th was Mr. J. W. Hayes LL.B. (Man.) Solicitor (Hons.), Assistant Solicitor to the Somerset County Council who, under the Chairmanship of Mr. F. Barker of Esher, chose Law' as his subject, a difficult one to cover in the course of a lecture, but he admirably highlighted the difficulties of interpreta1:ion revolving even around such words as 'keeping' and 'to be kept'.

The lecture on 'Petrol Filling Station Planning' was given by John T. Trendell, D.P.A., M.I.W.M.A., Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures for the City of Southampton. Emphasis was placed by John on the importance of full liaison with all ,the representatives of other bodies likely to be involved in filling station planning and took the 'text 'Planning Caring for the Future' as the fulcrum around which all considerations should revolve, he then went on to list eleven essential and separate reasons for information which could only be supplied by other departments. Under Electrical Installation he advocated that the master switch should be not only well seen, but should be accessible for any helper to use in the case of disaster. An expertly compiled paper well presented.

Mr. T. Steel of Crawley took the Chair for the lecture 'Conveyance-Law and Problems' by Mr. G. D. Scales, Senior Petroleum Inspector, Greater London Council, who opened by listing the liquids to which the Regulations apply then breaking them down by definition, the type of containers and the vehicles on which they may be carried, each point making reference to the Regulation governing that par.ticular item. A point was raised during question time that perhaps indiscriminate use was made at times of the Flame Symbol, but it was generally agreed that road

vehicles were often dual purpose and sometimes carried heavier fraction fuels that did not necessarily need the display of the symbol, but that provision of some form of detachable symbol would bring so many possibilities of errors and supervision in its wake as to be impracticable.

The subject taken by Mr. M. E. Smith, Senior Petroleum Inspector, Greater London Council, was 'Road Tanker Construction and Inspection'; a new 6,300 gallon articulated road tank wagon was made available by kind permission of the Operations Division of Shell Mex and B.P. Ltd. Mr. Smith gave a potted history of the evolution of the type of transport used in the carrying of petroleum products to the present day and how the complications of construction and inspection had developed through the sophistication of technical advance. It was fortunate that the showers of the day held off long enough for Mr. Smith to give a most detailed and practical instructional period outside on the tanker.

Mr. F. Smith of Worthing chaired 'Emergency Procedures' by the South Eastern Branch Chairman Mr. H. T. E. Jackson, Senior Petroleum Inspector Of the Greater London Council, who shocked everyone into immediate attention by his opening remarks of the explosive power of just two pints of petroleum spirit in an enclosed 8' x 8' room; he went on to stress the importance of first ascertaining, in cases o:f suspected leakage, that if in fact the product had really gone and that it was not as the result of a bookkeeping error, sound advice was given on the use of C02 to reduce the concentration of vapour in certain cases, particularly when carrying out excavations to extract spirit from the surrounding ground. A most erudite lecture covering all aspects of investigation and remedy in an emergency.

Mr. F. G. Ashley, Sales Liaison Engineer of Dresser Manufacturing Division, Bracknell (Wayne's) gave a most instructive talk on dispensing columns at present in use and some in the pipeline (not Otto's) and the possibilities offered by the pump unit being situated at the tank end of the installation, all af which was supported by a comprehensive display of colour slides.

Mr. J. Hewison of Havant took the Chair for the two final lectures, the first of which was by Mr. T. C. Colvill, F.I.E.E.,

Construction and Maintenance Manager of the Esso Petroleum Company, who took us right through Ifromthe l1kv grid system down to the 3 phase 415 and the single phase 240 volt AC. supply at the site, a very full and informative paper which evoked much comment from the floor regarding the type of tests needed under the electrical certificate for petroleum licence renewal. The Chairman in summing up the talk felt that the technical excellence of the paper was exceeded only by the gymnastic prowess of -the lecturer who, due to an improvised stand of stacked tables on end for the display of his visual aids, had to assume a role of busy activity to illustrate his drawings, -in fact at one point it was felt that but for the absence of a couple of supporting Sherpas a Knighthood would have been practically in the bag.

The final lecture was given by Mr. F. A Smith, M.I.W.M.A, Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures and Petroleum Inspector for the County Borough of Worthing, who gave a paper on 'Tank Installation and Tests', after having given a brief history of petroleum storage from the early 1920's he took as his opening theme communication and the necessity for the Petroleum Officer to be in right on the ground floor from the moment an application is received from a licensee or prospective licensee, and the importance of advising all those connected with the development on matters affecting the licence and installation. He gave some very interesting figures on tank testing and the need to make corrections in both temperature and atmospheric pressure and concluded by taking a glance at his crystal ball and venturing the thought that perhaps one day .fuel might be in jelly-like packages which can be safely stored above ground and therefore underground storage tanks will become just a memory. Unfortunately he didn't give us an opinion as to the re-employment of displaced Petroleum Inspectors.

The final activity was that of a discussion with a panel of experts to discuss papers and general questions that insufficient time did not permit at the discussion period after each lecture. This was followed by coffee and taking leave of old friends and the new ones made at .the course and agreeing that the Course Convenor had 'done it again' in providing not only a worthwhile instructive course, but extremely pleas'ant surroundings to enjoy it in.

PETROLEUM PRODUCTION AND MOVEMENT100 YEAR'S DEVELOPMENT

By H. JAGGER, Esq., B.Sc., F.lnst.P., Esso Petroleum Co. Ltd.

Early Petroleum Production

The Old Testament and other early WM'Uil";<; contain reference to' pitch and 'fiery flames' which could well have been natural gas seepages ignited by lightning. It was not until 1859 that a 'Colonel' Drake decided to drill for crude petroleum oil at Titusville in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., to supplement the material available from surface seepages and shallow excavations. At that time mainly the kerosine or paraffin fraction was utilized as illuminating oil and both the lighter and heavier components were discarded. The development of the internal combustion engine around the turn of the century and the impetus given to its use and to the burning of oil in ships by the war of 1914-1918 saw a changed situation in which the kerosine fraction became less important than the motor spirit (or petrol) and the heavier diesel oils and residual fuels. Some heavy residues were also in demand for road making, to facilitate movement by the new motor cars and to supplement the asphalt from depO'sits such as those in Trinidad.

The Contribution of on to World Energy

As a youthful competitor with coal, oil in 1900 supplied approximately 5 per cent of the total world energy consumption of some 780 million metric 'tons coal equivalent. By 1938 oil provided 20 per cent of a tO'tal world energy demand of 1,770 million tons and natural gas provided a further 5 per cent.

The SecO'nd WO'rld War and the immediate post-war period resulted in even mO're rapid expansion of world petrO'leum cO'nsumptiO'n. CO'nsumption continued to dO'uble each decade and by 1960 O'il provided 34 per cent O'f tO'tal world energy and natural gas a further 14 per cent. AlthO'ugh final figures are nO't yet available, by 1968, oil prO'vided O'ver 50 per cent O'f the wO'rld energy demand.

World Petroleum Production

WO'rld prO'ductiO'n of petrO'leum including liquids recO'vered frO'm natural gases rO'se frO'm 280 milliO'n metric tO'ns in 1938 to' 538 milliO'n metric tO'ns in 1950 1090 milliO'n metric tO'ns in 1960 and 2,130 milliO'n in 1969.

.With such rapidly increasing prO'ductiO'n rates, hO'W IO'ng Will the knO'wn reserves meet O'ur requirements. Reserves in 1947 were. 9,500 milliO'n metric tO'ns, equal to' sO'me 25 years at that time. In 1968 prO'ven reserves were 63,000 mlllIon metric tons or over 30 times the annual requirements at the 1968 consumption level. The industry has continued to explore and has met with sufficient success in its exploration to ensure that known reserves continue to represent many years foreseen requirements.

Changing Pattern of ConsumptiO'n and Manufacture

America and Russia were the earliest cO'untries to develop significant prO'duction O'f petrO'leum and were alsO' the leaders in its cO'nsumptiO'n prior to' the First World War.

In 1950, the V.S.A. cO'nsumed 60 per cent of WO'rld total consumptiO'n and Western EurO'pean consumptiO'n exceeded the SO'viet blO'C cO'nsumptiO'n. By 1960 Western EurO'pean consumption was three times the 1950 figure and a similar expansion had taken place in the Far East (including Australasia). By 1968, with further rapid expansiO'n in these areas, North American consumptiO'n accounted for only 37 per cent of wO'rld total consumption, Western EurO'pe had risen to' 26 per cent and Far East cO'nsumption was apprO'aching the SO'viet blO'C figure of 15 per cent of the world to' tal.

Need for Increased Oil Transportation

Thus, while Western European petroleum consumption increased by 1968 to' 25 per cent O'f the wO'rld tO'tal and refinery capacity had been increased to meet these requirements, productiO'n in the area was only 1 per cent of the world tO'tal. The Middle East and Africa in the same year produced 38 per cent O'f total world production but consumed only 4 per cent of the WO'rld tO'tal. Massive movements O'f crude O'il have to' be made from the areas of high production to those of high cO'nsumption and Iow indigenO'us prO'ductiO'n and a large part of these movements affect V.K. waters. Tanker movements O'f crude oil through the English Channel currently amO'unt to' 260 million tO'ns some three times the annual V.K. consumption. In additiO'n, considerable quantities of fuel oil and other persistent oils are moved by tanker arO'und the cO'asts of the British Isles. Such oils are also extensively used as fuels fO'r dry cargo vessels so that the to' tal mO'vements which CO'uld cause pollutiO'n of the seas around the British Isles exceed 350 milliO'n tons/year and are increasing annually by about 10 per cent.

To handle these vast tonnage mO'vements of petroleum, tankers have grown in size as well as in number. World tanker tonnage increased from 17 million dwt tons in 1939 to' 117 million dwt in 1968

Product Movements

Refining O'peratiO'ns invO'lve the stO'rage of significant quantities O'f crude O'il intermediate products and finished products. Only the finished products leave the refinery in quantity, so that it is with these that we are mainly concerned.

Normally, the distributiO'n from domestic refineries is to majO'r marketing terminals and from these to smaller depots

and thence to customers. Some depots may be supplied directly from the refinery and very large consumers may be supplied directly from refinery or major terminal.

Although the greater part of oil products are moved from refineries by coastal tankers, pipelines and bulk trains provide alternatives where suitable volumes are involved. The Mersey-London pipeline is an example of a multiproduct line handling large volumes of mixed clean products and significantly reducing the movements by other means. Several large oil-fired power stations have been constructed near refineries and are supplied with fuel oil by pipeline so that the chances of pollution are reduced by comparison with supply by coastal tanker. Recent developments in pipeline insulation have increased the distances over which fuel oils can be pumped through such lines and one major product terminal is now fed with hot fuel through a 60 mile pipeline. Bulk trains, made up solely of tank cars, travel directly from the supplying refinery or terminal to special sidings at the terminal, depot, or customer's premises and are designed to travel at high speeds. Because of segregation which they provided from other rail traffic and the fast turnaround times, they present fewer opportunities for pollution than the traditional coaster movement, followed in all probability by barge or road movement to the ultimate destination.

The final product movements to smaller commercial customers, to domestic consumers, and to service stations must be by road tanker. Here again, to meet the growing demands for petroleum products of all types, oil companies have sought to rationalize their operations by using vehicles of the largest size permitted under the relevant conveyance regulations and by utilizing vehicles over more hours per day. Larger individual deliveries have been achieved by the offering of quantity discounts to encourage the instaIlation of larger tanks, while for housing estates and blocks of flats the trend is to install common storage with metered delivery to each consumer. All these moves have resulted in fewer

vehicle miles for a given level of consumption and in more deliveries outside peak traffic periods, with a consequent reduction in accident risk.

Conclusions

Over the last century oil has provided a progressively increasing proportion of a rapidly expanding world energy requirement. The situation in Europe and in the U.K., in particular, is that while natural gas and nuclear energy are making some contribution to the total energy requirement, coal consumption is reducing and oil consumption continues to double each decade. VirtuaIly the whole of .the petroleum product requirement is now met by importing crude oil, which is then refined, and the resulting products distributed by sea, river barge, rail, or (increasingly) by pipeline and, in most cases, finaIly by road tanker.

There is no indication of any slackening of demand for oil fuels and known world oil reserves continue to keep pace with the increasing demands.

The post-war change to refining crude oil in the consuming country, rather than in the producing country, has increased the number of dirty cargoes and hence the possibility of sea pollution, but the advent of very large crude tankers has reduced the number of shipments and hence tended to offset this effect. Changes in the methods of product distribution to meet changing economic situations also tend to reduce poIlution risks. The everincreasing demands for oil and the coincident increased demands for fresh water for industrial and domestic use and for clean beaches and coastal waters for pleasure purposes make it essential that every effort be made to reconcile these apparently conflicting needs.

Author's Note:

No attempt has been made in this article to forecast the effects of North Sea oil finds on crude oil movements by 1980.

FUEL TANK FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS

Gas and Foam

New Methods of Prevention

When a large 'fuel storage tank is empty it is often found to contain a residue of inflammable gases. These present a serious fire and explosion hazard which is exceptionally dangerous when the tank is on a ship. In 'addition to such gases, there may also be deposits of 'sludge' on the bottom of the tank, along the sides and under the roof: these, too, may give rise to skin ,fires or the formation of further inflammable vapours.

There are various methods of 'scavenging' tanks in this condition, but now a Liverpool-based firm of fire equipment specialists, John Kerr & Co. (Manchester) Ltd., has filed a Patent application for a method claimed to be quicker, more convenient and cheaper than those normally used. In broad terms, the method involves filling the enclosure with a decayable 'foam which is gasified with an inert gas.

To describe .the Kerr invention, it is necessary to explain that it arose from the appreciation of the fact that it is possible, in a s.jngle procedure, to secure the benefits of two other methods of 'scavenging' the 'inert gas' method and the 'foam' method. Certain variants of the method are also the subject of a Kerr patent application.

Inerting the tank involves reducing the oxygen content by feeding .jn a supply of nitrogen, carbon dioxide or some other inert gas. There are stringent regulations governing the testing of tanks in this situation and it is normally required that the oxygen level is reduced to below 10% and that no pockets of inflammable gas remain. To achieve this end, the inerting gas must often be passed through in an amount equal to perhaps four or five times the volume of the tank.

(Reprint by kind permission of Oil and Petrochemical Equipment News)

The foam method uses a high expansion foam, (produced by combining a chemical foaming agent in liquid form with air) which is blown through a massive hose into the tank or enclosure. This method is already widely used to fill and flood enclosed areas such as cellars or warehouses in conjunction with fires involving solid organic substances or inflammable liquids.

Of its use for scavenging tanks, the Department of Employment and Productivity's technical literature has stated that 'it is very probable that any vapour would be effectively removed as the foam built up. Certainly with a vapour-freed tank complete filling with high-expansion foam and the maintenance of a slight positive flow into the tank should completely obviate any risk of fire or explosion'.

The implication is that the use of the inert gas method followed up by high expansion foam would achieve the most satisfactory results. Kerr's have taken the unique step of, in effect, combining the two, in one operation.

'Combined Operation'

Recently Kerr's experts were called in, along with a host of other specialists and consultants from various fields to work on a badly damaged tanker lying outside a continental port. Seven of the tanks were still full of gas in the explosive range and had to be safe before repairs could start. It was decided as a general principle to use ,the inert gas method to bring these tanks to a safe condition before using a high expansion foam, though some tanks were indeed so badly fractured that .the inerting method was not practicable.

The 'inert gas' operation took ten days and breakdowns were frequent: quite apart from other considerations the cost was considerable, involving as it did, a vessel with a residual value of £61 million, with a tug standing by at around £1,600 per day! The main problem, however, was reconciling the need to reduce oxygen content to an acceptable figure with the drawbacks of the enormous volume of inerting gas that had to be pumped into the tank to achieve it.

There no 'services' operating on the tanker and, moreover, It was not possible to use the derricks on hoard for equipment. One of the generators had therefore to be SIted on the after-deck of the tug and connected by means of large and somewhat fragile pipe-lines.

On the .other the foam side of the operation proved comparatively satIsfactory. The foam used was of the normal type, that is, produced with air and not gas. The enclosures which the foam was used were filled up completely ID the mornings and it w f d that there was d t 't, as oun no nee 0 op up during the day as the residual foam in the tanks completely 'blinded' the oil surface and therefore kept the gas concentration at a satisfactorily low level.

One which emerged 'from all this was that had it been to use a gasified foam from the beginning, work cou d ave been carried out with greater speed and etliciency.

The Kerr Method

Quite obviously, it is far easier to fill an enclosure with foam than with gas. Foam is easily generated and easily transmitted it is also, being visible and tangible, easy to 'top up' and maintain at the required level and volume. rf the foam -itself, therefore, contains the inerting gas, the 'combined operation' is logical and sound.

In a situation on board ship such as has been described, the foam is generated actually on site, using a fan and a diffuser. The diffuser is disposed at the output side of the fan and the inert gas is supplied to the input side and thereby to the diffuser. At the same time, the liquid foaming agent is fed to the diffuser and as a result a decayable foam gasified with, say, nitrogen instead of air, is fed to the tank.

The ratio of liquid to nitrogen is very small indeed it may be as little as 1:1,000 so there is very little of substance in the tank at any time. This could be of maJor importance on a ship at sea, as a considerable degree of instability may already exist and excessive weight at any point may increase this to danger point.

The gasified foam is first fed into the tank through a single inlet, with a single outlet open. After the tank is full of foam, the outlet is left open for a further short period before the outlet and inlet are finally closed. The foam then decays, leaving the space within the tank full of nitrogen.

As far as Kerr are concerned the process, once the nitrogen has been produced, is an extension of an existing method, foam being produced in the normal manner except for the fact that nitrogen is used instead of air. The company already has a varied range of motorised units for projecting the foam into the enclosures and the technique of adapting equipment to suit conditions on land or sea for the use of gasified foam is a logical development.

Industrial Applications

The example given has been maritime, but obviouslY the new method has considerably wide applications industrially. The bulk storage o'f central heating fuel oils, for example, frequently involves precisely those problems which the 'gasified' foam method can produce the answer. Again, the dismantling of discontinued gasometers is a process requiring the previous dispersal of residual gases before hot cutting can be employed and here again foam is the simplest and most direct method of doing the job effectively. Chemical plant involving bulk storage of chemicals giving rise to inflammable or toxic vapours will 'also benefit.

It is highly likely, as has been mentioned in connection with the Department of Employment and Productivity's Data Sheet, that in many cases foam produced by the normal method will be adequate for the purpose but the use of nitrogen or other inert gases in place of air to produce the foam undoubtedly increases the efficiency of the foam in this situation for the reasons which have been outlined. Consequently the Kerr method can be regarded as a real 'break-through' in the prevention of fires and explosions.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT SHREWSBURY

The Annual General Meeting of the Association was held in the Music Hall, Shrewsbury, on Wednesday, 5th April, 1972 at 11.00 a.m.

The meeting was opened by The Worshipful ,the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Mrs. E. M. Parsonage, who welcomed the 86 members who were present. She expressed the pleasure which it gave her personally and also her Authority that the Association had chosen Shrewsbury as the venue for its Annual General Meeting. In reply the Chairman of the Association responded as follows :-

'Madam Mayor, The Mayoress, Gentlemen, I am sure I speak for all our members when I say that we are deeply conscious of the honour you have done us this morning by officiating here and opening our conference. I note that in addition to your civic duties as Mayor, you are listed as holding ten other appointments of a wide variety, and because of these onerous commitments we are extremely grateful that you have managed to find time to be with us. I don't know how you manage to fit in your hobbies of gardening, listening to good music, cooking and needlework, which are, in themselves, time consuming.

One reason for your attendance here is undoubtedly your regard for your Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, Bob Holdaway, who we will be honouring later this morning. It is fitting tribute to him that your Authority invited the Association to meet. at offered facilities for a two day meetmg, mcludmg a CIVIC reception. 'In the Association he is also highly respected for his abilities and wealth of experience which is invaluable.

Throughout the centuries Shrewsbury an important role in the history of medIeaval time was considered a town of major strategIc Importance. It became a near impregnable fortress bounded on its landward boundaries by a wall and elsewhere by the River Severn, presumably to keep out Nowadays there is no need .for such fortIficatIOns and the Council of Shrewsbury, the county town, is always delighted to receive visitors, as was evidenced by the warmth of your welcome.

We do thank you for your presence here this morning and look forward to meeting you again this evening when our members will have the opportunity of meeting you individually.

Meantime, I know that it is your wish to remain for part of the forenoon session at least, as Shrewsbury has a special interest in certain events that will take place later in our agenda'.

Apologies

Apologies were received from 26 members.

Minutes

The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting (circulated) were accepted by the meeting.

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from these minutes.

Chairman's Report

'My year of office began in the wake of the postal strike which had interrupted the arrangements for last year's Annual General Meeting, and had threatened education and training courses organised for the spring and mid-summer. Fortunately, when communications returned to normal, the administration process within the Association recovered quickly and ,the Annual >General Meeting was held some three weeks hehind schedule. The residential courses ran according to plan.

During the year, for the first time, 'two training courses and one Advanced Seminar were held. The Northern Branch's training course and the Advanced Seminar for Senior Officers were held at York University, and the Southern Branch's training course was held at Surrey University. All three courses were highly successful, and my thanks are due to the organisers. I would particularly mention the Southern Branch's course which had a very limited time to get off the ground following ,the postal strike and looked, at one time, as though cancellation was inevitable.

Our 'Bulletin' Editor had completed his first year in office and he, too, was faced with problems at the time of the postal strike, being unable ,to get material in or get the 'Bulletin' out. However, he quickly settled into his new appointment, overcame difficulties and managed to publish and circulate each quarterly edition with the minimum of delay. The quality of this publication is high, and it continues to be highly respected throughout the petroleum industry, a tribute to the calibre of our Honorary Editor.

This year has been one of consolidation reflecting a continued expansion in membership and ,trading surplus. I do not want to go into these matters as the Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer will be reporting separately thereon later in the agenda. Meantime, ;the Association continued to gain strength and respect as a national body.

One event which could radically alter the future of the Association was the publication of a Bill of Parliament to reorganise Local Government. It provides for the administration of the Petroleum Acts to be carried out by Top Tier Authorities. In consequence, the number of Authorities from whom membership of the Association could be drawn

will be substantially reduced, and it is unlikely that it will be able to continue as presently constituted. However, the same number of officers will still be required to carry out their various duties, and the hope is that the Association will be able to continue in some new form. It is your Council's intention to seek legal and financial advice and to call a special meeting later this year, or at some other opportune time, when this issue will be fully discussed and a decision taken by the members as to our future destiny.

The Legal and Reference Committee of your Council has been kept busy during the year with such matters as contents gauges, electrical certificates, emergency procedures, tank testing, parking places for tank wagons and other matters. Some of these items have been disposed of and reports on others are expected shortly.

The main task of the Constitution and Rules Committee was the production of Model Branch Rules which have now been adopted by most Branches, subject to minor alterations, insertions and amendments to suit the needs of individual Branches.

I have enjoyed my year of office as your Chairman in spite of the fact that it has involved extensive travelling. I can remember a previous Chairman reporting that he, on occasions, had to be on his way before dawn and very often did not arrive home until late at night. I have not been inconvenienced to any great extent in this respect, but I have taken the trouble to add up the distance I have travelled in attending meetings of Council, Branches (and it has been my policy to visit as many as possible), and other Association duties. The total distance covered was 7,050 miles of which 3,850 were by road and 3,200 by air. No doubt this will have a salutory effect on the item 'Expenses of Council and Committee Meetings' in the balance sheet.

Finally, I should like to thank the Vice-Chairman, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, the Committee Chairmen and other members of the Council and Branch Officers of the Association 'for their support during my year of office. My thanks are also due to my Authority for allowing me the time to undertake my duties and to my Deputy and staff for the extra burden that they have had to share in my absence'.

Honorary Secretary's Report

The Honorary Secretary informed those present that the membership of the Association now totalled 606 (601) Local Authorities; 144 (110) Associate; 41 (48) 'Bulletin' subscribers and 12 Honorary Members. (Last year's figures in braCkets).

He told the meeting that he had attended the three Council meetings which were held during the year together with two meetings of the Financial and General Purposes Committee and one of the Education Committee. These meetings too, had been well attended and the considerable volume of work which had come before these meetings had been efficiently and speedily dealt with.

The Honorary Secretary went on to comment on the first Advanced Seminar which was held at Derwent College,

York University in the autumn of 1971 which was attended by 52 members. It appeared, he said from comments received by officers attending that this event had been a most successful one. He drew members' attention to the Association's Council decision to organise a second Advanced Seminar to be held at Alcuin College, York University from 25/28th September, 1972. About half of the sixty places had so far been reserved and other members were advised to write to the Honorary Secretary as soon as possible if they wished to attend. It was unfortunate that the fee for this seminar had had to be raised to £21 this year. The Honorary Secretary reported that this was solely due to the University increasing its charges. The Honorary Secretary concluded his report by thanking the Chairman and other officers of the Association and members for their assistance and co-operation during the year. He further officially thanked the members of his own staff without whose willing assistance his task would be impossible.

The Honorary Secretary's report was accepted with thanks by the meeting.

Honorary Treasurer's Report

The Honorary Treasurer reported that the year 1971 was not remarkable in any way. The accounts showed that the increase in subscription was necessary, without it the Association would have been barely solvent at the year-end. All three schools proved to be viable so that no call was made on the general funds.

Sales of the Association's Codes of Practice have been steady and sales of 'The Bulletin' have increased.

All things considered the year had been satisfactory from a financial point of view.

Mr. A. Senior moved, seconded by Mr. G. Harvey that the accounts be accepted. This was agreed by the meeting.

Honorary Editor's Report

The Honorary Editor reported as follows :-

'This is the first full year in which I have had the pleasure to report to the Association and in doing so I should like to thank all those who have been kind enough to send articles for publication, especially Branch Secretaries without whose help it would be most difficult to produce a full and balanced magazine. I would still ask those gentlemen for continued contributions, letters or any item of information even though it might appear to be of no great importance. Very often those items which appear unimportant prove of great interest to someone somewhere else.

We have reached a very good relationship with our new printers who have been most helpful in the publication of 'The Bulletin' and between us we have managed to keep expenditure within the limits laid down by your Council. Unfortunately postal charges continue to rise and over this item we have no control. It is interesting to note that our articles over the past year reflected a close liaison that has built up between ourselves and the industry as a whole.

During the year we have published the usual question and answer supplement to 'The Bulletin', a new electrical

certificate and, to date, 2,500 copies of the Association's Codes of Practice are in circulation.

I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the retiring Chairman, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer and Council members and in particular Bob Holdaway and WaIter Heatherington for their very valued advice and support'.

At the conclusion of his report, the Honorary Editor was asked by Mr. M. Clark of Cheltenham B.C. whether articles for publication in 'The Bulletin' should be passed direct to him or via the Secretary of the Branch. The Honorary Editor replied that all articles should be passed direct to him in order to obviate delays. The Honorary Editor's report was received with thanks by the meeting.

Special Items

Presentation to the retired Honorary Editor

Mr. R. P. Holdaway

The Chairman, Mr. J. Short, in taking this item said 'Before proceeding to the next item on the agenda, I have a very pleasant duty to perform. At last year's Annual General Meeting, your Chairman made reference to the retiral of Bob Holdaway from the post of 'Bulletin' Editor after some nine years service. He was warmly thanked by the Membership, by Branches, by the Council and by individuals, but it was felt, within the Association, that his service should be recognised in some more tangible form.

As many of you will know, Bob Holdaway is Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures for the town of Shrewsbury. You may not know he is descended from a long line of Weights and Measures Inspectors, as his grandfather, father and uncle all held similar appointments. Bob himself has seen service in Crewe, Berwick-upon-Tweed (we nearly naturalised him), Kent and Salop County Councils, as well as in Shrewsbury itself. This service stretches back to the thirties.

So much for Bob's career, which is of general interest, but it is in his capacity as Petroleum Officer and Shrewsbury's representative to the Association that we seek to honour him. He was Editor in the days when 'The Bulletin' was the publication of the Midlands Petroleum Acts Administration Group. When this organisation merged with others, 'The Bulletin' eventually became the Association's shop window, and it was presented so skilfully that many powerful sections of the petroleum industry and administration were drawn into membership. In fact, I can remember on one occasion taking issue with a major petroleum compan,Y on a technical point in forecourt layout at one of theIr filling stations, and 'being confronted with a copy of a page from 'The BUlletin' giving the answer and demonstrating that my requirements were out of date.

Bob, we are grateful to you for your sterling work in those early days as Editor, which helped immeasurably to create a feeling of mutual respect between Local Authority administrators and the petroleum industry, and did so much to build the Association to its present strength. It is my pleasure, now, on behalf of the Council and members of the Association to ask you to accept, with their good wishes.

this gift in appreciation of your long and valued service in that capacity'.

Mr. Short then presented an onyx table lamp on behalf of the members of the Association to Mr. R. P. Holdaway. The members present showed their appreciation in the traditional manner.

Election of Officers for the Ensuing Year

(a) Mr. Short, the Chairman, in announcing this item informed members there was one nomination for the office of Chairman for the year 1972/73, namely Mr. R. P. Holdaway. He mentioned that in previous remarks he had already paid tribute to Mr. Holdaway and said there was little which he could add to those remarks except that the choice of him as Chairman could not be bettered and to members' applause Mr. Short invested the new Chairman with the Badge of Office at the same time wishing him a successful year in office.

Mr. Holdaway then suitably replied thanking the retiring Chairman for his outstanding services dur!ng his year of office.

(b) Vice-Chairman

One nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman, that of J. W. Hewison, Havant and Waterloo V.D.C. Mr. Hewis on was duly appointed Vice-Chairman by the meeting.

(c) Honorary Secretary

There being only one nomination, that of the existing Honorary Secretary, Mr. J. W. Frid was therefore reelected and thanked for his work in respect of the Association.

(d) Honorary Treasurer

There was only one nomination for this post, that of the existing Honorary Treasurer, Mr. C. T. Peacock, who was duly elected after being Ithanked by the Chairman for his past work.

(e)

Honorary Editor

One nomination was received, that of the present Honorary Editor, Mr. B. W. C. Thacker. Mr. Thacker was suitably thanked by the Chairman and was duly reelected.

(f) The Honorary Secretary reported that no nomination had been received for the office of Honorary Liaison Officer and the meeting agreed that this should be left vacant until such time as the Council wished it to be filled.

(g) Mr. P. D. Wadsworth, the present Honorary Legal Adviser, was sincerely thanked by the Chairman for his past good offices and was re-appointed for the year 1972/73.

(h) Mr. A. Senior, Chief Public Health Inspector, Hemsworth R.D.C. was thanked 'for his past services by the Chairman and duly re-appointed as Honorary Auditor.

Election of Council (8 members)

Six nominations were received for the eight Council representations and the following were duly elected by the meeting :-

E. V. Beeby, Rugby RD.C.

J. Beer, City of Worcester. D. Hall, Newcastle-under-Lyme.

K. C. Hughes, Stafford M.B. T. Kerr, Glanford Brigg RD.C. RE. J. Roden, Birmingham City.

Appointment of Scrutineers

Two Scrutineers, Mr. H. Martin and Mr. L. B. Wilson (City of Cambridge) were appointed.

At this stage of the proceedings, the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Mrs. E. M. Parsonage, together with the Mayoress left: the meeting.

Any Other Business

The Chairman spoke briefly on the subject of the Association's future in the light of Local Government re-

organisation. He informed the meeting that the Council intended to call a special meeting during the autumn of 1972 by which time more information may be available to allow members to determine subsequent action.

There being no other business, D. Hall, Newcastle-underLyme, proposed a vote of thanks to the of the Association for their work during the year. ThIS was seconded by J. G. Clark, Southend. This was carried.

At the conclusion of the meeting, J. Hewison, Havant and Waterloo, proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress of Shrewsbury and to the officers of the Ass?Ciation for the excellent hospitality and arrangements WhICh had been made on the Association's behalf and the Honorary Secretary was instructed to write on behalf of the Association expressing formal thanks. The appreciation of the meeting was then shown in the usual manner.

The meeting closed at 12.30 p.m.

BRANCH REPORTS

Scottish

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at B.P. Refinery (Grangemouth) Ltd., on Tuesday, 14th March, 1972.

Present

54 members were present.

Apologies

Four Apolog,ies were received.

Aliter welcoming the delegates, the Chairman, Mr. Gavin Arneil, introduced Dr. Roger Macrae, RP. Chemicals Ltd. and Mr. Hugh Pender, Safety Services Superintendent, B.P. Refinery (Grangemouth) Ltd., who jointly presented a paper on the content of the several orders and regulations pertaining to the conveyance by road CYf inflammable and corrosive substances. Dr. Macrae dealt with the identification and properties of the various substances, and Mr. Pender expanded on the safety precautions observed by his Company in the handling and conveyance of these products. Both speakers managed to condense a very wide subject into their allotted time, and the delegates derived much information from the excellent presentation of this difficult subject.

After a short break, a film was shown on some of the operations, with partiCUlar emphasis on the handling of large tankers at the ocean terminal at Finnart, Long Ther7after, Mr. Finlay gave a talk, suitably wIth slides, on the history of the Company. Both Items were extremely interesting.

The Branch was entertained to lunch and was honoured by the presence of Mr. Cook, Director and General Manager, Refinery (Grangemouth) Ltd., who presided. Before rIsmg from the table the Branch Chairman took the opportun1ty of thanking the Company for the excellent arrangements and hospitality provided, and Mr. Cook suitably replied.

Minutes

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at the Rothes Arms Hotel, Glenrothes, Fife, on Tuesday, 16th March, 1971, copies of which had been previously circulated, was approved.

Secretary and Treasurer's Report

The report of the Secretary and Treasurer, copies of which had been previously circulated, was approved.

Report by Branch Representative

The -report of the Branch Representative to the Council of the Association, copies of which had been previously circulated, was approved.

Branch Rules

The Secretary intimated receipt of a letter from the Secretary of the Association dated 28th Februa'ry, 1972, indicating that formal approval was given by the Council to the new Branch Rules at a meeting on 26th January, 1972. A signed copy of the Rules will be forwarded in due course.

Annual Subscription 1973

In terms of Rule 30, consideration was given to the amount of the Branch subscription for the year 1973. The Secretary indicated that the matter had been considered by the Committee and their recommendation was that the subscription for Ordinary Members should be 50p.

Mr. MacLeod proposed that in view of the substantial balance in the accounts and the low rate of annual expenditure, that no subscription be levied, and was seconded by Mr. Kane.

An amendment was proposed by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Anderson, that the Branch annual subscription should be fixed at 50 pence for Ordinary Members and Associate Members. Mr. MacKellar, seconded by Mr. McGregor, moved a counter-amendment that the Branch

subscription for Ordinary Members of the Association should remain at 50 pence and that no subscription should be levied from Ordinary Members of the Branch who were not members of the parent body.

A vote was taken on the amendment against the motion and the amendment was carried by 21 votes to 2. A vote was then taken on the counter-amendment against the amendment and the counter-amendment was declared the finding of the meeting by 16 votes to 9.

Election of Officers and Committee

Before proceeding with the nomination and election, the Secretary intimated that it had been ·impracticable to follow the procedure laid down in the Branch Rules because of the late notification of their approval by Council.

Mr. MacLeod (Dunbarton), was unanimously elected Chairman of the Branch for the ensuing year and was invited to take the Chair by the retiring Chairman, Mr. Arneil, who wished him well in his term of office. In reply, Mr. MacLeod thanked the members for electing him to office and hoped he would justify the confidence they had shown in him. He concluded by thanking Mr. Arneil on behalf of the members for the work he had done during his term of office.

The remaining Office Bearers and Members of Committee were elected as follows :-

Chairman

K. MacLeod (Dunbartonshire)

Vice-Chairman

R. S. L. Anderson (Ayr)

Honorary Secretary and Treasurer J. Shol't (Paisley)

Branch Executive Committee

Seven candidates were proposed and seconded for five vacancies on the Committee. After a vote the following were elected:-

R. S. Brown (Argyll & Bute)

B. ColLier (Clydebank) J. Kerr (Forth Ports Authority) J. J. MacKellar (Perth) G. Turnbull (Edinburgh)

The unsuccessful candidates were Messrs. Wilson (Kirkcudbright) and Baird (Lanarkshire).

Auditors

R. McGill (Clydebank) S. Steadman (Dunbartonshire)

Branch Representative to Council J. Short (Paisley)

Place of Next Meeting

It was suggested that because of the extensive developments ·in the oil industry, Aberdeen would be an appropriate locus for the next meeting, and it was left to the Branch Executive Committee to pursue this suggestion or make alternative arrangements as necessary.

Vehicle Parking Places

There was some general discussion on recent Home Office Circulars regarding the approval of parking places for vehicles carrying inflammable liquids. Various viewpoints were expressed but no decision was taken or guidance offered as the matter was still under consideration by the Council of the Association.

Chairman's Address

Mr. J. Short, Chairman of the Association, addressed the members of the Branch. He the members for appointing him their representative to the Council five years ago, which had led to his being elected to the office of Chairman. He felt that the honour had been one conferred upon the Branch rather than a personal one.

The Association had continued during the year to consolidate .its position as a national organisation, but further progress in this respect had been retarded because of the introduction of a Bill in Parliament ,to re-org-anise Local Government in England. On re-organisation, petroleum administration was likely to be allocated to top tier authorities, which would drastically reduce the number of authorities who could become members, and it was unlike ly that the Association would be able to continue in its present form. A special General Meeting of members would take place later this year when the final form of reorganisation proposals had become law, and the members would be asked to decide on future policy.

The Chairman also drew members' attention to the forthcoming Annual General Meeting at Shrewsbury which would be held during the first week of April. For the first time, the meeting was being held over two days in order to attract persons based some distance from the venue to come to the meeting. A civic reception was being provided by Shrewsbury Town Council and three papers were being presented in the course of the two days. He urged members, if at all possible, to make the effort to attend. He concluded by thanking the Branch for its support throughout his year of office.

Retirement of R. F. Donnelly

It was unanimously agreed to send a letter to Mr. Donnelly (K'ilmarnock) who was due to retire shortly, wishing him well in his retirement and thanking him for the work be had done for the Branch as Chairman and member of Committee.

Vote of Thanks

The meeting concluded with Mr. Anderson proposing a vote of thanks to all who had contributed to the success of the meeting, in particular B.P. Refinery (Grangemouth) Ltd., for the presence of their Managing Director, Mr. Cook, at luncheon, and for providing three excellent speakers for the morning session in Mr. Hugh Pender, Dr. Roger Macrae and Mr. Finlay. Tribute was also paid to the work done by the Chairman, Branch Executive Committee, Mr. Kerr, Forth Ports Authority, and the Secretary for their efforts. It was unanimously agreed that a letter be sent to Mr. Brodie, Secretary, RP. (Grangemouth) Ltd., expressing the appreciation of the Branch for the facilities and hospitality that had been provided.

West Midlands

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at F,ire Brigade Headquarters, Merridale Street, Wolverhampton, on Tuesday, 21st March, 1972.

The meeting was welcomed by Alderman G. A. Guy, Chairman of the Fire and Ambulance Committee of the County Borough of Wolverhampton. Alderman Guy informed the meeting how proud Wolverhampton was of the new Fire Brigade Headquarters and that he hoped the members had a fruitful and informative meeting.

Present

32 members and visitors.

Apologies

10 apologies were received.

Welcome to Visitors

The Chairman, Mr. R. P. Holdaway, welcomed the visitors on behaH of the Branch, in particular Mr. J. Short, Paisley, Chairman of the Association; Mr. J. Frid, Cambridge, Honorary Secretary of the Association; and Mr. J. T. Metcalfe, retired member.

Minutes

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Stokeon-Trent F,ire Brigade Headquarters on 7th October, 1971, having been previously circulated were approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of Secretary and Presentation of Balance Sheets for 1971

The Secretary briefly reported on the activities of the Branch for the previous year and, as there were no questions on the balance sheet it was proposed and seconded that the balance sheet and report be accepted.

Address

At this stage the meeting was addressed by the Chairman of the Association, Mr. J. Short, who informed members that the Advanced Seminar which was originally to have been held at York University ,in October, had been brought forward to the last week in September. Due to lack of support and the short time available for organisation, unfortunately the Northern school had had to be cancelled.

Mr. Short then went on to the current topic of Local Government Re-organisation and stated that the Council of the Association intended to call a special meeting before the end of 1972 with regard to the future role of Petroleum Officers and the Assooiation in general.

Mr. Short then reminded members that this year's Annual General Meeting was to be held at Shrewsbury on 5th and 6th April, and already 160 acceptances had been received for the Civic Reception.

Mr. Holdaway then thanked Mr. Short for his address, which had been received with acclaim and there followed a short discussion on the upheaval of Local Government Re-organisation and in particular what to do with the Association's funds. Mr. Short replied that all these questions would 'be on the agenda for the special meeting.

Branch Representative's Report

Mr. Harvey, Branch Representative, then presented his

report, which had previously been circulated. Mr. Harvey stated that there was little he could add to the report at that stage as the Association's Chairman, in his address, had raised all the points that he could bring to mind. Mr. Harvey was then thanked for his services to the Branch as Representative for 1971, and the report was proposed, seconded and accepted with thanks.

Election of Officers

The following were elected :Chairman

Mr. T. O. Burn, City of Stoke-on-Trent. Vice-Chairman

Mr. A. A. Ainley, Stone, Staffs.

Hon. Secretary-Treasurer

Mr. G. Balshaw, Shrewsbury. Committee

Mr. T. Keith, Cannock.

Mr. J. R. l.ewis, Walsall. Mr. S. Boulton, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Branch Representative Mr. G. Harvey, Dudley.

Venue of Next Meeting

The Secretary informed the Branch that arrangements for the Autumn meeting had not at that stage been completed, but it was hoped that facilities could be arranged at the Fire Services Training Establishment, Motton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire, perhaps in conjunction with the South Wales and Wessex Branch.

Any Other Business

(a) Mr. J. Easton, Burton-on-Trent, asked the meeting for help on the question of deliveries of petroleum spirit during the hours of darkness. Some little discussion took place on this topic and i,t was eventually decided that there could be no objection to these deliveries providing there was satisfactory illumination at the delivery point.

(b) Mr. Easton also raised the question of 'charges made by the Fire Brigade for a stand-by service in hazardous conditions. Several Chief Fire Officers replied on this point and it would appear that there is no statutory charge but any charge which is made is decided locally by the Chief Fire Officer for the area concerned.

(c) Mr. R. E. J. Roden of Birmingham raised the question of testing low voltage lines between self-service petrol pumps and the console. Mr. Manship of Messrs. EUis & Ward Ltd., Birmingham, replied that it Was vital that both high and low voHage installations should be tested. Mr. Harvey of Dudley then said that he had also come across this problem and an electrician had informed him that if this work was to be carried out strictly according to the book, it would take a full eight hours to test one pump. Mr. Manship replied that in his opinion it should not take such a long time but whatever time it took it was necessary that the work be carried out completely. Mr. Harvey then said that there had been no accidents to date on equipment of this type and he felt that the cost/risk factor should be taken into consideration. Mr. Manship then stated that there

had been some relaxation all round, especially with flame-proof equipment at all petrol installations, including depots, with no reported accidents to date. Mr. Roden, who had raised this question posed the further question that he accepted there had been no accidents to date on installations of this sort, but would the risk increase as the equipment grew older? This discussion had taken some little time and at this point Mr. Hall, Newcastle-under-Lyme, proposed that, through Mr. Harvey, this problem be put to the Hon. Electrical Adviser through the Association's Reference Committee.

(d) Mr. Harvey then raised the question and asked members what facilities their authorities had for the parking of tankers over-night. On this question, Mr. Hughes of Stafford had asked the police to make a survey in Stafford over a short period as to how many tankers were parking over-night and the survey had shown that the incidents of over-night parking was nil. Mr. Archer, Walsall, stated that he had recommended to his authority that parking facilities for tankers be made available. Mr. BUrn, Stoke-on-Trent, informed the meeting that his authority had already provided parking facilities. Mr. Hughes said that in his opinion tankers carrying petroleum spirit would not need an over-night park as petroleum spirit was usually conveyed in short haul journeys and he thought that the parks would only be used by tankers transporting other dangerous substances from one part of the country to another. The Association Chairman, Mr. J. Short, then said he had heard of a survey carried out in Greater London on this problem when only an average of ten tankers per night had used the facilities available.

Lecture

The meeting then adjourned for lunch and resumed in the afternoon when illustrated lectures entitled 'Self-Service and its Developments in the Immediate Future' and 'The Case for G.R.P. Underground Tanks' were given by Mr. J. F. Bridger, A.C.G.I., G.I.Mech.E., of B.P. Retail Division, Shell-Mex/B.P. Limited.

At the end of these two lectures Mr. Bridger ably answered the inevitable questions raised by the members and a vote of thanks to Mr. Bridger was proposed by Mr. J. Archer, Chief Fire Officer of Walsall, which was carried unanimously.

Wessex and South Wales

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held on Monday, 17th April, 1972 in the Council House, College Green, Bristol.

Present

L. Haggatt. Chairman, and 13 members.

Members were welcomed to Bristol by T. Lister, Chief Fire Officer, City and County of Bristol, who expressed his appreciation of the work of the Association and hoped that the arrangements made for the meeting by Mr. D. Boyne, would be found satisfactory. The Chairman suitably replied.

Apologies

Apologies were received from seven members and associates.

Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held at Cardiff on 18th October, 1971 which had been circulated with the Agenda were taken as read, and signed by the Chairman.

Matters Arising Therefrom

There were no matters under this heading.

Chairman's Report

The Chairman reported as follows :-

I would like to say how much I have appreciated serving as your Chairman for the past year. During the period there has been a slight increase in membership, and there have been the usual half-yearly meetings of the Branch and Executive Committee. The duties generally, however, have not been onerous.

One thing which I think it is important for me to refer to, is the proposed re-organisation of Local Government. It is a little difficult to forecast the future, either of this Branch or the Association generally, in the light of the proposed re-organisation of Local Government in 1974. As you will appreciate, re-organisation which it is intended should take place on 1st April, 1974, could have a considerable affect upon the future of both this Branch and the Association generally. The matter was discussed at the last Executive meeting at Thornbury, and I beIieve discussed at some length at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Until more information is available it is not possible to say what the effect will be.

However, whatever the future holds, I am sure that every member will agree that the existence of the Wessex and South Wales Branch of the Association has been of cons'iderable value to petroleum officers in the area. As one of the founder members I sincerely hope it will be able to continue to function even in a revised form within the re-organised set-up.

I would like to thank all members, and in particular the Branch Secretary and members of the Executive Committee, for the assistance they have given me during my year of office.

Report of Branch Representative

In spite of the impending re-organisation of Local Government, I have to report that the Council has passed through a per,iod of -intense activity. The work of organising the various courses and seminars occupied a great deal of time and members appeared well satisfied with their scope and content.

Discussions on constitutional matters are a continuing commitment, and, innovation and improvement must continue if our standards are to be maintained. Various Branch rules were also submitted to the Council for approval. Attention is drawn to the Association's Code of Practice and to the new Electrical Certificate, copies of which are available through the Branch Secretary.

Among the many technical topics, the question of parking areas for road tankers carrying inflammable Jiqued was

discussed, with particular reference to Home Office Circular 186. Entry to the Common Market could well exacerbate this problem and all members are advised to review the position in their districts, not forgetting any problems posed by the parking of tankers on housing estates.

Dr. Jeacocke of the Home Office gave helpful advice to representatives of the Council regarding glass reinforced plastic underground storage tanks and Branch members are reminded that an installation at Brockworth, near Gloucester is open for their inspection.

Honorary Secretary-Treasurer's Report

My last report was made to the Branch in April, 1971, when I gave a resume of the formation of the Branch and its acti\"ities over the preceding two years.

(a) Membership

We started the year with a membership of 61 members and 4 associates, total 65. The membership at 31st December, 1971 was 64 members and 4 associates, a total of 68. Several recent enquiries may lead to further applications for either membership or assooiate membership.

(b) Rules and Regulations

In my last report I drew attention to the fact that due to various changes at national level, this Branch had no formal rules and constitution. This Branch adopted a new model rules and constitution at its Annual General Meeting in April, 1971. The necessary formal cop.ies were sent on to the National Secretary shortly after, and during the course of the year I have made enquiries as to the position. On 28th February, however, I received a letter from John Frid (National Secretary) advising me that formal approval had been given to the new Branch rules and that a signed copy would be forwarded to me as soon as possible, possibly in time for our Annual General Meeting. At the date of making this report I am still awaiting its receipt.

Last year we had the postal workers strike to contend with and this year -it has been the miners' strike leading to power cuts, which led to certain difficulties both at headquarters and at local levels.

(c) Branch Activities

During the year two Branch meetings were held; the Annual General Meeting at Gloucester and a Branch meeting at Cardiff.

As most members will be aware and many directly involved with the running up period to Local Government re-organisation, it is perhaps as well to put on record the fact that it is proposed to re-organise the whole structure of Local Government with dates for 1973 for elections and the operating of the new authorities from 1st April, 1974. Details of the Local Government Bill are being discussed at Committee stage in the House of Commons, and while we have yet to see the final pattern emerge I think there is no doubt that future legislation will make the County Councils the licensing authority for petroleum. Although during the past year there was only one meeting of your Executive Committee, I can foresee that during the period ahead

it may be necessary for more frequent meetings to take place.

During the year, correspondence has taken place in respect of enquiries concerning membership and associate membership, queries regarding publications in 'The Bulletin', and sundry other enquiries of a general nature affecting the Association's work.

(d) Financial Statement

Under National Rules the financial year has now been made to end at 31st December. During the year there was no Jncome to the Branch, and I am taking up with the National Treasurer the fact that ·in my view we are entitled to a further per capita payment based on Branch membership.

The Secretary further reported that this morning he had received a cheque for £33.25 being payment of two years capitation fees.

Arising out 'of this report H. A. Scawen proposed, and It was resolved that the Secretary write to the National Secretary and endeavour to expedite the receipt of the new Branch rules and consHtution.

Election Gf Officers

The Secretary drew attention to the difficulties which had f.aced him with a delay in receiving approval to the rules and constitutions. Nomination papers had, however, been .issued to all members and nominations had been received for all offices, with the exception of one vacancy on the Executive Committee. The scrubineers were appointed and reported upon the nominations which had been received.

It was resolved that the following appointments be made: Chairman

T. L. Cox, Cricklade and Wotton Bassett RD.C. Vice-Chairman M. Clarke, Cheltenham Borough.

Honorary Secretary-Treasurer R. Huntington, Thornbury R.D.C. Branch Representative S. W. D. Harris, Gloucester R.D. Executive Committee D. Add-ison, Port of Bristol. T .K. BlackweH, Sherbourne U.D.C. R Crowther, Gloucester City. W. J. Jones, Newport C.B. V. Rowlands, LlaneHi RD. L. J. Storey, Bath C.B.

Auditors

F. H. Lewis, Cheltenham RD. Captain W. A. Poeton, Port of Bristol.

Scrutineers

H. A. Scawen, Torbay C.B. D. Boyne, City and County of Britol. Past Chairman

L. Haggett, Merthyr Tydfil C.B.

Correspondence

The Secretary referred to various correspondence and outlined the action he had taken. In respect of a letter from M.

Clark, Chei'tenham M.B., it was agreed to discuss the implications and problems he had raised later in the meeting.

Future Meetings

It was suggested the Secretary endeavour to arrange the next meeting in conjunction with a visit. Poss,ible suggestions ,were I.C.I. Severnside, or Port of Bristol in co-operation with either authority, or a petroleum company. Consideration being given to the Branch providing a coach as transport from a central meeting place if this should be found necessary. It was left to the Secretary in conjunction with the Chairman to make the necessary arrangements.

Matters of General Interest

M. Clark, Cheltenham M.B., opened the discussion by drawing attention to the numerous premises which stored small quantities of petroleum and petroleum mixtures, and suggested the need for a campaign, possibly on a National bas,is.

The need for this was in his opinion highlighted by the following case; a resident in the middle of a block of terraced houses converted as flats, bought and stored petrol in a cupboard on the landing of a communal staircase. While absent on holiday the container leaked and the petrol seeped into the adjacent dwelling, necessitating the calling out of police and the petroleum officer. Subsequently the person was successfully prosecuted on two counts, (1) that he kept petrol ,in a vessel in such a condition as not to prevent leakage, etc., and (2) the vessel did not bear the words 'Petroleum Spirit, etc' Other charges concerning place of storage, etc. had to be dropped on legal adv,ice, and it was these latter aspects that 'caused concern for the matter to be raised at this meeting.

R. Crowther, Gloucester City, suggested the problem could be tackled on an educational basis. His authority had leaflets which are distributed at local home safety campaigne organised by the Fire Brigade.

T. L. Cox, Cricklade and Wotton Bassett, concurred in the problems and enlarged on the dangers of self-service paraffin into petrol tins at garages. An attempt to control this by planning conditions had failed.

D. Boyne, Bristol, referred to the use of unauthorised containers at self-service stations which raised the question of whether it was being stored, or transported.

W. J. Jones, Newport, mentioned Home Office are trying to rationalise the regulations. Five gallon jerry cans are for transporting, two gallon cans are for storage. Other speakers and L. A. ComeI', Mangotsfield U.D., stressed the need for sampling before instituting legal proceedings. It was essential to have documentary proof that the contents are petroleum spir.it.

After discussions and suggestions from M. Clark, R. Crowther, F. H. Lewis, T. L. Cox, H. A. Scawen, D. Boyne and T. K. Blackwell it was agreed that there appears to be a need for a campaign, poss'ibly on a National level, aimed both at the trade and general public.

The Secretary was instructed to write to the National Secretary on these matters with suggestions.

Several members raised questions concerning disused petrol storage tanks. D. Boyne, Bristol, referred to his

authority's Local Act to enforce treatment and recover the cost. He mentioned that he had been approached recently regarding the possible use of telescopic 'fill pipes' and that an experimental one was being fitted far trial purposes. W. J. Jones, T. L. Cox, H. A. Scawen, D. Boyne and R. Crowther outHned some of the various problems with which they had been faced. In respect of submersible pumps it was felt that they should be fitted with a pressure cut-out. Remote pumps with distribution pipes to various points raised problems in addition to the need for pressure testing there was also the need for a pressure cut-out. Preference was expressed for hydrostatic gauges rather than a dipstick two way valve, etc. It was generally thought that our Assooiation should endeavour to get the Home Office to set up a technical advisory section.

A vote of thanks was passed to D. Boyne of Bristol for the excellent arrangements he had made for the meeting and a vote of thanks was unanimously approved to the Chairman for his successful year of office.

East Midland

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe, on Thursday, Hth May, 1972

Present

The Chairman of the Association, Mr. R. P. Holdaway, the Secretary of the Association, Mr. J. W. Frid, the Chairman of the Branch, Mr. C. W. Howkins, and 32 members.

Apologies

18 apologies were received.

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting held at the Barrow-upon-Soar Rural District Council Offices, Rothley, Leicester, on Tuesday, 2nd November, 1971 were confirmed.

Membership

There were four applications for ordinary membership and one for associate membership which were submitted and approved.

Annual Report of Secretary-Treasurer

The Secretary reported that the Branch now comprised 68 Local Authority Members, 2 Officer Members, 14 Associate Members and 1 Life Member, providing a Branch membership of 130 members.

Reports we're given of meetings held during the year and the Petroleum Technology Course organised by the Northern Education Committee which was successfully held at York University from 13th to 15th April, 1971. As regards the holding of a similar course for 1972 it was reported that the Northern Education Committee had not been able to arrange suitable dates and the proposed course had heen abandoned.

The Secretary referred to ,the attendance of the Immediate Past Chairman of the Association, Mr. J. Short, at the Ordinary General Meeting and the complimentary report he had made to the Council of the Association on the meeting.

The financial position of the Branch was reported to be extremely satisfactory.

At the conclusion of the report Mr. Matthews referr.ed members to the informative talks on Petroleum istration given by Mr. Howkins at both Branch meetm.gs during the year and on behalf of the members thanked hun for his unique contribution to Branch activities.

Annual Report of Branch Representative

The Branch Representative gave his report on the proceedings of the Council. He informed members that the Association's second Advanced Seminar would now be held at Alcuin College, York University, from Monday, 25th September to Thursday 28th 1972 interested members should make proVISIOnal applIcatIOn. t the National Secretary, Mr. J. W. Frid, who told the meetmg that there were still a few vacant places.

Members ,were informed that the new East Midland Branch Rules were approved by the Council at their last meeting and would be circulated to members in due course.

The Branch Representative reminded members of the important special Annual General Meeting of the Association scheduled for the Autumn to consider the future role and policy of the Association in relation to Local ment Re-organisation. The Chairman of the AssocIatIOn referred to this special Annual General Meeting and informed members that the Council were studying the situation closely and would present their views and recommendations to members at this meeting. He reminded members that the Association was now a well-recognised authority on Petroleum Administration with the necessary expertise which could not be ignored in the formation of any new administrative structure.

Election of Officers

The following were elected :_ Chairman

M. T. Lucas, Scunthorpe. Vice-Chairman

H. Booth, Barrow-upon-Soar R.D.C. Honorary Secretary-Treasurer J. Birks, Chesterfield.

Committee

J. Bantoft, Derby.

F. D. Bates, Premier Pump & Tank Co. G. C. Cartwright, Nottingham.

R. E. Clarke, Leicester City Fire Servke. D. T. Jones, Beeston & Stapleford U.D.C.

Branch Representative

J. Birks, Chesterfield.

Auditor

J. Bantoft, Derby.

Installation of Chairman

Mr. M. T. Lucas, Scunthorpe, was installed as the new Branch Chairman by the retiring Chairman, Mr. C. W. ffowkins, Grantham. Mr. Lucas in thanking the Branch for the honour of being its Chairman said how much he had benefited by being a member. He praised the development

of the Branch and the wonderful of the different f . forml'ng the Branch In referrmg to the problems pro eSSlOns of Local Government Re-organisation he was convmced that ber chosen to administer ,the Petroleum Acts and any mem . h Regulations would certainly have a good groundmg for suc administration.

Any Other Business

Mr. E. Stainforth, Mansfield, informed members of his forthcoming retirement. Several members paid. tribute to the interest and enthusiastic support he had gIven the Branch 'nce its formation and it was unanimously agreed that on retirement he should become a Life Member of the Branch. Mr. Stainforth thanked members for the honour.

Mr. Bilbie, Premier Pump & Tank Co., brought to the notice of members of a tank manufacturer supplying an underground petrol tank provided with a calibrated 2,000 gallon dipstick when in fact the tank only held 1,990 gallons. This fault only be detected an overspill and Mr. Bilbie saId that when the obVIOUS danger was brought to the notice of the manufacturers their answer was that they made their tanks to a nominal size.

Mr. Matthews said that the principles of construction did say that dipsticks had to be 'accurately' calibrated and it was imperative that they should be. Under such circumstances he would advise the licensee to obtain a certificate of the true tank capacity from the manuf.acturers. Mr. Lucas thought that it was the manufacturers' problem and that they should test and caJ.ibrate their tanks correctly.

Addresses

At :the afternoon session ,there were two talks.

The first talk was given by Mr. T. T. Lucas, entitled 'Road Tanker Construction and Recent Developments'. A petrol road tanker parked at the Civic Centre Was subjeoted to an electrical resistance test on its lighting circuits by Mr. Lucas. The Home Office standard laid down was stated to be 100,000 ohms by Mr. Lucas who obtained a reading of 1,000 ohms on his megometer. After the demonstration Mr. Lucas told members that he was concerned about the potential dangerous road tankers which were in everyday use and had conferred with the motor manufacturers the Society of Motor Manufacturers, and the Home He said that the motor manufacturers were carrying out research work on :the problem and a further meeting was planned with the Home Office when more information was available. Mr. Frid asked Mr. Lucas if new road tankers passed the Home Office electrical resistance test. Mr. Lucas replied that he did not think so since it seemed to him that road tanker manufacturers simply attached their petrol tanks on to a standard chassis from the motor manufacturers which were equipped with the normal standard of electrical wiring. Many members were obviously concerned with the potential number of road tankers which might be in use and they were anxiou,> to learn of any further developments.

Mr. Matthews in expressing a vote of thanks to Mr. Lucas said that Mr. Lucas had introduced a brand new subject to the Association which required immediate a'ttention. In extreme circumstances there was the possibility, Mr. Matthews thought, of a road tanker conflagration, due to

sub-s'tandard electrical wmng involving loss of life which could place certain petroleum officers in an embarrassing situation. He thought that any further information and guidance should be made known to members as soon as possible through 'The Bulletin' or by other means.

The second talk was given by Mr. J. Bantoft, Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, County Borough of Derby, entitled 'The Construction of a Bulk Distribution Depot for Petrol in Association with Fuel Oils'. Mr. Bantof.t conveyed to members the many problems associated with the licensing of a bulk distr,ibution depot by relating his own personal experiences. He did this in a novel way by displaying a detailed plan of a bulk distribution depot he had dealt with in Derby, and describing to members in detail all the problems he had encountered from firs:t being approached by the oil company until his final acceptance of the depot for licenSing. In dealing with these problems members learned a great deal about tank construction and location, bund walls, fire-fighting precautions and equipment. Although Mr. Bantoft had gone into great detail he concluded that the Model Code for Bulk Installation Depots was our only guide to licensing and as petroleum officers we were very much in the hands of the experts regarding the details of technical construction.

At the conclusion of the talk Mr. Bantoft dealt with numerous questions, mainly of a technical nature, and in doing so, members gained further useful information regarding the problems likely to be encountered when deal,ing with bulk installations.

A vote of thanks was given by Mr. F. B. Saunders, Spalding Rural District Council, who said that Mr. Bantoft had given a talk which contained a lot of detail and which must have required a great deal of study.

At the conclusion of the meeting tea was taken at the kind invitation of Scunthorpe Corporat,ion.

Northern

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at the Town Hall, Market Place, Richmond, Yorkshire, on Wednesday, 24th May, 1972.

Present

The Chairman, Mr. H. Johnson, and 18 members.

In his opening remarks the Chairman welcomed the visit of Mr. R. P. Holdaway, Chairman of the Association, and Mr. J. W. Frid, Hon. Secretary of the Association, then introduced Messrs. Moore (Sunderland C.B.), Foale (North Riding C.C.) and Hard (LC.!. Ltd.), each of whom was attending a meeting of the Northern Branch for the first time. Mr. Johnson commented upon the attractions of Richmond and the surrounding countryside and reminded members that they were close to the spot where the 'lass' of 'Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill' fame, had once lived.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. Brunner (Hartlepool C.B.) and Rhind (Applied Research and Engineering Ltd.)

Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held at the Wilton Works of Imperial Chemical Industries Limited on Wednesday, 19th January, 1972 having previously been circulated, were approved.

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

Honorary Secretary-Treasurer's Report

The Honorary Secretary reported that there had been no increase in Branch membership during the twelve months under review. He then referred to a query which a member had raised recently concerning a proposal to enlarge the petrol storage facilities of a garage situated in a busy urban area in the circumstances where the garage forecoul't had been separated from the storage tanks by road improvements. The Honorary Secretary also referred to a query which he had raised with Mr. R. E. Dust, Honorary Secretary of the South East Midland Branch of the Assoc-iation, consequent upon publication of the Branch minutes in 'The Bulletin' (VoUl No. 2) and relating to the suggested unsuitability of M.S.A. Mark 2 Explosimeters for use in detecting vapours of leaded petrol. The information provided by Mr. Dust in response to his enquiry enabled the Honorary Secretary to report to members that Mark 2 instruments could safely be used for this purpose provided they are fitted with the recommended inhibitor filters which are available commercially.

Members were informed that Council, at its meeting at Birmingham, 26th January, 1972 had approved the Branch Rules as submitted and that copies would be circulated in due course.

As Branch Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary reported .to members upon Branch finances and reminded them that, as the Branch made no charges for membership, funds were limited.

Branch Representative's Report

The Branch Representative reported upon his attendance at meetings of Council, the minutes of which have been published in various issues of 'The Bulletin'. He informed members of the increases in Local Authority and Associate Membership of the Association and in the number of subscribers to 'The Bulletin' as compared with corresponding figures for the previous twelve months. Members were reminded that the Advanced Professional Course was to be held at Alcuin College, University of York, 25th to 28th September, 1972 and that a small number of places were still available. The Branch Representative also made reference to the future of the Association consequent upon Local Government re-organisation.

Election of Officers

The following were elected :Chairman

H. Johnson, O.B.E., Teesside C.B. Vice-Chairman

B. W. C. Thacker, Teesside C.B.

Honorary Secretary-Treasurer

P. H. Cartwright, Hartlepool C.B.

Executive Committee

J. B. Newton, Skelton & Brotton U.D.C. W. Scanlan, Easington R.D.C.

Branch Representative P. H. Cartwright, Hartlepool C.B.

Chainnan's Address

Mr. R. P. Holdaway, M.I.W.M.A., Chairman of the Association, addressed members and gave a brief account of the origins of the Association. He said that the strength of the Association lay in its Branches and in the diversified professional disciplines of their members. Mr. Holdaway referred to certain proposals relating to the future of th: Association which were presently the concern of CounCIl and said that a number of problems were yet to be resolved. Mr. Holdaway expressed the hope that, after Local Government re-organisation, the new Petroleum Authorities would take advantage of (and thus benefit from) the knowledge and skills available to them through the Association. Finally, Mr. Holdaway indicated that once the Local Government Bill had received the Royal Assent, a special meeting would be called to put Council's proposals for the future of the Association to members.

Simultaneous Deliveries of Petrol

Mr. Clapham (Richmond B.) referred to a request which h.e had received recently from a petrol company to permIt simultaneous deliveries of petrol into underground storage tanks, and sought the views of members. Mr. Ansbro (Darlington C.B.) said his Council's Conditions of Licence did not permit multiple deliveries because of the increased volume of highly inflammable vapours discharged to atmosphere during filling. Mr. Frid (Cambridge M.B.) took an opposing view and SUpported mUltiple deliveries because of the shortened time during which vapours were being discharged. Mr. Moore (Sunderland C.B.) and Mr. Cronin (Teesside C.B.) both indicated that they accepted simultaneous deliveries but only where the siting of tanks was remote from any public footpath or highway. The Honorary Secretary quoted an opinion upon this subject which had been ex'pressed by the Reference and Legal Committee of the Association in 1967 and said that, provided deliveries were properly supervised, this did not appear to be a matter which could 'be objected to on legal grounds but if necessary it could be controlled by attaching a special condition to any Petroleum Spirit Licence. Mr. Johnson, Chairman, recounted an incident which had occurred locally some years ago in which a garage toilet had been demolished by explosion occasioned by the ignition of petroleum vapours discharged to atmosphere during tank filling.

Disposal of Underground Tanks

Mr. Spencer (Hartlepool C.<B.) sought the views of members upon the best ways of dealing with disused petrol storage tanks and expressed his concern about the difficulties of disposing of exhumed tanks. Mr. Frid said he was fortunate to have a deep water pit in his area and therefore disposal was no problem to him. The possibility of using explosives under controlled conditions was considered and reference was to !nformation concerning successful experiments here mtro-merted medium expansion foam was used ;;'eparatnry to cutting a tank with oxy-acetylene equipment

M H Idaway said he relied upon an organisation which r ed in steam cleaning and removal and he insisted specla IS h upon receiving a gas-free certificate ?ef?re pern:uttmg e exhumation of a tank. Mr. Ansbro saId It was hIS practIce to inert with CO, or nitrogen and to mark the as having contained petroleum spirit. He would then notIfy the Petroleum Officer of the Authority to which the tank was to be transported.

Pre-Payment Self-Service Filling Stations

Mr. Cartwright (Hartlepool c.B.) queried members attitudes to problems relating to the enforcement of licensing conditions at pre-payment self-service sites and raised the question of vandalism. He said that his Council's legal department had expressed the opinion that licensees. of prepayment filling stations could not be held :esponslble for incidents which occurred when such statIOns were unmanned. Mr. Holdaway said that only note acceptor units were permitted in Shrewsbury and he emphasised the importance of careful choice of sites. He suggested that by being selective in this way the problem of vandalism, which was a major cause of concern, could be minimised and it was his considered opinion, based upon practical experience extending over a number of years, that if this aspect was removed there were few difficulties with this kind of petrol retailing. Mr. Frid said that his Council did not permit pre-payment self-service developments prinCipally because it was not possible to control the type of container being filled. By way of illustrating his point Mr. Frid instanced circumstances which had been brought to his notice where a university professor was said to have presented a bucket at a filling station in which to carry away a quantity of petrol. The Branch Chairman closed this item on the agenda by referring to other circumstances of a similar nature where it was said that a motorist asked a filling station attendant to fill with petrol a plastic bag which he was carrying in the boot of his car; the reason being that the bag would take up less space because it would follow the contours of the boot as it was filled!

Date and Place of Next Meeting

Mr. Moore kindly offered to provide accommodation at Sunderland for the next meeting to be held on 13th September next.

Any Other Business

There being no other business, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned for lunch.

Lecture

Members re-assembled in the Town Hall at 2.00 p.m. and the session was devoted to a lecture entitled 'Developments in Modern Forecourt Retailing', given by Mr. A. A. Featherstone, B. P. Marketing Limited.

In introducing his subject Mr. Featherstone traced the history of petrol dispensing equipment through sixty years to the present day and, with the aid of slides, his talk and spoke upon the various kinds of self-servIce development which had taken place in ,the last decade. He then went on to consider new equipment, some of which was still under development, which used electronics in place of mechanics for blend and price selections, readouts, etc.

Members were given an insight into problems associated with equipment design and of the ways in which these problems were resolved. Mr. Featherstone concluded his lecture by comparing conventional steel petrol storage tanks with glass reinforced plastics tanks and spoke of B.P.'s experiments in this field.

A question and answer session followed when Mr. Featherstone replied to points raised by members.

Votes of Thanks

Mr. Newton (Skelton and Brotton D.D.C.) and Mr. Scanlan (Easington R.D.C.) proposed the votes of thanks to Mr. Fea,therstone and Richmond Borough Council respectively. Both were acclaimed with enthusiasm and warmth.

At approximately 4.00 p.m. the Chairman declared the meeting closed and wished members a safe journey home.

Yorkshire

The Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at the Town Hall, Scarborough, on Wednesday, 24th May, 1972.

Present

The Branch Chairman, Mr. P. Murray and 10 members.

Apologies

Apologies for absence ,were received from 13 members.

Treasurer's Report

The Branch Treasurer presented the Accounts which were circulated to the members present. A proposal by Mr. Hendry, seconded 'by Mr. G. Greenough that the Report be adopted, was carried unanimously.

Election of Officials

Chairman

It was moved by Mr. Hendry and seconded by Mr. Greenough that Mr. P. Murray be elected as Chairman. Mr. Murray was elected unanimously.

Vice-Chairman

Mr. Hendry was proposed by Mr. P. Murray and seconded by Mr. Mr. R. Sample. Mr. Hendry was elected unanimously.

Secretary and Branch Representative Mr. J. Bennett was proposed by Mr. F. Benson and seconded by Mr. Hendry. Mr. Bennett was elected unanimously.

Branch Representative

Mr. Sample was proposed by Mr. Hendry, seconded by Mr. Murray and elected unanimously.

Branch Executive Committee

The following members were proposed and seconded as shown, and elected unanimously :Mr. Benson_ proposed by Mr. Murray, seconded by Mr. Sample Mr. Badgerproposed by Mr. Murray, seconded by Mr. Benson Mr. Wallaceproposed 'by Mr. Hendry, seconded by Mr. Murray

Honorary Auditor

Mr. Hendry was re-elected as Honorary Auditor.

Any Other Busines

The Chairman raised the subject of Local Government Re-organisation in 1974 and its possible effects on the administration of the Petroleum Acts. He suggested it might be an appropriate time to arrange an informal meeting of all officials in the Branch area engaged on petroleum work, including non-members of the Association, to discuss the matter. It was agreed that the Chairman should make further enquiries as to the possibility of calling such a meeting.

The Chairman then closed the Annual General Meeting.

A meeting of the Branch was held at Scarborough Town Hall on Wednesday, 24th May, 1972.

Present

The Chairman and 11 members.

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from 13 members.

Minutes of the Last Branch Meeting

The Minutes of the last Branch meeting had been circulated and were .taken as read. It was moved and seconded that the Minutes be signed as a true record.

Matters Arising

Further discussion took place on a number of points in the Minutes regarding problems raised at the previous open forum.

Testing of Underground Storage Tanks

Mr. C. Peacock told the meeting that he had carried out field tests on his equipment designed to expedite tank testing, but the tests had revealed the need for further modifications. He told the meeting he was also making enquiries into the method of tank testing used in Western Germany, in which pressure was applied on top of the spirit in the tank. The gauge used for these tests was known as a Johns Pressure Meter. Mr. Peacock agreed to keep the Branch informed of the development of his equipment.

A general discussion followed on tank testing which included many controversial points, such as an arbitrary agreed life for underground tanks, detection of leaks by the use of a supersonic leak detector.

The discussion was spirited and although revealing minor differences of practice amongst authorities, illustrated that fundamentally the same principles were being applied.

During the meeting the Chairman was called away to appear on the Yorkshire Television programme and the Chair was taken by the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Hendry.

After a further discussion on un-attended self-service filling stations, which again revealed a divergence of opinion and opposition by most members, the meeting was closed.

A Civic Tea was kindly provided by the Mayor after the meeting.

REFINERIES OF GREAT BRITAIN

No. 6 North Tees

In July, 1964, Phillips-Imperial Petroleum Limited was incorporated as a joint company between Phillips Petroleum Company of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S.A. and Imperial Chemical Industries Limited. This association between a major chemical company and a major oil company emphasizes the increasing extent to which crude oil is being used as a basic raw material for sophisticated end products including synthetic fibres, fertilizers and plastics. It represented the first such joint venture in the United Kingdom between an American oil company and a British chemical company.

In April 1965, Phillips-Imperial Petroleum purchased from ICI an existing 1 million ton/year crude oil distillation unit on the North bank o'f the River Tees and by autumn 1966 a second crude oil distillation unit of 4 million ton/year capacity had been designed, built and put on stream.

Crude oil for the refinery comes from North Africa and is supplied by Phillips Petroleum Company. Refinery products such as kerosene, diesel fuel, gas oil and fuel oil are sold throughout the U.K. as well as being exported, by Phillips Petroleum Products Limited which acts as selling agent for P.I.P. All the naptha is sold to ICI for use ·in petroleum chemical operations.

The refinery and jetties are situated on reclaimed land adjacent to Seal Sands near the mouth of the Tees, only a few miles from the ICI factories at Billingham and Wilton. Close to the refinery ICI has built a large Aromatics Plant which is now being greatly increased in size. The whole new complex is known as North Tees Works.

The Refinery

The crude unit, which is located alongside the original 1 ton/year unit, is designed to process up to 4 mIllIon ton/year of North African crude to produce two of naptha feedstock for ICI, as well as kerosene, lesel fuel, gas oil and oil fuel. The storage and distribution :yste.ms for the crude feed and products of the two units re Integrated, but the larger crude unit employs side :eboilers (rather than steam stripping) to raise the sh POInt on the heavy naptha, kerosene and gas oil stream, thus ensuring completely dry products.

. The latest addition to the refinery is a kerosene sweetenIng. plant which will produce up to 330,000 ton/year of PUrIfied kerosene for home heating and general commercial use.

Storage for the refinery is provided by conventional overground. tankage, but in addition a substantial quantity of crude 011 and products can be stored in the cavities developed from worked-out salt wells.

Both refinery units produce their own steam. Electricity IS purchased from the North Eastern Electricity Board and water is drawn from the Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board's mains.

The latest type of oil/water separators are included as part of the site services, together with means for the chemical treatment of aqueous effluents from the refinery before discharge into the Tees. The oil/water separator system is also designed to handle the de-ballasting of tankers so that only clean water is discharged to the river, recovered oil being fed back to the refinery for processing.

Compared with many other crudes, those from North Africa have a very low sulphur content and so yield high quality fuels which ·cause much less atmospheric pollution when burned. Low sulphur fuels also allow of lower stack temperatures without dangers of corrosion. The refinery burns its own waste gas, and very low sulphur fuel oil, thus minimising its contribution to local atmospheric poHution.

The P.I.P. refinery does not produce petrol directly, but petrol is a co-product of ICI's petroleum chemical operations using naptha from the refinery.

There is a considerable area of land available at the site for expansion of the refinery's activities and possible new developments are under review.

The Jetty

As part of the 1966 expansion, a new jetty, No. 4 was designed and built to handle tankers ranging from 20,000 to 85,000dwt. Crude oil can be discharged from tankships at rates up to 6,000 ton/hr and products can be loaded at rates up to 2,000 ton/hr. The jetty services comprise bunkering and de-ballasting facilities, together with drinking water supplies and telephone service connections. A pnuematically operated system for handling hoses ·is installed.

In dredging out the berth for this new jetty, to provide access and accommodation for the large tankers, it was necessary to use explosives to remove an underwater outcrop of anhydrite. Great <:are was needed in this operation as it took place immediately above the Billingham to Wilton pipe tunnel and the rock cover to remain over the tunnel was only 13 feet.

This new jetty forms part of a jetty complex on the North Bank of the Tees at North Tees Works. The other jetties, owned by ICI, are designed to handle a range of smaller vessels. Phillips-Imperial Petroleum has the use of these jetties and in return provides bunkering facilities.

During 1968 eighty-five large tankships were loaded or discharged at No. 4 Jetty while one hundred and sixty nine smaller tankships were loaded with P.I.P. products at the ICI jetties. Thus P.I.P's business brought two hundred and fifty four ships, varying in size from 1,000 dwt to 85,000 dwt, into the Tees in that year. A proportion of the products transported by sea was being exported to overseas markets, while the remainder was being sent to seaport terminals in the U.K. for distribution to consumers.

The Road/Rail Filling Terminal

Besides the jetties .for the distributian of the praducts by sea, a raad and raillaading terminal was built incarparating many 'Of the latest features. This terminal is naw being expanded ta handle mare raad and rail traffic and is being furnished with mare equipment 'Of imp raved design. It is situated just off the Port Clarence to Seaton Carew road and is about two miles from the refinery site.

Refinery products from the tankage and underground storage systems are transferred by pipeline to the terminal, where they can be in 'line' blended into blend tanks and thence loaded through meters inta rail tankers or raad tankwagons. There are ten loading paints for road vehicles, into which the products are loaded by 'pre-set' meters. Temperature-compensated meters are used to simplify the accounting and invoicing of sales of fuel oils which must be converted to standard gallons far H.M. Customs purposes. Large road tankers can be loaded in 17 minutes, the loading rate being approximately 300 gallans per minute.

The rail installation is designed to handle block trains of up to 1,000 tons of product. Single paint tap loading is available for all praducts, and twin paint loading will shortly 'be available for selected products. Thus tankcars of any size can be loaded expeditiously, including the modern 100 ton bogie cars.

At present there are three rail spurs and a fourth is being built; on all four spurs the rakes O'f tankcars can be moved

Legal Proceedings

GREATER LONDON COUNCIL

During 1971 the Greater Londan Council undertook prosecutians on eleven occasians for breaches either 'Of the Petroleum (Cons(lHdation) Act, 1928 and the Regulations made thereunder or of thase Thames Tunnel By-laws which cover a not dissimilar field by prohibiting the conveyance O'f dangerous gaads thraugh the Thames Tunnels. Brief details of the infringements are appended.

Unlicensed Keeping

The self-employed proprietor of a spraying raam in a building which adjoined a 'dwelling hause was fined £8 with £7 costs at Greenwich Magistrates Caurt an 19th May, 1971 far keeping about 11 gallans of petraleum mixture without a licence. The internal partitians of the building were combustible and means of escape were unsatisfaotary.

At Brentford Magistrates Court an 20th August, 1971 a company was fined £50 with £35 costs for keeping 24 gallons of petroleum mixture without licence in an Isleworth workshop where spraying was done. The campany had ,been cautioned a few months previously for a similar 'Offence and advised of the warks necessary ta comply with the Council's standards far licensing. At the time 'Of the offence an oil stave was alight a few feet !fram cars being sprayed.

by shunting bogies which run on their own tracks under the rail vehicles. The loading points are set on islands between each pair of tracks and the loading arms can thus serve to laad trains an either of twa tracks.

Opera tars in the Terminal Cantrol Raom can, by remote cantral, determine the level and temperature of the cantents 'Of any 'Of the blend tanks and also cantral the companent blends for each praduct if so required. The same building houses the quality cantrol laboratary, where all products leaving the refinery are rigorously checked. Also in this block are (lffices for the distribution and commeroial personnel.

Pipelines are used to distribute naptha ta the various reI operations, fuel oil to adjacent ICI plants and, via the Tees pipeline tunnel ta major custamers on the South Bank of the Tees.

Sales of Products

PhiIlips Petroleum Praducts Limited acts as the selling agent for the praducts from the refinery. In addition to the substantial refinery terminal starage on Teesside there are terminals at Grangemouth, Salford, Leeds, Dagenham, Bromsgrave, Lang Eatan and Felixstowe, from each of which a fleet 'Of raad tankers operates.

The products are distributed by raad, rail and sea; where passible, black trains and coastal 'Or sea-gaing tankers 'are used far bulk despatches.

Contravention of Licence Conditions

Routine inspeotion 'Of a premises in Havering licensed to keep petroleum mixture for spraying purpases revealed the unautharised keep'ing 'Of petroleum mixture an an open shelf and a bench in the licensed spraying raam and an adjoining warkshap and the failure ta exhibit 'NO SMOKING' natices. At Ramfard Magistrates Court on 13th July, 1971 the licensee was fined £60 with £16 casts.

Breaches of licence canditians cast a garage proprietor dear when at East Central Magistrates Caurt on 18th Augus:t,1971 the company was fined a tatal of £200 with £40 casts. Openings to tanks were nat clased, the extract fan in a tank chamber was not warking, the daar of the chamber was neither locked nar labelled and the chamber was nat regularly inspected. The irregularities had been evident far some time but in sp'ite o'f warnings remedial wark had not been done -a .fact which the magistrate stated he had taken into account when impos'ing the penalties.

While a vehicle was being sprayed with petroleum mixture in a licensed spraying raam one of the daors of the roam was left wide open, welding work was being done on another vehicle in the same licensed spraying raom and the welder was smoking. At Gore Petty Sessions on 30th Nov-

ember, 1971 these breaches of licence conditions cost the welder a £3 fine and the company £80 in fines with £20.25 costs.

A licensee, without notifying the Council, replaced foot valves on the suction lines at the premises with angle check valves. The work was not done very well and subsequent inspection showed a number of leaks at joints. Despite warnings the company continued to use the defective lines a fact which cost them £80 in fines and £10 in costs at Wells Street Magistrates Court on 30th November, 1971. At the same time the company was fined £5 for failure to exhibif a notice setting out conditions to be observed by person employed at the premises.

Infringl,ments during Conveyance and Failures to Mark Vehicles

Examination of a tank wagon delivering petrol in Waltham Forest cost the owners a total of £130 in fines and £25 in costs at Stratford Magistrates Court on 28th July, 1971. The carrying tank of the vehicle was not labelled, no covers were provided to three trafficators and the rear lights beneath the carrying tank, one manlid was open, two manlids were unlocked and no fire extinguisher was carried.

A tank wagon was examined when it was seen to be delivering petrol to a filling station at Enfield. All the manlids were unlocked and two were insecurely closed. The screw cap was missing .from the draw-off pipe of one compartment and the tanker did not bear the statutory "petroleum spirit" label and the prescribed "flame" symbol. For these offences the company owning the vehicle was fined £85 with £5 costs at Edmonton Petty Sessions on 12th October, 1971.

Thames Tunnel By-law Infringements

The goods container of a large articulated vehicle was wrecked and its contents including fur coats, spread over a Wide area when it exploded less than 100 yards (or a few seconds) after leaving the southern exit from the Thames Tunnel at Blackwall. The result of a similar explosion in tunnel could have been catastrophic. The vehicle's load Included sixty-eight 90 lb. cylinders of compressed gases (hY.drogen, carbon monoxide and ethane) and four I! lb. of butane and phosphorous pentafluoride. The drIver, for taking these inflammable and tox'ic gases through the tunnel.contrary to the Blackwall Tunnel By-laws, was fined £5 With £5 costs at Greenwich Magistrates Court on 31st March, 1971.

A leaking petroleum mixture can was found among 72 gallons of petroleum mixture and other inflammable liquids on a covered van which had just been driven through the Thames Tunnel at Blackwall. When he was prosecuted at Greenwich Magistrates Court on 5th November 1971 the driver escaped with an absolute discharge. '

A driver took a lorry loaded with 500 gallons of methanol and 505 gallons of methylated spirit, all in drums, through another of the congested Thames Tunnels at Rotherhithe. For this offence against the Rotherhithe Tunnel By-laws, he was at Tower Bridge Magistrates Court on 12th November, 1971 fined £10 with £2 costs.

BRADFORD

On the 17th May, 1972, Mr. Bernard Kilmartin trading as St. Abbs Service Station, Halifax Road, Bradford, was prosecuted under 'the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 Section 1 (2) for keeping petroleum spirit without a licence.

The prosecution arose following a check on St. Abbs Service Station, Halifax Road, Bradford, where permission had been given ,for tanks to be rendered temporarily safe by filling with water for a period of six months after the licence had been discontinued.

The station was found to be In full operation. The water had been emptied from the tanks into the main drainage system and the tanks filled with petroleum spirit without any notification or application for the grant of a licence from the new tenant Mr. B. Kilmartin.

The defendant Kilmartin was fined £20.

On Monday, the 13th March, 1972, Blue Star Garages Ltd. of Blue Star House, Highgate Hill, London N18 and Mr. Iredale, manager of Blue Star Garage, Westgate Hill Street, Bradford were prosecuted at Bradford Magistrates Court for, in the case of Blue Star Garages, failing to secure that a competent person was in charge of the storage tank for the purpose of the delivery contrary to Regulation 16 (5) of the Petroleum Spirit (Conveyance by Road) Regulations 1957 and Section 6 (2) of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, two counts. Mr. Iredale for failing to properly complete the certificate specified in the second schedule to the Petroleum Spirrt (Conveyance by Road) Regulations contrary to Regulation 16 (7).

Both dependants pleaded guilty. The defendant Company, Blue Star Garages were fined £30 on each count. The defendant Iredale was fined £10.

The prosecution arose following an investigation into the origin of a suspected petroleum leakage. A number of complaints from houses in the immediate vicinity of the garage had been received.

The investigation showed that petrol had been delivered to a tank that had never previously held petrol, and that the prescribed certificates being filled in at the garage bore no relationship to what was actually being delivered.

In this particular case, though it has not been satisfactorily proved that a spillage did occur at the garage, it appeared from the evidence of the prescribed certificates that this had been more a matter of good luck than good management.

TEESSIDE

At a special court at Middlesbrough, Teesside on the 24th May, 1972, the North Western Oil Company pleaded guilty to offences under Section 1 of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928. The firm was fined £25 with £50 costs awarded to the Local Authority.

The prosecution arose following the discovery that the company was storing hexane in above ground tanks whioh had previously contained liquids not subject to the Act and no notification of this change had been received by the Petroleum Licensing Department.