The Bulletin Magazine - December 2013

The Bulletin

Journal of the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration

December 2013

Chairman’s Report

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Editor’s Report

4

Brian Baker Editor Brian Baker & Associates

Bulletin Information

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Fire and Petroleum Safety

General APEA Information

8

Services

Business Manager’s Report

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52 Milton Grove Bletchley

New APEA Members

11

News

11

Press Releases

30

Articles APEA Chairman at PEI Show

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Jamie Thompson

APEA Live 2013, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner

36

Publishing Chairman

A Petrol Forecourt Canopy Light that ‘ticks all the boxes’

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Are Petroleum Safety Inspections still worth doing?

68

UKLPG and BCGA Launch Re-usable Gas Cylinder Collection Initiative

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Modular Shell Filling Station - Moody Lane, Grimsby

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The First Primary Authority Partnership Inspection Plan under Petroleum Legislation Sainsbury’s Supermarkets & Petroleum Section London Fire Brigade

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Ask the Experts

77

Relining of Underground Storage Tanks

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Milton Keynes MK3 5BH Tel: +44 (0) 1908 377127 Mobile: +44 (0) 7798 765958 email: Bakerb4@sky.com

70 Wangford Road

CONTENTS AND EDITORIAL

Reydon Southwold Suffolk IP18 6NX Tel/fax: +44 (0) 1502 722999 Mobile: +44 (0) 7770 625851 email: jamie@jamiethompson.org.uk

Jane Mardell Business Manager PO Box 106

Branches Branch reports Training 2014 course dates and booking details

Saffron Walden

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Essex CB11 3XT United Kingdom

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Tel/fax: +44 (0) 845 603 5507 Mobile: +44 (0) 7815 055514

NB. The technical content is not an official endorsement by or on behalf of the APEA and are entirely the views of the author’s

email: admin@apea.org.uk

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Front Cover - Louise Morgan, APEA Chairman, speaking at APEA Live 2013

Published by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration A company Limited by Guarantee registered in England No. 2261660.

Opinions expressed in this Journal are not necessarily the views of the Association.

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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT/EDITOR’S REPORT

APEA live 2013 was a huge success and I would like to thank all the conference speakers, delegates, exhibitors and guests for making it our best event to date.

Many congratulations to all our worthy winners this year, as a member of the judging panel I know firsthand that the competition was fierce as we received more entries than any previous year in the awards history. Unfortunately there can only be one winner in each category and what I would like to say is another big thank you to all those who entered this year and to please consider re entering the entry form for 2014. The annual APEA conference and awards dinner is widely considered to be the single most important event in the industry calendar and is going from strength to strength. Alex Boudry and Colette Sellers have done a sterling job in their first year in the role of joint Chair of the Events Committee and on behalf of all members of council I would like to extend our thanks.

It seems like only yesterday that I was preparing to write my first

chairman’s report and cannot believe that twelve months have passed by so quickly. It has been an enjoyable but quite hectic first year in office, and I have found myself more involved than ever with all aspects of council, something that my work colleagues in my day job have supported me with throughout the year.

I attended for the first time this year the PEI event in Atlanta and it was extremely interesting meeting people from all over the world and discussing the different ways in which the petroleum industry works within each geographical location.

I would like to finish by thanking all members of council for their continued commitment and support without whom your association would not exist and would urge those members or non members who feel they can contribute towards the ongoing success of the organisation to get involved. I have managed to attend the Irish, Yorkshire and Eastern branch meetings this last year and

Incredibly I am writing my report for the last issue of 2013 with the end of another year in sight and Christmas celebrations looming. You will see that this is our APEA Live 2013 issue and have left it to others to herald our flagship event but this annual event has entrenched itself as the top downstream gathering in the UK, providing excellent networking and as we look back we are already formulating next year’s event.

The term “Fracking” has been mentioned a lot throughout this year bringing with it the prospect of considerable gas reserves from below the ground in the UK. This also associates with the term “Shale” which is oil bearing and is closely related to petroleum as defined in the description of petroleum within the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.

This Act, in force in the UK, is set to be repealed in 2014 and has served us well over the years. The draft working title is known as the “Petroleum (Petrol Filling Stations and Storage) Regulations 2014” and is certain to replace the licensing regime in favour of a form of “Certificate of Storage”.

Work has already begun on a new one-day course on the new

regulations that will include reference to the new Regulator’s Code and changes to the DSEAR Approved Code of Practice. We hope the APEA can provide a consistency of application of the new Regulations to both Petroleum Enforcing Authorities as well as the private sector.

If you are interested at this stage, please register your interest with Jane, our Business Manager (contact details on page 3) as we are certain demand will be considerable on our limited resource so get in first. Bespoke courses will also be available that offer a sizeable reduction on the individual delegate listed price.

I add here that the same will be destined for Northern Ireland who usually follow-on from the rest of the UK within a year or two.

My usual appeal for technical articles is announced here as I am very low on material at present and hope that as your Editor, I maintain a decent standard; it is important for us to produce a professional publication.

Please contact me if you have or are thinking of writing an article; it should be around 2,000 words, which is about 2 sides of A4 size paper without images. Images can be included and

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will endeavour to attend the other branch meetings during the next twelve months.

The branch meetings are an extremely useful way of learning about emerging technologies, changes and updates in the industry and are an invaluable networking event. If you are not receiving invitations to the branch meetings, please email Jane Mardell to make sure we have you allocated to the correct branch and ensure you are on their mailing lists.

This leaves me to wish each and every one of you a very happy Christmas and prosperous new year.

should be emailed as separate high resolution pdf or jpeg files.

By the way, if you are looking for the usual ‘Interview Article’ I can tell you that I did not have one as this edition was full so you will have to see who is in the spotlight next time.

As I see the darkened clouds gathering following rain I am reminded that summer has long passed and cold and shortened days in the depth of winter are upon us. I say, so what? We have our industry and the people in it to give us a sense of belonging.

Have a Great Christmas and New Year.

Sincerely Brian

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

Bulletin information and how to submit copy for the Bulletin

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admin@apea.org.uk.

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BULLETIN INFORMATION

• The Bulletin is published four times a year with a print run of 2200.

3rd Edition of the Guidance for Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations - ‘Blue Book’ (Revised June 2011) ‘Publications’ page. You can select to pay by credit/debit card or by invoice.

Pricing as follows: APEA Member Hard back £70 pdf £70 plus vat

5 - 9 copies = 10% 10 - 49 copies = 20% 50+ copies = 30% To benefit from the APEA member discount you will need to log on to the website before purchasing. If you do not know your log on details

The guide is available in hard copy and also as a pdf download.

If you wish to purchase the guide please go to the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk and click on the

Non APEA Member Hard back £140 Pdf £140 plus vat

you can click on the ‘Member log

Postage is free for orders to the UK and Europe up to a value of £500.00.

For orders over this value and for deliveries to countries outside the UK and Europe, the postage will be calculated when the order is placed.

There are also discounts available for bulk purchases of the hard copy version which will be calculated with your order as follows:

password or you can contact me at

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

in’ icon on the top right of the page and request your username and admin@apea.org.uk.

The APEA also publishes the Code of Practice for Ground floor, multi storey and underground car parks.

This can be downloaded directly from the APEA website and is available to members at £11.00 and £21.00 to non APEA members.

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APEA Website The site features: • A resource centre - useful information and links to other web sites and downloadable PDF’s

• An easy to use site search page

• An events calendar – see what is happening in our industry and Association throughout the year

• View your Branch committee contact details (link on the home page)

• A contacts library - contact details for companies and organisations and licensing authorities

GENERAL APEA INFORMATION/BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT

• You can purchase publications – including the 3rd Edition of the Blue Book • View and book training courses for the year, you can opt to be invoiced or to pay online via secure payment systems

I hope that all of you that attended APEA Live 2013 AGM, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner in November enjoyed yourselves and found the event beneficial. There is a comprehensive article on the event and this can be found on page 36 together with photographs covering the day and evening events.

2014 Membership Renewals With this issue of the Bulletin there is a letter explaining how you can renew your membership.

There is a new system in place this year so please follow the instructions on the letter on how to pay.

All payments should be made by 1st January to maintain continuity of membership.

2014/2015 Yearbook You should have all received your 2014 Yearbooks in October. Please let me know if you have not received your delivery and I will follow this up. All UK deliveries were delivered by recorded delivery.

I will be starting work on the 2015 Yearbook in February when instructions are sent out to members on how to be included with the March Bulletin.

Please remember that only members that complete the online entry process are included in the Yearbook.

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• Members access to past Bulletin articles on line

As a member of the APEA you have access to some of the restricted content on the site as a benefit of membership. To access this content you will need to log on with your personal details below: To log on visit the web site at www.apea.org.uk and click on the member log on link at the top right of the page. If you wish to change your password or contact details at

any time please click on ‘My Account’ on the top right of the home page.

If you do not know your username and password, please click on ‘Member Login’ on the top right of the home page and you can click to request these details, they will be emailed to the email address you entered when joining the APEA or you can email a request to the APEA office at admin@apea.org.uk.

Website banner Advertising You can now place your banner on the APEA website. This is £200 plus vat for one year, please contact me at admin@apea.org.uk if you wish to make a booking.

You can also benefit from the following if you wish to advertise in the Yearbook: • All existing ‘Bulletin’ advertisers receive a 50% discount off the 2015 Yearbook rates • Any advertiser taking out a full page advert in the 2015 Yearbook is entitled to a website banner free of charge from April 2014 to April 2015 on the APEA website • All APEA members are eligible for one free entry in the Petroleum Industry Company name listings and one in the Trade Directory section, please select the relevant Trade Directory heading when registering Bulletin - 2014 Advertising Renewals Advertising renewal letters were sent out in October to all existing advertisers. If you wish to secure the best position for your advertisement, please email me as soon as possible, as all bookings are on a first come first served basis. All artwork should be emailed to me by 10th January.

Members email addresses Most APEA communication to members is now carried out by email. If you have not added your email address to your membership record please can you either email me your address to add, or you can

log on to your account and add it yourself. This will ensure you do not miss out on information about APEA activity.

New Members There have been 22 new members joining during July, August and September and details can be found on page 11.

General Assistance If you need any assistance with general or technical matters, please do not hesitate to contact me at admin@apea.org.uk or on 0845 603 5507.

Regards Jane

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

July Clare Scawthorn 48 Alexandra Road East Ham, London E6 6HB

Mohammmad Habib Mohammad Bihir VZAIRA SDN. BHD. M- Avenue, Block C, C-2-1, N0.1 Jalan 1/38A Segambut Bahagia Kuala Lumpur, 51200 Malaysia Luis Carlos Rojas Laurens Calle 1C # 18-51 San Francisco de la Cuesta Piedecuesta Santander, Colombia

Mark Phillips 61 Clairemont Avenue New Malden, Surrey KT3 6QN

David Keir Colby Electrical Ltd 37 Coupar Angus Road Dundee DD2 3HX

Simon Hills 26 Forestdale Road Walderslade Woods Chatham, Kent ME5 9NB

Rainier Xuereb 61 R Kurradu Street Naxxar NXR2314, Malta

Scott Hunter Protronix Ltd 14 Wren Court Strathclyde Business Park Bellshill, Lanarkshire ML4 3NQ

Osho Adesina Orshman Energy Services 16, Folarin Street, Off Quarry Road Ibara Abeokuta Ogun State, 110001 Nigeria

Talei Sinclair 4d Saint Gothard Road West Norwood, London SE27 9QP

August Francois Joubert Infrastructure Consulting Engineers PO box 186 Persequor Park Pretoria, 0020 South Africa

Nigel Evans NE Electrical 71 Long Catlis Road Gillingham, Kent ME8 9PT Damilola Onanuga 33 Alake Onilere Crescent Gbagada Estate Phase 2 Lagos, Nigeria

UK, Motorway service stations in UK charging rip-off prices, say IAM A sandwich and a drink can leave little change from a £10 note.

Today, car safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) confirms just how much drivers are paying, with research showing that basic food and drink costs up to four times more in service stations.

On average, items bought on the high street cost 25% less than at service stations. The IAM survey also showed that petrol costs up to 10p a litre more on motorway forecourts compared to urban ones.

This practice is galling to drivers and their passengers who feel they are being deliberately fleeced. Of course it is not obligatory to stop at

Stephen Browning MOD DSEA #0014, McIntosh 0 Abbey Wood, Bristol BS34 8JH Steve Watts SMC Sales Consultancy Ltd 20 Elm Road, Pershore WR10 2BL Andrew Wyllie North Ayrshire Council Bridgegate House, Irvine KA12 8BD September Kevin Airey 25 Beechurst Road Cheadle Hulme Stockport, Cheshire SK8 5QG Christian Hayward Forecourt Refresh Ltd Mill Lane Carbrooke Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6TA Tej Hundal Costco Wholesale UK Ltd Home Office Hartspring Lane Watford, Hertfordshire WD25 8JS

NEW APEA MEMBERS/NEWS

Detailed below are new members that have recently joined the APEA during July, August and September.

Sam Cobb Marine & General Services Ltd 4 Allens Lane Poole, Dorset BH16 5DA

Brett Hovland Shell Downstream Inc 8000 Research Forest Drive STE 115-282 The Woodlands Montgomery, 77382 United States

Sebastian Ash Devon and Cornwall DC Power Varley Farm Prixford Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4DX

motorway service stations, but many motorists are loath to divert on spec into nearby towns, simply in search of a cup of restorative coffee, because of the risk of losing time and getting caught in local traffic.

Should it really be too much to ask retailers in service stations to charge more equitable prices? More competition would certainly help: in France, the prices charged by different fuel retailers en route is advertised on motorway-side price comparison boards. The same should be done here: every little helps.

While the high prices are infuriating, however, this is not just a question of money. More important is the question of whether these prices could be putting drivers off breaking their journeys. Driver fatigue is thought to be a

contributory factor in a quarter of fatal and serious accidents. For that reason, drivers are advised to take a break every two hours. Motorway service stations are supposed to be convenient places for drivers to stop, stretch their legs, nap if necessary and refuel both themselves and their vehicles.

Yet the IAM fears £3 cups of coffee and £2 bottles of water could be putting some drivers off. Some 17,000 people a year break down on motorways because they run out of fuel. How many do so because they have been trying to avoid filling up at high-cost motorway filling stations? Probably a significant proportion - an official review of prices would help put the overchargers in the spotlight and force change. It is surely time to put the “service” back into service stations.

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

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UK, Company prosecuted for illegal storage of fireworks

NEWS

A retail premises in West Yorkshire has been prosecuted for serious safety failings surrounding the illegal storage of fireworks. JTF Wholesale Ltd had exposed members of the public and employees to serious risk of injury at their store at 94 Gelderd Road, Leeds.

Leeds Magistrates Court heard on 24 September 2013 that the company was found to be storing more than seven times the amount of fireworks allowed under their registration, the maximum being 250 Kilograms of hazard type 4 explosives, and that the company took no appropriate safety measures to prevent fire or explosion.

Officers from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service visited the premises on 1st Nov 2012, and subsequently began an investigation into the illegal storage which brought a prosecution for serious safety failings against JTF Wholesale Ltd. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service also found that the company did not have a safe system in place to store fireworks. JTF Wholesale Ltd admitted to the contravention of regulations 11(8), 4(1) (a), and 5(1) of the Manufacture and Storage of Explosive Regulations 2005, for over storage, failure to take appropriate measures to prevent fire or explosion, and for failing to apply appropriate separation distances around their firework storage area.

Also contravention of Articles 15 1(a) and 9(1) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, for failure to provide information to allow West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to prepare response procedures and failure to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment.

The company, based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, was fined £19,000 and ordered to pay £3898.62 in costs.

Following the sentencing, Assistant Chief Fire Officer Dave Walton said: “With the firework season almost upon us I hope this acts as a warning to those individuals who may consider illegally storing fireworks for a short term financial gain. It will also 12

act as a stark reminder to those who have the correct registration/licence to store fireworks, to do so in a safe manner and within the law. The vast amount of explosives stored at JTF meant that there was a significant likelihood of a serious incident which would have had the potential for serious injuries or loss of life to employees, members of the public or firefighters. Further to the court case we will continue to work with JTF to ensure compliance with Law.” For more fire safety advice and tips on how to protect yourself, your family, your home or your business go to: www.westyorksfire.gov.uk.

UK, Card fees pushing rural petrol stations in UK “to the wall” Rural petrol stations face being driven out of business by a steep increase in the cost of processing credit card payments, the industry warned last night. The Petrol Retailers Association said that a rise in the number of 'Premium' credit cards on the market was piling pressure on smaller garages who are already struggling to cope with competition from supermarkets.

Premium credit cards - those carrying an annual charge but offering benefits and reward points charge petrol retailers more than 2 per cent of the total amount spent by a motorist in processing fees.

For a tank of diesel this can cost the forecourt nearly £3 a tank. PRA chief Brian Madderson said petrol retailers were lucky to make as much as £3 in profit from each tank they sell. He said ministers needed to intervene, and cap the amount “greedy” banks and card issuers can charge. Madderson added: “More than 60 per cent of the price motorists pay is tax, but the credit card fee covers the whole amount.

Why should card providers benefit from that? We should have a system similar to Germany where they have capped the total a card provider can pocket.”

He added: “These penal charges for card payments will cause serious issues for both independent retailers and their customers.”

There are just 2,000 rural petrol stations left in the UK, down from 6,000 at the peak. There are also

fewer petrol forecourts dotted around the country than at any point since the Titanic as more motorists flock to supermarkets to fill up.

The PRA urged the Treasury to investigate card payments last month, condemning a lack of regulation on the sector. Mr Madderson said the Office of Fair Trading had also been asked to investigate the charges.

The OFT has already investigated and cleared supermarkets and oil giants of any wrongdoing on petrol pricing, insisting in January that the market was “working well”.

UK, Petrol station bosses in rural Shropshire struggling to stay open Owners of independent petrol stations in rural Shropshire say they are struggling to stay open in the face of high prices and tiny profits.

They follow the national trend which has seen 175 independent garages shut up shop in the past year, leaving some villages and busy routes without fuel stops. Bloomsbury Garage, on the A41 near Newport, stopped selling petrol about 10 years ago to focus on car repairs and servicing.

James Cooper at the pumps at Lea Brother garage in Edgmond near Newport said: “You might be able to make one-and-a-half pence to two pence a litre profit margin.

The only way you made some money is if you sold a chocolate bar or a sandwich in the process. You can only compete with the supermarkets these days is if you are a big independent with five or six sites. Then you can negotiate on price. The supermarkets have taken the petrol market away from everyone. It will never go back to how it was.”

Lea Brothers Garage, in Shrewsbury Road, Edgmond, near Newport, is still selling petrol. But business partner James Cooper said any profit is tiny. “It covers the costs but that’s about it these days,” he said. “We do it more as a service to the people than a money-making thing. If it wasn’t for everything else we do at the garage it wouldn’t be viable. Even garages on main roads are closing now. They just can’t buy

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

UK, MFG signs supply agreement with BP Top 50 Indies forecourt operator, Motor Fuel Group (MFG) has announced the signing of a new multi-site fuel supply agreement with BP. Jim Mulheran, MFG’s Fuels Director said: “We are delighted to have recently concluded a new deal with BP and we look forward to our continued association with the UK’s leading dealer brand. This new multi-site agreement which commenced 1st June covers 46 of our stations with total annual fuel sales approaching 200 million litres.

We look forward to the possibility of developing our relationship with them even further, as we implement our plans to significantly grow our business.”

Peter Molloy, BP’s UK Sales Manager commented: “It’s good to be associated with a business that is determined to become one of the UK’s most dynamic and profitable independent forecourt operators.

We are pleased to be working with them and wish them every success.”

UK, Fuel duty may be cut in rural UK areas parts of Devon and Wales could receive 5p fuel discount Drivers in remote areas could pay less for their petrol and diesel under Government plans to cut fuel duty.

Residents of the Scottish islands and the Scilly Isles already receive a 5p discount on their fuel because the costs of transporting it means prices are higher than on the mainland.

Now ministers are considering extending this island fuel rebate scheme to other areas including parts of Devon, Cumbria and Wales.

The Government will collect price details from fuel retailers in 35 remote regions before seeking the right to implement the move from the European Commission. A cut in fuel duty is defined as state aid under EU law and must receive permission from Brussels to go ahead.

The overall cost of the scheme will depend on the number of areas affected, but it is likely to run into millions of pounds as retailers would be able to claim back lost revenue from the HMRC. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said it would not be easy to gain approval from Europe.

Alexander added: “The island fuel rebate provides much needed help to keep down fuel prices in areas where costs of transporting fuel mean prices are much higher. I know that there are other remote rural areas of the UK with similarly high fuel costs. So we are starting to gather further evidence that will form part of an application to the Commission to extend the island fuel duty discount scheme to very remote rural areas. As a Highlander, I know that for people who live in rural areas driving is not a choice, but a necessity. So while it won’t be easy to get this agreed with the Commission, I want to do everything

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

I can to make this happen.”

The campaign group FairFuelUK said that even if the consultation was successful it would only help a small number of people and businesses. Instead, it called for a fuel duty cut across the whole country. Spokesman Quentin Willson said: “I welcome the Treasury’s acknowledgement that the UK needs a duty cut, but we need it across the country, not just for remote communities. Everybody is hurting, not just the few.”

Edmund King, president of the AA, said help for motorists was good news, but all road users needed lower fuel costs. He added: “It is quite hard to define a rural area.

Our analysis showed that if you have a supermarket close by, that will bring prices down. The Government needs to take measures to increase fuel price transparency as petrol costs and duty are too high generally.”

Nearly 1,500 retailers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are being consulted. The Treasury said it was most interested in identifying areas where prices were consistently similar to those on the islands that already fall under the scheme. But places where prices were consistently lower than those on the islands currently covered are ‘extremely unlikely’ to be included in any extension of the discount scheme.

UK, Independent petrol stations in UK closing at rapid rate leaving motorists in rural areas high and dry A total of 175 independent garages have closed in the past year, leaving entire communities and some busy routes without fuel stops. Motorists in rural areas are having to drive miles just to fill up because so many roadside garages have closed.

New figures show independent petrol stations are going the same way as thousands of boarded up pubs and corner shops – driven out of business by crippling overheads and cut-throat competition from major supermarkets.

Brian Madderson of the Petrol 15

NEWS

the fuel cheap enough.”

Mike Horst, who has run St Martins Service Station near Oswestry for 26 years, said ever-dwindling profit was the main reason many rural garages had left the business.

Mr Horst added: “The profit margins are so narrow on petrol that many garages in rural areas just can’t struggle on forever. We, for example, try to make 3p profit on every litre sold which is a tiny profit.

Fortunately we have the shop at the garage and the car workshop to support the petrol business but many small rural petrol stations don’t. If you have to get new pumps you are talking about an investment of between £25,000 to £30,000. Rural garages will simply say there is no way they can afford that investment for such a small return in profit and just close their doors.”

“Some larger supermarkets can use petrol as a loss-leader to get customers in. I reckon there must have been about six smaller garages close in the last 15 to 20 years in a seven mile radius from here. Things are very tough for the smaller petrol stations at the moment and we are struggling on,” Mr Horst continued.

Brian Madderson, of the Petrol Retailers’ Association, which represents forecourt operators, said: “Local filling stations are vital. At this rate of closures, we’ll be left with only motorway services and supermarket forecourts.”

Retailers Association, which represents forecourt operators, said: “Local filling stations are vital. At this rate, we’ll be left with only motorway services and supermarket forecourts.”

Around 5,300 garages have shut in the past decade. The problem is worst in the West Country, Wales, Scotland and East Anglia. North of the border, around 100 closed down between 2010 and 2012, representing a 14 per cent decline and the fastest rate of closures anywhere in Britain.

Industry leaders claim supermarket chains, which now control 40 per cent of the market, undercut rivals by subsidising fuel prices with store profits.

Many independents are locked into five-year supply contracts and cannot buy fuel cheaper elsewhere.

The AA’s Luke Bosdet said: “Some remote communities have set up their own pumps.”

The British Retail Consortium responded by saying supermarkets increased public choice and gave motorists value for money.

NEWS

UK, Service station chain expands motorway EV charging network Electric car drivers are now able to go further after Welcome Break installed 13 new rapid EV chargers at its motorway service stations. This next phase of EV charging infrastructure, devised by Nissan and charging provider Ecotricity, follows the three rapid chargers and nine standard stations which popped up at Welcome Breaks in August 2011.

The total number of rapid chargers in the UK now stands at 97, 16 of which are based at Welcome Break stop-offs. The aim is to have more than 150 rapid chargers installed at the majority of Welcome Break sites

by April 2014.

Ecotricity Founder Dale Vince believes that planting ‘top-up zones’ throughout the UK’s motorway network is key to wiping out range anxiety.

Vince explained: “The main barrier in people’s mind to the take up of electric cars is their travel range and charging times. Really these issues are one and the same. Concern over the distance that an electric 16

car will travel on a single charge, called range anxiety, can be overcome if you have the right charging infrastructure in the right locations – to quickly recharge.”

July saw plenty of encouraging signs for the UK’s electric vehicle charging network. Manchester launched its 250-strong network of chargers while the Government revealed which councils would receive a slice of the £37m funding to help install chargers.

Jim Wright, Managing Director of Nissan GB, added: “Nissan is working hard to ensure that 100% electric driving becomes accessible for all UK motorists and the installation of a rapid charging network on the motorway opens up EV ownership to thousands more motorists. The UK’s charging landscape is improving daily, and we are very proud to be the main power source driving the development of infrastructure that will ultimately provide further flexibility and peace of mind to our LEAF drivers.”

The new 13 rapid chargers have been installed: • Between London and Leeds South Mimms Services - Junction M25/A1(M) in north London Newport Pagnell Services - M1 North & M1 South near Milton Keynes Leicester Forest Services - M1 North & M1 South near Leicester Woodall Services - M1 North & M1 South near Sheffield • Between London and Birmingham Oxford Services - Junction 8A on M40 North/South near Oxford Hopwood Park Services - Junction 2 on M42 East/West south of Birmingham (connecting the M40 & M5) • Between Birmingham and Manchester/Liverpool Keele Services - M6 North & M6 South near Stoke on Trent • Between London and Bristol Membury Services - M4 East & M4 West between Reading/Swindon The M4’s Green Park Business Park also had a rapid charger in place from August ‘11 • Between Bristol and Birmingham Michaelwood Services - M5 North

& M5 South Bristol/Gloucester

between

• Between Exeter and Bristol Sedgemoor Services - M5 North near Weston-Super-Mare

Ireland, Running low on petrol stations When it comes to the issue of fuel stations that serve the motorist in Ireland, progress seems to be going in a distinctly negative direction in recent years.

Increasing competition, a boom during which the low-margin business of selling fuel was bulldozed over to make way for more lucrative ventures, and short-sighted planning, all contributed to a sharp drop in the number of petrol stations.

Statistics from the Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA) show that between 2000 and 2008, the number of fuel stations in the country more than halved (from 2,087 IPIA members down to 1,027).

Although there has been a very slight improvement in the situation over the last four years, there are still a lot of black spots around the country that are showing no signs of recovery; areas that have given rise to the use of the term ‘petrol desert’.

“There is a danger but it’s a different kind of danger now,” says Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch.

“Six or seven years ago, we were warning of the danger of petrol deserts in cities as sites were being lost to property development. That danger has receded and what we’re looking at now is potential petrol deserts in remote rural areas, as the individual service stations serving the more outlying areas disappear. There are still people exiting the business,” says Faughnan. “It’s literally true that if you go into a service station to buy €30 worth of fuel and a cup of coffee, the garage is making more money on the cup of coffee than they are on the fuel.”

A spokesman for the Irish Petroleum Industry Association acknowledges that it is often a problem for motorists trying to find a petrol station close to them and it’s a situation that’s not getting any better.

“There has been a decline in the

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Root as its sole fuel dispenser supplier for the next three years. This contract award demonstrates Gilbarco Veeder-Root's commitment to building better business for its customers. By working closely with our local fuel dispenser distributors to truly understand the challenges faced by CEPSA, we have been able to deliver a high quality and reliable solution, best suited to their needs. We now look forward to continuing to work closely with and support CEPSA as they look towards introducing alternative fuels to their forecourts.”

Romania, The new GAZPROM petrol station

Spain, Gilbarco Veeder-Root Europe wins fuel dispenser contract with CEPSA Gilbarco Veeder-Root will provide CEPSA with fuel dispensers to support their retail fuel operations across Spain and Portugal as part of a three year contract.

The award of this contract follows much hard work, which saw Gilbarco Veeder-Root work in partnership with CEPSA to understand the challenges they were facing and then develop the solutions best suited to their needs.

The end result will see Gilbarco Veeder-Root provide fuel dispensers from across its portfolio, including its flagship SK700-II dispenser. Gilbarco Veeder-Root will also continue to work closely with CEPSA by looking at introducing new solutions to the Spanish market, particularly with regards to alternative fuels such as AdBlue® and LPG. Ricard Blanco, Director of CEPSA Solutec said: “This contract was awarded following a rigorous selection process by CEPSA. As a result, we are confident that Gilbarco Veeder-Root and its distribution partners will meet CEPSA's requirements, particularly with regards to product performance, reliability and innovation. We have evaluated Gilbarco Veeder-Root technically to ensure that CEPSA would be provided with the solutions best suited to its needs.”

Duco Veltkamp, Gilbarco VeederRoot Sales Director, Western Europe commented: “I am delighted that CEPSA has chosen Gilbarco Veeder-

Gazprom Neft’s subsidiary – NIS j.s.c. Novi Sad officially opened another filling station under the GAZPROM brand in Romania. The first highway filling station GAZPROM is located in Dâmbovi a County, on the highway A1, linking the cities of Bucharest and Pitestion.

At the moment the network of GAZPROM filling stations in Romania has 12 outlets. The second phase of the development program of Romanian retail network includes the construction of another 20 filling gas stations. In total at the end of the year in Romania will run a network of 50 GAZPROM stations.

The project of development the new premium retail network of “Gazprom Petrol Stations” will include other countries in the Balkan region – Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

By the end of 2015, the Gazprom filling stations network will have about 250 filling stations operating in the Balkan region, 120 of those in Romania.

The operational management will be performed by NIS. The network of Gazprom filling stations belongs to the premium segment of the Balkan fuel market.

These GAZPROM filling stations will sell the latest EU standard fuel, topgrade lubricants and an assortment of additional goods. The format of the top-class filling stations envisages shops, restaurants and cafes. In addition to these, the customers on GAZPROM filling stations will be able to use other services, including wireless internet

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

access.

Filling stations under the GAZPROM brand are standardised into several formats, depending on their size and functional facilities. A common feature of these filling stations will be an excellent selection of food and beverages at the restaurant (including national specialities and international brands), a parking lot, car wash, playground, a significantly expanded range of additional services and a pleasant interior, as well as a system of customer loyalty programs.

“Development of the retail segment of petroleum products is one of the priority directions of NIS business operations. Opening of the filling station under the GAZPROM brand in this part of Romania is yet another step towards developing the company’s unique retail network. Market emergence of a brand with a high level of visibility and confidence in the quality of its products will contribute to achieving the company’s strategic objectives – emerging as one of the leaders in sales of petroleum products in the region”, stated Kirill Kravchenko, the NIS CEO and Deputy CEO for Foreign Asset Management in Gazprom Neft.

Europe, Reduction of pollutant emissions from light vehicles Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information.

In order to limit pollution caused by road vehicles, this Regulation introduces common requirements for emissions from motor vehicles and their specific replacement parts (Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards). It also lays down measures improving access to information on vehicle repairs and promoting the rapid production of vehicles in compliance with the provisions of the Regulation.

Vehicles involved The Regulation covers vehicles of categories M1, M2, N1 and N2, with 19

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number of petrol stations in Ireland over the last decade,” said the IPIA, “primarily due to the very tight margins in the petrol retail business in the intensively competitive market in Ireland.

Secondly, planning authorities in Ireland should have close regard to the sort of situation that has occurred in France (where fuel stations are currently closing at the rate of 250 per year) and other European countries for some time where permission is given to very large outlets that necessitate people having to go out of their way to buy petrol. This is not an efficient way of running a country.”

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a reference mass not exceeding 2,610kg. This includes, among others, passenger vehicles, vans, and commercial vehicles intended for the transport of passengers or goods or certain other specific uses (for example ambulances), which should have positive-ignition engines (petrol, natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) or compressed ignition (diesel engines).

Apart from the vehicles mentioned above (which are covered de facto by the Regulation), vehicle manufacturers may request that vehicles intended for the transport of passengers or goods with a reference mass of between 2,610kg and 2,840kg should also be included.

In order to limit as much as possible the negative impact of road vehicles on the environment and health, the Regulation covers a wide range of pollutant emissions: carbon monoxide (CO), nonmethane hydrocarbons and total hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates (PM). It covers tailpipe emissions, evaporative emissions and crankcase emissions.

Emission limits There are emission limits for each category of pollutant emissions and for the different types of vehicle listed above. These are detailed in Annex I to the Regulation.

Euro 5 standard Emissions from diesel vehicles: • carbon monoxide: 500mg/km; • particulates: 5mg/km (80% reduction of emissions in comparison to the Euro 4 standard); • nitrogen oxides (NOx): 180mg/km (20% reduction of emissions in comparison to the Euro 4 standard); • combined emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides: 230mg/km.

Emissions from petrol vehicles or those running on natural gas or LPG: • carbon monoxide: 1,000mg/km; 20

• non-methane 68mg/km;

hydrocarbons:

• total hydrocarbons: 100 mg/km; • nitrogen oxides (NOx): 60mg/km (25% reduction of emissions in comparison to the Euro 4 standard); • particulates (solely for lean burn direct-injection petrol vehicles): 5mg/km (introduction of a limit that did not exist for the Euro 4 standard).

In the case of vans and other light commercial vehicles intended for goods transport, the Regulation includes three categories of emission limits, depending on the reference mass of the vehicle: under 1,305kg, between 1,305kg and 1,760kg, and over 1,760kg.

The limits that apply to the last of the three categories also apply to goods transport vehicles (category N2).

Euro 6 Standard All vehicles equipped with a diesel engine will be required to substantially reduce their emissions of nitrogen oxides as soon as the Euro 6 standard enters into force. For example, emissions from cars and other vehicles intended to be used for transport will be capped at 80mg/km (an additional reduction of more than 50% compared to the Euro 5 standard). Combined emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from diesel vehicles will also be reduced. These will be capped at, for example, 170mg/km for cars and other vehicles intended to be used for transport.

Implementation of the standards As soon as the Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards enter into force, Member States must refuse the approval, registration, sale and introduction of vehicles that do not comply with these emission limits. An additional delay of one year is allowed for goods transport vehicles (category N1, classes II and III, and category N2) and vehicles designed to fulfil specific social needs. Time frame: • the Euro 5 standard came into force on 1 September 2009 for the

approval of vehicles, and shall apply from 1 January 2011 for the registration and sale of new types of cars; • the Euro 6 standard will come into force on 1 September 2014 for the approval of vehicles, and from 1 January 2015 for the registration and sale of new types of cars; Tax incentives granted by Member States and intended to encourage earlier use of the new limits will be authorised if: • they apply for all new vehicles available for sale on the market of a Member State, which meet the requirements of this Regulation before their entry into force; • they end on the date the new limits come into force; • are worth less than the cost, including fitting, of the devices used on any type of motor vehicle in order to guarantee that the values laid down are not exceeded.

Other obligations on manufacturers In addition to complying with the emission limits mentioned above, vehicle manufacturers must also ensure that devices fitted to control pollution are able to last for a distance of 160,000km. In addition, conformity must be checked for a period of 5 years or over a distance of 100,000km.

The Commission established committees to devise, before 2 July 2008, procedures, tests and specific requirements for the following: • tailpipe emissions, including test cycles, low ambient temperature emissions, emissions at idling speed, exhaust gas opacity, and the proper functioning and regeneration of after-treatment systems; • evaporative emissions crankcase emissions;

and

• on-board diagnostic systems and the performance of anti-pollution devices while the vehicle is running;

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

• carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption; • hybrid vehicles; • extension of approvals and requirements for small manufacturers; • requirements equipment

for

testing

• reference fuels, such as petrol, diesel fuel, gas and biofuels; • measuring engine power.

Easy and clear access to information on vehicle repair and maintenance is key to guaranteeing free competition on the internal market for information and repair services. To this end, manufacturers must ensure that independent operators have easy, restriction-free and standardised (particularly in terms of compliance with the OASIS standard) access via the internet to information on the repair and upkeep of vehicles, without discrimination in favour of dealerships and official repair workshops. This obligation covers onboard diagnostic systems and their components, diagnostic tools, testing equipment and standard working units or time periods required for repair and maintenance activities. Charges for accessing such information are permitted if they are reasonable and proportionate.

However, independent repairers have access to the registers of information free of charge and under the same conditions as authorised dealers and repairers.

Furthermore, manufacturers must make information available on vehicle repair and maintenance, as well as on the transactional services.

Context Although the standards for pollutant emissions have been updated since 1 January 2005 (Euro 4 standard), the EU believes that it is necessary to improve them further,

while also considering the implications for the markets and the competitiveness of manufacturers, and the direct and indirect costs for businesses.

This Regulation was drawn up after a wide-ranging consultation with stakeholders. It places the emphasis on reducing emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx), particularly for diesel vehicles. It should as a result be possible to achieve marked improvements in health. It should be noted that nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons are ozone precursors.

South Africa, Burger King expands into South African forecourts Burger King’s deal with Sasol is one of many collaborations between fuel service stations and retailers that is seen as being mutually beneficial as it drives up sales for both parties. Sasol announced this week that it would host Burger King outlets at its service stations across the country, with the roll-out expected by the end of the year.

Sasol joins a number of fuel brands that have partnered with retailers on their forecourts. These include Engen’s partnership with Woolworths, BP with Pick n Pay, Caltex with Fruit & Veg City’s Freshstop and Shell with Steers. Such collaborations give the fast-food or grocery retailer a bigger footprint in the country and allow the service stations to differentiate themselves from competitors and benefit from the retailer’s brand.

Sasol did not inform on how many Burger King outlets would be opened at its petrol stations. Since entering the South African market, Burger King has set up two flagship stores in Cape Town. The chief executive of Burger King South Africa, Jaye Sinclair, said partnering with Sasol “supports our rapid expansion plans”.

Jacques Theron, a portfolio manager at an investment company, said the deal was a great strategic move for the fast-food company. “It’s a clever way to get a footprint… throughout the country without incurring too much capital costs.”

BP announced its forecourts would

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be expanded with the introduction of Pick n Pay stores in addition to the retailer’s Express stores. BP will open 120 Pick n Pay stores in the next five years.

The Shell Ultra City brand, which is usually situated along major roads, has 29 Steers diners at the 31 service stations in the chain, while Engen has opened 45 Woolworths stores at its service stations.

Of Burger King’s main competitors, Steers operates 505 outlets across South Africa and McDonald’s has 170 outlets.

Statistics reported a 16.7 percent increase in fast food and takeaway sales in May.

Qatar, Woqod opens new fuel service station at Rawdat al Hamama in Doha The Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah, who is also the Chairman of Qatar Fuel (Woqod), inaugurated a new fuel-cum-service station at Rawdat Al Hamama. The new service station is located approximately 15km north of Landmark Mall on Shamal Road.

Mohamed Turki Al Sobai, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Woqod, and several board members of the company were present. The service station offers a variety of products and services for the local community as well as users on the North Highway Road.

“In designing this service station we took into account the various needs of the different types of customers that will use the site,” Al Attiyah said, adding “the station will provide gasoline and diesel for motorists and a special lane for fuelling trucks with high speed dispensers and a drive through facility for cars.”

It also has a large Sidra convenience store with a safe playground for children to play while their parents take a break from their journey. A full range of hot and cold beverages and fast food are available in the shop.

The facility includes car wash, tyre bays and basic vehicle maintenance activities. Additionally, Sidra Gardens will host a number of fast food restaurants and a pharmacy. The services to be 23

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• durability of anti-pollution devices, replacement parts for emissions control systems, in-service conformity, conformity of production and technical control;

provided are within the context of Woqod’s desire to provide a community centre for the customers in the area and passing by users on the highway.

Rawdat Al Hamama is the 19th service station in Woqod’s new image. Further sites which will be opened during this year are located in Umm Salal East - North Rawdat Al Hamama, Mesaieed Truck Road and Bu Samra. Woqod currently has an additional two service stations under construction and another 11 under planning consent.

Venezuela, Fuel stations on Venezuela-Colombia border still out of service - stations in Colombia are crowded as drivers try to fill tanks

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Petrol stations pertaining to the Special Border Fuel Supply System (Safec) in the state of Táchira, west Venezuela, keep their gates closed after fuel sales were suspended in May. Meanwhile, regular fuel stations in the state are crowded with drivers trying to fill tanks. Additional fuel supply is not provided, though.

So far, authorities have failed to provide information about the findings of an assessment of the domestic fuel market. The survey was intended to measure diesel and petrol demand in Táchira state.

A source said that the number of filling stations matches demand from 100,000 vehicles “circulating in Colombia with Venezuelan license plate, legal documents, Venezuelan IDs, and whenever they come to the country they have the same right to buy fuel here.”

Russia, Gazprom ready to design additional CNG filling stations for the agricultural sector Viktor Zubkov, Chairman of the Gazprom Board of Directors held a meeting at the company's headquarters to address development prospects for the NGV 24

market within the agricultural sector as well as the gas filling infrastructure. The meeting stressed that Gazprom was taking largescale systemic measures for advancing the Russian NGV market.

The use of natural gas in the Russian economy should become far more widespread due to its advantages.

Russia, being one of the world's largest grain sowing and grain processing regions, has a unique agricultural potential. The future of Russian agriculture lies in the use of high-performance and costeffective technologies.

Joint activities aimed at expanding the use of natural gas as a motor fuel will make it possible to increase the competitiveness of Russian foods.

Nowadays, fuel costs make up nearly 20 per cent of an agricultural company’s expenditure. The share of gas in the total volume of utilized fuel does not exceed 1 per cent.

Meanwhile, natural gas is much more cost-effective and ecofriendly. Replacing conventional fuel with natural gas may result in reducing the company's expenditures for fuel and lubricants by three times, decreasing emissions and, consequently, the level of soil degradation.

The experience of agricultural companies presented at the meeting showed that conversion of trucks and buses to natural gas reduced their operating costs by one third. The payback period for investments in conversion was only 6 to 9 months.

“We are ready to provide the necessary financing to start designing new CNG filling stations in the current year in addition to those we have already planned out. This can be done along grain transportation corridors, near large factories which are ready to purchase gas-fired equipment, as we see,” said Viktor Zubkov.

Gazprom's goal is to replace 20 per cent of conventional fuel used in the agricultural sector with NGV fuel by 2030. The coordinated actions of all the market players are necessary to unlock the full potential of NGV fuel.

The necessity for further expansion of the CNG filling stations network as well as wider use of mobile gas filling stations with the account of tractor and harvesting equipment specifics

was pointed out as an expansionary measure. Proposals were voiced to further develop Russian NGV equipment and create service and repair centres for gas-fired agricultural equipment.

The NGV sector will be largely supported by concessional lending and taxation for the companies using NGV fuel as well as partial subsidy assistance in purchasing NGV equipment.

The meeting resulted in the decision to set up a working group under the Russian Ministry of Agriculture to work out the issues of expanding the use of NGV fuel in the agricultural sector.

Besides, in the nearest future the possibility will be worked out to launch pilot projects for large-scale introduction of gas-fired equipment by agricultural companies.

USA, Phillips 66 names Convenience Store Alliance as new retailer program to provide national buying power for 66, 76, Conoco stores Phillips 66, which owns leading fuel station brands Phillips 66, 76 and Conoco, has announced the company's new business relationship with Convenience Store Alliance (CSA), introducing a new branded retailer buying program in an effort to help independent convenience store operators compete with largechain stores.

Houston-based Phillips 66 first publicised the new program, exclusive in many Phillips 66 markets, at its 2013 Marketing Conference & Trade Show, held from May 21-23 in Las Vegas.

“With our CSA relationship, we look forward to offering independent convenience store operators across the nation access to reduced costs on products and services retailers use every day in the convenience stores,” said Mike Krampf, manager of brand value at Phillips 66. “The announcement at this year's Marketing Conference was very well received, and we believe that CSA will be a vital player in helping branded sites become more competitive in many

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USA, Old gas pumps with a connection to the present Carmen Kobza the managing director of OPW Fuelling Components Europe and a member of the APEA - knowing of our interest in old dispensers sent in these photographs.

This dispenser was from his grandparents General Store in Freyburg, Texas.

It was commissioned in 1952 and stayed in operation until about 15 years ago.

The original nozzle was an OPW 711.

He told the Bulletin: “That nozzle was given in a glass case as a wedding gift to Carmen and his wife, Kristin, several years ago. My

grandpa asked if I would offer him warranty on the old OPW nozzle and my reply was “no problem”…. as long as he sold me gas for the 53 cents/gallon that was the last sales price shown!”

USA, Restored Flying A filling station in Gladstone lures classic car owners, photographers and curious passersby About once a week, a curious passerby stops into Darrell MacKay’s shop in downtown Gladstone, USA, asking “What exactly is this place?”

It’s easy to see why. From the outside, it appears to be a bright, late-1940s Flying A filling station, complete with a trio of porcelain pumps and a porch swing. Inside, it’s MacKay’s motorcycle and ATV accessory shop, Cycle Express.

MacKay, 69, has been restoring the old building across from

Gladstone City Hall since he purchased it in 2002. It was a seldom-used garage then, owned by an old friend looking to sell when MacKay was ready to move his business out of his barn in Oregon City.

Now the shop at 110 W. Dartmouth St. is something of a destination for classic car owners, photographers and advertisers alike. Over the years, it’s appeared in calendars, on the cover of car magazines, in Mercedes ads and a Suzuki brochure. Hundreds of photos of classic cars and their owners in front of the shop line a photo album on the front desk. It was even the backdrop for a movie scene.

MacKay never expected his project to become an attraction.

“When I first bought it 10 years ago, I intended to take off the metal garage doors and build walls,” he said. “But I realised that no matter what I do, it’s always going to look like a gas station.”

With a little research, he discovered the building was formerly a Flying A station, back before Phillips Petroleum Co. - now ConocoPhillips bought the company and rebranded its western stations to Phillips 66.

MacKay liked the Flying A logo, so he scoured thrift stores, flea markets and eBay for memorabilia and painted the shop with the company’s colour palette: red, cream and pale green.

But once he’d transformed the exterior, MacKay encountered a problem. When curious strangers stopped to inquire, they were disappointed to see the inside of the shop looked, well, like a normal shop, he said. So MacKay transformed the interior, too, with more antiques, a big Flying A counter and old Oregon license plates. Even in the back, where MacKay and his staff manufacture gas cap hoses, ATV flag holders and other accessories, there are remnants of the old garage: the drafting table is a large sliding glass door anchored to a car lift.

Though the restoration took a lot of work, MacKay said it pays off on summer nights, when friends stop by and they sit out on the porch swing, pretending they’re in simpler times.

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27

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areas of business - not just at the pumps.”

CSA is an alliance designed for independent c-store operators across the nation to help branded sites improve margins, enhance profitability and improve operations by leveraging national account pricing and providing consulting type services with field-based employees. These employees work with the retailer to take full advantage of the buying program and also use their industry experience to share merchandising and category management tips.

The program has a proven track record - on average, participating sites have saved more than $20,000 per year. While CSA offers more than 17 programs and services to c-store dealers and marketers, these numbers were generated from CSA's fountain and grocery programs exclusively.

Hytek’s new product catalogue

PRESS RELEASES

The waiting is over: Hytek’s new catalogue has arrived.

Customers can now recycle their old, red covered one to make way for the brand new blue covered catalogue dated October 2013.

Hytek’s new catalogue has over 60 new products across 12 different categories comprising of nozzles and hoses, flow meters, heating and oil tank items, road tanker fittings and forecourt construction equipment.

Many of the new additions to the catalogue have been due to customer requests. The ALPHA twin commercial pump (allows two different fuels to be pumped from one cabinet) and the ALPHA dual outlet commercial pump allows the same product to be dispensed at two different speeds.

ATEX also features heavily amongst Hytek’s new product offerings with a large range of approved equipment for use in flammable areas. An extensive range of Adblue dispensing pumps together with Adblue filters will provide many solutions for the ever growing and changing market.

Other extended ranges include grease equipment accessories and an increased selection of hand pumps for fluids like chemicals, solvents, marine and more.

Additionally, with the two new versions of the O.L.E hi accurate tank gauges comes an extended choice of options including hi, low, and bund alarms.

A new economy 24 hour fuel test kit for diesel bugs & vent dryers has been introduced as the use of biofuels is increasing.

The new catalogue will be available in two versions; a retail copy with list prices for your customers to see and the second, displaying the trade prices you pay.

For extra convenience, in place of Hytek’s contact details, the retail copy has space to add yours. This is particularly useful as copies of this catalogue are intended for use on 28

trade counters, as customer handouts, or those accompanying your sales team.

Subject to conditions, all products are in stock ready for despatch the same day.

Fairbanks crowned Business of the Year

Fairbanks were crowned Business of the Year at a lavish annual awards evening held in Blackpool which was organised by the Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

They were presented with the award

by TV presenter Eamonn Holmes in front of 900 guests in the famous Tower Ballrooms. Known as the ‘Be Inspired Business Awards’ – the BIBAs is seen as the largest business event of its type in Lancashire.

This caps an extraordinary 12 months for the data management specialists from Skelmersdale. A global contract from Shell led to over 85 new jobs being created, which doubled the size of the organisation in a short period of time.

Their commitment to recruitment, quality, training and development has not only been recognised by their BIBA award but has also helped them to achieve a Best Companies Accreditation and the top ‘Gold’ award from Investors in People.

Bob Conlin, Managing Director said “We are thrilled to have been recognised with this award. The night was very special for all of the Fairbanks team who attended the Awards dinner and it made us realise what stiff competition we faced from so many other outstanding businesses in our region. We are acutely aware of the challenging trading conditions facing our industry sector, for us as a service provider as well as for our customers but thanks to the hard work, talent and commitment of our people we have been able to not only grow the business significantly but also give a career start to over 100 graduates in the last 18 months.”

“Business of the Year is an award that acknowledges outstanding performance in the global marketplace and I would like to congratulate Fairbanks their superb achievement. They should be praised because they are shining examples of what can be achieved, particularly in these difficult and challenging times, by people with a real aspiration to improve their business and significantly contribute to the local economy”. Babs Murphy, Chief Executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

OPW acquires Fibrelite and KPS in seperate transactions CINCINNATI, OHIO – October 10, 2013 – OPW, an operating unit within Dover Corporation’s (NYSE: DOV) Energy segment, and global leader in fluid handling solutions, announced today that it has completed two acquisitions. OPW has acquired UK-based Fibrelite, a leader in composite access covers and containment systems for retail fueling sites and Sweden-based Kungsors Plast AB (“KPS”), a leader in high density polyethylene (HDPE) fusion piping systems for retail fueling sites. Terms of each transaction were not disclosed.

“The combination of three of the most respected brands in the retail petroleum industry, OPW, KPS, and Fibrelite, creates an unprecedented portfolio of complementary best-inclass products. This enables us to provide our customers with the best solution available, supplied and supported from a single source, anywhere in the world,” stated David Crouse, OPW President. “By leveraging each company’s strengths, we create the best team to develop even more innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of our global customer base.”

“The addition of Fibrelite and KPS is consistent with the OPW platform growth strategy,” stated Soma Somasundaram, President and CEO of Dover Energy. “It’s exciting to consider the breadth of solutions and possibilities that will result from leveraging the strengths of these market-leading companies.”

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Universe Group plc appoints professionals to assist integration of software solutions

PRESS RELEASES

Following its recently announced acquisition of Indigo Retail, Universe Group is pleased to announce that it has appointed a number of experienced industry professionals to assist the integration of Indigo’s suite of first class software solutions with the highly successful range of products provided by HTEC. The combined business aims to deliver an innovative market leading offer that provides outstanding products with exceptional levels of support to retailers.

Joining Billy Tank are Patrick Hudson, Keith Guppy and Steve Watts who all have extensive experience in the Petroleum and Convenience payment and loyalty markets. This will assist Billy to build the business with a focus on meeting customer’s current needs and working in partnership to ensure that their future requirements are also met.

Stephen McLeod, Universe’s CEO noted: “We are delighted to have such a strong group of industry leaders with extensive skills and experience join us to enhance what is already a great offer and to help create something that the market will see as ground breaking.”

Suresite smash 5 million transactions a month target Suresite Card Services have obliterated the 5 million transactions a month milestone in June. In 2005 Suresite Director Nick Healy began Suresite Card Services and now just 9 years later they have processed 5.4 million card transaction in just one month representing in excess of £135m in value.

A conversation with Gill Ashworth, Operations Co-ordinator, revealed that with the continued expansion plans and confirmed contracts in place they expect to break through the 6 million barrier in the next few months and then push through the 7 million threshold soon after that. The results are quite staggering and really are a credit to the hard work and dedication of the entire Card 30

Services team.

Geoff Oldham, Suresite Chairman, had this to say: “We have steadily grown our Card Services over the past few years; developing our technology, growing our market share and continually improving our service to our clients. These figures are not only fantastic news for our business but also our staff. Their continued hard work, dedication and passion for Suresite have made all this possible. I would like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you to them for their continued support.”

Continue to check the Suresite website for information and progress on the successes at Suresite. For further information please contact the office team on 01772 790901.

SGB launches new websites Siegen, 18th September 2013.

SGB, manufacturer and global supplier of leak detection technology, based in Germany, is pleased to announce the launch of its new websites. The new websites impress with a clean and modern design as well as two new local languages. Italian and Russian users will now get all information in their local languages. Therewith, the website is available in seven languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Slovakian, Russian and Italian. CEO Jost Berg says: “Referring to globalization communication is more important than ever. We believe in world-wide trade but think that communication in local languages is more effective.”

The new websites provide an overview of all products and services. In order to improve easy access to information another new feature was integrated: under “Downloads” all important documents and manuals are listed.

Fairbanks achieves internationally recognised ISO & OHSAS certification Fairbanks continues to develop its management systems to reach even higher standards Fairbanks, the global leader in

world class wetstock management, is pleased to announce that our ISO & BS registration has been extended to now include certification to OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001, following the development and implementation of a comprehensive and sophisticated Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental management system.

Registration to ISO 14001 OHSAS 18001 by an independent, third party certification body demonstrates Fairbanks’ commitment to implementing, maintaining and continually improving its Health, Safety and Environmental Management Systems to a standard that benefits the company, its employees and clients.

Customers whose contractors are registered to ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 can be confident that they are meeting the requirements of Health, Safety and Environmental legislation, and that they are setting targets through company policy, together with ongoing measurements to ensure a process of continual improvement.

Ian Burns, HSQE Manager: “The Company has been certified ISO 9001 for quite a while now and it was only a matter of time before we committed to developing our other management systems to higher ISO standards. In 2012 it was agreed that I would develop the Health, Safety and Environmental management systems. Rather than contract external consultants to carry out the work I committed to doing this inhouse, believing it would be of more value to the business. Following a gap analysis it was clear that although our existing policies were comprehensive, there was still work ahead of us, to bring them in line with higher ISO standards.

By implementing a joint ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 Management System I am confident that Fairbanks is in a better position to discover and control the hazards & risks to the company, its employees and its clients, as well as identifying and controlling the effects our company has on the environment.”

Steve Jones, Managing Director: “I know our customers value these standards and that they are increasingly becoming a

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store formats.

Costcutter Supermarket Group’s new buy and supply arrangements, which include the partnership with Palmer and Harvey, was particularly significant in Murco’s decision to sign the new £multimillion contract.

In addition, two other important factors that influenced Murco were the imminent introduction of a new Costcutter Supermarkets Group own brand, called Independent, and a considerably improved multitemperature delivery service through a nationwide spine of 14 Murco Petroleum depots.

Gary Pearce, Murco’s general Limited and manager non-fuel said: “Over the Costcutter past 17 years, we have worked with Costcutter Supermarkets Group to Supermarkets Group develop and offer customers to sign new three new Murco stations an unrivalled year supply forecourt shopping experience.

“We are confident that with agreement Costcutter we can continue to provide customers with an exceptional product range, top name brands at great prices, ongoing value promotions and an attractive shopping environment.”

Jamie Davison, sales director at Costcutter Supermarkets Group, said: “Murco has been a valued member of Costcutter Supermarkets Group for a long time and we very much look forward to the continuation of this relationship. We firmly believe that Murco and its franchisee managers will see (l to r) Murco’s general manager non-fuel, Gary Pearce celebrates the new agreement with Jamie Davison, sales director significant benefits of Costcutter Supermarkets Group. from our new buy and supply arrangements and, through Murco Petroleum Ltd and our partnership with Palmer and Costcutter Supermarkets Group are Harvey, we are incredibly well pleased to announce that they placed to meet the needs of their have entered into a new three year large network.” contract to supply Murco’s 230 company owned forecourts across For further information contact the UK. This further extends the Tony Wynn at AW Marketing. relationship between the two companies that began in 1996 and Tel: 0161 439 3813 covers both the Murco full Mob: 07836 323549 supermarket and smaller ‘Express’ Email: tony@awmarketing.co.uk

UKPIA launches process safety initiative: Assuring Safety - Leadership in Process Safety The downstream oil industry in the UK is highly committed to protecting the health and safety of its workforce and the public, as well as the environment in which it operates.

Following the launch of UKPIA’s Process Safety Leadership Commitment in 2008, significant progress has been made in developing tools, networks and indicators of performance to help our downstream oil industry work toward excellence in process safety.

In order to continue to actively promote Process Safety initiatives, UKPIA has broadened its original Process Safety Commitment and launched ‘Assuring Safety: Leadership in Process Safety’.

The Assuring Safety initiative aims at promoting and delivering excellence in process safety at a sector level and rests upon three key principles: • Working Together: using available resources to identify areas of concerns and develop strategies to address these.

• Sharing and Learning: advancing the dialogue on process safety practices by communicating with other relevant industry sectors.

• Encouraging Excellence: analysing industry’s performance and targeting specific areas of process safety by commissioning the development of tools and technical guidance.

KPS sales of double wall piping triples in China Not long ago, plastic piping for filling stations was a new concept to the Chinese market. Now plastic piping has been accepted as the preferred solution by Chinese giants Sinopec and Petrochina. Their influence over the Chinese market can hardly be overestimated. The Chinese industry standards are developed and decided by

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PRESS RELEASES

requirement when responding to tenders. The ISO certification gives our customers the assurance that Fairbanks’ work is consistently performed to the highest possible standards. When the business was relatively small we decided to implement a quality framework and so Fairbanks has been recognised with the ISO’s 9000 generation standard for many years. This year’s addition of the 14000 and 18000 standards gives me particular pleasure.”

PRESS RELEASES

Installer training in Dawukou city, China

Sinopec Engineering Incorporation, part of Sinopec.

The new standard for filling stations, GB-50156-2012, recommends the use of double wall piping in order to facilitate for pipe leak detection. The new standard was officially launched in March 2013 and already has KPS sales of double wall piping tripled compared to last year.

KPS has a mature and well developed double wall piping system that fulfils the requirements of the new Chinese standard and includes compact, installation friendly fittings. Even bends, elbows, tees and fittings are permeationfree.

To accommodate for the increase of double wall sites, all installer training since 2008 has included training in installation and testing of double-walled piping. Presently, there are 190 certified KPS installers in China. Six Chinese-speaking trainers are ready to train and certify more installers as needed and provide on-site support during the first double wall piping installations.

The most recent training session was held in Dawukou city in the Ningxia municipality, where the local Petrochina branch is building 32

their first station with double walled plastic piping.

Training was held by Moon Liu from KPS China who also supported installers during their first installation.

Jacky Huo, Sales Director of KPS China, expects a strong trend towards more double wall piping on filling stations: “What we see is only the beginning of a shift towards more focus on protection of the environment and fresh water supply.

With the new standard in place we expect to see an increasing number of stations equipped with double wall piping and leak detection for both tanks and piping. KPS China is prepared to supply and support the market with both products and installation knowledge.”

Top independent MRH Retail joins BOSS Payment Watch BOSS, the British Oil Security Syndicate, has welcomed MRH Retail – the UK’s largest independent forecourt retail group – as a new member of the popular BOSS Payment Watch debt recovery scheme.

The new partnership sees more than 350 MRH Retail sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales joining BOSS Payment Watch, which can help service stations to recover 80% of their ‘no means of payment’ losses. The MRH Retail sites are also among the first to adopt the new BOSS electronic reporting system, which enables staff to report no means of payment incidents quickly, easily and accurately via an online portal.

Kevin Eastwood, executive director of BOSS, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome all of MRH Retail’s sites as new members of BOSS. For the number one

independent fuel retail group in the UK to sign up to our Payment Watch scheme is a great endorsement of the benefits it offers retailers. MRH Retail will also be one of the first BOSS members to take advantage of the even more efficient and effective pursuit of financial losses that our new electronic reporting system makes possible. We look forward to developing a long and productive relationship with MRH Retail, helping its many sites nationwide to fight forecourt crime.”

Andrew Jackson, general manager at MRH Retail, added: “We’ve chosen to join the BOSS Payment Watch scheme as we are confident it will help us substantially reduce losses incurred on our 357 sites from no means of payment incidents. By also introducing the new electronic reporting system, we’re giving our retailers the added advantage of being able to submit information quickly and easily about drivers who have failed to settle their debt, which should lead to more prompt recovery of outstanding losses.”

HTEC today announces a three year contract with Murco Petroleum HTEC today announces a three year contract with Murco Petroleum for the supply and support of its retail payment and management solutions. Murco Petroleum has selected and deployed HTEC's ‘Indigo’ product set across its network of petrol filling stations in the UK. Universe plc, HTEC's parent, acquired Indigo Retail in May 2013.

The combined company offers a comprehensive, high performance product set that builds on the strengths of both organisations. In particular, Murco will adopt the Back Office, Data Extraction and Promotions Management modules to be used as building blocks to support its payment solutions to its retail activities.

The partnership between Murco and HTEC/Indigo has in addition led to the development of a unique ‘age control’ module that provides greater control and more consistent reporting while replacing the current

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manual paper based system. A significant feature of the new solution is the integration of accredited P2P technologies within the existing PCI compliant EFT solution.

Umar Bajwa, Murco’s Manager UK Networks, says: “HTEC/Indigo’s ‘can do’ approach led to some highly innovative features within the overall solution. Throughout the process we worked in a joint team so development was consistent, rapid and extremely effective.”

Billy Tank, HTEC's Director of Business Development, commented: “The enhancement we made to our product set to reflect Murco's requirements illustrate the agile and nimble process we use with our partners.

The close working relationship with Murco meant we could deliver a solution in quick fire time to ensure we had a proven product to meet Murco's demanding performance SLA's.”

PRESS RELEASES

HTEC’s first integration with the Bestway gateway HTEC are proud to announce the first win after integrating their Epos and back office solution to the Bestway gateway. This unique, innovative and affordable solution has been ordered by Mr Imran Naru of Oldham Service Station. The solution features real time stock control, integrated camera technology and all of the links to Bestway.

Paresh Patel of HTEC commented:“We are delighted to provide our first Bestway POS system. The solution is an excellent fit for the business providing a number of control devices such as the age control module and camera technology.

Mr Naru’s business will benefit from the HTEC solution and provide a flagship for other Bestway retailers in both the c store and fuel space.”

Mr Imran Naru of Oldham Service Station commented:“It was an easy decision once it became apparent how good a fit the HTEC solution is for my business. I was delighted to see how well the suite of products has been designed to help retailers control and grow their business.”

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Tanks and Pipeworks achieve further quality accreditation Tanks and Pipeworks Limited are pleased to announce that their successful APEA award winning try-line tank lining has achieved further accreditation, following on from gaining the standard EN13160-7, through rigorous testing by TUV Nord, the lining has now been recognised as fully compliant and achieved the US EPA approval in the state of Florida. Following even more rigorous testing we have finally gained this accreditation, liaising and working closely with Marshall Mott Smith, who is a regular contributor to this Bulletin from the USA, our unique patented triple skin lining has shown that it is robust and meets all current technical specifications. As you may be aware, the system involves three layers of fibreglass, specially designed in house to fit in a unique way to allow for 100% of the surface area covered to be monitored using an accepted Class 1 leak detection system. We have now installed over 100 linings into underground storage tanks within the UK with a 100% success rate. Also our unique cable break alarm, which identifies if the cable is damaged by anyone carrying out maintenance within the tank access chambers, has also proved to be a huge attraction to the system which helps to eradicate false alarms and preventing down time for the tank in question if an alarm state is reached, thus helping the client carry out their business in complete confidence that their fuel is safe within the confines of the tank. We have also added another unique addition to the lining which involves the bonding of 4 pipes to the bottom of the tank lining to form an access point at the top. These are finished at tank top level with quick release non-return couplings which can be utilised in a number of ways: •

Water removal

• • • • •

Sludge removal Product removal Water filling Foam filling Product mixing if required

To name but a few, this relatively inexpensive addition has proven to be a boon to industry and clients have commented on the simplicity of the design and fitting but the addition gives a bonus which they have never seen the like of before.

We as a company are continuing to develop and invest heavily within research and development of various systems which will prove to be beneficial to the petroleum industry as a whole, not only with the like shown above but within other areas which we as a company specialise in; bespoke tank build, environmental remediation, drainage and site cleaning, making tanks safe etc. We are committed to the ever changing world of the petroleum storage systems and also the huge area of legislation and rules covering this. We have for instance our own Health and Safety Compliance manager and the ability to carry out SPA training at our own facility. Also we have EEMUA 159 testing carried out on all tanks that we work upon; this produces a unique report on each individual tank that will be provided to the client for their records upon completion of the works. This then confirms an audit trail which can be perused by any regulatory body that requires to inspect a petrol filling installation and once again gives clients the peace of mind that their installation is safe. This goes to show that our company mantra is correct, that Tanks and Pipeworks offer total service to the industry.

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APEA Chairman at PEI Show in USA

By Jamie Thompson for the first time. It will be interesting to see if this - the ultimate in filling up your car - will be the future for service stations.

There was great interest in CNG refuelling and a packed seminar learnt about the opportunities CNG fuelling systems present for distributors and contractors. and how the CNG market with convenience stores and other potential customers is likely to develop.

In this nuts-and-bolts session, three

Louise with APEA members from the Steel Tank Institute Dana Schmidt and Lorri Granawi

Louise met the new PEI President Terry Cooper

Louise met an APEA member from Outer Mongolia Dolgorsuren Gansukh and learnt from him that Mongolia have been adopting the Blue Book with regard to acceptable designs for filling stations in Mongolia.

distinguished and diverse panellists with hands-on CNG experience shared their individual perspectives: Andy Grimmer, ANGI Energy Systems; For more than 30 years, ANGI has been a leader in the design, manufacturing and delivery of CNG fuelling systems in the United States and international markets.

Grimmer discussed equipment trends.

Eric Beavers, Beavers Petroleum; This long-time PEI member company has designed, built and installed more than 70 CNG fuelling stations so far. Beavers discussed what they have learned and what you need to know.

Bryan Novy, Kwik Trip; This highlyregarded c-store chain is embracing CNG in a big way.

KwikTrip believes in CNG - and why other marketers are likely to follow.

Moderating the panel was Marcel Moreau, consultant to the PEI committee drafting RP1500: Recommended Practices for the Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of CNG Fuelling Facilities. This publication should be ready for purchase next summer.

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The APEA Chairman Louise Morgan attended the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) Convex in Atlanta in October, building and improving on the relationship between our two organisations.

The PEI Convex in Atlanta is a very large show compared with European shows and is shared with the National Association of Convenience Shows (NACS). The Petroleum equipment side on its own has 600 booths with attendees coming from around the globe.

While many exhibitors were showing improvements and new variations of existing equipment one piece of equipment that caught the eye was on the Husky stand where a new design of automatic or robot filling of vehicles was being shown

EXHIBITION CONFERENCE

AWARDS DINNER 7 NOVEMBER 2013 RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY

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The Ricoh Arena in Coventry seems to have become our home for APEA LIVE our Conference, Exhibition, AGM, and Awards Dinner.

All the comments I had this year were positive about the venue - I tried to speak to all our exhibitors and all were very encouraged by the evident growth from last year, and they had been pleased then! I felt the atmosphere in the hall had definitely moved up a notch or two and all were pleased that they would get to meet all the guests going into the dinner; next year we hope to see them in the exhibition as well.

This year’s event was the 4th organised for the Association by F2F Events who have continued to move our event forward and I hope you agree that they continue to improve it year on year. It was our wish that all the guests could have longer at the exhibition, so we kept the exhibition open, as the exhibitors go to great lengths to be inviting and informative about what they do in the industry and how they can help This year our Events committee was jointly chaired by Alex Boudry and Colette Sellers, both previous winners of awards, and they have worked really hard behind the scenes motivating and encouraging us - if you want to talk about any aspect I am sure that Alex would be only too pleased to get your input.

Sadly Colette has moved on so won’t be there this year. The number of companies exhibiting was up on last year with the entire place filled; great news for all concerned conference delegate numbers were increased and the dinner was full.

We are delighted that overall APEA Live 2013 beat the numbers from last year, but we are even more pleased that our name as the leading show that you must be at was again proved to be true! There was a very encouraging bustle from the start, 36

the exhibition opening at 10am as delegates picked up their passes and entered the hall. Visitors could grab a coffee at one of the coffee bars and spend some time visiting the stands before the conference got underway at 10:30am. We endeavoured to ensure maximum contact time for exhibitors whilst running the event and I think we succeeded. Delegates came from a wide background; contractors, suppliers, retailers, oil companies, supermarkets, and regulators with some from abroad. This pleased many of our exhibitors.

The Conference The conference was opened by the APEA Joint Chairman of Events, Colette Sellers, who set the scene and gave us a brief run-down for the day and thanked everyone for their generous contributions.

We then had the morning sessions which were excellent.

After closing the morning part of the conference, the exhibition was again busy with all delegates in attendance and after lunch, discussions with the exhibitors on their stands was vibrant.

The AGM The AGM was held immediately after lunch and with a smaller number in attendance than was probably possible, with many members still enjoying the hospitality of lunch and spending time in the exhibition area.

Louise Morgan, Chairman, opened the formal proceedings of the AGM with myself leading the rest of the proceedings; addresses were given by the Secretary, the Treasurer and Editor. We then moved to the election of Council members; Louise Morgan was returned as the Chairman for her second year. ViceChairman is Killian Tallon. Our Treasurer, Gareth Bourhill; the Editor

Louise Morgan, APEA Chairman

Rob Tunnicliff - Honorary Secretary

Gareth Bourhill presenting the Treasurer’s report

remains as Brian Baker who informed us that he was looking to stand down in two years time and the Secretary being myself. All other posts were appointed as before so

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also like to add a massive thank you for all exhibitors and delegates for attending and we hope you both enjoyed and received much from the day.

Brian Baker, Editor of the Bulletin

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that we have a full complement of officers all committed to moving forward! After the AGM we invited one more person to join us, Mr Mark Orr, to bring more new ideas. After working with him on the judging of awards I am sure he will be a positive influence to the forum!

The second part of the conference began at 2:30pm where again the delegates got great value for money. I would like to thank all the speakers on an excellent day’s work which was enlightening and informative.

Discussions continued over coffee and cakes and some great networking was obviously going on before we all broke to freshen up before the evening’s activities or went on our way home. We would

The Awards Dinner The dinner and awards ceremony was once again the event the industry looks forward to the most and with numbers of over 550 taking dinner, it was great to see that even in these financially challenging times people were willing to come out for the occasion.

The Association also recognises the important part that all the sponsors of the event play and without their input there would not be an event.

The drinks sponsored by Scheidt and Bachmann and Eurotank, were held in the exhibitor hall to allow exhibitors to greet all their guests in the convivial atmosphere whilst impressing them with their wares.

Thanks to Scheidt and Bachmann and Eurotank for their sponsorship.

Our thanks also go to the awards dinner and award entertainment sponsor, Petrocom, who ensured that the atmosphere continued into the meal.

Turning to the awards, these were presented and you can read a lot more about the winners and runners up in the following pages of this edition of the Bulletin, as we

recognise their time and effort in entering for the awards. It was also great to see new winners and sponsors with their names up on the screens such as Berry’s who managed to pick up two! Thanks to all for entering and making the judges work hard again and indeed our thanks go to the judges too.

We also achieved a handsome collection for the charity, a total of £3864.97 for Dying to Keep Warm.

My thanks go to all who gave - your generosity is really appreciated!

Our entertainment was provided

by Nina Conti and her sidekick Monk along with two unsuspecting members of the audience and all in the hall were amazed at her show. A big thanks to her and them, for one this was her first time attending, so she is to be thanked for being so willing to enter into the spirit!

The eating and drinking went on far into the night with many still celebrating into the small hours of the morning with the casino entertaining through to closing at 3am.

This years APEA Live 2013 was even more “The downstream industry event that everybody has to be at, and indeed wants to be there for!” We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Plans are already well under way and if you have any ideas get in touch!

Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by Elaflex Winner Ray Blake

Ray Blake accepting the award from Anton Martiniussen from Elaflex

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As I imagine was obvious from my reaction on stage, on the night, it came as a complete shock that I was being presented with the award. Also, that I was unable to gather my thoughts sufficiently to show my true level of gratitude for the recognition I was being given. Having had time to reflect, I feel truly honoured to be acknowledged by my peers. I realise that it has been said many times, but through my relatively new Primary Authority role, I am

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finding it even more apparent that the APEA is the catalyst for the unique relationship between industry and enforcers, the result of which is the ever increasing safety at petrol filling stations.

Anton’s preamble to presenting the award mentioned an incident involving a toaster - I wish to make it clear that this referred to a call for attendance by the London Fire Brigade, and that I had no personal entanglement. I wish to thank everybody that supported my nomination for the award, and look forward to many more years working in the industry.

Service Station of the Year Award Sponsored by Suresite Winner Lissan Coal Company Ltd (LCC) Great Victoria Street were being made with cash.

LCC’s concept of an unattended site with cash accepting pumps has been so successful at the Belfast site that it has already been rolled out to GO unmanned forecourts in Carrickfergus and Cookstown.

Runner up Whittaker and Watt

Whittaker and Watt Chartered Architects are proud to be associated with the APEA 2013 Awards in recognition for the award category ‘Service Station of the Year’.

Whittaker and Watt Chartered Architects designed the new Flagship Spar Service Station & Convenience Store, Knock Road Belfast, for Henderson Group Property Ltd. The contemporary and cutting edge design offers a market

leading convenience retailing facility. The environmentally friendly design has high impact facades which are rich in character and embodied with low carbon footprint technology. This facility has set the new standard for a modern convenience retailing and service station design. A valued engineered project provided the client with a state of the art development, within budget and ahead of programme.

Runner up Artelia

Artelia, working closely with Shell, have been challenging all aspects of traditional forecourt design and construction to drive down construction times and site exposure hours. The flagship of this work was the delivery of Shell Grimsby, a pilot in modular construction with a fully modular building, canopy, fuel system and forecourt.

The benefits of modular solutions on this site were far reaching, with the highlights being reduced closure period of the retail site, reduced on site HSSE exposure, improved quality and cost neutrality. The work continues, with the advantages of the systems implemented at Grimsby being realised, and rolled out across all other sites.

Runner up Morrisons Design Team

Westfield Services, Ledbury Welding and Engineering and Berrys Technologies with many years of experience within the petroleum industry are very excited about industry recognition of the Above Ground Petrol Station concept.

This groundbreaking system shows how independent companies can come together to provide a combined solution to a shared client. After being given a remit by Morrison’s, over many months,

meetings were held to design and develop a petrol station that would satisfy planners, environment agency and petroleum officers alike, as well as making significant cost reductions on previous above ground developments.

The successful development of this system offers our industry a viable, cost effective alternative to below ground builds where previously sites may not have been considered suitable for construction.

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Patrick Kelly, Dermot Beattie and Michael Moran from LCC Ltd accepting the award from Geoff Oldham from Suresite and Louise Morgan from the APEA

Lissan Coal Company’s (LCC) GO-branded unattended forecourt in Central Belfast was the first petrol station in Europe to have a bank note acceptor integrated into the pump.

Within just one week of opening in March this year, around 40% of all fuel transactions at the site on

Quality Award Sponsored by Meridian Electrical Winner Berrys Technologies

Jacque Williams from Berrys Technologies accepting the award from Ross Bigham from Meridian Electrical and Louise Morgan from the APEA

MIDAS is an intelligent valve control system able to discriminate between fuel types. The system prevents accidental misfuel contamination of fuels during the delivery process into fuel storage facilities.

MIDAS represents a huge innovative step in terms of fuel delivery and control measures for fuelling stations in both the retail

and commercial sectors.

The benefits in terms of fuel quality and customer protection have already been realised by Supermarket groups and oil companies globally. MIDAS is currently being specified as standard equipment by a number of UK supermarket groups and is on trial with oil companies internationally.

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Runner up Vianet Fuel Solutions

Vianet Fuel Solutions e-Site Register is the new paperless solution to managing all technical, legal and compliance documentation that would be held in the traditional forecourt site register. Form filling has always been a problem and in many cases, sites have been served with enforcement notices which have cost time and money. e-Site Register eradicates the problems

with documentation and associated issues, delivering a fully compliant service.

Using Real Time audit functions eSite Register raises the quality of compliance management by ensuring that only approved contractors can work on-site and keeping the site continually updated on all compliance matters.

Runner up Franklin Fueling Systems

A fuel management system’s main function is to protect the site it monitors. The TS-550 evo Fuel Management System from Franklin Fueling Systems has been carefully designed and combines tank gauging, sensor monitoring, leak detection and pump control in one unit. A highly evolved user interface and blisteringly-fast new processor

based on the proven TS-550 platform makes everything from daily functions to advanced setup and programming simple for every user. This reduces initial capital expenditure costs on equipment, keeps things simple for site staff and maintenance contractors and helps better protect the environment.

Runner up Tokheim

We are proud of our new Tokheim EYE solution. We may be biased in thinking that it is now Europe’s leading specialist security solution for service stations. Of course, don’t just take our word for it; we have hundreds of happy customers who have reduced drive-offs and improved security on their sites.

Here’s what one independent UK customer, Ron Perry, had to say,

“The system is so powerful and easy to use that it proactively provides warnings and supplies the related data and visual evidence as a package. That means that problems do not slip through the net and can be investigated without it being an onerous task in terms of the time this previously took. It is flexible, versatile and ‘future-proof’.” We couldn’t have said it better.

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Innovation Award Sponsored by UNITI

Winner Berrys Technologies

Jacque Williams from Berrys Technologies accepting the award from Nick Needs from UNITI and Louise Morgan from the APEA

MIDAS is an intelligent valve control system able to discriminate between fuel types. The system prevents accidental misfuel contamination of fuels during the delivery process into fuel storage facilities.

MIDAS represents a huge innovative step in terms of fuel delivery and control measures for fuelling stations in both the retail and

commercial sectors. The benefits in terms of fuel quality and customer protection have already been realised by Supermarket groups and oil companies globally. MIDAS is currently being specified as standard equipment by a number of UK supermarket groups and is on trial with oil companies internationally.

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Runner up Franklin Fueling Systems

A fuel management system’s main function is to protect the site it monitors. The TS-550 evo Fuel Management System from Franklin Fueling Systems has been carefully designed and combines tank gauging, sensor monitoring, leak detection and pump control in one unit. A highly evolved user interface and blisteringly-fast new processor

based on the proven TS-550 platform makes everything from daily functions to advanced setup and programming simple for every user. This reduces initial capital expenditure costs on equipment, keeps things simple for site staff and maintenance contractors and helps better protect the environment.

Runner up Eurotank Environmental

Eurotank Environmental introduced TrueZero into the UK and Ireland downstream market at the end of last year.

The revolutionary new method of calibrating fuel dispensers can save retailers thousands of pounds in wetstock losses every year.

The closed-loop process eliminates loss of vapour during the

checking process, and the thermal expansion properties of the piston prover casing are negligible in comparison to a can so the ambient temperature has no quantifiable effect on the reading.

Human error is also eliminated because TrueZero dictates when the pump stops rather the squeezing of the nozzle trigger.

Runner up Global-MSI

Global-MSI was delighted to be shortlisted for the APEA Innovation Award, for the Modular Forecourt Canopy at Shell Grimsby.

In an effort to reduce construction time to enable earlier site reopening and to remove risks associated with site work, GlobalMSI assembled the canopy including electrical cabling and signware in 6 sections in their Doncaster facility. These were

transported to site and bolted together over a 4-day period, greatly reduced from the usual 1215 days associated with the traditional method.

This innovation was central to the reduced construction programme (just 9 weeks) that allowed the site to re-open earlier, whilst virtually eliminating risk to workers of GlobalMSI and other trades.

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Runner up Filtertechnik

Filtertechnik is a manufacturer and supplier of filtration solutions for oils, fuels, biofuels and process fluids.

Removing solid particulate and water are the company’s speciality.

The company has an in-house design and build team that can find and build solutions to the most challenging cleanup or polishing task, regardless of the volume that

needs to be cleaned. Filtertechnik have a range of low cost particle counters for fuels and oils. These can be fitted permanently or supplied in a kit for field use.

The company is looking to further establish itself in the UK’s stored fuel and energy generation sectors as a leader in oil and fuel filtration solutions.

Runner up Elaflex

Elaflex have developed as part of the “evolution” of their current generation ZVA Slimline 2 nozzles the LeverAssist® which aids in holding the lever open without compromising safety. The force required to hold open the lever is reduced by nearly 90%. The LeverAssist® is part of the lever and is

easily engaged when the lever is squeezed and held in position with the little finger. It is comfortable to hold and the construction is of a technically advanced material.

When the lever is let go the LeverAssist® disengages. It is not a latch and can be retrofitted to all ZVA Slimline 2 versions.

Andrew Clarke and Ady Gamage from E and S Environmental Services and AJ Bayliss accepting the award from Alex Boudry from Franklin Fueling Systems and Louise Morgan from the APEA

Runner up Vianet Fuel Solutions

Winner E and S Environmental Services/ AJ Bayliss Engaging the Workforce in Innovation to improve their safety.

E&S & AJB are committed to ensuring continuous improvement. Over the years numerous innovations have been introduced by the company but now we have empowered the engineers doing the tasks to come up with ways to help improve their work practices, making them safer in the process.

The programme began

Unlike traditional drainage channels that allow silt and vegetation to build up, Flexi-drain never blocks up and maintains free flowing containment drainage. This provides all year round protection and improved effectiveness in the event of a spill and inherently acts as a flame-arrester reducing the chances of ignition. It is also a

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Health and Safety Performance Award Sponsored by Franklin Fueling Systems

after a near miss report from an engineer who had an idea of creating a piece of equipment which made the task safer – the equipment was implemented and engineers began to offer further solutions.

Due to this initial success we launched our own Innovation Awards. Many of the ideas suggested have helped in reducing our engineer’s exposure to workplace hazards.

continuous system with no joints so it eradicates leaching.

As Flexi drain is a premanufactured block of reconstituted tyres and aggregate, there are simply no broken and missing grates which means it removes one major trip hazard whilst helping to reduce the global tyre mountain.

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Runner up -Eurotank Environmental Ltd

Tesco Ingleby Barwick Phoenix tank lining system installation was the pinnacle of Eurotank’s investment into safe working in underground fuel storage tanks.

The control measures involved included CCTV monitoring of tank entrants; tank-entry container providing crash and weather protection, and VOC control; ATEX

two-way radio systems; and Eurotank’s bespoke Euro Site Sentry, which combines site entrance and office, male and female toilets, and a 10-man welfare unit in a small footprint.

All of this equipment did not cause any disruption to the site during tank lining works, other than the nozzles from that tank being out of action.

Environmental Protection and Improvement Award Sponsored by Terence Barker Tanks Winner Vianet Fuel Solutions

ARTICLES Francis Hollier and Craig Brocklehurst from Vianet Fuel Solutions accepting the award from Jacquie Holt from Terence Barker Tanks and Louise Morgan from the APEA

Unlike traditional drainage channels that allow silt and vegetation to build up, Flexidrain never blocks up and maintains free flowing containment drainage. This provides all year round protection and improved effectiveness in the event of a spill and inherently acts as a flame-arrester reducing the chances of ignition. It is also a continuous system

with no joints so it eradicates leaching.

As Flexi drain is a premanufactured block of reconstituted tyres and aggregate, there are simply no broken and missing grates which means it removes one major trip hazard whilst helping to reduce the global tyre mountain.

Runner up Xmo Strata

An initiative launched from a project to re-brand 242 filling stations, replacing 6,500 signs and 15km of fascia. Xmo Strata planned to achieve complete traceability of all de-branded waste material, and were able to provide an accurate report including a total of 520 tons of waste being recycled and only 4% going to landfill. This was achieved

despite resistance where ‘cash-inhand’ benefits from waste recycling can be regarded as a traditional ‘perk’ of the job.

“We have a track record of innovation in the industry and encouraging others to follow our lead, and we hope this initiative will do the same.”

Runner up ZCL Composites Inc

As North America’s largest Underground Tank Manufacturer, ZCL Composites has always built strong, safe, engineered solutions for fluid storage. ZCL specialises in GRP tanks, which have proven to be remarkably corrosion resistant in a wide range of fluid environments biodiesels, ethanol/methanol blends, ULSD diesel, ADBlue, and water. In developing The Phoenix

System®, ZCL sought to mimic its 3D fabric-based, two-walled tank design by retrofitting existing structural vessels with modern laminates, certified for full compatibility with current and future fuels. Phoenix® has both UL/ULC approvals, as well as the tough EN 13160-7, including Class 1 leak detection for both vacuum and pressure.

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APEA 2013 Delegate Registration

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APEA 2013 Conference Speakers Sponsored by Scheidt and Bachmann and Eurotank Environmental

Martin Jones, Operations Manager, CompEx

David Lovell Better Regulation Delivery Office

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Shane Brennan, ACS Public Affairs Director

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Colette Sellers, Joint Chair of Events Committee

David Newton, UK Retail Director BP Oil UK

David Hurren, Business Unit Manager (and also Chairman of the BCGA Technical Committee), Air Liquide UK

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Peter Prescott MEI, Senior Design Manager, ARTELIA UK

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Louise Morgan APEA Chairman

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APEA 2013 Exhibition

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APEA 2013 Pre-Dinner Drinks Sponsored by Scheidt and Bachmann and Eurotank Environmental

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APEA 2013 Awards Dinner

Sponsored by Petrocom

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Afroza Ahmed from the charity Dying to Keep Warm

Danny Hornigold

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Anton Martiniussen from Elaflex

Ross Bigham from Meridian Electrical

Nick Needs from UNITI

Jacquie Holt from Terence Barker Tanks 62

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Geoff Oldham from Suresite

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Alex Boudry from Franklin Fueling Systems

Louise Morgan from Petrocom and APEA Chairman

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APEA 2013 Awards Dinner Entertainment Sponsored by Petrocom Entertainment by Nina Conti

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By Andrew Wheble, Retail Sales Manager, Profile Lighting Services Profile Lighting Services Profile Lighting Services Ltd is a Hertfordshire based designer and manufacturer of ENERGY EFFICIENT lighting systems and luminaires, supplying the commercial, retail, healthcare and education market sectors in both the UK and internationally. Established 25 years ago, the company has grown steadily to establish itself as a leading supplier of standard and specialist lighting equipment, with a reputation for quality and reliability.

Profile is continually developing new and innovative energy saving solutions utilising the latest LED, discharge and fluorescent lamp technologies.

The company has recently relocated to new 31,000 sq. ft. premises in Bishop’s Stortford, where design, manufacturing, assembly and administration are now all housed in a modern purpose-built factory. This has enabled them to further streamline operations and enhance their ability to respond quickly and efficiently to customers’ needs, both in the UK and all over the world.

They are currently working with many blue chip clients including Marks and Spencer, Primark, Morrison’s, Mothercare and Barclays Bank. They have successfully completed projects as far-a-field as the United States and Hong Kong.

Petrol Forecourt Lighting Lighting within this challenging environment serves two main purposes – retail to promote the facility and attract passing motorists and task to promote proper use in what is a potentially hazardous environment and ensure the safety of those using it. Done correctly, the lighting can play a major role in the success of both. There is also the added challenges of energy efficiency and cost saving.

Profile Lighting has recently strengthened its sales force and

design team and now has specialised expertise and experience in this specialist lighting discipline.

The market has adopted a variety of lighting solutions over the years, with the majority never really providing a complete and satisfactory lighting package. The ideal of having a bright white, low energy and long life source, with instant striking and a variable output to enable daylight linking, has been difficult to achieve. With the development and advancement of LED sources this is now feasible. The introduction of Profile’s new LED Petrol Canopy Luminaire range of high quality, cost effective, readily available, British designed and manufactured luminaires has now made it a reality.

Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s) Compared with discharge and fluorescent sources, solid state LED’s provide the following benefits: • • • • • •

Energy Saving Maintenance Savings Fewer CO2 Emissions No UV Emissions Less Heat Radiation More robust to regular switching, dimming and emergency operation.

• More optically efficient, providing higher Light Output Ratios.

The end of the useful life of an LED is quoted as being when the lumen output is 70% of its initial (30%

depreciation), this is known as the L70 figure. The total life is known as the L70B50 figure; this is the amount of time for the light output of 50% of a set of LED’s to fall to 70% of their original light output under a given set of operating conditions. The DoE suggests that the useful life of LED’s to be 35,000 to 50,000 hours. Profile Lighting offers a 5 year warranty on all their COB LED luminaires, which includes 2 years full parts and labour cover.

Petrol Canopy Luminaire Profile has packaged LED sources into an easy to install, sealed (IP54 rated) modular luminaire that meets the canopy lighting and functional requirements, together with flexibility to align with daylight linking and night-time usage.

Incorporating Philips LED boards, with options of switched or dimmable drivers, a new installation could generate energy reductions of up 79% when compared to a typical old 400W Metal Halide scheme. The total system power is only 94 watts with an LED output of 11,000 lumens and has a very high luminaire light output ratio.

With overall dimensions of 675x675mm and a cut out of 595x595mm, the luminaire has been designed so it can easily be retro fitted to replace old i n e f f i c i e n t 600x600mm canopy lights.

It also incorporates a condensation release valve to avoid build up of moisture within the body of the luminaire.

Lighting Requirements Petrol forecourts have very little in the way of specific lighting guidelines. As a rule they call for 150 Lux average at floor level for tanker fuel deliveries.

Also, it is recommended that the forecourt be lit to 300 lux average at floor level and 150 lux on the vertical pump face.

Tests have proven that the Profile LED Petrol Canopy Luminaire will achieve these requirements in most retro-fit solutions, when replacing old inefficient lights on a point for point

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A Petrol Forecourt Canopy Light that ‘ticks all the boxes’

latest Relux lighting design software package which gives a realistic prediction of the light levels. This service is free and available to any forecourt or shop.

They can also offer a full lighting package for the design and supply of the shop lighting. basis.

Having the correct illuminance levels offers many benefits: • Customers feel safe in a well-lit environment • Passing motorists are drawn to a bright white forecourt • The forecourt shop and signage will be easily visible • Any promotional adverts being displayed will be more prominent and noticeable

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Equally, over lighting a forecourt can cause issues: • Excessive light pollutes the environment and can upset neighbouring property owners • Too much ambient illumination can also mean the shop lighting has less impact and can even make it appear closed Profile Lighting offers a full lighting design service. They can provide accurate lighting calculations predicting horizontal and vertical illuminance levels. They utilise the

Adding Controls Not all forecourts are 24 hour sites.

However, for those that are open throughout the night, lighting sensors and a dimming function can be utilised to reduce the light level in quiet times. Setting the sensors to dim the lights to a predetermined level will not only save energy but conform with many local council’s environmental lighting pollution guidelines. In built up areas light pollution in the middle of the night can cause distress to properties near the forecourt. Lowering the light levels during periods of inactivity will reduce the periods when this is an issue.

Presence detection sensors will identify movement from vehicles or pedestrians who enter the forecourt immediately returning the light level to 100%* for a set period before returning to the lower level.

During daylight hours, photocell sensors can be employed to detect the light level and dim down or turn off the lights completely when the daylight is sufficient. This not only saves considerable energy but removes the responsibility from the

Are Petroleum Safety Inspections still worth doing?

By Ray Nicholson, Director TSPL Consulting Ltd Times are hard for local authorities and all are looking at what they do and particularly at what they can stop doing.

Compared to a few years ago there are fewer incidents involving petrol and the feeling is that filling stations can be very safe, risk free work places. But many petroleum licensing authorities (PLAs) have an appreciation of the potential 68

dangers of petroleum and want to continue visiting sites as well as supporting approvals, site search requests and other enquiries from site operators.

Earlier this year I was tasked with helping Wokingham & West Berkshire Council Trading Standards Service carry out petroleum safety inspections at their retail forecourts.

Many hadn’t been looked at in

shop staff to monitor the luminaires and light levels *upper and lower levels can be programmed to suit the application.

Lamp Colour In their Petrol Forecourt Luminaire, Profile utilise cool white (4000K) Philips LED chips with a Colour Rendering Index (CRI) in excess of 80 for colours that are enhanced and easily distinguishable. The result is a bright white forecourt, providing excellent visual acuity during hours of darkness and making general visibility clearer for the customers to fill up. It also has the added benefit of making CCTV footage clear, bright and legible.

Profile believes this product will be of interest to anyone with the responsibility for energy bills, or forecourt and shop sales.

If you would like to arrange a demonstration of the canopy fitting, please call Andrew Wheble, Retail Sales Manager on 07500 602410 to arrange an appointment.

Profile lighting is committed to making petrol forecourts a greener, more energy efficient, brighter and safer environment.

Profile Lighting Services is a member of APEA and accredited to ISO9001 for Design and Manufacture. Profile is also a member of the Lighting Industry Federation and to meet their WEEE obligations, is a member of Electrolink.

All products are designed in accordance with BS EN 60598 and carry the CE mark. some years and it was felt that it was a good time to carry out comprehensive visits to all sites in both District Council areas.

Additionally I was asked to look at approvals requests and other petroleum related queries. There were several major approvals, including 3 complete site redevelopments in the pipeline. The content of this paper covers the inspectional work.

What was done?

Pre-arranged appointments were made with all sites so that the site register and associated paperwork

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Various tanker delivery arrangements/locations were also being used.

regulations. This is a good level of compliance.

Comments on results found From the above results it was felt that the exercise was worthwhile.

Some of the issues could be resolved quickly and easily, but others took much more work. Assistance with producing DSEAR Risk Assessments *** Several sites had a mix of steel was provided and suggestions as to with plastic pipework added on at a how issues could be resolved were later date when site alterations took freely given. Many of the site place. operators were pleased to see a petroleum inspector and What was found on inspection? appreciated the help given.

5 of the 42 sites were satisfactory Emphasis was placed on why things on first inspection. The remaining What criteria were used for the needed addressing, as well as how sites had one or more of the inspection? they could be addressed.

The main pieces of legislation that following issues identified: It was surprising to find concern petroleum officers are: Inoperable public address system 3 some of the issues coming up so regularly. For instance No current electrical certificate on site • The Dangerous Substances and 11 11 sites didn’t have a (hard copy or electronic copy) Explosive Atmospheres current electrical Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) No DSEAR risk assessment 8 certificate available.

Fire Extinguishers needed annual service 2 Electronic copies are • The Petroleum (Regulation) Acts acceptable, but in many Tank Top manhole chambers needed 1928 + 1936. (To be revoked in 12 cases these were not cleaning and/or maintenance 2014) readily available either, Safety signage missing 6 even if several old ones The DSEAR Approved Codes of No copy petroleum licence on site 3 were. Many operators are Practice and the Blue Book (Design, Blocked drainage 8 now largely relying on construction, modification, Faulty DCD (Unattended Tanker electronic filing/document maintenance and decommissioning 1 Delivery) box retrieval. of filling stations – 3rd Edition) Inadequate training records 4 Also many sites were not requirements give practical looking in their tank top Inadequate leak detection/wetstock application to the rather general 2 manhole chambers at all, records nature of DSEAR and were used to often leaving this to put some of the required “flesh on Faulty hoses 3 contractors. Occasional the bones” to help guide the Forecourt repairs 1 examination (say monthly) inspections. Other guidance was Ducts need filling 2 used as appropriate. could have helped prevent New dipsticks required (bottom missing some of the worse 1 on 2 out of 4 sticks) What was the makeup of the sites? examples of neglect and The number of sites with the may help pick up early indications of (The number of sites with the following equipment and facilities small leaks etc. I appreciate that this corresponding non-compliance is were noted: is not an easy task to manage safely, shown). especially on a busy forecourt selling Most of the issues over 20 million litres of fuel a year (as Stage 1b Vapour Recovery 42 Stage 2 Vapour Recovery 26 identified above were some were). resolved within 4 weeks, There are still too many sites where Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR)** 34 some taking longer to the risk assessment is filed away and Single skin steel tanks 20 address. the content not appreciated.

Single skin steel pipework*** 14 Ensuring site staff get involved and informed through this process, even Unattended Tanker Delivery 18 Weights and Measures Checks. if the actual risk assessment is Dipsticks 2 41 of the above 42 sites completed by a third party is As you would expect on such a also had inspections carried out on important for site safety. Many sites wide range of sites of different ages the accuracy of their dispensers. appreciated advice on this and sizes there were various makes Only 3% of nozzles were found to be particular aspect of site of dispenser from many of the main non-compliant as specified by the management and felt the process manufacturers.

14 sites had requirements of the Weights and helped them understand why things dispensers of 5 or less years in age.

Measures Act 1985 and associated were done in a particular way. ** Most of the sites with SIR had this operated for them by a third party, many increasingly using the more accurate real time monitoring system.

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could be examined with someone who knew where and how this was kept. A full inspection of the site itself was also undertaken and the results recorded. All 42 retail sites in the two districts were inspected, ranging from several motorway service areas, large supermarket sites, a range of independent sites, including single site operators and various oil company sites. Sites inspected ranged from the recently developed with all new equipment to older sites with single skin tanks and pipework and very old infrastructure.

One of many fill locations found

Some of the new equipment appearing on forecourts

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LPG is available on many sites nationally

The HSE’s view on proactive Health & Safety Inspections Arising out of the Lofstedt review The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been tasked with giving a stronger lead to Local Authority (LA) health and safety inspection and enforcement activity. As a result the “National Local Authority Enforcement Code, Health and Safety at Work, England, Scotland & Wales” has been produced. This seeks to give direction to LA’s as to the areas of Health and Safety inspection activity they should concentrate on. It also addresses roles and responsibilities, recommends risk-based regulatory approaches and wants trained and competent staff involved. In the “list of activities/sectors for proactive inspection by LA’s the only one relevant to filling stations is “Explosion caused by leaking LPG”.

This is because of the concern existing around buried metal LPG pipework.

Conclusions The survey was useful in risk assessing the site from a regulator’s 70

point of view and determining when the next routine inspection should take place. The existence of any Primary Authority Partnerships (PAPs) was also taken into account in this process.

The survey also showed that ongoing, risk assessed inspections of filling stations should be carried out, even in the light of the HSE guidance noted above. This can have several benefits including helping staff maintain competence with practical expertise, having an appreciation of the possible range of site types and ages. This in turn will assist local operators who have queries about approvals, incidents or other matters. This can also help the Petroleum Officer when liasing with officers, often from other disciplines, about matters concerning measure or vapour recovery systems.

If this happens I would like to think that the activities of the local Petroleum Officer would continue to play a useful role in helping to maintain safe filling stations across the UK.

Some of the older equipment found

My thanks to Sean Murphy and all the other staff at Wokingham & West Berkshire Trading Standards Service for their help and support during my time there.

Ray Nicholson is a Director of TSPL Consulting Ltd, a company specialising in Trading Standards and Petroleum Law matters. He can be contacted on T: 01493 732625, M: 07549 993350, E: raynic@live.co.uk.

He also audits self-verifiers and other companies on behalf of the National Measurement Office, Accredited Certification Body. He was a practicing Trading Standards Officer for over 30 years.

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By Richard Wigfull, John Wigfull & Co Ltd

UKLPG,the trade association of the LP Gas industry and The British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) have recently joined forces to launch a telephone service to ensure the prompt collection of empty cylinders from civic amenity (CA) sites.

LP Gas and industrial gases are sold to customers in reusable cylinders that remain the property of the individual gas companies. The cylinders themselves are valuable assets, but they often end up in the waste stream where they can cause issues for CA site operators, due to their potentially hazardous contents.

It is therefore essential that cylinder brand owners work to ensure that they are notified of their assets being discarded, and in turn, collect them promptly.

However, despite deposit and rental schemes and guidance to customers regarding their return,

more than 150,000 reusable and serviceable gas cylinders are brought to CA sites. In the past, the system has relied upon sites to contact each company directly, which could be very time consuming. However, this new scheme, launched on the 1st July, aims to simplify the process. Where there is not a pre-existing arrangement already in place with a brand owner, calling a maximum of three telephone numbers will ensure prompt collection of all UKLPG and BCGA member companies' reusable cylinders, free of charge.

To have BOC cylinders collected call: 0800 111333 To have Calor Gas cylinders collected call: 01179 413721 For all other gas cylinders call:

0845 017 7049.

By law, branded gas cylinders belong to the individual company and if there is no routine authorised collection arrangement at that site already in place, calling the telephone contact points means that cylinders belonging to UKLPG and BCGA members will be collected within 15 working days, free of charge to the CA site.

Doug Thornton, Chief Executive of the BCGA comments: “We are very pleased to join with UKLPG in setting up these new arrangements, which will greatly simplify life for municipal waste site managers and hopefully see increased recovery of what are valuable assets to our industry. This will have major environmental and safety benefits and will hopefully reduce the numbers of cylinders that either find their way into the scrap metal trade or be irresponsibly fly-tipped. The new scheme is a great step forwards.”

John Woodruff, Chair of the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers, commented: “For those of us operating household waste recycling centres, gas cylinders are always an issue. This new, simplified scheme will not only help ensure that these potentially hazardous containers are dealt with appropriately, it will also mean that they are delivered back to their original manufacturers where they can be treated as assets, rather than waste. We certainly welcome this initiative as a positive step, and look forward to working more closely with UKLPG and BCGA to make sure all of our members are aware of it.”

Cylinder Return for Members of the Public Who owns the cylinder? Most LP Gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) are the property of the company named on the cylinder. So in most cases the safest and best way of disposing of a cylinder is simply to return it to its owner company, often via their nearest distributor or depot.

Most cylinders display the brand and/or owner company's name somewhere on the body of the cylinder. You can visit the owner's website for details of their nearest distributor or depot, or contact the owners directly using their details in the brand list.

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UKLPG and BCGA Launch Re-usable Gas Cylinder Collection Initiative

Modular Shell Filling Station - Moody Lane, Grimsby

By Jonathan Houlston MRICS, Director

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The Catfoss Group commissioned

by Artelia UK Project Managers for Shell Uk, to use their experience to design, manufacture and deliver a 220 sqm modular shop facility to one of their existing filling stations that was to be replaced and re-tanked in Grimsby. Catfoss were set the challenge of being part of a team including the main contractor William Southern to complete the project within 10 weeks from the close of the site.

The Catfoss Group is based in Beverley, East Yorkshire, and owns and operates over 100 acres of industrial estate including 8 factories. The group has been delivering a variety of modular solutions for the last 30 years. The factories sit within the modular “hub” of the UK, with other major modular manufactures operating out of some of the factories within the ownership of the Catfoss Group.

The Group operates in 4 main areas: • Catfoss Commercial - Designs, manufactures and delivers bespoke modular and off site solutions to the commercial sector.

• Catfoss Eco Modular Living – Designs, manufactures and delivers modular housing and living accommodation solutions.

• Catfoss Modular and Portable – Manufactures recycled modular solutions to a variety of sectors • Catfoss Cabin Hire – Delivers accommodation including canteen, office and site set up solutions.

The group delivers solutions for a wide variety of sectors and is one of the only modular manufacturing companies who has the experience, flexibility, products to meet all sector demands.

With their close relationship with some of their tenants they also have the ability to increase and decrease manufacturing capacity depending on the demands of their clients as 72

well as the market.

Catfoss Commercial was specifically set up to deliver cost effective, bespoke off site construction solutions. This part of the group takes into account the specific requirement and designs of customers for buildings to be delivered off site. This ensures that the customer receives a building that looks, feels and more importantly has the life longevity of a traditionally built building, while reaping the benefits of off site construction. In comparison to traditional forms of construction benefits include; • Time – significantly reduced construction times which in turn reduce construction and onsite cost and with no delays due to inclement weather conditions.

• Design – Flexible in design, buildings made to look and feel like traditionally built buildings. We advise the client as to the most cost effective solution whether it be the type of structure used to how the final product will need to be installed on site.

as 75%.

• Future Proof – The buildings delivered are permanent solutions and have a design life of in excess of 65 years.

• Team – individuals within our team have well over 30 years experience in the off site construction industry. We use our experience to deliver the most cost effect solutions for clients.

Catfoss Commercial has been successful in recent years within the education and retail sectors, delivering for Timpsons, WH Smith, M&S and Capita Symonds and more recently Shell UK. Modular Shell Filling Station At the beginning of 2012, Catfoss Group were approached by Artelia UK to help advise and design the modular shop element of the replacement of a Shell filling station in Grimsby. Artelia UK were tasked by their client to implement modular solutions to the majority of construction activities which included the shop, tanks, canopy, forecourt and mechanical and electrical services.

The aim of this was to; • Reduce the overall programme to within 10 weeks.

• Reduce onsite activities.

• Sustainability – all buildings are designed to use the latest, renewable materials and technologies. All materials are assessed for maintenance and life longevity.

• Quality – The buildings are built in controlled conditions and therefore all materials used are quality assessed and the products are built to minimal tolerances.

Our target is to constantly improve the product and services we provide.

• Safety – The buildings are built in controlled conditions, which reduce potential and actual incidents. Due to the reduction in off site works there is significant reduction to potential hazards to individuals on site. Man hours on site can be reduced by as much

• Reduce potential and actual incidents on site as they strive for “Goal Zero”.

• Reduce cost by implementing more efficient forms of construction.

• Reduce on going/future maintenance & operational costs.

• Efficient implementation sustainable solutions.

of

For the shop element Catfoss’s modular design team worked with the Artelia UK retail design team to produce a design that maximised the retail sales layout to incorporate the Shell Global Standards and ancillary accommodation to maximise the delivery of the building using a modular form of

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The actual filling station site was handed over to the main contractor 8th April 2013.

D u r i n g manufacture, Catfoss worked closely with the project managers of Artelia UK to ensure the Shell Global design standards were met and Shell health & safety accreditation standards were achieved.

The production programme lasted 8 weeks which included the structure, glazing, external cladding and doors, internal fit out including retail areas, ancillary areas, ATM Room, all internal bulk heads and surround signage. The mechanical, re-fridge, electrical and plumbing installation was also completed to second fix with only commissioning and minor works to be undertaken on site. Plan Over managed to fit the majority of their fixtures and fittings at the factory again reducing the time they required when the building was positioned on site. With the construction undertaken under

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construction.

The building was required to exceed current building regulations and required a 12 year defects liability insurance policy. Catfoss Group are accredited by Check Mate Structural Defects Insurance (a division of Lockton Companies LLP) and have worked closely with them to provide clients with an insurance backed warranty in place of traditional collateral warrantees across all their product ranges.

Catfoss Group was asked to coordinate the manufacture of the building used by Artelia UK’s approved suppliers and contractors to ensure the Shell Global standards were achieved. A detailed scope of works was agreed in advance with the main contractor William Southern, the mechanical & Electrical provider TE RAMMS, Shop fit out provider Planover and signage contractors SSDM. During production of the building the contractors were given unrestricted access to the manufacturing facility to complete their scope of works prior to delivery to site.

The aim was to manufacture 90% of the shop off site reducing the onsite works down to 5 days. The manufacture of the shop commenced on 25th March 2013.

controlled environments the risk of any time delay from inclement weather conditions was eradicated.

Also it was proven that working in a factory environment provided more efficient working practices and a reduction in overall working hours required.

The manufacturing team coordinated with the main contractor on site to ensure that the foundations and service connections were installed at the correct locations to ensure installation and commissioning of the building occurred on the specified date, without delay or disruption to the rest of the site works.

The building was inspected and approved prior to delivery and

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installed on 29th May. The remaining works to the building were completed within 5 days and the overall site reopened for trading on 12th June 2013, just over 9 weeks from closure. The modular solution provided reduced on site works

significantly, the amount of man hours on site to approximately 430 hours in comparison to a traditional build which would have been in excess of 1250 hours. This in turn

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The First Primary Authority Partnership Inspection Plan under Petroleum Legislation Sainsbury’s Supermarkets & Petroleum Section London Fire Brigade

By Jean Fincken, Deputy Head of Petroleum (Primary Authority Partnerships) London Fire Brigade

Photo 1 - Sainsbury forecourt in snow

The

first

Inspection

Plan

for

Petroleum Legislation has just been approved

under

the

Primary

Authority Partnerships scheme and published on the BRDO IT system and this article is to give a little of the background of how we arrived at this point and how we hope its use 74

will be beneficial to all.

The relationship between the petroleum section of the LFB and Sainsbury’s petrol specialist team was initially formalised under a Lead Authority Partnership (LAP’s) agreement in July 2001. So when the Primary Authority Partnerships (PAP’s) came into being it seemed natural that this relationship was the first of our LAPs to be converted into a PAP. The Partnership came into being on 2nd August 2010 and from the initial meeting as a Primary Authority Partnership the discussions involved the future possibilities of Inspection

reduced the potential and actual incidents on site.

Following the success of the Grimsby project Catfoss Group have been contracted by Artelia UK to deliver the next project at Heyhouses Lane, Blackpool.

Plans (IP). We knew that it would involve a fair amount of work and would take time to prepare and make the application but now almost three years to the day we have achieved the first inspection plan under petroleum legislation and are a little surprised at just how much work and time it has taken!

Initial Aims At the early meetings we discussed how this facility within the partnership scheme could be used to best effect and were unanimous that this was not to be used as just a way to avoid inspection or in any way to seem to be preventing inspecting officers from visiting or looking at whatever was appropriate. Rather we saw it as a way of best utilising the time of both the enforcing authority’s officers and of Sainsbury’s colleagues. We also identified opportunities to be able to get feedback - good and bad - on how policies and procedures were being implemented on the PFS’s from an ‘outsider’s’ perspective rather than someone within the company i.e. a member of the petrol specialist team doing an audit .

Preparation Before we could begin to contemplate making an application for an Inspection Plan (IP) it was necessary for us, as the Primary Authority, to be confident that the

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Photo 2 – Emergency flip chart

At about this time while considering the documents that inspectors routinely look for when visiting a site we designed a form called “Documentation that must be readily available for Auditing Purposes by Inspectors from Petroleum Licensing Authorities” which lists all of these documents, where they are routinely kept on site and how to go about obtaining copies or gaining more information.

This was completed with the details relevant to Sainsbury’s and then

published on the BRDO IT System for issuing updates to PFS colleagues all PLA inspectors to see and use. we also published the information The format went on to be used by on the BRDO IT System so that we most of our other partners. could demonstrate to enforcing The contractors providing many of officers that Sainsbury were being these services for Sainsbury’s agreed compliant and pro-active in their to have their direct contact details approach. One such issue was the added to this form so that inspectors rising evidence that newer would be able to “cut out the separators with coalescing filters middle man” and go direct to them were not being routinely maintained for copy documents or queries and replaced as per the about their service. Currently this manufacturer’s recommendations includes Fairbanks Environmental for and this had led to incidents on risk assessments, Vianet Fuel some sites when spills could not be Solutions for wetstock, DRB UK contained and/or separator Maintenance Ltd for electrical contents had overflowed onto the testing and John Rome Ltd for drainage maintenance. Also E&S forecourt. On hearing our findings Environmental Services are listed in on these incidents (none on sites) Sainsbury’s respect of maintenance and testing Sainsbury’s of the vapour recovery as although immediately took steps to ensure the routine the permitting system for vapour that recovery is not covered by petroleum legislation and therefore not part of the PAP agreement some inspectors “wear both hats” and the VR system itself is part of the Approved Arrangements on a PFS and so something that a Petroleum Inspector would be Photo 4 - Offset fill caps concerned with. maintenance/replacement of filters was added to the maintenance contract agreed with John Rome Ltd to ensure that similar incidents did not occur on their sites.

Another innovation was providing sites with new style offset fill caps (see photo 4).

During this work as contractors contracts were reviewed it was an opportunity for Sainsbury’s to Photo 3 – Tanker ensure that the service given was At the same time as this project robust and that reports/certificate was being undertaken when issues issued could be available were identified at our regular electronically and passed on to quarterly meeting whether directly inspectors if needed and kept on in response to a practice at site in a way that would be easy to Sainsbury’s or a general trend in the access. A major project around industry that had come to our planned preventative maintenance attention, Jeff Simms was always (PPM) was completed quite willing to combine the ‘best recently. The issue of how petroleum practice’ into Sainsbury’s policy & inspectors satisfy themselves that procedure and on doing so and routine maintenance is being done

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“business” was making every effort to be compliant in all aspects covered by the scope of the partnership. Together with our main PA point of contact – Jeff Simms, Sainsbury’s Lead Petrol Specialist, Petrol & Kiosk Department, it was decided that this would be necessary to review all policies and procedures related to the running of the petrol filling stations (PFS’s) and over the course of many months we reviewed these documents and looked in detail at the staff training modules, the emergency procedures, the routine checks carried out by colleagues on the PFS and the delivery protocols.

Summaries of some of these and copies of checklists were published on the BRDO IT System to give inspectors as much information as we could prior to their planned visits.

We also continue to use the “News” facility on the BRDO IT System to advise inspectors of any changes that may affect their visits such as a change in the management structure that means that some sites are paired with a PFS manager covering two sites spending part of a week on each.

has been increasingly more difficult to achieve especially as modern dispensers are more difficult for an inspector to access when keys are not always provided to the site staff.

Consequently, Matt Elms from Sainsbury’s Petrol Specialist Team worked with Soren Powell-Holse from Wayne’s, part of the A GE Energy group, who are contracted to provide Sainsbury’s with planned preventative maintenance on all their sites and together they have produced a new checklist that can record the maintenance they carry out, a copy of which can be left on site so that inspectors can see at a glance what has been done and where in a five year cycle of maintenance the visit had taken place. A template of this form should be available on the BRDO IT System by the time you read this article.

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Application Once we were all happy that Sainsbury’s were running the forecourts in a way that was intended to ensure that they were compliant with the Petroleum Legislation (both licence conditions & DSEAR) we embarked upon the application and undertook the BRDO’s training course on Inspection Plans which aims to get representatives from the PA and the Business from a couple of partnerships together with a trainer.

We were lucky enough to have two trainers all to ourselves. Rob Cooper and Dave Lovell from the BRDO 76

came to our offices for the day and delivered the course to myself & Ray Blake on the PA side and Jeff Simms & Marjorie Dehaney on the Business side. The course fully occupied the day and we were able to go through the application process step by step looking at each stage Photo 6 – BRDO screen from the perspective of our the one London Inspectors use) we particular needs. After the course it decided that using a similar fell to me to complete the forms and checklist would be not only familiar submit them to the HSE for to inspectors but would aid us in comment. Prior to an application retrieval of information in the being made to the BRDO it is feedback – more of that later. Thus necessary to get approval from the we took the original London National Body for the relevant area inspection checklist and revised it to of legislation and for Petroleum this is fit with our aims to reduce the need the HSE. Once the HSE had for duplication of effort e.g. less responded and I had made the emphasis on documentation that necessary “tweaks” to encompass we had already reviewed and less the HSE’s comments the application physical check on items that had was then submitted to the BRDO been provably checked by others. who ensured that it complied with The area of staff competence is the aims and objectives of the one where inspectors constantly find Inspection Plan. Once they were issue across all operator’s sites and it happy it was published on the BRDO is an area where we wanted to be IT System where it can now be sure that Sainsbury’s training downloaded and used by any PLA programme was being successfully inspector intending to inspect a disseminated to the end user – the Sainsbury’s PFS. For those not too PFS Colleague - and so we made an familiar with navigation of the BRDO addition to the checklist of some IT System you can tell that an questions that we wish an inspector Inspection Plan has been issued by to ask of the colleagues they meet the presence of a small tick near the during a visit with room for them to top of Sainsbury’s page and then record the colleague’s answers. you can download the plan by As well as the checklist and scrolling further down the page and questions for PFS staff the IP clicking on the document. document also includes additional guidance for the inspector in the The Inspection Plan form of an aide memoire for the The Inspection Plan that can be checklist and model answers for the downloaded is a 15 page questions for staff. The checklist also document that details the rationale includes space for the inspector to for implementing the plan and make any additional points they details what the PA wishes an may wish to raise/draw to the inspector to either not look at or give attention of the PA and/or particular attention to when they Sainsbury’s. are on site. Many Inspection Plans It is hoped that this initial format of detail these things in narrative but the Inspection Plan checklist will fit in during our preparation of the plan easily with the usual routine of and taking into consideration that inspectors and should take no we knew that many petroleum longer that a normal inspection - in inspectors are used to working with fact it may well be quicker - and a checklist in one format or another once the inspection is done the form (many of those who have attended can be completed electronically APEA Training courses over the years and e-mailed back to us via the may be using a checklist based on “”Inspection Feedback” under

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The Feedback All the information on the returned checklist forms will be collated by us and any comments, questions, concerns raised by inspectors will be responded to as soon as possible. It is our intention to use the data collected to highlight any site specific issues and address them but also to identify any trends that can be addressed by revision of current

policies and procedures or by alterations to current maintenance programmes.

We are also asking in this initial IP for feedback to include a copy of any risk assessment that inspectors carry out to calculate the frequency of future visits. We are hoping to be able to collate this information to ensure that sites are being consistently risk rated across the country.

Future Plans The data amassed from the feedback will shape the next revision of the IP in that items that are clearly being complied with across the country can be given less emphasis and any elements where

Photo 7– Forecourt at night

there are found to be issues can be looked at in more detail.

As of October 2013 revision of the regulations relating to the PAP’s include the instruction that where IP’s have been issued inspectors are required to follow them and return feedback if asked. Also the facility to notify the PA of deviation from any IP must be made prior to the inspection and is subject to the PA’s agreement or not within 5 working days in a similar manner to the Enforcement Action procedure.

We hope that overall the introduction of IP’s will lead to a much more streamlined inspection and save time and effort on all sides.

Inspectors will be able to raise issues swiftly and be assured of prompt attention. PFS colleagues and members of the Petrol Specialist Team will not have to spend so much time duplicating work done by others and lastly both the PA and Sainsbury’s will be assured that Sainsbury’s is fully compliant with the regulations and doing everything they can to run safe and efficient sites.

Should you have any questions about the IP or anything in this article please feel free to contact me on Petroleum.Paps@londonfire.gov.uk.

Ask the Experts Having Inspected a petrol filling station in my area, I could not find a DSEAR risk assessment in writing.

What should I do to resolve this issue as I think a contravention is taking place?

Answer; Regulation 5(1) of the Dangerous Substances ad Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) requires an employer (not necessarily the Licensee) to make a “suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to his employees which arise from this substance”. This is further clarified in Regulation 5(2) which sets out the matters that must be considered when carrying out an assessment, including:

• the nature of the substance – in this case petroleum, but which may include other substances on site such as LPG • the work processes • the amount of the substance present • the existing arrangements – this includes the infrastructure on site and any “built in” safety devices • maintenance activities • the Hazardous Areas identified under Regulation 7(1)

DSEAR Regulation 4(2) extends this duty to the self-employed and the guidance states that those not employed on the site but who may be at risk must be considered as part of the assessment. This includes members of the public, adjacent businesses and contractors on site.

The assessment must be done in conjunction with that carried out under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – this covers matters which are not covered by specific Regulations.

An employer is only required to record the significant findings where they employ 5 or more persons, but they should be encouraged to do so. The record can be in written or

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“Make Contact” on the BRDO IT System.

It should be said at this point that if an inspector intends to deviate from the IP they must notify the PA via the “Inspection Plan Deviation” option under “Make Contact” on the BRDO IT System.

electronic form.

If no DSEAR risk assessment has been carried out, or where it is deficient in some significant matters, then enforcement action which is appropriate and proportionate must be taken. The actions to be taken should be set out in the Authority’s Enforcement Policy, and the Authorised Officer (AO) must implement it.

The enforcement options are: 1. Write a letter to the employer setting out the legal requirement and giving a reasonable amount of time to produce/carry out the assessment – this is an option where the AO has confidence that the employer will do the assessment and where there are no major breaches of legal requirements in the operation. If the assessment is not done after the agreed time, or is not “suitable and sufficient” consideration can be given to option 2.

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2. Serve an Improvement Notice under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 21.

Such a notice can be served immediately if the Enforcement Policy permits. The Notice will require the risk assessment to be carried out within a set time period. Failure to comply with the requirements can lead to a prosecution.

A Prohibition Notice cannot be served for a failure to carry out a risk assessment.

How does an AO decide whether or not a risk assessment is “suitable and sufficient”?

Generic assessments are common and many are in the format of a detailed audit, but they must cover the risks and must be made site specific; e.g. the necessity to close some sites during delivery would be made from the information gathered during the risk assessment process.

The risk assessment must cover all of the matters listed in DSEAR Regulation 5(2).

Site specific preventive measures must be devised and implemented following the assessment, though it is acknowledged that most of the measures implemented will be the 78

same on every site. The measures must include: • Control and mitigation measures to eliminate sources of ignition - Provision of an intrinsically safe site infrastructure - Maintenance regimes • Information, training for contractors

instruction employees

and and

• Monitoring systems, including wet stock management and appropriate alarms • Emergency procedures to deal with accidents and incidents The requirements for risk assessments are covered in detail on the APEA “DSEAR” training course, and enforcement matters on the “Petrol Filling Stations - Enforcement Procedures - An Awareness” course.

Kim Bennett Senior Environmental Health Officer, Milton Keynes Council Where can leaks occur on an LPG installation, both above and below ground or partially-buried storage installations and what can be done to prevent them in the first place?

Information on action in the event of LPG leaks is included in UKLPG CoP 3 “Prevention and Control of Fire Involving LPG”.

LPG installations are closed systems. By proper selection of components plus correct installation and maintenance the potential for the loss of LPG should be minimal.

Information on the maintenance of LPG installations is given in UKLPG CoP 1 part 3 “Bulk LPG Storage at Fixed Installations. Examination and Inspection”, APEA/EI “Blue Book”, CoP 20 “Automotive LPG Refuelling Facilities” and PETEL 65 60 “Petrol Filling Stations - Autogas Installations.

Inspector’s Aid Memoir Check List”.

The last two of these are in the process of being revised.

Under normal operations on a correctly designed system there are only three actions that result in the release of LPG to the atmosphere and these are:

• From the delivery nozzle when it is released from the vehicle coupling. A correctly maintained nozzle releases a minimal amount; however should there be a problem with the non-return valve in the vehicle connection this quantity may increase significantly.

• From the tanker driver delivery nozzle when it is released from the LPG vessel (tank) fill coupling.

• From the vessel maximum fill valve during filling, when the driver checks to confirm the vessel is not being overfilled.

Should the surroundings heat up and there be some liquid trapped between two closed valves then there can be a release from a “hydrostatic relief valve”; these are small valves that if the maximum working pressure is reached allow a limited amount of liquid to be released. This can usually be seen as slight frosting along with a gas smell.

The safety valves on the vessels rarely open and when they do it is usually due to the vessel being overfilled.

The critical areas for maintenance are those associated with the dispensing of LPG by the customer, these being: • The nozzle • The hose assemblies. (Also see UKLPG User Information Sheet UIS024.)

• The hose pullaway protection device.

As part of the installation process there will have been safe operating limits established, these being the pressure at which the individual components are safe to operate.

For installations in the UK this should be in accordance with the European Standards and be no less than 25 bar after a pump. At the same time the maintenance requirements of the complete system should have been determined; these depend on the components selected, but should include periods between testing and/or replacement of individual items.

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Richard Wigfull John Wigfull & Co Ltd A developer has sent a set of plans for a new petrol filling station which include electrical details of where underground cables are to be located across the site. As a petroleum officer, what should I be looking for in this project in general?

Can you advise?

I would hope that during the required “Exchange of Information” phase between all interested parties the proposed number, size and routing and termination and mechanical sealing of the ductwork has all been considered with the appropriate guidance in the 3rd Edition of the “Blue Book” followed.

The electrical contractor should be indicating to the civil contractor and others the duct requirement not only to serve the amount of proposed equipment on site and size and number of cables to be installed but also to ensure adequate numbers of spare ducts are installed for future use. Position of the future manholes used as cable draw pits should be considered to ideally have these out with normal tanker and vehicle routes thus allowing access to the pits in future when the site is open without disturbing traffic access, however often this cant be avoided.

Reg 4.4.7 clearly indicates: “Duct systems have to be designed to positively prevent vehicle fuels in liquid, gas or vapour form entering any building (e.g. including kiosks and car wash plant rooms etc.). An example of this would be to terminate the duct above ground level at an external location adjacent to the building, with the cables etc, entering the building at an elevated level (e.g. 1m above ground). Both the duct exit and

building entry should be sealed. Any exposed duct, cables and aperture to buildings should be protected against mechanical impact, climate degradation and vandalism. Such protection has to allow natural ventilation.

“Wherever possible ducts should be laid with a fall away from buildings. It is preferable that as far as practicable ducts are routed so that cables serving equipment in non-hazardous areas are not routed under hazardous areas. Note: this will reduce the amount of testing and inspection required annually to comply with sections 14.10.1.2 and 14.10.3.3 (c). Consideration should be given to installing spare ducts for future services when constructing or modifying a site.”

Where the ductwork contains the electricity power cable supplying power to the site the following detail from 14.3.2 must be confirmed and implemented: “The site should be supplied by underground cables (power, telecommunications etc.) suitably protected against mechanical and environmental damage and routed outside and not below the hazardous areas.

Where the filling station site is supplied via an overhead system, the conductors should be terminated outside the site boundary and the supply continued by means of underground cable(s), suitably protected against mechanical and environmental degradation and routed outside and not beneath the hazardous areas (see also 14.8.6). Note: this may be the responsibility of the service supplier and requires agreement at an early stage.”

Reg 14.9.4 & 14.9.5 give the electrical contractor far more detail on how the ductwork should be installed and laid out and details of standards of duct systems and draw pit chambers all highlighted. Of course force ventilated ductwork systems where Autogas systems are installed should be kept separated from any other

ductwork.

Good design and future proofing of the ductwork installation will pay dividends in the future costs in any redevelopment projects in the future.

When the project is completed an “As Installed” ductwork drawing should be available on site for reference by maintenance teams and inspectors.

Gareth Bourhill Gareth Bourhill Consulting A site is looking to refurbish and replace its steel pipework with steel again. Is this acceptable?

Experience shows that when steel pipe was buried underground it will corrode and leak. Even when surrounded by concrete this has not protected the lines from corrosion. It is a proven fact that historically in the UK and in other countries over 70% of the leaks from petrol stations came from leaking steel lines that had corroded.

In many cases the galvanised steel lines attached to the underground tanks proved to be a ”sacrificial anode” for the tank ensuring the lines leaked quite quickly.

This photograph show one line that was four years old with point corrosion which is not unique.

The Blue Book states that pipe installed underground should

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Any installation design should take into account that DSEAR requires “in the event of the operation of the emergency shut down system any accumulated energy must be dissipated as quickly as possible or isolated so it no longer constitutes a hazard.” As LPG has stored energy being a liquefied gas under pressure the energy cannot be easily dissipated so needs to have suitable emergency isolation valves included in the design.

these are the pipes that should be used to replace the existing steel underground.

Should the site still wish to use metallic pipe there is a flexible metal system which has also been granted approval under the standard and that is illustrated here.

Jamie Thompson Chairman Technical Committee

comply with EN 14125 and there is no steel pipe like the illustration certified to this standard.

There are a number of choices of manufacturers of non metallic pipe systems certified to the European standard which are considered by the industry and regulators alike to be more economic to install and will last much longer and not be a safety or environmental risk and

I have received plan proposals for a new petrol filling station site whose vent stack is under 1.5m from the boundary for Stage 1b Vapour Recovery. What advice can I give?

The positioning of the vent pipe for an underground storage tank is critical because of the hazardous area around it. Petroleum licensing authorities have no jurisdiction over what occurs off site and the adjoining property or public highway could pose a potential risk with regards ignition sources. If you

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Relining of Underground Storage Tanks

By Brian Humm, Head of Petroleum, London Fire Brigade and Simon Deacon BSc MSc FGS, Technical Specialist, Environment Agency Following on from Jamie’s recent excellent article on leak detection systems it prompted me to outline my thoughts on the lining of existing underground storage tanks with a view to extending the lifecycle of a petrol storage facility. In October 2010, I, in my capacity as Head of Petroleum (Enforcement) of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Petroleum Group, wrote to all companies that supplied a lining service for underground storage tanks to inform them of a new policy that the LFB were to adopt.

The change in policy had come about following some spectacular failures of double skin lining in tanks throughout the UK. This occurred when the lining system used, or parts of it, was not compatible with the fuels being stored, the result being that the fuel affected the lining making it collapse into the tank itself.

The new policy, which was 80

subsequently adopted by numerous Petroleum Licensing Authorities (PLA), was that no lining works could be undertaken within the area controlled by the PLA unless they had gained certificated accreditation to the EN standard 13160-7 (Leak Detection SystemsGeneral requirements and test methods for interstitial spaces, leak protecting linings and leak detection jackets) 2003.

Following on from this a number of firms applied to various accreditation/testing houses throughout the world and gained the appropriate qualification/approval; these linings all have Class 1 leak detection capabilities. I was fortunate enough to witness some of the testing of one system by one of the contributors to the standard, Mr Jürgen Straube of TUV Nord; the thoroughness of the testing was impressive and very

look at the Blue Book, item 4.4.5, this states that for a vent system which has vapour recovery fitted then the minimum distance that the discharge point from the vent pipe should be is 2 metres; this is increased to 3 metres if naturally vented. If you have an imperforate wall extending from ground level and for at least 2 metres from the discharge point then consideration may be given to decreasing the distance (3 metres for natural venting), also in this instance the vent stack could be located 1.5 metres from the boundary and the option to crank the vent discharge into the site using angled pipework could be given which would achieve the desired result.

Brian Humm Head of Petroleum London Fire Brigade

comprehensive. The purpose of this article is to share my thoughts, and those of some informed others, as to why we request a double skin lining to a tank and not a single skin.

If you look in the 3rd edition of the blue book item 8.2.2 states that: “Existing tanks may also be reused, with the application of an appropriate double skin lining system in accordance with EN131607.”

I know that the “Blue Book” is guidance but you should remember that if you follow guidance then you would be seen as complying with the law. I have industry insiders say to me “but we have 3rd party SIR in place so why can’t I have a single skin lining?” Good point but, and it is a big but, you will still lose fuel to ground if a leak occurs rather than have an alarm informing you of the problem and preventing any outflow of product, therefore producing a fire and explosion hazard to the area on and around the filling station, not to mention the environmental impact. The physical cost of this loss can be extremely high in respect of the cost of the fuel lost, the loss of business with the site being closed, the loss of credibility and possible damage to the company’s reputation whilst

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Leaks and spills from petrol filling stations present a significant risk to the aquatic environment, significantly to groundwater and surface water quality and drinking water abstractions. The Environment Agency takes a precautionary approach and especially in sensitive locations always seeks to influence developers and retailers to adopt the best available techniques.

Single skin tanks are an inherent risk to groundwater and surface water quality. Predominantly because of their age and lack of adequate leak detection we would encourage sites to be upgraded. Tank relining, unless carried out in accordance with best practice and suitable standards (as stated above), is not considered to represent the best option to protect the water environment. We have seen tanks where liners have failed, and the pollution that has resulted from such failures. This does not encourage any confidence in their use. We therefore seek that tanks are replaced with double skinned systems with leak detection systems that are appropriate to the risk to the environment. In some cases, especially in the most sensitive Source Protection Zones for groundwater abstractions, the inherent risk is so great we would recommend that above ground tanks are considered. The cost of cleaning up fuel contamination of soil and pollution to water can be very large. It therefore makes sense

to mitigate against this risk by redeveloping sites to a high degree of engineered containment, monitoring and future maintenance.

Our Groundwater Protection: Principles and Practice (GP3) document describes how we manage and protect groundwater, both now and for the future; it highlights the importance of groundwater and encourages industry and other organisations to act responsibly and improve their practices. We have specific Position Statements for storage of hazardous substances including fuel and these can be found within Section D. GP3 can be downloaded from the Environment Agency’s website using the following link: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ research/library/publications/14434 6.aspx Thank you Simon, as you can see two different regulatory bodies with similar views, it really is important that both fire and environmental safety be risk critical on a petrol storage installation. Both regulatory bodies are here to safeguard the owners and users of this facility and it is extremely important to follow any advice given, in this instance the Blue Book, as this would be considered as best practice and would certainly be advantageous to the operator’s piece of mind and both their own and their customer’s safety.

Southern The APEA Southern Branch meeting was held on the 16th July 2013 at the Wrag Barn Golf Club near Swindon.

30 members enjoyed a glorious sunny day with a range of interesting and relevant presentations.

After our Chairman Paul Reyner welcomed members, our first speaker was Rob Moore of Farsight.

Rob explained how they have improved compliance on unattended self service filling stations using their intuitive CCTV system.

Farsight works with all sectors to provide remote CCTV coverage of

private homes, shops, factories, car dealerships and of specific interest to us, filling stations.

They have worked with Morrisons and Asda as well as private dealer groups to provide an improvement in the way that unattended petrol stations are monitored. They have a larger than average number of staff monitoring these locations and have developed a system for dealing with problems such as under age sales and illegal containers by specifically monitoring situations where a dispenser calls for authorisation, but no vehicle is present.

With humorous anecdotes and

some amusing pictures, the presentation from Rob was much appreciated by members.

Our next speaker was Kathy Early of DP Fuel Tank Services. Kathy was joined by Gary Bashford of Legacy Development Investments for part of her presentation as they have jointly developed a system called Exit Strategy Planning. An example given was of a family owned service station where the current owners want to retire or get out of the business and the next generation is not interested in taking over. The site may be no-longer viable due to rural location, being in a declining area, cut off by a new traffic

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investigations are carried out, possible litigation if other adjacent business’s or premises are affected and obviously the potential clean up of the area affected by the fuel leak. A proactive response is always better than a reactive one, especially where fuel loss is concerned, I know that one major operator, Tesco Stores Limited, have adopted this proactive approach to lining their older single skin steel storage tanks with an approved system. Their Fire and Petroleum Standards Manager, Simon White, quotes his company’s policy in respect of the older sites contained within their network: “Tesco Stores takes its responsibilities to the wider community very seriously. When the UK Property Governance Committee were given the option of choosing between a reactive SIR process and a proactive double lining system they decided that best practice required both. We chose tank relining over tank replacement as a cost effective and less disruptive means of upgrading our estate.”

As you can see, business does benefit from doing things in a proactive way rather than dealing with the consequences. Earlier on in this article I mentioned the environmental impact; I have also collaborated with Simon Deacon of the Environment Agency and here are his thoughts on this issue:

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improvement scheme or where there is overwhelming competition from a supermarket.

The result is that people who have worked hard all their lives are left with a site that they cannot sell on as a going concern. They either have to solid fill their tanks to make them safe – a costly option – or turn to developers, in the hope that they will buy the site and build a new development.

Unfortunately they often find that interest from builders is low or that they offer a very low price, mainly because anyone who purchases a former fuel site for development has to assume that they will have to carry out considerable and expensive remedial work; i.e. making underground storage tanks safe, excavating them and possibly cleaning up leaks and discarded oil that may have built up over decades.

The answer to this problem comes in the form of Exit Strategy Planning (ESP), a new consortium of specialist companies, all of which are experts in their fields. Rather than buying the site for a fraction of its true worth, ESP’s aim is to work with the retiring retailer to maximise their return on the site they have worked so hard to build up. Under the right circumstances, the site itself can even provide a large contribution to any initial capital outlay.

Kathy explained that the earlier sites contact them, the better the results with ESP can be. In an ideal situation the owners would invoke ESP at least 2 years before they wished to close the site. This would then maximise the yield they could expect to gain.

Paul Reyner thanked Kathy for her presentation and she answered a number of questions for members.

David Rowan of Engenera Power was our last speaker of the morning.

David explained the benefits and possible profits from a solar PV installation on a filling station forecourt canopy.

He used photographs of a recent canopy installation they had carried out to highlight his talk and showed the members figures outlining the expected returns from a commercial installation. Their solar photovoltaic systems are suited to housing developments, commercial premises, factories, schools, care homes, hotels, spas, restaurants, 82

Rob Moore of Farsight

Kathy Early of DP Fuel Tank Services

Ray Blake of London Fire Brigade

shops and public buildings.

He outlined various options available and explained that payback depends on the size of an installation and how energy efficient the property is. But as a rough guide, a typical installation will pay for itself in less than 10 years and that prior to installation they would deliver detailed projections of payback periods based on a full building

assessment.

Engenera Power also deal with the planning application and grid connection themselves to make sure the development has the best chance of success. They are very proud of their record which to date has never seen a planning application for a commercial solar photovoltaic system refused. They can offer a range of packages from

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Martyn Oakton and Mick Ells of Micros Systems Inc.

David Rowan of Engenera

buying outright to monthly finance and even a zero cost option. David explained that they have helped customers across the commercial and public sector switch to renewable energy with finance designed to suit their budget.

David dealt with a number of questions from members and explained that they liaise closely with the relevant Petroleum Officer when planning a filling station installation.

Paul thanked David for his presentation and the members broke for an excellent lunch courtesy of the golf club.

After lunch Ray Blake of London Fire Brigade gave members an Enforcer’s Update. Ray presented members with an overview on the current situation with the changes to Petrol Licensing and the Tanker Driver’s Passport amongst other topics.

Our final speakers for the afternoon were Martyn Oakton and Mick Ells from Micros Systems Inc. Martyn spoke about their Pay@Pump mobile phone App which they are currently trialling in Hampshire. The system allows motorists to find a petrol station

equipped with the Pay@Pump technology, choose a suitable dispenser at the site and pay for their fuel with Paypal all without leaving their vehicle. Only when they have paid for their fuel does the motorist leave their phone in the car and dispense the pre-paid fuel into their vehicle.

The trial has been very popular, especially with drivers unable to leave their vehicles who have previously had to trust the forecourt staff with their credit card and pin number, or pay cash for their fuel.

The advantage for site operators is that pay at pump add on equipment is not required and in appropriate circumstances, the site can operate in unattended mode out of hours.

Mick had a demonstration set available for members to use and see for themselves how the system works.

Paul closed the day with his thanks to all our speakers and to those members who braved the heat wave to attend.

Ireland The Irish Branch of the APEA have been working on a number of significant items over the past year

Contact with the Irish H.S.A. on Wetstock Management The Irish H.S.A. carried out a review of their existing Wet-stock Guidance Document and invited us to participate in this exercise, along with representatives of various other stakeholder interests. These included Revenue, the Department of Environment, the Irish Petroleum Retailers Association, etc. APEA Irish branch delegates Tom Daly, Michael O’Kane, Jonathon Divers and Killian Tallon attended a briefing meeting chaired by the H.S.A. in their Dublin offices in April.

Subsequently in August, the H.S.A. circulated a draft document entitled “Wetstock Reconciliation at Fuel Storage Facilities” for consultation and comment. This was considered by the committee and we supplied our comments and observations to the H.S.A. to meet their deadline.

We welcomed the assistance this new wet-stock guide would provide to Fuel Storage Facility operators who are committed to minimising valuable asset losses, protecting the environment and indeed mitigating the risks from fire or explosion from fugitive fuel or vapour leak paths on their sites. We see it as a valuable reference for operators to ensure diligence in this area and we feel it should be of interest to such operators and indeed regulators seeking to encourage those interested operators to move forward from simply keeping wetstock records towards reviewing wet-stock variance trends. We feel that the legislation in this area to support improved wet-stock analysis needs to be more robust but that the case for the shift in attention to the protection of fuel/monetary assets while also identifying and eliminating environmental/safety risks is strong. Therefore we were happy to support this H.S.A. initiative.

We welcome the publication of this timely new guidance document from the H.S.A. and it was great to have it presented by them at our AGM/seminar in November.

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

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and hopefully by end of the year will have proceeded to deliver on these. The following is an overview of the work undertaken by the committee.

Maureen Briggs and Fintan Quinn. It was held in conjunction with the Forecourt Roadshow on the 10th of October 2013 with the venue being the Maldron Hotel located at Belfast International Airport. Attendees visited the Forecourt Roadshow in the morning and enjoyed lunch and networking before joining the APEA crew on hand for an afternoon seminar session. Topics for discussion included legislation in Northern Ireland, Health and Safety on the forecourt, and Petrol Filling Station insurance requirements.

BRANCHES

Contact with Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation As a special project for 2013, we set up a “Dangerous Substances Act (DSA) sub-committee” to focus on the updating of the current legislation, particularly governing Petrol Filling Station licensing, commonly referred to as the “DSA Regs”.

Since the reformation of the APEA Irish Branch in 2007 we have consistently lobbied the relevant government department for action on the generally accepted unsatisfactory position here. We understand that the APEA Irish Branch action and views on this initiative are widely accepted and supported by other stakeholder interests.

These interests are reflected on the APEA Irish Branch Committee and include equipment suppliers, service contractors, specialist consultants and indeed Petrol Filling Station owner/operator representative groups. We can include the H.S.A. as the central competent authority and many Fire Departments as agents of the various local competent authorities as supporters of our initiative for updating of the “DSA Regs”.

We believe that early contacts by the APEA Irish Branch with the relevant government department officials back in 2007/2008 were instrumental in convincing these officials of the merits of a comprehensive review of the relevant legislation. We were pleased with such a step and participated in the review exercise in providing our views to ARUP in the course of their study and to the relevant government department officials at the consultation stage following its completion. The ARUP 84

findings were presented in their report which was published in 2009.

We welcomed the advance on this front then, but are now concerned at the apparent lack of action four years on.

The “DSA sub-committee” has made a very coherent substantive business case for new legislation following on from the structural/legislative recommendation contained in the ARUP report.

This approach has been approved at the APEA Irish Branch committee. Through 2013 to date we have exchanged correspondence with relevant government department officials culminating in a meeting with these officials in late October 2013. A delegation consisting of Tom Daly, Kevin Wright, Oliver Lupton, Jonathon Divers and Killian Tallon has been appointed to support this APEA Irish Branch initiative. Hopefully we can report some progress with this matter in the near future.

Seminars North/South These are initiatives which commenced last year and which are being continued this year based on good attendances and very positive feedback from attendees.

The objectives were to reach out to members in the more far-flung corners of Ireland who might not be able to make it to the AGM/seminars and at the same time to recruit some new members in these regions. So we are repeating these endeavours this year.

• Northern Seminar This seminar was organised by a sub-committee of Kevin Wright,

• Southern Seminar This seminar was organised by a sub-committee of Danny Keohane, Killian Tallon and Oliver Lupton. It was held as a stand-alone event on the 22nd of October 2013 with the venue being the South Court Hotel, Limerick.

Attendees heard presentations in the morning, then enjoyed lunch and networking and participated in a shorter afternoon session before a final general Q&A forum. Topics for discussion included a legislation update in the Republic of Ireland, forecourt operative training, metering and fuel losses at fuel dispensers, Automated secure vending of solid fuel at forecourts, and crime prevention at petrol filling stations.

Profile of the APEA Irish Branch Committee The Irish Branch Committee is made up of a varied and dedicated group of industry representatives, regulators and stakeholders, who give up their time and expertise for the benefit of the membership. They are always willing to advise and impart their knowledge to any members that seek it.

The committee is chaired by Tom Daly, who is the senior petroleum officer for Dublin Fire Brigade and administers the petroleum regulations for the four local authorities in the Dublin County Area. The vice chair of the committee is Kevin Wright of Pumps and Fuel Installations. Kevin is an expert in the field of all forecourt installations and has a long track record of dealing with all the major operators.

The secretary is Ronnie McArdle and as with all secretaries he puts in a lot of time and effort for the APEA. Ronnie is a qualified engineer and has worked in the industry for many

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

The committee is also comprised of the following members :Maureen Briggs who has been employed as a local authority licensing officer since circa 1984.

She is a member of the Licensing Forum in NI which is a forum of NI Licensing Officers established to discuss areas of common interest.

She also sits on Petroleum Working Group, a sub-group of the forum, set up to review and overhaul our petroleum licensing conditions and procedures to formulate a standard set of licensing conditions and application forms for Local Authorities across NI. Maureen sits on a working group with software partners, Tascomi, to develop specific software applications for use in licensing regulation.

Fintan Quinn has also been employed as a local authority licensing officer since circa 1988 (yep!!). He works closely with Maureen and sits on the same licensing forums and groups. He also provides invaluable contribution to the branch.

Michael O’Kane is a chartered engineer, practising as an independent consultant to the retail oil industry in Ireland. He specialises in regulation compliance items covering licences to store petrol, testing of vapour recovery systems and managing waste-water discharge licences against control parameters. He also conducts risk assessments, prepares explosion protection documents and reviews wet-stock variation trends. He advises oil companies, private site

owners/operators and agents of statutory authorities in all of these areas.

Jonathan Diver joined Statoil in 2001 and has worked in the roles of Site Manager and Area Manager before he was appointed to the role of Topaz Dealer Business Manager in early 2007. Jonathan has over 20 years’ experience working in the retail business working for Quinnsworth, Tesco, Freedom (Australia), Statoil and now Topaz.

Jonathan is responsible for looking after the Topaz Dealer Retail network of over 200 locations and during his time has been responsible for driving the development of the Dealer offer to improve customer service, provide value for customers, provide professional advice and support and deal with industry issues.

Alan Pollock has been involved in the Petroleum industry for 9 years now with Maxol Ltd. He studied Mechanical engineering in Dundee, and prior to Maxol his background was in Industrial Engineering and Facilities Management.

He is presently involved in a company that is keen to improve standards on its forecourts, and has been able to implement many industry leading technologies and techniques, although as with most Irish companies, with a tight reign on the budgets.

Killian Tallon works with Topaz and has a great deal of experience in the petroleum industry and has a great knowledge of all aspects of health and safety on the forecourt.

Killian is currently the vice chair of the APEA council and soon to be chair.

Paddy Ryan is an independent consultant and has years of experience in the petrol retail industry. He is currently very active in the area of communications systems and automation of unmanned service stations.

Peter Heffernan is a Civil & Structural Engineer and has worked in the oil industry for the last 20 years.

He worked in Shell for fifteen years.

He had two roles over this period; Retail engineer and Health & Safety manager. His company, Safety Engineering & Environmental Consultants, was set up in 2008. This company offers the full range of development services to the oil industry from concept through planning, construction and project management.

David Jackson is a General Manager of Fuelcom, Ireland’s Leading Pump Maintenance and Sales Company and has over 26 years experience in the petroleum industry. His qualifications are in both the retail and commercial petroleum industry with a distinctive blend of hands on technical, project management and contract negotiation experience.

Padraic Donnelly has been involved in the oil industry for over 30 years, working with both International and National oil companies. In 2011 he formed Product Supply & Management, a consultancy company specialising in the oil industry and working with oil companies, retailers and equipment suppliers.

Padraic is actively involved with NRG Training which is a company providing online training, in particular to the retail forecourt sector.

As you can see from the above committee there is a wealth of knowledge and experience available to the membership. The Irish branch committee continue to work on your behalf to meet the aims and objectives of APEA. Eastern Nothing to report.

Midlands Nothing to report.

North West Nothing to report.

Scotland Nothing to report.

North East Nothing to report.

Yorkshire & Humberside Nothing to report.

Branch Representative and Secretary Contact Details Eastern Alex Boudry - Rep Franklin Fueling Systems Limited Olympus Close Whitehouse Industrial Estate Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 5LN Tel: +44 (0)1473 243 322/ Mob: +44 (0) 7825 798 953 email: Boudry@franklinfueling.com

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

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years and is currently working on the redevelopment of the new Topaz service station at Dublin Airport. The treasurer is Oliver Lupton and he has been in the oil industry for almost 45 years working in Ireland and abroad in Africa in Operations, Logistics, Accounts and Retail. He has traded independently since 1998 and is Proprietor of Forecourt Bureau of Ireland providing independent advice to the petrol retail industry on acquisitions, leasing, feasibility studies and trouble shooting. A good man to have on your side in negotiations. Oliver has been called upon as an expert witness in a number of legal disputes with positive outcomes for clients. As Oliver is a hot air ballooning enthusiast some people consider he might be full of hot air!

Anton Martiniussen - Sec ELAFLEX Ltd Riverside House, Hoddesdon Herts EN11 0PA Tel: 01992 452 950 Mob: 07831 595620 email: elaflex@aol.com North East Mike Silmon - Rep and Sec W O Silmon Ltd Industry Road, Heaton Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE6 5XB Tel: 0191 224 0777 Fax: 0191 224 0707 email: Mike@silmon.co.uk Midlands Rob Tunnicliff - Rep 37 Victoria Park Road Tunstall, Stoke on Trent ST6 6DX Tel: 07909 141232 email: rob.tunnicliff@stoke.gov.uk

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Graham Adcock - Sec Adcock Associates Falstaff House, Birmingham Road Stratford upon Avon CV37 0AA Tel: 01789 414202 Fax: 01789 267741 email: enquiries@adcockassociates.co.uk North West David Clement - Rep James Hall and Co Ltd Spar Distribution Centre Bowland View, Preston PR2 5QT Tel: 01772 706666 ext 2561 Mobile: 07917-834079 email: Dave.clements@jameshall.co.uk

Clive Drake - Sec LIS (North Western) Ltd 322 Haydock Lane Haydock Lane Industrial Estate St Helens Merseyside WA11 9UY Tel: 01942 722244 Mobile: 07834 540636 Fax: 01942 722266 email: clive@lisgroup.co.uk Scotland Ian Hillier - Rep 26 Melrose Avenue Balgonie Estate Paisley PA2 9JA Tel: 01505 352004 email: i.hillier@ntlworld.com Paul Devine - Sec South Lanarkshire Council Consumer and Trading Standards North Stand Cadzow Avenue Hamilton ML3 0LU Tel: 01698 476170 Fax: 01698 476180 Mobile: 07795 090903 email: paul.devine@southlanarkshire.gov.uk Southern Philip Monger - Rep Petrol Retailers Association Meadowside West End Sherbourne St John Basingstoke, Hants RG24 9LE Tel: 01256 850164 Fax: 01256 851273 email: phil.psac@gmail.com

Sue Meadowcroft - Sec 1 Rock Cottage South Cornelly Bridgend CF33 4RN Tel: 07780 475050 email: sue.meadowcroft@mssr.co.uk Ireland Thomas Daly - Chairman and Branch Rep Dublin Fire Brigade HQ, 165-169 Townsend Street Dublin 2, Ireland Tel: 00 353 (0)1 673 4059 email: thomas.daly@dublincity.ie Ronnie McArdle - Sec McArdle Doyle Limited Shanard House, Ardpatrick Louth Village, Dundalk County Louth Ireland Tel No: 00353 42 9384792 Fax No: 00353 42 9384792 email: mail@mcardle-doyle.ie Yorkshire & Humberside Craig Brocklehurst - Rep Brulines Fuel Solutions The Former Post Office Station Road, Sowerby Bridge Halifax, West Yorkshire HX6 3AA Tel: 07703336264 email: Craig.brocklehurst@vianetfs.com Terry Guthrie - Sec South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue The Lifewise Centre, Kea Park Close, Hellaby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S66 8LB

Tel: 0114 2532592 email: tguthrie@syfire.gov.uk

Delegates from the recent 3 day Construction, Audit and Inspection training course in Manchester

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

2014 Training Course Dates 3 Day Combined Petrol Filling Stations – Construction, Audit and Inspection Course 19 -21 March

Solihull

16 - 18 June

Bishops Stortford, nr Stansted airport

15 - 17 Sept

Manchester Airport

Explosives and Fireworks 23 Sept

Luton

30 Sept

Manchester Airport

DSEAR Electrical Installations - An Awareness 4 March

Solihull

5 June

Glasgow

3 Sept

Manchester Airport

17 March

Solihull

16 June

Glasgow

29 Sept

Manchester Airport

12 March

Solihull

18 June

Glasgow

17 Sept

Manchester Airport

Wetstock Management

3 March

Solihull

2 June

Glasgow

9 Sept

Manchester Airport

11 March

Solihull

17 June

Glasgow

Petrol Filling Stations - Vapour Recovery Installations

16 Sept

Manchester Airport

24 June

Ipswich

Course Fees (all plus vat) APEA Member Non member 3 day course with accommodation £1020.00 £1120.00 3 day, day delegate rate £810.00 £910.00 1 day course £260.00 £310.00 More information and booking details on the ‘Training’ page at www.apea.org.uk Anyone booking a training course that is not an APEA member will automatically receive complimentary “Individual” membership to the APEA until 31st December 2014.

Bespoke courses can also be arranged for companies, which enables members to receive training at a discounted rate and at a time and location suitable to them. If you are interested in hosting a bespoke course for your company please contact Jane Mardell, the APEA Business Manger at admin@apea.org.uk.

Courses will be designed around the (3rd edition) Blue Book Guidance for the Design, Construction, Modification, Maintenance and Decommissioning of Filling Stations (June 2011).

You can purchase a copy directly from the Publications page of the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk, log on to the website first to benefit from the APEA member discount.

APEA members can purchase a hard copy at the discounted rate of £70 (non member rate £140).

A PDF download from the APEA web site www.apea.org.uk can be purchased with a licence for individual use only by members for £70.00 plus vat or by non members for £140.00 plus vat.

It is strongly recommended that attendees have access to this document during courses.

All courses can be booked online at www.apea.org.uk on the ‘Training’ page.

For details of this and any other training enquiry, please contact: Jane Mardell - APEA Business Manager, email: admin@apea.org.uk, Tel: + 44 (0) 845 603 5507 or Brian Baker, Brian Baker & Associates, Fire and Petroleum Safety Services Tel: +44 (0) 07798 765958 email: bakerb4@sky.com APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk

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Petrol Filling Stations - Enforcement Procedures An Awareness

LPG Awareness