Chairman’s Report

It seems a strange thing to do before the year is ended but looking back over the last 12 months has been one of the hardest we all have had to negotiate in terms of the global recession. Thankfully we are seeing incipient signs that the worst maybe over but we are still fragile and it is likely we will be a while yet until we return to a more healthy climate.

Despite that your Association is in good shape as we have increased the membership slightly, maintained a very good annual conference and demands for training continue to be steady if not more in number. This is remarkable given the difficulties of many other small to medium sized organisations.

As you will see again in the conference issue, we regard the event as a resounding success. There were some issues that need addressing but overall our first time at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry appears to have been a good one. I had to dash off to Devon for a wedding so missed our awards dinner but the record shows that this continues to be well received.

Before leaving the subject of our conference I have to say quite a tearful goodbye to OpenRoom Events who have been with us for four years and elevated our annual pageant to the level it now is. This is down to the principals of that business – Emma & Fiona – who worked very hard on the Association’s behalf. Thank you so much for what you have done for us and wish you well in your new adventures which, given their total professionalism, will be a success I am sure.

Now a pulse check – It has come to my attention recently that a number of fires (flashbacks) around the country have occurred (including one in my own area), involving numerous contractors that are giving us all a “wake up” call. I am currently conducting an investigation but vigilance and understanding must be with us all in avoiding errors that can be very costly if we do not follow proper safety procedures. There will be more on this subject later in the next issue.

The History series will soon be drawing to a close in 2010 and I have come up with an alternative that I hope you find interesting, –“Ask the Experts” pages will be introduced producing a new theme in the pages of this Journal that should bring much needed technical information for those who read it.

As it is still October I have to project forwards and wish everyone compliments of the Festive Season as that is fast approaching and hope I keep the formula right for The Bulletin as this has been my thirteenth issue as Editor!

Now let’s return to getting on with pickling those onions for Christmas

Until next time

Brian

I hope that all of you that attended the APEAAGM, Conference, Exhibition and Awards Dinner in October, enjoyed yourselves. There is a comprehensive article on the event and this can be found on page 46 together with photographs covering the day and evening events. Preparations are underway for the 2010 event and details will follow in the next issue.

Yearbook

You should have all received your 2010 Yearbooks at the beginning of 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 posting out the 2011 Yearbook registration forms to you in February with the March issue of the Bulletin, so please ensure that you return your form if you wish to be included. Only members registering their details with me will be included in the Yearbook. The form can also be downloaded from the APEA website on the Publications page.

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 2010 Yearbook rates •Any advertiser taking out a full page advert in the 2010

Yearbook is entitled to a

Website banner free of charge for the year 2009 on the APEA

Website •All APEAmembers are eligible for one free entry in the

Classified listings and in the

Trade Directory, please tick the

relevant Trade Directory heading on the booking form If you wish to advertise please contact me for a booking form or you can download one from the Publications page on the APEA website.

2010 Membership

You will find your 2010 renewal notice letter with this copy of the

APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk 7

Bulletin, if you have not received it please let me know.

Anyone joining the APEA between October and December 2009 will already have had their membership period extended to include 2010.

I would be grateful if you can make your payments before 1st January as this cuts down the amount of follow up reminder mailings that I do each year.

As usual you can pay via the APEA website at www.apea.org.uk or by cheque or credit card.

Bulletin

Thank you to all of you that have contributed to this issue of The Bulletin.

Please send me any news items, press releases or articles for the March 2010 issue and I will pass them onto our Editor for approval. We are always pleased to receive contributions from our members and it ensures that the Bulletin remains and interesting and informative read.

Bulletin Advertising

Advertising renewal letters were sent out in October to all existing advertisers. I have taken a number of bookings for 2010 so if you wish to secure the best position for your advertisement, please return the booking form as soon as possible, as all bookings are on a first come first served basis.

Remember that if you book in all four issues you receive a 25% discount and we are able to offer discounts for those of you that wish to book for more than one issue but less than four issues too.

You will also receive a 50% discount on Yearbook advertising too for the 2010 issue.

If you would like to book advertising in the Bulletin for 2010, please call me on 0845 603 5507 or email me at admin@apea.org.uk for a booking form.

Publications

The Blue Book is available at the discounted rate of £40 to APEA members.

If you wish to purchase a copy please contact me on 0845 603 5507 and I will be able to provide you with details on obtaining a copy.

We also publish the Code of Practice for Ground floor, multi storey and underground car parks. This can be purchased and downloaded directly from the Publications page on the APEA website.

APEA Members £10.00 plus p+p

Non APEAMembers £20.00 plus p+p

Training

Thanks to all of you that have booked on the APEA training courses, the last few months have been busy with bookings.

The 2010 dates are detailed on page 77 of this issue of the Bulletin and are also on the APEAwebsite at www.apea.org.uk where you can book online or download a booking form.

I am arranging bespoke courses for various 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 do not hesitate to contact me.

We can offer discounted rates for these courses if you are able to provide a venue and catering.

You can book online from the Training page on the APEAwebsite or you can download a booking form from our website training page, just click on the course you are interested in and the course details and form are displayed or please contact me by email or by phone and I can email you a copy.

New Members

There have been 31 new members joining during July, August and September and details can be found on page 12.

Website

The website continues to be a useful site for information and to make online bookings and payments. I am glad so many of you are using it.

If you wish to contribute anything to the site please feel free to log on and go to the APEAResource Centre where you can submit your article for approval.

There is a ‘Help’ pull down menu if you need some assistance. If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

You can also use the website to change your contact details, just logon and you will be able to access your record. If you cannot remember your logon details please contact me.

General Assistance

Finally if any of you need any assistance with general or technical matters, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0845 603 5507 and I will endeavour to help.

Jane

To the Awards Committee

My I offer my sincere thanks for selecting me to receive the award sponsored by Elaflex. I am extremely honoured and moved that my peers should have recognised the many years that I have been in the industry. They have been a challenging one’s at times but also given me the opportunity to work and meet with some very nice and helpful people.

Please accept my sincere thanks

8

and gratitude for this honour. Thank you Rodney Carter Dear Brian,

LPG Leak and Explosion Darwen. Bulletin September 2009.

As an observer not involved with the site and/or the incident we would make the following observations on the published conclusions and recommendations.

1) Following the ASDA Portaway incident there was a LAC [Number: 65/54a Petrol filling stations & autogas installations. Precautions to minimise below ground release and migration of liquid or vapour phase volatile organic compounds (VOCs)] issued in July 2004; this has recently been revised.

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

2) Instructions for the installation and protection of underground pipework are covered in UKLPG Code of Practice 22 and in addition for the type of pipework installed on this site there is specific installation information provided by the manufacturer.

3) Wet stock monitoring on LPG vessels is unlikely to pick up the size of leak that can result in a flammable atmosphere being generated. LPG being a hydrocarbon maintained as a liquid will expand in the order of 250 times when released to atmospheric pressure. The flammable range of LPG is in the order of 2 to 10% when mixed with air at atmospheric pressure so the release of a few ccs of liquid can result in a flammable mixture of more than a litre. Due to the thermal expansion of LPG being about 10 times larger than that of water the changes in volume due to temperature changes would tend to mask any small losses.

4) There is a requirement in the DSEAR and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations for a suitable maintenance procedure to be prepared for any LPG installation. This is the responsibility of the site operator. Information can be found in the Codes of Practice and there is also LAC65/60 [The Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 Petrol Filling Stations - Autogas Installations Inspector’s Aid Memoir Check List] issued in 2005. This is at present being reviewed.

In addition we would make the following observations;

PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)

These Regulations requires every employer - “to ensure that where work equipment is likely to involve a specific risk, the use of that equipment is restricted to those persons given the task of using it and repairs, modifications maintenance or servicing that work equipment is restricted to specifically designated persons whom the employer must ensure have received adequate related training.”

Leak testing liquid LPG pipework

Due to the nature of LPG leak testing underground liquid pipework needs correct procedures and planning. As the liquid is only a liquid by being under pressure just closing the valves at each end and recording the pressure does not prove anything. In the event of a small leak there would be no significant loss is pressure as the liquid would vapourise and maintain the pressure. Increasing the liquid pressure with a pump and closing the valves would not achieve anything as the liquid would revert back to vapour pressure.

Pressurising the liquid is not an acceptable procedure as there is some solubility of nitrogen in liquid LPG and if there is a leak it will force the liquid out at a higher rate.

Any liquid needs to be removed; usually by displacement using nitrogen although in some cases by either flaring off or using a special gas compressor. The pneumatic leak test is then applied using nitrogen and monitoring any changes in pressure.

Remotely Operated Shut Off Valves (ROSOV)

These are valves fitted to be able to isolate sections of the installation in the event of an incident/emergency and minimise the amount of gas released. Correctly installed these would then meet the DSEAR guidance of “isolating plant or equipment from where uncontrolled releases of a dangerous substance are occurring”. It must be remembered that for LPG closing valves do not immediately stop any leak from a pipe or piece of equipment.

We install these on both the flow and return pipework adjacent to the dispenser, where the pipework leaves the storage area and on the connection to the pump inlet. Using pneumatic ROSOVs with a correctly designed system gives the following benefits;

•Reduction in pressure surges during start up

•Control of pressure in pipework and dispenser in the event of changes in temperature

•Isolation in the event of fire in the dispenser or area of the tanks

• Positive closing that can be easily verified

•Positive closing even if the

ROSOV has been subjected to fire. since June 2003 then the full documentation requirements of DSEAR and associated Regulations apply to the whole site.

The documentation required by the Regulations includes;

•Details of electrical equipment installed

•Electrical installation and test certificates

•Electrical maintenance schedules

•Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) usually known as zoning drawing

•Confirmation that electrical equipment installed in potentially hazardous areas is suitable for the designated zone.

• Suitable data plates on vessels

•Safe Operating Limits for the complete pressure system

• Written Scheme of Examination for the complete pressure system

•Maintenance Schedule for the complete pressure system

• Assessment of fire protection

• Risk assessment of activities that are carried out on the site

• Operating procedures

• Maintenance procedures

• Emergency procedures

• Delegation of any responsibilities

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The requirement of RRFSO is that the “responsible person” for the site must carry out a risk assessment to demonstrate that the fire safety precautions are adequate. We consider providing the documentation has been correctly prepared to meet the requirements of DSEAR, PSSR and PUWER then this should meet the requirements of RRFSO.

Hopefully this is of interest, if you need any more information then please let me know.

Yours sincerely, Richard Wigfull wigfullr@btinternet.com

Documentation required for LPG

Installations

(Please note that this is our interpretation of the current requirements and is not a definitive guide.) If an installation has been completed or has been modified

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