Branches informative case studies which included information on some of the situations they had come across on forecourts as well as how they had adapted their risk assessments and working procedures to take them in to account. The case studies included a number of scenarios that had been found on forecourts due to the fact that Stage II systems were under constant pressure and how this had had several effects such as movement of plastic pipework, LEL levels now being found in manholes and alarms tripping on a double skinned GRP tank. The scenarios also covered the effect of the introduction of Biofuels and some of the instances they had come across such as bacteria growth which could clog filters, solidification of the fuel and the sort of degradation effects ethanol in the biofuel can have in situ. The second speaker was Janine Young, a Senior Policy Advisor at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, who had gamely stepped in to give the presentation at very short notice on behalf of a colleague who could not attend. The subject covered was on the protection of groundwater from possible contaminants from Filling Stations. Janine gave an introduction on what was meant by groundwater and what measures there needed to be in place for its protection as groundwater is very vulnerable to pollution. This could be a particular problem in those rural areas of the country where it was being used as a source of drinking water. An indication of the possible sources of contaminants from Filling Stations was highlighted along with the control measures expected to be seen in place. She finished by showing that the real cost on any business that caused contamination was that of remediation of the site and groundwater as this could run in to many tens of thousands of pounds. The third and last speaker was Abbé Shedden a Sustainable Transport Advisor based in an advice centre of the Energy Saving Scotland advice network whose work includes giving impartial advice to households and small businesses on energy saving matters. Her presentation included an interactive Q & A session, as well as facts and figures, on the sort of usage that people make of their cars. This included the facts that the percentage of journeys of a) less than 2 miles, and b) single occupancy, had not changed in the last 10 years being 62% and 60% respectively. Abbé went on to describe the use of alternative transport as well as indicating that an informative topic of Eco-Driving was available to give tips on saving fuel when driving. Abbé finished by describing the process of linking Road Tax to CO2 emissions and 62
the availability of cars powered by alternative fuels. Following the above presentations the AGM of the Scottish Branch was held. Paul Devine Branch Secretary Southern The Spring meeting/AGM of the Southern Branch took place on Thursday 23rd April 2009 at the Red House Hotel, Cholderton, Salisbury; there were 28 x members in attendance. The AGM took place at 10.30.am. until 11.15 a.m. The first speaker of the day was Grant Agnew of CARE Grant Agnew of CARE (Consideration and respect for the environment) on Materials used are similar to those environmentally friendly forecourt used in the marine industry. cleaning. Chris then showed various stage Grant advised that NetRegs April photos of a typical lining installation. 2009 newsletter explained that since DFT thickness tests and pinhole the Environmental Damage inspections are carried out following Regulations 2009 came into force in lining, to ensure the integrity of the England on 1st March 2009, you no system. longer have to be prosecuted before Spencer followed this by advising that you can be made to deal with pollution Orange County Ltd. are the UK caused by your business. distributor for SGB leak detection Similar regulations are expected to be systems; there are more than 40 applied to Wales, Scotland and different types of system available, with Northern Ireland later this year. multiple variations. CARE have come to the conclusion that there are two effective methods for cleaning oil spills, which are bio-remediation and hot water p r e s s u r e washing with a difference. Hot water p r e s s u r e w a s h i n g processes used by CARE incorporate a Spencer Rogers of Orange County Ltd. and Chris Haritou of ABFAD Ltd system to recover the contaminated liquid, which All systems are approved to EN is then removed from site and re-cycled. 13160 class 1, which means they are For more information, contact Grant designed to detect a leak in a tank or Agnew of CARE on 01623 869446, or pipe before stored product can enter the by e-mail on environment. info@carecommercialcleaning.co.uk Fore more information, contact Chris Our next speakers were Chris Haritou Haritou of ABFAD Ltd. on 0191 of ABFAD Ltd. and Spencer Rogers of 5166223 or by e-mail on Orange County Ltd. on tank lining and abfad@bicne.co.uk, or Spencer Rogers leak detection monitoring systems. of Orange County Ltd. on 01388 Chris advised, in their experience, 813433 or by e-mail on that tank corrosion is increasingly more sales@orangecounty.co.uk prevalent and therefore stringent An enjoyable hot buffet lunch was blasting, cleaning and thickness testing followed by an outside demonstration are crucial in preparation for lining. The by Steve Robinson, Simon Palmer and domed circumferences on double Lee Boulton of First Advance Specialist compartment tanks are sealed prior to Services of their tank cleaning vehicle; lining, as an extra precaution. their unique remote tank cleaning unit
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