Chairman’s Report

Just when I thought there was a chance that I could be put out to pasture, I end up taking on this most responsible post of Editor of the Bulletin Journal, a position that carries one of the largest responsibilities within this Association and one that I look forward to the demanding challenge ahead.

My first task is to congratulate Tony Jenner for his time at the helm who had maintained the high standards set by others and wish him well for the future.

I have had little time to reflect on my period of office as Chairman as already the Conference & Exhibition has long ended and we are now well underway in preparing for the 2007 Conference and given last year’s fantastic response, we eagerly await this next one.

Starting to look at my particular role as Editor, I do have a few ideas on what can go into each issue and perhaps change one or two things but I do need to look at what we have coming in. Certainly all submissions and presentations will be considered with assurance it remains a technical article as opposed to advertising wares and services

I am fast learning that to put this Journal out every 3 months, it totally depends on receiving articles from members no matter how big or small. I am also very conscious that although we are a “petroleum” type organisation we are fast moving away from that product into new alternative fuels that in themselves, present new challenges.

For example: Is there an issue with the use of alcohol-based fuels when in contact with existing fuel installations? We still have plenty of steel in the ground let alone any reaction to Plastic based material in the form of tanks or lines. How about the chemical characteristics themselves? Lower Explosive Limits for the ethanol/methanol type fuels differ from petroleum spirit so are dispersion rates different? Do we need to re-consider the standard Hazardous Area Classifications of 4 metres for example? Perhaps some of you Electrical Engineers or project Engineers have a view on this. If so write to me.

How about the people that have served our downstream industry for many years? They have history that personally I would like to know about. I remember my early days as an Inspecting Officer with the Fire & Rescue Service dealing with “Pump Maintenance” While I am on that subject, do you remember those soapy water tests we did on Tanks along all the seams before they went in? As we approach a 50-year life span maybe it is now we turn our attention back and see what it has taught us!

While I am on the subject of people this advert is to call for anyone in our industry that has been appointed to a new position, new company, won an award or recognition or has made a significant contribution. No matter how big or small the news, please send in to me as Editor, preferably with a photograph

I am also mindful that we now have 3 times more Petroleum Licensing Authorities than we did in 1974 though we did have 1500 prior to the reorganisation of Local Government that year. The present last count is 190 across the UK. Many of these Authorities have either employed a single person to deliver the enforcement role; most are more likely to be in a multi skilled role. Only the large urban areas and a few county councils retain the services of their Fire & Rescue Service to discharge this function. Maybe through the pages of this Journal we need to redress the balance and put something in specific for those that audit, inspect and regulate. Your shout on that one!

Of course we do have many members outside the UK and to those I say that with the web and the internet we are closer together and it is to you I particularly would like to hear from. What is going on in your Country? Is it the same as the UK or are you facing different challenges? I recall receiving a presentation on Hurricane damage earlier this year from the USAwhich caused me to reflect on something I would not ordinarily think of? How do you deal with such extreme weather conditions whether your installation is above or below ground? To see an above ground tank lifted and scattered across a freeway (motorway) looked even more bizarre! Let us know what news you have. My international dialling codes are listed at the end of this editorial

So with scribe in hand (nervously I add) here I go at my first attempt. Keep in touch with me – let me have those articles, news and letters!

Best Wishes and have an enjoyable read.

Brian Baker

Letters to the Editor

Sir,

The APEAseems almost exclusively to concentrate on matters relating to petroleum, whilst the objectives of the Association clearly still relate to explosives as well. Would it be possible for APEAto include more on explosives in the Bulletin and local and national training meetings? This is clearly not relevant to many members, but is to those who have involvement in both subjects, largely regulators.

Jeremy Kennett

Kent County Council

At the time of preparing my Editorial, I have just received the very sad news of Paul Craven, our Secretary who passed away on 19th December 2006. I shall leave it to others to bear testimony to Paul’s work and dedication to our industry but could not restrain enough to add my own personal thoughts by saying we have lost a great colleague, friend and a wonderful light. I had known Paul for 10 years and spent times with him delivering APEATraining Courses and it was a delight to have had that pleasure. I know those that new Paul will join with me in expressing our heart felt sympathy for his family and friends and recognise what a lovely guy he was.

Editor's Note; Do you share this

view? Does the APEA offer fair

coverage on Explosives as a topic? Can