In recent years the European Union has issued Directives regarding the protection of the environment from gas-oil / fuel spills from tanks that hold these types of liquid fuels.
The current regulations which implement these Directives in the UK are dated 2001 and entitled "Control Of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England)".
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While this is a UK legal requirement - similar environmental protection legislation is in force in most countries around the world.
Every year more than 5000 oil incidents are reported to the UK Environment Agency. In 2000 one-sixth of all pollution incidents affecting the environment involved OIL.
Most incidents were caused by OIL LEAKING FROM TANKS either DURING STORAGE or DELIVERY. The new Oil Storage Regulations will help to stop these incidents by requiring tank owners to provide a secondary containment facility, such as bund or drip tray to prevent oil escaping into the water environment.
ANYONE STORING more than 200 liters of oil above ground at an industrial, commercial or institutional site, or more than 3,000 litres at a domestic site will be affected by these regulations. They cover FACTORIES - SHOPS - OFFICES - HOTELS - SCHOOLS - PUBLIC SECTOR BUILDINGS and HOSPITALS.
All types of oil, with the exception of waste oil, are covered by these regulations including petrol, diesel, vegetable, synthetic and mineral oil.
A Bund or Drip Tray must be provided to catch any oil leaking from the container or its ancillary pipework and equipment.
- New oil stores should have complied from 1st March 2002.
- Existing oil stores "at significant risk" must have complied within two years. That is, from 1st September 2003.
- All remaining existing stores must comply within four years. That is, from 1st September 2005.
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Failure to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence and may result in prosecution.
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In concrete areas a surface primer coat is required.
Recommend Thistlebond TL 505 for this part of the application. This product provides an excellent adhesion surface for the top coat.
Recommend Thistlebond TPC970 for the primary coating system. Two coats at approximately 250 microns each. Applied by Brush / Roller or Airless Spray to achieve full protection against any leakage / spillage from tanks.
This is a SOLVENT free coating that is designed to offer LONG TERM PROTECTION.
Firstly - the right person must be found as these areas may not only come under the umbrella of Mechanical Maintenance but also Building Maintenance. Attention should also be paid in making contact with the Health and Safety Engineers as they will also have some element of responsibility in ensuring that all of the Plant activities are in accordance with both local and international environment laws.
Secondly - a full presentation should be made on the advantages of Polymers in this situation to offer not only long term protection BUT also Peace Of Mind and protection from MAJOR FINES (FINANCIAL PENALTIES) that can be imposed upon any plant that is found to be polluting the environment - or not complying with health and safety regulations.
Thirdly - a reputable company should be used to prepare the surface and apply the coatings. Most medium to large sized plants will also be able to SELF-APPLY with the Thistlebond easy to use protection systems.
Just by ASKING THE QUESTION:
- "Do you store fuel oil on this site?"
- "Is the tank area protected by a BUND?"
- "Can we help you with conforming to current legislation?"
- "Can we quote you to carry out the work with minimum of fuss and at extremely competitive rates by our own approved applicator company?"
All you have to do is ASK!!
Where do you find the person to ask?? (Sometimes in the strangest of places - SPOT the hiding place below!!)
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| This APPLICATION could bring you MORE PROFITABLE BUSINESS - why not pass it on to your sales personnel. |
