Is your diesel safe?
Course Care’s Dave Mears offers some advice on keeping your fuel safe
freely! This makes the thieves job very easy, but also causes pollution for which you will be liable! Building a ‘bund wall’ around such an installation is, generally, ineffective as the pressure from a full tank would usually send the contents straight ahead and over such a wall with no valve in place!
We all store fuel, be it in tanks, barrels or jerry cans, but, are we sure we have taken the necessary steps to make our storage as secure as possible? It does not matter which fuel it is, even red diesel has become an attractive proposition for thieves lately. Many people have either experienced fuel theft or know someone who has suffered. Certainly this was borne out at IOG Saltex recently with the number of enquiries (and orders) my company took for secure tanks or retro-fit security features. As HM Revenue & Customs are actively ensuring rebated fuel (red diesel) is not used illegally, storage of white diesel is growing along with the need for improved security. So, what steps can be taken and what security measures are available? Tanks outside buildings are the most vulnerable, of course, and the old single skin ones standing on blocks with a gravity hose (hopefully you still don’t have one!) are the easiest to attack. One swipe with a heavy object usually breaks off the tank valve and allows the contents to flow out
I personally know of two incidents at golf clubs where this has happened. Remember, tanks should be top fill - top offtake - and compliance with the Oil Storage Regulations is necessary. A top offtake usually means the use of an electric pump and it is possible to have the controlling switch for this mounted inside a locked building. A purpose designed bunded tank or, better still, a fuel station, are the preferred options. You may say that determined thieves will usually succeed, but they prefer the easy pickings first!
Most popular at present are diesel fuel stations. These bunded plastic bodied tanks usually feature a compact design and the vertical models take up very little space. Depending on manufacturer, they can include many features such as electronic contents gauges, bund alarms, interior lights, fuel filters, flow meters etc. Most have lockable cabinet doors. Recently, one manufacturer, announced
extra security features were to be fitted as standard to all models; the provision of a 2” oil and corrosion resistant alloy lockable
What are you like?
Chris Charles, aka Chucky, Groundsman at Tividale FC. A gentle giant who could head a ball better than Andy Gray. Mind you, he appears to be full of wind!
Who are you? Chris Charles. Part time groundsman at Tividale FC in the Black Country and Grounds Maintenance Operative (25 years) for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Status (married, single, children etc.)? Married to Helen for 24 years. Have a 20 year old daughter called Kayleigh and a son called Adam who is 17.
Who’s your hero and why? From my early footballing days it has to be Andy Gray who played at Aston Villa. Apart from me he was the best at heading a ball!
What is your dream holiday? A trip to Orlando would be nice but I think that, as I have got older, I would be too scared to go on many of the rides!
What annoys you the most? Bullies and impoliteness.
What would you change about yourself? Many people may have read the message boards on PC (he is Chucky) and so it would have to be less grumpy!! Also to have the calm nature and patience of my stepdad John.
Who wouldn’t you like to be? The Prime Minister.
Favourite record, and why? I Wanna Know What Love Is by Foreigner. Simply a class tune.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? If I don’t say my gorgeous wife Helen then I am in big trouble! Mind you, if she couldn’t make it I’d take Caroline, the drummer out of the Corrs!
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Depends on how much really but, after sorting out the family, I would take great pleasure in donating to worthy causes.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be? The lads at work would say a trumpet. Sometimes loud and full of wind!
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? “Get out of being a gravedigger as soon as you can”.
What’s your favourite smell? After freshly cut grass it has to be a good curry.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? A gentle giant!
What talent would you like to have? To be musically gifted.
What makes you angry? People taking credit for something they haven’t done.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? As previously mentioned, tougher sentencing.
oil tank fill point assembly and a 4” lockable oil tank inspection cap in oil resistant polymer. These features, in addition to the lockable access door, make these models some of the most secure plastic refuelling tanks on the market. It is encouraging to see that the manufacturer concerned has also made these two items available as relatively inexpensive retro-fit kits for existing fuel station customers. We’ve sold a number already. If theft and/or vandalism is really a major concern, then the only remaining answer is to go for the high security of bunded steel derv packs. These extremely robust, double-skinned tanks are constructed to keep your fuel as safe as possible. The best models feature steel roller shutter covered access and two locking bolts with keys (placed either side of roller shutter). Often extra features can be included, so it’s best to check specifications.
David Mears is Joint Managing Director of Highspeed - Course Care who are a national supplier of plastic and steel tanks from major manufacturers and is also able to provide steel tanks to special order to suit particular requirements. Servicing and maintenance is available from their OFTEC trained and registered engineers. See
www.course-care for more details and links to further information.
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