Thanks Frank,
I did some research today and found the document from the H&SE that you
referred to and I certainly got the feeling that the rules are out of
date.
Not only that but the Trading Standards in Hampshire and West Susex (my
local counties) run by different rules despite the guidance given to
them by the same document, that which you have quoted from.
According to the legislation anyone selling containers larger than 10
litres is committing an offence. Surprising how many large companies in
the UK are selling 20 litre plastic and metal fuel containers!
I will advise the forum on my feedback (if any ) from AOPA, Trading
Standards and the Health and Safety Executive.
Regards
Steve Pitt
G-SMDH
PS I have received one suggestion (from a Tesco employee) that I should
trailer my plane to their forecourt, take it out of the trailer to fill
it up and then put it back in the trailer. Could cause an interesting
traffic jam.
----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Mycroft
To: europa-list@matronics.com
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 9:11 PM
Subject: Europa-List: Carriage of Petrol
I was first refused more than 15L of petrol by Tesco in Edinburgh 2
years ago and made enquiries about the matter.
I first contacted the DfT. They sent me a guidance note which said,
inter alia,
"Petrol Regulations made under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act
1928 control the quantities of petrol permitted to be kept in containers
for private use. This limit also applies to carriage. A
maximum of two metal container each up to 10 litres capacity, plus a
maximum of of two suitable and appropriately-marked plastic
containers each up to five litres capacity, can be kept in a motor
vehicle".
I regards this note as rubbish and an example of government
departments making 'law' on the hoof. Applying the limit to carriage is
at odds with what follows below, and plastic containers in 1928!!
Plastic containers were the subject of Regulations made in 1982. I
suspect the 10 litre containers were the old two gallon ones, which at
the time were the only containers specifically designed for the job.
I also obtained a copy of a circular issued by the Health and Safety
Executive intended to give advice to Petroleum Enforcement Officers. In
what follows I have used inverted commas where I am quoting directly
---From the Guidance Note, which was reviewed in 2003.
The 1928 Act and the regulations made in 1929 and 1982 "control how
petrol can be kept. They do not specify the capacity or construction of
containers that can be legally filled at petrol filling stations or that
can be carried on a vehicle travelling on the road."
The 1929 Regulations "exempt certain quantities of petrol kept in
metal containers from licensing requirements. The petrol.............
must not be for sale"
"Up to 275 litres of petrol can be kept in any one storage place
without a licence............In calculating the 275 litre limit, the
petrol in the fuel tanks of vehicles in the storage area is included in
the total" But, and I think this is because they don't know about the
marvellous 20 litre ones, "the maximum container capacity for keeping
petrol is 10 litres"
The 1928 Act and the Regulations "do not exercise any control over the
carriage of petrol on vehicles for private or work use" They "are
solely concerned with the commercial transport of hazardous substances
and do not cover petrol carried on a vehicle for private use"
"At filling stations, there is no specific legal restriction on the
type or number of containers that can be filled................petroleum
licensing officers should advise filling station operators to ensure
that only containers suitable for the purpose are filled"
I also spoke on the phone to the local Petroleum Officer who confirmed
that there had been no change in the regulations since the issue of the
guidance note quoted above. I phoned Tesco Head Office but I don't
think they were interested, Certainly there has been no change in their
practice.
Short answer is - avoid Tesco. Morrisons, and Asda (if you have an
Asda card 2p off) are usually cheaper. If you have a 'Morrison's Miles'
card you will get a =A35 voucher to give to your wife every now and
then; it certainly pleased my wife!
Frank Mycroft
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
2 PM
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