Doncaster Council

Licence - Petroleum and LPG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Petrol Storage and Filling Stations)

Petrol is a highly flammable liquid and gives off flammable vapour even at very low temperatures. When this vapour is mixed with air in proportions between 1% and 8% a risk of fire or explosion exists. Petrol vapour is heavier than air and does not disperse easily in still conditions. It tends to sink to the lowest possible level of its surroundings and may accumulate in tanks, cavities, drains, pits or other depressions.

If you require advice or wish to make enquiries concerning licences for Petroleum  or Explosives registration, please contact your nearest District Fire Safety Office: 

Sheffield:	0114 2727202
Barnsley, Rotherham & Doncaster:	01226 282222

Flammable atmospheres may also exist where clothing or other absorbent material or substances are contaminated with petrol. Petrol vapour can have acute or chronic effects if inhaled and therefore should be considered in the assessment required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH).

The petroleum licensing authority is South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service who are responsible for ensuring safety at sites where petrol is delivered, stored and dispensed.

You can apply for a Petroleum licence here: 

•  Petroleum Licence  

You can apply for a Petroleum licence for 'Driver Controlled Deliveries' here: 

•  Petroleum Licence "Driver Controlled Deliveries"  

You can apply for a LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) licence here: 

• Liquefied Petroleum Gas  

You can apply to transfer an existing licence here:- 

• Transfer of Petroleum Licence
• Transfer of Petroleum Licence "Driver Controlled Deliveries"  

Petroleum

The keeping of petrol must be in accordance with conditions attached to a licence issued under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928. When an Inspector appointed by the licensing authority visits a petrol filling station the aim is to ensure the observance, maintenance and, where necessary, the improvement of safety standards.

Petroleum licences – the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, as amended by Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), requires that anyone operating a petrol filling station should have a licence issued by their local Petroleum Licensing Authority. The licence is renewed at regular intervals, currently annually. The requirement applies both to retail and non-retail filling stations ie those that dispense petrol to the general public and those which only dispense petrol into their own vehicles. Petrol filling stations are defined as sites that dispense petrol into vehicles, boats or aircraft by electrical or mechanical means.

The licences have conditions relating to safe storage, dispensing, maintenance, record-keeping etc. The requirements of DSEAR also apply.

Prior to the introduction of DSEAR, anyone storing significant amounts of petrol required a licence. However the requirement now applies only to operators of petrol filling stations and certain non-workplace situations.

Petroleum Licensing - Petrol Filling Stations

The petroleum licensing authority contact address is:

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Command Headquarters
Wellington Street
Sheffield
S1 3FG

Tel: 0114 2727202

Other Health and Safety Considerations

In addition to the general duties established under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (s.2, 3, 4, 7 and 8) the following legislation may also be of relevance in premises visited by local authority health and safety inspectors: 

1. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. (Risk assessment, appointment of competent persons etc)
2. COSHH 1999 (assessment and control of risks arising from substances hazardous to health).
3. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)(iv) Electricity at Work Regulations 1989(v) Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.    

Petrol and COSHH 1999

Aspiration is the entry of liquid into the lungs following swallowing and subsequent vomiting. Petrol is classified as 'Harmful by ingestion' owing to this aspiration hazard i.e. the risk of chemical pneumonitis, and not because of its acute toxicity i.e. poisoning, properties. Petrol is also classified as a skin irritant, due to its potential to cause dermatitis. The presence of up to 5% benzene means that petrol is classified as Carcinogenic, Category 2 (See element on 'Carcinogens' in this manual for further guidance). 

Under COSHH 1999 a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is required for all jobs carried out involving petrol. This may involve emergency procedures (spillages or accidental ingestion), protective clothing to prevent skin contact and precautions to control exposure by inhalation. 

Petrol - General Safety

Where petrol might be used (eg. mobile equipment, generators) or workers exposed to other petrol fire/explosion risks (eg. garage workshops) an assessment needs to be carried out on the risks involved to ensure that adequate control measures are taken.

When draining petrol tanks, appropriate advice includes: 

• Choose a level, well-ventilated area, preferably out of doors.
• Never drain petrol over a pit.
• Keep all sources of ignition well away.
• Use a proper fuel retriever or syphon
• If draining into a container, use a funnel
• Do not attempt hot work on petrol tanks       

Checklist - Petrol and Petrol Filling Stations

1. Have you carried out a COSHH assessment regarding exposure to petrol?
2. As a premises storing/dispensing petrol as a fuel do you comply with the licence issued by your Petroleum Licensing authority?
3. For other premises where petrol is used or handled, have you carried out a risk assessment for the activities concerned?
4. Have you implemented appropriate measures to control the fire/explosion risks identified in your risk assessment?
5. Have you informed or instructed employees of the health and safety risks associated with petrol and appropriate precautions that should be taken?                   

Requirements for the Unloading of Petroleum Spirit at Petrol Filling Stations and Other Licenced Premises

The Licensee must ensure that all Petrol Storage Tanks, dipsticks, gauges, offset fills and vapour recovery pipes are clearly labelled.

Before Delivery of Petroleum Spirit Begins: 

• A competent person (other than the tanker driver) must be nominated by the Licensee to be in charge of the storage tanks.
• A competent person means a person with enough practical and theoretical knowledge and actual experience to carry out the task safely and effectively.              

This person must not allow delivery to begin until:

1. The tank has been checked to ensure delivery can be accepted without overflow.
2. The vapour balance hose (if applicable) and then the delivery hose have been correctly connected.
3. Any other dipping opening in that tank has been securely closed.
4. The tank has been isolated from other storage tanks by the closure of suitable valves.
5. Part A of the Delivery Certificate has been filled in by the competent person in the presence of the tanker driver. This must be done only AFTER compliance with 1-4 above.              

The driver of the road tanker should then complete Part B of the Certificate.

The driver should not begin delivery into the storage tank until: 

1. He has correctly connected the vapour balance hose and the delivery hose to the appropriate tank and tanker faucets.
2. The competent person is keeping watch in close proximity to the tanker.              

During the Delivery:

• The competent person must stay in the vicinity of the tanker/tanks and keep a constant watch to prevent a hazardous situation arising.
• The driver must keep a constant watch on the hoses and tanker to ensure, as far as possible, that no petrol escapes.
• The competent person must also keep a constant watch on the hoses and tanker to ensure, as far as possible, that no petrol escapes.                   

After the Delivery: 

• The competent person must give the top copy of the Delivery Certificate to the tanker driver who must then give it to the petrol supplier who must keep it for not less than 12 months after the delivery.
• The second copy of the Certificate must be retained by the Licensee on the site for not less than 12 months after the delivery.                   

This is an abbreviated form of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996 Schedule 12.

Failure to comply with these Regulations may lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.

This service is provided by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and not Doncaster Council.