The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014, which came into force on 1st October 2014, apply to petrol filling stations, workplaces where petrol is dispensed, domestic storage and non-workplace storage of petrol. Milton Keynes City Council is the Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA) for the Milton Keynes Unitary Authority area.
Summary of the Provisions of the Regulations
Domestic storage will be limited to 30 litres which must be stored in suitable containers. This does not include any fuel in the tank of an internal combustion engine e.g. a car or a petrol lawn mower . The containers must be marked with the words “petrol” and “flammable”. The containers can be made of plastic (no greater than 10 litres) or metal (no greater than 20 litres), though there are some exemptions for containers made before 1 October 2014.
If the occupier of domestic premises or any other premises that is not a workplace needs to store 30 – 275 litres of petrol, they will need to comply with the requirements set out in the Regulations. They must notify the PEA on an annual basis that they continue to hold the petrol and will be required to confirm that the requirements are being met. Please contact the Petroleum Officer to discuss the requirements.
If the occupier of domestic premises or any other premises that is not a workplace needs to store over 275 litres of petrol, they will need to comply with the requirements set out in the Regulations. They will require a license issued by the PEA. Please contact the Petroleum Officer to discuss the requirements.
Petrol retailers may have their own limits on how many containers can be filled, and will check to ensure that a suitable container is being used before authorising the pump to dispense.
Workplaces that store petrol, however small the amount kept, will need a certificate if they dispense into a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine or into any container. Please contact the Petroleum Officer as soon as possible to discuss the matter. It will be an offence to operate without a certificate, and may result in formal action being taken.
There is no tacit consent – petrol CANNOT be stored on a site that requires a certificate or a licence without that certificate or licence being in place.
Dispensing is defined as the mechanical or electronic pumping of petrol into the tank of an internal combustion engine or into a container.
Workplaces that do not dispense, but still store petrol e.g. fuel is dispensed into a container at a petrol filling station but then is poured from the container into a fuel tank, will need to have a risk assessment under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2005 and may need Approved Arrangements to do this. Please contact the Petroleum Officer to discuss the matter.
Age restrictions – no-one under 16 may operate a dispenser and it is an offence to allow them to do so.
Further information is available on the Health and Safety Executive website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg216.htm
In Milton Keynes (other Authorities may be different), the Environmental Health Department undertakes the issuing of certificates and licenses, carries out routine inspections on a risk rated basis and investigates safety related complaints and incidents relating to petrol.
Complaints relating to fuel quantity, quality or grade of fuel dispensed should be first taken up with the trader, preferably in the form of a letter with a copy of a proof of purchase. If this does not work, Consumer Direct will give advice.
Fees – fees are set annually by Regulation and will be notified on request.
Transfer of Keeper – there is no fee for a transfer of keeper, but both parties must give at least 28 days notice to the Petroleum Officer.
Prescribed Material Changes – these are detailed in the Regulations and must be notified to the PEA at least 28 days before commencement of the work.
Petroleum Officer contact details
Telephone: 01908 252100
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Email: ehfst@milton-keynes.gov.uk