Petrol station work.... requirements

[sythai]

Just wondering what you need to be able to carry out work (electrical) in all petrol station areas/zones....?

Specialist insurance maybe ?
Be good at MI or is it FP these days ?
Compex ?

Reason I ask is a local branch of 3 petrol stations are fed up with their current sparky and they're looking for someone else, maybe me....

Thanku Sy

 

[malcolmsanford]

As these are existing installations would you just be doing maintenance ?

 

[Engineer54]

You'll need to brush-up on your knowledge of hazardous areas regulations. I'm more current on the American systems, in UK/Europe it comes under Ex' code type installations...

It's not a walk in the park, You will become responsible for the electrical safety of those 3 petrol stations.... So you'd better be/feel competent, before taking this type of work on....

 

[sythai]

As these are existing installations would you just be doing maintenance ?

All existing so maintenance.

So you'd better be/feel competent, before taking this type of work on....

fair comment, just doing some initial research now to see if it's going to be worth while.

Thanks again,

Sy

 

[topquark]

You'll need an iron clad risk assessment procedure and practices to go along with the work as well. It would be worth asking if they have any previous risk assessments for prior inspections/work.

 

[Trulyshocking]

CompEx is a must, if working within Ex zoned areas.... also, to get CompEx you should already have attained 2391. Any maintenance work you undertake will require testing afterwards. Definitely arse covering time, as mentioned above!!

 

[sythai]

Have my 2391.... but no compex....

Seems like this could be more hassle then its worth. And potential sleepless nights, I do like to worry even on the smallest of jobs let alone on a petrol staion

 

[Engineer54]

Have my 2391.... but no compex....

Seems like this could be more hassle then its worth. And potential sleepless nights, I do like to worry even on the smallest of jobs let alone on a petrol staion

Wasn't trying to put you off going for this work, just wanted you to realise what was going to be involved, and the need for you to cover your arse.

The plus side, is that you can and should use premium rates for any work undertaken on these petrol stations....

 

[sythai]

No problem Engineer54..... :yesnod:

 

[Trulyshocking]

Also, a fair amount of the petrol station would be outside of the zoned areas and would probably be handled by specialized firms..... probably worth talking to the owners and seeing exactly what they require from you. You could also ask for a map of the zoning....

 

[mogga]

There is a course/cert SAFTEY PAASSPORT its like CSCS but has modules one of which is Working on petrol station forecourts Its recognised by petrol retail association and covers
Zones around pumps ect
Making area safe Cones are used but the biggest thing to block a lane /keep you safe is your VAN As for working on pumps ect Im not sure about what the compex cert requirements are the station company should be able to advise you as to what they require ASK

 

[Capita]

There is a course/cert SAFTEY PAASSPORT its like CSCS but has modules one of which is Working on petrol station forecourts Its recognised by petrol retail association and covers
Zones around pumps ect
Making area safe Cones are used but the biggest thing to block a lane /keep you safe is your VAN As for working on pumps ect Im not sure about what the compex cert requirements are the station company should be able to advise you as to what they require ASK

Yeah its the UKPIA safety passport scheme for working on forecourts in general - then I would guess that zone dependant your compex ex7 & 8.

The ukpia safety passport is a doddle but if I were approached to take up the maintenance on these forecourts I would want to do my ex7 & 8 then I had all bases covered.

Part of the company i work for currently do forecourt work , although not fuel pumps or anything in zones, all have ukpia but most have no elec quals, or 16th/17th editions, no testing or certs take place, i often wonder what, if any test equipment each 'engineer' has. Its something I have broached with the company only to be basically told stfu, and what staggers me even more is that some of the health and safety demands from the forecourts are staggering, yet the afore mentioned lack of testing or certification and the fact the most have no quals goes unquestioned by the client.

 

[Engineer54]

Yeah its the UKPIA safety passport scheme for working on forecourts in general - then I would guess that zone dependant your compex ex7 & 8.

Part of the company i work for currently do forecourt work , although not fuel pumps or anything in zones, all have ukpia but most have no elec quals, or 16th/17th editions, no testing or certs take place, i often wonder what, if any test equipment each 'engineer' has.

Are you saying here, ....that your company employees unqualified electricians, and that no installations tests are performed on any work they do???

Surely somethings VERY Wrong here!!!

 

[Capita]

Are you saying here, ....that your company employees unqualified electricians, and that no installations tests are performed on any work they do???

Surely somethings VERY Wrong here!!!

In a roundabout way, yes to some extent. Its a different part, of the same company I work in - if that makes sense.

Dont get me wrong, some are and have their apprenticeship/nvq/16th &/or 17th but a very large percentage are there because "they have done the job for years".
Test instruments dont need calibrating, no testing, no certificates and they somehow get away with it, as I said, knowing how stringent the forecourt industry has become, I fail to understand how they havent been pulled up and thrown off site never to be allowed back on.

Hence the reason I am off as soon as I get something else lined up.

 

[Knobhead]

Test instruments dont need calibrating.

I think you’ll find they do, they should be intrinsically safe and subject to regular testing and calibration. Forget taking your Megger and Fluke with you. You can test say a motor from the safe zone with a Megger only as long as all terminal covers are in place and gap checked. Ex and intrinsically safe equipment is a minefield when it comes to testing.

As others have said, find out the scope of the work.