PPL Pollution Prevention and Control - contamination control for commercial sites - Case Study 2 - Regulation Compliance Surveys OFTEC Tank Inspections

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Case Study 2 - Regulation Compliance Surveys OFTEC Tank Inspections

Client:
Major national financial institution. (Name witheld for confidentiality)

Background:
Client has branches throughout the UK with a mixture of semi-rural, urban and inner city locations. Some of their buildings, particularly those which are smaller and more far-flung, date back to the early 20th century. Many of the older branches were acquired through merger and take-over so records are often incomplete if not missing altogether.

Brief:
The client already operates a comprehensive Environment Management System along with pro-active environmental policies on all aspects of its operations. In light of the DEFRA 2001 Oil Storage Regulations the client needed a complete understanding of oil storage, use and handling at all branches where oil heating is installed.

Action:
P.P.L - Pollution Prevention were tasked to carry out the following:-
-     Site Surveys for Compliance with DEFRA 2001 Oil Storage Regs
-     Site Sensitivity Checks to ascertain proximity to water courses and boreholes
-     Advise on any oil storage problems outside of the 2001 Regs but which still needed action
-     Carry out OFTEC standard tank and associated pipework inspections
-     Underground tank and pipe testing
-     Provide comprehensive Management Reports

Outcome:
P.P.L helped management identify those branches needing inspection and instituted a plan to visit and survey each site over a six month period.

REPORT - Following the compliance surveys a detailed report was prepared for each branch. As most oil storage tanks were actually located within buildings the main issues arising from the DEFRA 2001 Regs came from fill-points and pipework. At the time of original installation adapting old, town centre buildings to accept oil deliveries was obviously not easy and a variety of ingenious methods had to be adopted including the use of old pavement coal chutes!

In addition to regulatory compliance the surveys and OFTEC tank inspections highlighted any failing or leaking tanks and specialist techniques were used to check any underground tanks and pipes. Any other problems with the condition of any plant and oil spills and leaks were noted.

BUDGETS & PLANNING - P.P.L provided a full costed schedule of rates for any products (alarms, spill kits etc) staff training and standard elements of work and agreed a "cost-plus" basis to project manage any specialist services such as tank decommissioning and replacement.

REMEDIAL ACTION - The client now has a full picture in terms of regulatory compliance and in conjunction with P.P.L is working through a prioritised plan for correcting immediate problems and addressing the longer term upgrading and maintenance issues.

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