Petroleum , Explosives and Poisons, Premises Licensing
Why are petrol storage licences
required?
Licence - storage of
petroleum
Licence conditions
Petrol delivery and storage
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.
The petroleum licensing authority is Bedford
Environmental Health & Trading Standards, who are responsible
for ensuring safety at sites where petrol is delivered, stored and
dispensed.
Other safety-related legislation is enforced
by the local councils or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE),
dependent on the main activity at the premises concerned.
Why are petrol storage licences required?
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 2002 (COSHH).
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.
Flammable atmospheres may also exist where
clothing or other absorbent material or substances are contaminated
with petrol.
Licence - storage of petroleum
If you store more than 15 litres of petroleum
spirit (petrol) then you will almost certainly need a licence to do
so. (There are one or two exceptions to this rule – contact
us for more details).
All fees for a petroleum licence are payable
per annum (pro rata).
There are various fees, depending on the
amount of petrol you wish to store; there is also a fee to transfer
a licence or to replace a lost licence.
You can download the forms for requesting a
petrol licence below.
To find out what the latest fee is and which
type of licence you require (based on amount of petrol stored)
please contact us on:
business@bedford.gov.uk
OR
Tel: 01234 718099
I need a licence, what do I do now?
You can either contact us to request an
application form. You will need to complete the form and
return it to us at:
Environmental Health & Trading Standards Service
Bedford Borough Council
Borough Hall
Caudwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
This should be completed and returned with the
fee, copies of plans of your premises (scale 1:100), including
location of petroleum storage and the actual storage
arrangements. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable
to Bedford Borough Council.
We will consider the application and
associated documentation and advise you of the outcome.
Licence Conditions
A licence is issued subject to strict
conditions containing important safety requirements, which must be
followed. A copy of the conditions will accompany your
licence. The licence must be kept available on the premises
in a site register.
Petroleum
Guidance document (PDF opens in new window)
Domestic
Storage of Petroleum guidance document (PDF opens in new
window)