subject: How To Effectively Manage Fuel For Hired Heaters [print this page] Heaters for hire from a specialist are made available for domestic applications and for use in:
Building and construction
Manufacturing and industry
Business: offices, meeting rooms and entire buildings
Retail: shopping centres, high street chains, out of town stores, independent retailers
Food and beverage processing and packaging
IT and communications
Central and local government
As well as in:
Hotels, resorts and restaurants
Workshops and garages
Pharmaceuticals
Educational establishments
Hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and
A whole host of other applications
A good heater hire specialist will be able to handle heater supply for all of these environments, with ease. They will also supply, manage and monitor the required fuel.
There are three main types of heaters that a specialist will provide: electric, gas and oil. Gas and oil heaters can either be direct-fired or indirect-fired:
Direct-fired heaters are compact, robust and fully portable heaters that are best for places that need large volumes of warm air
Indirect-fired heaters are sophisticated and reliable heaters that are most suitable for places where there is limited ventilation; they will deliver huge volumes of clean, dry, fume-free heat safely and economically
Once a heating solution is on site and operational, the heater company will offer a comprehensive fuel monitoring service. In addition to supplying the initial start-up fuel, whether it be LPG, gas or fuel oil, an operative will continue to keep an eye on the fuel usage on site and arrange refuelling deliveries as required (whilst monitoring the performance of the heater units).
Storing fuel can be extremely dangerous and requires expert handling
Fuel storage tank overturns and explosions occur all over the world every year. Where human
fatalities as well as major damage to the environment and wildlife occur, this can make news
headlines:
In May 2011, an oil storage tank exploded in the port of Gibraltar, just metres from where a cruise ship Independence of the Seas was berthed. A 40-year old Spanish national from La Linea suffered serious, extensive and life threatening burns - reports The Gibraltar Chronicle
In July 2011, 230 people were killed when a fuel tanker overturned and exploded in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, unleashing a fireball that tore through homes and cinemas packed with people watching World Cup soccer- reports Reuters
In October 2011, dozens of people were reported killed when stationary fuel tanks exploded in the Libyan city of Sirte (the hometown of Muammar Qaddafi). Those killed in the blast had gathered near the fuel tanks to illegally fill up their cars - reports BBC News
In July this year, more than 100 people died in southern Nigeria after a tanker carrying petrol crashed. The authorities say the vehicle did not immediately burst into flames, so nearby villagers rushed to collect the fuel. But the tanker then exploded, burning many of them to death - reports Radio Free Europe
Most fuel-related accidents in the UK are classified as minor; however, the Government and the Environment Agency work hard to raise awareness amongst business owners about the dangers involved with fuel storage and transportation (especially in environmentally sensitive areas).
All businesses have a responsibility to minimise risk to and protect their employees, the
environment, and to stay in compliance with the law. Utilising the expertise of a proven heater
specialist is undoubtedly the best way to do this. The specialist will be able to supply a range of fuel storage options, including:
1. Bunded Fuel Tanks
Bunded fuel tanks are tanks with a dual wall an inner and outer casing. They are used for safely storing heating oil and other hazardous materials. To avoid unnecessary waste and prevent spillage (which can be dangerous in certain environments) bunded fuel tanks provide the best solution. There are EU laws relating to the volume of fuel that can be stored without being in a bunded tank, but even for lower amounts a bunded tank is often the safest option.
A heater specialist will offer a purpose-built range of fully bunded fuel tanks for hire, with a
capacity range from 1,000 - 3,000 litres. The tanks will be fully compliant and tested to ADR and UN requirements for IBC (International Built Container) standards, and all will be manufactured under ISO 9001:2000 requirements.
2. Fuel Buggies
A wheeled fuel buggy is a mobile fuel tank with a 90-litre capacity. It offers an easy-to-locate
solution to projects requiring smaller fuel supplies. To provide extended running times where
needed, several fuel buggies may be connected via self-quick couplers. A fuel buggy is also
designed to be used in conjunction with a fuel pick-up pipe assembly, which also uses self sealing quick couplings for ease of installation and avoidance of fuel spills / drips.
Not all heater rental companies have the capacity to provide a range of mobile heaters as
well as fuel and fuel management and monitoring. Clients are advised to check with their chosen heater provider regarding the extent of the service they can provide. If the heater company is unable to give assurances and to respond confidently to questions about meeting PPGs, bunded fuel tank provision, and fuel supply management and monitoring, the client should seek heater hire and fuel supply provision elsewhere.
