View report page

STORAGE OF PETROLEUM
Legislation controlling the use of petroleum in this country dates from
1862 when an "Act for the safe keeping of petroleum" was passed. This
Act was amended in 1868. Since then further Acts have been passed
amending and repealing the earlier Acts until in 1928 the whole of the
petroleum legislation was consolidated in the Petroleum (Consolidation)
Act, 1928.
In 1936 the Petroleum (Transfer of Licences) Act was passed. This
provided for the transfer of licences granted under the 1928 Act. The
two Acts together are known as the Petroleum (Regulation) Acts, 1928
and 1936, and constitutes the principal legislation controlling the storage
of petroleum spirit at the present time.
Petroleum is defined as "Petroleum, which when tested in a prescribed
manner gives off an inflammable vapour at a temperature of less than
73 degrees Fahrenheit."
The Act has also been applied by Order in Council to compositions or
mixtures which contain Petroleum Spirit. Such compositions include
certain india-rubber solutions, varnishes, quick-dry paint and spraying
liquids.
The quantity of petroleum stored under licence is 83,755 gallons,
83,245 gallons of which are stored in underground tanks and 510 gallons
kept in properly sealed two gallon-cans. The total number of licences
issued is seventy-three.
All plans relating to new petrol installations are submitted to the
Committee for their approval. The construction of new installations has
been strictly supervised and tanks and pipe lines for bulk storage installations
tested.
The tanks are tested before and after installation to a pressure of 10 lbs
per square inch and a final test on tank and pipe lines by means of a petrol
test.
Electrical meter pumps may introduce a hazard due to sparking unless
precautions are taken and their construction and installation comply with
the regulations of the Council.
Petroleum spirit may not be kept without a petroleum spirit licence
under the Act except in small quantities and under certain conditions.
According to strict interpretation of Section 1 (1) of the Act, petrol lighter
fuel contained in gelatine capsules does not come within this exemption,
but the Council does not insist on a licence being taken out in these cases
providing the total quantity does not exceed three gallons. If the capsules
get wet they may become defective and cause leakage.
No conflagration occurred on licensed premises during the year and
only one case involving petrol was dealt with by the Hornsey Fire Brigade
when a pint bottle of petrol was fractured by the heat from a gas stove.
Cellulose Spirit
Nineteen premises are licensed for the storage of cellulose spirit and
the total quantity stored is 1,168 gallons.
In addition to petroleum and cellulose, 70 gallons of naptha, 12,000
gallons of bensole and 10 cwts. of carbide of calcium are stored under
licence.
16