Iuel Storage Te sts Inadequate ?
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IN a report on a potentially dangerous I leakage of petrol at a large garage in Dover earlier this year, the Kent Fire Brigade suggest that the present method 3f testing fuel storage tanks by subjecting ;hem to air or gas pressure may well be inadequate for the detection of faults. The tank in the case in question had been subjected to pressure tests at 10 lb./sq. in. for long periods without any positive ndication of a defect, but after the ncident it was found that there was a tole in the bottom of the tank; this was leneath the reinforcing plate immediately 3elow the filler pipe, presumably caused
by the continual use of a dip stick in routine checking of the fuel level.
The air-pressure test apparently sealed the leak, giving a false indication of the condition of the tank and not until an external pressure of water was applied was the fault detected. The report advocates a prolonged wet test.
The tanks at this service station had been in continual use for 26 years and the report suggests that some more positive method of examination of fuel storage containers after a period of, say, 20 years should be considered a necessity.