Fuel supply chain – a turn towards containerization of fuel stations?

The directives introduced by the European Commission, the idea of eco-development enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland, as well as the Environmental Protection Law enacted in 2001, set the directions in which our fuel industry will develop. Currently, it faces a major challenge related to adapting fuel stations to strict environmental protection requirements, with December 31, 2005, being the deadline set by the legislator for fuel station owners to address deficiencies in this area. These changes also apply to units of the Polish Armed Forces, where most existing fuel stations do not meet the new, strict requirements (most underground fuel tanks are made of a “single shell,” which disqualifies them from further operation after 31.12.2005). Without taking radical preventive measures, this situation may consequently lead to the liquidation of most of them after the aforementioned date.

Requirements related to the ecological safety of fuel stations
Issuing a decision on land development conditions for fuel bases and stations, as well as long-distance pipelines for the transport of crude oil and petroleum products, requires the preparation of environmental impact assessments. A number of requirements concern the very location of these facilities, their equipment, and the layout of individual devices. The principle is that above-ground tanks intended for storing crude oil and petroleum products should be protected against the spilling of these liquids by earthen embankments (bunds) or protective walls. Additionally, above-ground tanks with a capacity of 10,000 m3 or more, intended for storing class I and II petroleum products, must be individually surrounded by an earthen embankment or protective wall, but in such a way that access for fire brigade units is ensured from at least two sides. Areas and surroundings of installed crude oil and petroleum product transshipment equipment, as well as parking areas for road tankers, should have a sealed, hardened, and washable surface with slopes leading to industrial sewage drains. The surfaces of islands, sidewalks, and driveways of fuel stations should be even, made of non-flammable materials, sealed, and washable, with a slope leading to storm-industrial sewage drains.

The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” No. 6/2005.