Self-bunded tanks, which are double-walled or skinned, are an increasingly popular option for a number of reasons.
Top 5 benefits of a self bunded tank:
Cost savings: When you buy a self-bunded tank, the savings start with the set-up. Because they incorporate a built-in containment system for ruptures and leaks, self-bunded tanks eliminate the need for specialist civil engineering or building works involved with building an external bund. Typically, buying a self-bunded tank works out at about half the cost of using a single walled tank and building a bund.
Compliance: Buying a self-bunded tank that is certified to Australian Standards is the best way to ensure your fuel storage complies with environmental legislation in your area. A properly maintained bunded tank and refuelling system – including valves, pipes, pumps and hoses – is also the best protection you have against fuel leaks that can cause soil or water contamination and six-figure fines.
Flexibility: A self-bunded tank is a drop-and-go option, so not only can you use your fuel storage immediately, you can safely and easily transport your tank to another site. Smaller portable self-bunded tanks are available in sizes up to 10,000 litres, meaning when your worksite moves with seasonal changes or project demands, your fuel storage can move with it. Our fully transportable Grande tanks store up to 68,000 litres of fuel, for operators with high fuel turnover and storage requirements. Again, there are cost and efficiency benefits because refuelling can take place on or near your worksite, wherever the site is. To make this option even more flexible, F.E.S. TANKS can even provide solutions for hard-to-access areas, like our HULK self-loading system that makes it easy to position and relocate high volume tanks without a crane lift.
Keeping your fuel in great shape: Because self-bunded tanks are easy to maintain and to access for maintenance, it’s easy to keep your tank in great shape – and keeping your tank healthy means your fuel with stay fresh for longer. That in turn means your vehicles will run more efficiently, and your business will benefit.
Security: Self-bunded tanks also offer a high level of built-in security, with a lockable hatch across all access points that can be secured with a heavy padlock when the tank is not in use.
The F.E.S. range of self-bunded tanks comes in sizes from 1000-110,000 litres and offer unbeatable quality and the added advantage of a safe fuel limit which is 10 per cent greater than standard tanks of similar capacity – meaning your tank can go longer between refills.
Call our experts on 1300-651-391 to find out more about our range or discuss your needs and let us build the tank that’s right for you.
Dip your Fuel Storage Tank to Maintain Fuel Quality
A quick dip of your fuel tank is a must for any business that relies on vehicles. After all, you can’t afford to take chances with fuel quality.
Testing fuel quality regularly saves your business tens of thousands of dollars. And all it takes is a quick dip check of your fuel tank.
Maintaining your fuel and your fuel tanks is critical to keeping your fleet running at optimal levels. So how often should you dip your fuel tank?
Why should I dip my fuel tank?
Regular dipping ensures you can detect fuel loss early and take action to stop it.
Dipping your fuel tanks is good business practice because it reconciles the fuel left in your tank with what has been sold out of the bowser, and will quickly pick up any discrepancies. This means you know quickly if you are losing fuel through leakage, theft or poorly calibrated dispensing systems.
A leaking fuel tank not only impacts your business by reducing your supply levels – if left undetected, it can mean serious safety issues and significant fines from local regulators.
There’s also the case of checking on where leaks are coming from. Particularly if you own an older fuel tank. Many older underground tanks have suction lines that run close to the bottom of the tank, increasing the chance of sucking water or silt into vehicles and causing damage. This damage then increases the chance of leaks forming over time.
There’s also the case of monitoring silt levels too. Silt forms at the bottom of tanks slowly as fuel breaks down when stored over long periods of time. When a truck goes to unload its product and pump it into the tank, this silt may get stirred up. If it gets into the customer’s vehicle, it may cause blocked filters and potentially more serious issues.
Keeping a close watch on the levels in your fuel storage tanks keeps your fuel in good condition and prevents these issues from occurring.
Fuel dipping can detect water and pollutants in your fuel storage tanks.
If water gets into your fuel supply, it can do serious damage to both your fuel supply and any vehicle carrying it,
Water contamination in fuel tanks can cause anything from intermittent power loss to engine failure. This could lead to anything from blown injectors to cracked components. This is a virtual nightmare for anyone fuelling an entire fleet of vehicles.
It also creates an ideal breeding environment for microbes which can degrade your fuel and cause phase separation, particulate contamination and tank damage. This is caused by acids from the microbes as they feed on the fuel.
Therefore, dipping your fuel tank can alert you to these issues and find ways to treat it.
So what will I check for when I dip my fuel tank?
Essentially, when you dip your fuel tank, you’ll be looking to ensure the fuel that is missing from your tank is equal to the amount you’ve distributed from your bowser or point of sale system.
You can keep a record of your levels with a fuel management system. If you’re supplying a fleet of vehicles, a good system will give you an early warning if a vehicle is not performing well or needs servicing.
You should also test for water by using a water-finding paste on your dipstick. Drain any excess water immediately to keep your fuel fresh and reduce the potential for microbial contamination.
For a commercial fuel supplier, it is to dip your fuel tanks daily to check fuel levels and test for water contamination. Ideally, you would also use a fuel sample test kit regularly and keep up regular inspections of and maintenance on your tanks and fittings.
If you only store a small amount of fuel and use it irregularly, you should always dip your tank and test for water before you fill it up. Suppose you store your fuel for long periods, for example for seasonal farm work. In that case, it’s worth taking a sample before you fill up machinery to avoid unplanned downtime and lost productivity due to damage and equipment failures caused by water or particulates in your supply.
What if I discover a problem?
Discovering any problems with your fuel tanks calls for immediate action. Should you discover a leak, quickly test to find the cause and look for the best solution to quell the leak.
If your fuel is contaminated, your tank will need to be filled and dosed with a biocide which will help address the problem. Using these will help kill off microbes and improve overall fuel quality
That’s why knowing how often you should dip your fuel tank is a basic but essential part of everyday fuel maintenance to save both time and money.
If it’s time to replace your tanks, F.E.S. TANKS has a complete range of fuel storage systems for sale or hire to suit all fuel storage needs.
Contact our industry experts to find out the best fuel storage options for your business.
Women make up just 1 per cent of Australia’s long-haul truck drivers.
Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls (PHHG) co-founder Heather Jones has been working to change that statistic since she traded in her office chair for a spot in the driver’s seat 25 years ago, taking her two daughters with her on the road.
Heather grew up on a farm, the second eldest of nine children – the family also fostered 57 children over 18 years. She drove her first tractor at age four and loved cars and bikes.
She was working as a secretary at a mining company when the call went out for Haulpak drivers and she answered.
In 2004 she bought her first trucks and set up her own company, Success Transport. Within two years she had 16 drivers and 15-20 trucks servicing the mining, farming and shipping industries in some of Australia’s most remote regions.
She still gets out on the road in addition to her role with PHHG, a not-for-profit which provides professional development and traineeship opportunities for women drivers.
F.E.S. TANKS interviewed Heather about the attractions and challenges of life on the road as a heavy vehicle driver in Australia.
What are the attractions of heavy vehicle driving for women in Australia?
Financial freedom and literal freedom. The entry level to driving a HR truck is very easy and it offers an extremely attractive financial package, dependant on the company you work for.
Once your truck is loaded you are your own boss, with no-one looking over your shoulder. Long haul is a lonely life, but that’s the work I enjoy the most – time to really think and with no phones ringing, no phone service.
Do you still get out on the road?
Yes, as my transport company is a small company I still drive three days a week. If you do come off the road into the office you can forget the real challenges of driving, the long hard slog, and the battle with the motorists who have no idea! As a professional driver you are constantly saving motorists’ lives by taking evasive action so you don’t rear-end them or hit them head-on.
Currently I do a Karratha to Wheatstone run, (the Wheatstone LNG project at Onslow) in a triple road train. At least once a week I do local semi deliveries and I am a pilot escort as well, so the odd job comes up every few weeks.
The longest vehicle I drive is 53.5m (three trailers). So long as I am fit and able I will continue to drive at least two days a week, in an ideal world!
What is the most challenging route you’ve driven?
The most challenging runs would be when you have put in a big week or two or three, and you are doing the long haul home, say from Derby or Broome to Perth (about 2400km), and it just never seems that you are making a mile!
What are the biggest fuel issues for truck drivers in Australia? Have unmanned refuelling stops helped?
The biggest challenge is the availability of fuel after hours and in the areas where we need to access fuel. Ease of access for a triple or quad road train is important too.
Stand-alone unmanned refuelling stops are fabulous. We have a few up here and yes, we use them.
As professional drivers we also need a 24-hour manned fuel stop to go to every 600km or so that has a big parking area for trucks, a quiet drivers’ room and a TV room, as when you are on the road you don’t often keep up with the news. We can get limited ABC radio reception, but every 200km or so you have to tune into a new station.
Also at the manned truck stops we need showers – preferably free if you fuel up there – healthy meal options, washing machines and dryers to clean our clothes.
About 80 per cent of all trucks in Australia are owner-drivers, and we work day to day so the road houses become our home away from home. For example in November 2012 I received a call from one of my dear clients who asked if I could be ready in one hour to head over to a mine 650km away for a week. I was ready in two hours and I came back four months later!
How did Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls begin?
In 2013 a group of us female truck drivers would meet every six weeks or so to have a drink and socialise. We got talking about the misconceptions about women drivers.
The five of us got together and formed the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls to promote the women behind the wheel already, to promote road safety and to open up an opportunity for more women to join us out on the road.
And the response?
We get a lot of support. Last year we had two prime movers donated for 12 months from Volvo Group Australia for us to train new drivers in. We also have three companies we sub-contract to who encourage us to have new drivers while we work. Two of these companies, Joyce Krane and QUBE Energy, have also donated offices and classrooms to us for our training.
Heather and the team at Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls continue to work to encourage more women into the sector as a solution to looming heavy vehicle driver shortages, with the national road freight task predicted to double from 2010 to 2030.
We’d love to hear about your challenges on the road. Tell us your story below.
Australia’s Diesel Stocks at Lowest Level Ever. This is not sensationalism, this is fact.
Regular readers of our blog will know that we have been warning for some years of the potential for a major shortage in petroleum refined products storage unless some action is being taken to create a Strategic Fuel Energy Reserve in Australia. Something that we highlighted some time ago with our interactive infographic.
“In the month of November 2016 – the latest government figures became available. Diesel consumption cover for the whole of Australia fell to (13) days, the lowest in thirteen years and beyond. Having stocks run down to that level is a huge threat to our economy.” Kevin Hughes – HEH Australian Petroleum Consultancy Co
When stocks are at that level, even a simple refinery breakdown, shipping delay, industrial unrest, act of terrorism in Asia or elsewhere, would be catastrophic for our economy.
Victoria and South Australia regularly ran out of diesel in the latter months of 2016 and have been suffering such run-outs for years.
How long will this be allowed to go on?
Australia is the only country within the IEA & APEC group not to have a Strategic Fuel Energy Reserve.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) condition of its membership is still a long way out of Australia’s reach at (90) days cover for all products.
WHY HASN’T THE GOVERNMENT MOVED ON THIS SERIOUS THREAT?
One can only speculate that the powerful oil industry lobby, which will be advising that everything is ok and nothing needs to be done, is too heavily influencing the government. The reason for such advice is centred around the major oil companies’ self- interest. They do not wish to have to fund or be involved in the management of, as in all other IEA & APEC countries, a Strategic Petroleum Energy Reserve.
Major oil and other importers of petroleum will always, perhaps understandably, unless directed otherwise by government, limit storage within their terminals to meet their own immediate market needs. Even New Zealand has a Strategic Reserve – located in Japan, while Japan itself has regulated that major oil must store at its cost, 40% above its routine requirements as a Strategic Reserve.
We are not necessarily advocating the Japanese model is the most cost effective for Australia, there are several models that can be evaluated, such as:
The Government Build additional storage in strategic locations where storage is weakest
Adopt the Japanese model and have the oil companies store a defined percentage above their market requirement – perhaps subsidised by the Government.
Build additional storage in strategic locations in collaboration with major oil on their land.
Appoint a Petroleum Industry Ombudsman, which among other responsibilities, could manage the process, the cost of which could be borne collectively by the oil industry.
Whatever happens, this major threat to our economy and to our way of life, cannot be allowed to continue. The community will not forgive any government that does not take appropriate action to protect its people, and neither it should, particularly with a problem that has been looming and well known for years. Each one of us too, should take responsibility and draw this community threat to our Members of Parliament and whoever else will listen.
To provide continual focus on what we see as an increasing threat to our Australian economy we will each month provide the latest data on ‘days consumption cover’ trends. Our view, for the protection of the Australian economy, the target days cover should be a minimum of (30) days for diesel and petrol, whereas the International Energy Agency (IEA), as a condition of membership requires (90) days cover for all petroleum stocks (including crude oil) and we are not currently meeting even that benchmark.
As will be seen from the latest numbers our fuel security remains at a precarious level.
Mogas
Distillate
September 2016
24 days
18 days
November 2016
23 days
13 days
Variance to last yr.
+ 16.9%
– 6.1%
We are still waiting with interest for the now long overdue Federal Government report on the issues raised from its April 2015 Senate Inquiry – which former Government Minister Macfarlane promised would be provided before 2015 year end.
We once again suggest that if the government appointed a Petroleum Industry Ombudsman as we have been variously recommending, the task of managing Australia’s fuel energy security could be one of that office’s stable of duties, its function paid for by the oil industry.
Article reproduced from HEH Australian Petroleum Consultancy Co the monthly update. So powerful was the message we felt it essential to syndicate and distribute in the effort to raise more awareness of the issue.
Get the Jump on Storm Season with our Generator Safety Checklist
IF you’re in Australia, the start of the new year means it’s time to think about preparing your home or business for storm season.
In December, severe thunderstorms hit south-east Queensland and left thousands of homes and businesses across South Australia without power. South Australia’s September 2016 storms cost business an estimated $367 million due a statewide power outage.
Heat wave conditions sweeping the eastern states in January can prove just as critical, particularly if you have refrigerated stock.
A portable generator can literally be a lifesaver at times like these. In weather emergencies, a generator can help you keep your business running or get your home life back to normal quickly, open communication lines and ensure you can perform essential tasks like pumping water and cooling food.
On the flipside, a generator failure can be catastrophic. It’s worth taking the time now to ensure your generator is in good working order, which includes cleaning out old fuel from tanks and checking for leaks.
If you only use your generator in an emergency, it’s worth taking action to ensure your fuel stays fresh. When fuel sits in tanks unused for months or years it can become stale, and issues like diesel bug and sedimentation can gum up the fuel lines, filters or carburettor.
Most fuel only stays fresh about three months in ideal storage conditions, although diesel can keep for longer. If you’re using old fuel cans or don’t keep your cans fuel, your supply could degrade quickly and leave you in the lurch when a storm hits.
Keep Your Generator in Good Shape with a Generator Safety Checklist
Before storm season, you should:
Check and clean or replace your fuel containers. Small jerry cans or drum storage containers are easy enough to inspect and replace. If storing large volumes of diesel it’s a good idea to treat your fuel with a biocide to keep it fresh and stable and ensure maximum efficiency when you need it.
Remove your generator from storage, drain the fuel from the tank and dispose of it properly. Ergon Energy recommends you inspect the fuel line for cracks and replace if necessary. Refill the tank with fresh fuel and run the generator. Plug in some appliances, like a light or a hair dryer, to make sure the generator is working properly. If you have any trouble with the generator during this test, take it to be repaired so it is ready for when you need it.
Make sure your generator has enough oil. If it’s been used heavily, it might be time for an oil change. Watch a how-to video here.
Ensure you have a heavy duty, weatherproof extension cord that is rated for outdoor use. Check that the cord isn’t damaged or worn.
Know your generator’s limits. Each generator has a rated wattage which provides a limit on the appliances it will safely power. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper use and capacity and don’t try to connect lots of appliances at once.
Rotate the use of larger items. Remember, overloading your generator can result in damage to appliances it is powering.
Basic Generator Safety Tips
There are some basic safety tips that will keep you and your family or business safe if you need to use your generator in an emergency.
Don’t plug your generator directly into your home’s wiring. Power from a generator connected to a home’s wiring will ‘back feed’ into powerlines, potentially causing a safety hazard for you, your family, neighbours, and energy workers, and causing possible damage to your generator when mains power is restored.
Appliances can be plugged directly into the generator but always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Use a heavy-duty extension cord rated for outdoor use.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for earthing the generator.
As petrol and diesel-powered generators produce deadly carbon monoxide fumes, always run portable generators outside the house – never inside or in a garage. Keep generators well away from open windows – including your neighbours’ – so deadly exhaust does not enter the home.
A little preparation can make all the difference during storm season, keeping your business operating and ensuring you and your family stay safe and comfortable even when power is lost.
To ensure your generator and your emergency fuel supply are stored safe and sound, give us a call the on 1300-651-391.
If you’re in any industry that runs a lot of vehicles or heavy machinery, no doubt you are keen to get the best value out of your fleet – and who isn’t? – there’s a fair chance you’ll at some stage consider designing or equipping a new vehicle maintenance facility for your business.
A properly run maintenance depot can help your fleet operate at maximum efficiency with minimum downtime.
Getting your oil and lubricant storage right is one of the critical considerations – we’ve listed some of the key points to note for your transport facility.
The Good Oil – Avoid oil storage slip-ups
Keeping the oil you use in top condition is critical to your operations. Not only that, but getting oil storage wrong can be an expensive mistake.
For many transport operations, the best option is to design an oil storage room for storing bulk oil tanks, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) and drums.
It’s worth consulting an expert when planning this part of your operation. You’ll need to check the storage regulations in your state to determine whether you need bunded tanks, which are generally considered industry best practice.
Some operators consider constructing a bunded oil room as the most cost-effective option, but these days there are plenty of cost-effective self-bunded waste oil tank options in a variety of capacities that will give you the advantages of versatility and portability without the expensive capital works costs. What’s more, tanks like those in the F.E.S. TANKS range offer extra advantages like easy access for cleaning and testing the quality of your oil and fuel.
Self-bunded tanks vs IBCs
Did you know it is contrary to Australian Standards (AS1940) to store oils for dispensing in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) unless you have high turnovers and can provide evidence that the container is being changed every 2-3 weeks?
The reason is that IBCs degrade due to UV exposure, making them non-compliant with the Australian Standards and not necessarily the optimum storage option for your products.
The upshot is that if you opt for IBCs you might pay less initially, but the costs could be considerably more in the long-term in regular container replacement, compliance paperwork and containment.
Small volume waste oil tanks are a safe, economical and convenient way to avoid the headaches if you need to store and dispense smaller quantities of oils or lubricants, and importantly these small cube tanks are fully compliant with Australian standards.
F.E.S. Bloc tanks are built from high grade steel with durable fittings. They are all finished with a heavy-duty 300 micron paint finish and are self-bunded with a secondary internal container. These tanks also come with forklift pockets and lifting eyes at each corner, while their cube styling gives maximum volume (more space efficient than drums) with a small footprint.
Australian Transport Operators, are you prepared for the biofuel evolution?
WITH new laws mandating the sale of biofuels set to take effect in NSW and QLD in January, during one of the road transport industry’s busiest times of year, it’s worth considering your fuel storage options if you run a heavy vehicle fleet.
In both states, affected servos will have a target of converting 0.5 per cent of their diesel sales volume to biodiesel, which means B5 will need to account for about 10 per cent of all diesel sales.
The new laws will affect fuel retailers in both states from January 1. The good news is that the change is unlikely to cause serious issues for the transport industry, with most modern vehicles able to perform well on B5 biodiesel blends without a problem. However they do mean it’s worth some extra effort when it comes to fuel storage and fuel systems maintenance.
What do biofuels mandates mean for Australian transport operators?
If you run a fleet of trucks, the impact of the biofuels change will depend on the vehicles you use and on how you manage your fuel and refuel your fleet.
For some, biofuels blends are already a major part of their operations. In South Australia, Peats Soil has worked closely with Adelaide University and Scania to develop a fleet which runs on 100 per cent biodiesel. The upside is reduced emissions and a reduced reliance on conventional suppliers.
On the other hand, for conventional fleets biofuel blends can lead to an increased risk of particulate matter travelling through fuel systems, and it is here that care needs to be taken. Poorly maintained diesel fuel is responsible for about 80 per cent of engine failures in the transport industry, and with a new diesel engine costing an average $8000 to overhaul, prevention is definitely better than cure.
In general, blends above B5 may require specialist engine maintenance but using a low blend will make very little difference to performance for most transport fleets. Potential issues can be minimised with proper maintenance regimes and improved fuel management to reduce fuel contamination.
Biodiesel storage and reducing fuel contamination
With Australian approvals for high-performance heavy vehicles reaching new heights in July-September, keeping your fuel in top condition will be more important than ever. Latest generation fuel injectors in diesel engines mean improved performance, but also increased sensitivity, so the experts advise spending a little extra time on getting the basics right.
Because biodiesel blends are able to absorb more water, making sure the fuel you buy is properly stored is the first step.
If you’re storing your own fuel it’s essential to test fuel quality regularly. Diesel bugs flourish at the interface between water and fuel and can spread rapidly, causing fuel to separate and generating particulate matter that can be deadly for high performance diesel engines.
Using a diesel biocide when you refill tanks is highly recommended. If you’ll be storing a biodiesel blend for longer than three months it’s also recommended that you ensure the tank is filled to minimise opportunities for water absorption from the air, which will in turn create more opportunities for diesel bugs to spread.
Biodiesel blends also tend to clean fuel systems, loosening dirt and old fuel deposits and carrying them to the vehicle’s fuel filter.
While the effects of this are minimised in low blends, these changes still happen over time, particularly in older vehicles. Mechanics recommend that fuel filters in older vehicles be replaced after every few tanks of biodiesel blend. There’s also a small risk of fuel system components like seals, hoses and gaskets degrading, so it’s important to check components regularly.
At the storage end, tanks should be flushed and cleaned before they are used to store a biodiesel blend, particularly if there has been diesel bug contamination.
The right tank makes the difference
Ensuring the integrity of your fuel storage tanks – making sure they are free of leaks and corrosion – is easy when you’re using the right tanks.
F.E.S. TANKS produces a range of self-bunded, low maintenance transportable tanks for the transport industry, with easy access manholes to make it cleaning and testing easy.
Our tanks are designed to keep biofuels safe in an environment that is efficient, reliable, durable and controllable.
We also provide a range of diesel biocides, and our expert technicians can give you the advice and support you need to ensure your fuel storage and fuel management systems will keep your business running at maximum efficiency.
If you should require any advice please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Contact us today.
Today I would like to talk about You, Me and our potential sales conversation.
I’m talking about you as the customer and us as the supplier.
First, this is a long email, so go and get a cup of tea or coffee as this could take some time to read.
Over the weekend, I was sitting with a few of my mates talking about the challenges of running a business. We’re a pretty diverse bunch – there was a project manager, a fitness instructor, a plumber, an aluminium fabricator and a financial adviser. (Sounds like the start of a joke. Trust me, there is no joke involved here.)
Even though we are all operate in different businesses we all agreed on one thing. There seems to be a massive disconnect between where the customer is when they first approach a supplier and where the supplier is upon that first introduction.
Let me explain how I see it, but please tell me if I’m wrong.
At the first point of contact the customer will have an idea in their head on what they want and what price they are willing to pay. Some research may have been done prior, but if it is a complex product it may be the phone call that is the first point of reference.
From the business owners perspective, he hears a simple request but straight away thinks of the different variations and solutions that may come into play in order to address what the customer requires.
There lies the disconnect!!!!!
The customer wants a product and a painless solution to a problem. Combine that with a great price, minimum fuss and no ongoing issues.
The supplier has several options in mind that may affect the working solution and price, all of which are dependent on the customer’s unique requirements.
So whilst the customer wants a simple solution, the suppliers head is racing with options.
And that, my friends, is where we are at on a daily basis…..
Example of a typical sales conversation within F.E.S. TANKS
If I relate this to what we hear daily within our business, hopefully it will help you understand our position and also help you think about the options YOU need to consider.
Customer: Hi, I was after a price for a ????? litre storage tank delivered to a location.
F.E.S. TANKS: Yes, no problem, that price is $$$$ + freight + GST.
Now that is breaking it down to its simplest form, the supply of just a stand alone tank. However this is rarely what customers are after…
What do customers really want?
Customer: I am after a price on a ????? litre storage tank.
What the client usually means is: I am after a storage tank with a pumping package as a finished self-contained unit. I want it delivered to my place of work as a plug and play solution so I can fill it up with fuel, turn it on and start using it. No fuss, no hassles. Job done and all within my budget of $$$$.
So we have to ask more questions…
F.E.S. TANKS: Okay, no problem. Bunded storage tank, simple. But we have a few more questions to understand what you will you be using it for and what are your exact requirements?
What is the salesman’s requirement here?
We need to know…
Maximum capacity of storage you’re looking for?
Product to be stored in your tank? Diesel, petrol, jet A1, waste oil…
Do you require a fuel pump for filling purposes?
Is power supply on-grid or off-grid? 12V, 24V or 240V delivery system…
Do you need a fuel management solution or a simple metering system in place?
Do you require specific pumps, bowsers, hoses and other fittings?
Normal flow or high flow rates?
Manual or automatic shut-off nozzles?
Hopefully you can see the two different thought processes going on here, with completely different considerations behind them. That said, the one common aspect of both parties is…….PRICE
Both parties have to get what they want for a mutually agreeable price. That means a price where the customer feels like they are getting value on goods and services. It’s also a price where the supplier feels they are delivering a fit for purpose product that is reflective of the customer needs but also reflective of their time, effort, experience, and one that is sustainable from a business perspective.
Both parties need to gain from this sales experience.
Business is fundamentally underpinned by relationships. Long term business relationships are underpinned by both parties continually gaining something along the way. These relationships break down over time because inevitably one party feels the other is gaining more at the expense of their misfortune.
So, long story short. Price doesn’t shift (in principle) so something has to. What changes is the mindset of both parties as they move towards that middle ground where both parties benefit.
Now you as a customer reading this will know where you mindset is relation to what you want. What I want to do is explain it a little more from our perspective, with the goal that you may be better informed and have a better understanding of the considerations when looking to buy a Bunded Storage Tank.
What you as a customer should consider when buying a fuel storage tank
Tank Storage
You will have an understanding of your operations and fuel usage. That will also give you an idea of the size of tank you require for storage. That part is simple.
We have a range of bunded tanks ranging from 1,000l to 110,000l plus. They are easily adaptable to store different fuel types. They are environmentally friendly with their dual compartment systems (a tank within a tank) as well as being simple to move. They are a precision engineered product that is compliant with all Australian standards and finished with a paint finish that is guaranteed to deliver years of outdoor protection. Job done really.
Fuel Pumping
Yes, our tanks are great for storage, but what good is a fuel tank if you can’t get the fuel out of it?
This is where the complexity starts to build with multiple variations and options all very much dependent on YOUR unique situation.
So consider this please, in order of priority:
Fuel type?
Do you want to run off mains power or another power source (12v or 24v)?
Do you want a pump only or do you want it metered for accountability?
What sort of flow rate for delivery do you require? Standard or high flow?
And there you have it. This is just a short list of things to consider, but it is better that you consider them prior to making that first call.
Of course if you are a big operator with big fuel volumes, you will have a whole list of other requirements and this is something that would need to be discussed one on one. For the small to medium operator let us continue.
Costs of Course!!!
Each one of these options listed above will have a cost implication, and this is a cost that needs to be factored into to your overall budget.
The best way to address this is by an example.
As a general rule of thumb I would allow 15-20% of your overall budget for pumping equipment. Of course that is very much dependent of your specific requirements so that range could go up or down depending on the simplicity or complexity of the brief.
YOUR BUDGET ($$$) = 80% TANK ($$$) + 20% PUMPING GEAR ($$$)
By using this formula you should you have a good level of expectation when looking to source a complete storage and pumping solution. However give us a call and so as we can discuss your situation and structure a package that is perfect for you.
THE search for a better fuel distribution solution for a remote inland shire council has led a Queensland collaboration to come up with an Australian-first. The Hydraulic Un-Loading Kit (HULK) is an optional self-loading system grafted onto a bulk self bunded tank. It offers a complete self-sufficient relocatable bulk fuel storage solution – and this idea’s got legs!
Diamantina Shire Council on the border of Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia understand the challenges of managing the dispensing, storage and relocation of fuel in remote locations. Construction sites in outback Australia present certain challenges, like a distinct lack of infrastructure and logistics that urban locations take for granted. It was this challenge that prompted Diamantina Shire Council to come up with the concept of a self-loading fuel storage system that would improve logistics, reduce costs and streamline the council’s remote refuelling operations.
Diamantina Shire Council appointed Cairns based Nqpetro, a specialist fuel fit-out company to help bring their concept to life. Nqpetro appointed the market leader in self bunded storage tanks, F.E.S. TANKS, and together the innovative HULK design was born.
The HULK will improve fuel management and logistical costs on hard-to-access remote work sites.
Here’s a demonstration of this impressive new system in action:
F.E.S. works with local government and major industry across Australia to provide innovative next-generation fuel storage solutions designed to take business into the future.
“They were using older style portable above-ground tanks and were continually having to move them, which posed a threat to the integrity of the tanks and a potential environmental and safety risk,” F.E.S. business development manager Daniel Porter says.
“They sometimes had three tanks on the back of a semi-trailer, chained to the tray.
“Theft was a problem too, because there were only certain ways you could lock the tanks.
“The previous fuel distribution systems were also very basic with no filtration and a 240V pump that was hooked up to extension leads.
“Anyone wanting to steal fuel could rock up after hours, plug in their power source and take as much as they wanted.”
The F.E.S. team, who are known for creating tailor-made fuel solutions for business, consulted on the adaption of the HULK system to a self-bunded, high quality 28,000-litre F.E.S. Grande tank. With it’s in-built hydraulic legs engaged it allows the truck to simply drive away while the tank lowers itself into position.
The system makes it easy to position and relocate tanks at remote sites without the cost or logistical issues associated with a crane lift.
It means the council can more securely and safely carry high volumes in a single self-bunded tank, virtually eliminating the risk of fuel leaks due to structural breaches.
The HULK also dramatically reduces opportunities for theft, with the pump contained inside a lockable door, with a separate lockable isolation switch.
The pump has 24V and 12V options so it can be battery powered in case of power failures.
“Basically, it means they can go easily to more remote sites with a bigger volume of fuel storage and enhanced safety, portability and efficiency,” Daniel explains.
“As part of the engineering process we built in additional capacity too, so if they wanted to we could use the system on even our Grande 68,000-litre tanks.
“This system is already attracting plenty of attention from councils and has great potential for the civil construction sector too.”
F.E.S. TANKS would like to extend a big outback thankyou to Diamantina Shire Council for the opportunity to be a part of such an industry changing concept.
For details on how the HULK or other self-loading options from F.E.S. TANKS could work in your situation, contact us on 1300-651-391 or get in touch via our contact form.
A typical fuel retailing business in Australia. Is there such a thing?
Apparently Not…..That’s the major finding of a recent industry analysis that has implications as governments seek to tighten environmental regulations and impose hefty costs for new infrastructure on some operators.
Now fuel retailers are looking for ways to juggle increasing competition and small profit margins with the need to audit and often upgrade infrastructure in line with a tighter regulatory environment.
Is our retail fuel industry healthy?
The ACAPMA iScan 2016 report brought together data from independent bodies including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Australian Department of Industry and authoritative international researchers IBIS World.
It found industry profits were down over the survey period – ACCC figures suggest profits from July 2005 to June 2013 averaged just 2c per litre. The 3.6 per cent gross profit for fuel retailers was below the all-industry average of 4.9 per cent over the same period.
Profit margins have returned to healthier levels over the past two years, however legislative changes mean much of the higher earnings are now being invested in upgrading fuel infrastructure and funding increasing compliance costs.
Who are Australia’s fuel retailers?
In 2015, Australia had 3790 retail fuel businesses.
Two thirds of the nation’s 6400 service stations are operated by more than 3690 businesses, most of them small local operators.
The remaining third are owned by major retailers including BP, Caltex, Coles and Woolworths.
Small retailers are either operating a site that is owned by a larger business, leasing a site from a non-fuel related business or are owner operators.
Small operators can either be operating as commission agents, where they don’t purchase the petrol but are paid a commission for each litre sold at a price set by the supplier, franchises, dealer-owned businesses that operate under a brand agreement with a major fuel company or independent fuel retailers who operate under their own brand.
Legislative changes – time for new fuel storage tanks?
The report identifies a number of new legislative measures, particularly in the east coast states, that will mean many operators will need to make significant capital investments in the 2016/17 financial year, no matter what their business structure.
The major developments include:
New biofuel mandates (NSW and QLD) – Over the past 12 months, both state governments have passed legislation mandating the sale of ethanol-blended petrol by fuel retailers.
The new laws are set to take effect in both states in January 2017, meaning now is the time for retailers to investigate how to make their sites compatible with the storage and sale of ethanol blends.
Fuel check regulation (NSW): From July, all NSW retailers will need to advise the State Government every time they make a change to fuel prices on their forecourt.
Basic contact information needs to be provided to NSW fair Trading by June 30.
Fuel price boards (QLD, Tas and Vic): New Victorian laws prohibiting retailers from displaying discounted fuel prices will come into effect in November 2016.
The Tasmanian and Queensland Governments are investigating similar laws.
Fuel price disclosure (NT): In February, the Northern Territory Government announced plans to implement new laws which will require all fuel retailers to regularly report revenues and profits from fuel sales to the government, with fines of up to $60,000 for non-compliance.
Vapour Recovery Stage 2 (NSW): All fuel retail sites in Greater Sydney (including Illawarra, Hunter and Central Coast regions) selling more than 0.5ML of petrol per year were required to comply with stage one vapour recovery regulations by January 1, 2015.
Now, businesses operating retail fuel sites that sell more than 3.5ML of petrol each year will need to be compliant with vapour recovery stage 2 (VR2) requirements by January 2017.
How do I prepare my business?
Preparing for the changes means checking your infrastructure now.
If you are in NSW or Queensland and your business operates with older underground tanks, integrity testing of fuel storage tanks and lines is important to prepare for the new ethanol requirements.
Storing ethanol fuel requires extra vigilance to keep water from the fuel to prevent phase separation and the growth of bio-organisms that can hasten tank corrosion and have disastrous effects on engines.
Tight margins and stricter environmental regulations also mean it’s more important than ever to keep track of your fuel and ensure pumps, lines and bowsers are correctly calibrated.
A broken or slow bowser could lead to forecourt queues that will lose you business.
Keeping your fuel fresh
An increasingly competitive environment means spoiled fuel could do serious damage to your reputation and your bottom line.
When storing ethanol blends it’s particularly important to ensure you have a regular quality maintenance program in place, including using a water-finding paste.
Fuel management systems that monitor the levels in your tanks can also help by ensuring you keep tanks at the optimal level to avoid excess condensation and water absorption.
If your underground storage systems (UPSS) are 20 years old or more, it might be time to consider replacing the tanks with a new system.
Modern tanks have dual walls to meet the highest standards of environmental compliance, and decommissioning your old tanks now and replacing them with new tanks could save you big dollars in emergency clean-up, business downtime and environmental fines down the track.
Getting in early with the right equipment will help you stay ahead of the legislative changes and remain competitive and profitable in a rapidly changing market.
