That§ the spirit with grp
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THE Home Officeapproved prototype grp tanker for :carrying petroleum (CM May 10 1974) has now been in operation for 14 months -and apart from minor teething problems on some of its special equipment (not connected with its construction material) has given very good service. A hazardous loads conference at Teesside Polytechnic, Middlesbrough, addressed by Mr D. E. Booth, chief transport engineer, Conoco Ltd, learned this on Tuesday.
Mr Booth told the conference that regular internal and external quarterly inspection had shown no change in grp material strength, and this indicated an extended life factor.
Special tests conducted on behalf of the Home Office had shown that the dissipation of static during loading was the equal or slightly better than an equivalent steel tank.
Minor damage during operating to the side of the tank, normal to any tank of its size, had shown its inherent strength. The resultant scrape, said Mr Booth, was easily resprayed with no problem of incipient rust.
Mr Booth said the Home Office had approved the building of four prototype artic spirit tankers, but the resin shortage last year and other factors had prevented the construction of three of them.
Mr Booth's paper included an account of the joint effort by the Home Office and the Institute of Petroleum to rewrite the 1957 Petroleum Regulations and Design Notes. The main proposed changes are: CI The regulations permitting. a maximum of 1,100gal in any compartment are modified to permit greater than that quantity provided it is in a Class 11 tank (basically a pressure tank in which the contents are higher than atmospheric pressure) although the total quality of 6,600gal remains unchanged.
O Unattended (except for the driver) deliveries may be made provided certain strict site requirements and procedures are met.
CI The electrical master switch shall be mounted as close as possible to the battery, accessible from outside, and a remote control device fitted enabling the driver to open the switch without leaving his seat.
O Screw-in type bulbs may not he used behind the cab.
O An emergency warning flashing device to he fitted.