Downstream Summer 2007 - Downstream Magazine

Now it’s FPS Forecourt Division
Garage Watch Campaign, the forecourt
sector organisation which joined FPS
last November, has completed its
integration into FPS and, from 1
August 2007, will be re-branded as
FPS Forecourt Division.
FPS Chief Executive Susan Hancock
said: “We’ve done some close analysis
and sounded out opinions on many
issues, including the perception of the
Garage Watch Campaign within the
forecourt sector, and we’re certain that
this is the best way forward.”
The two divisions of FPS (Distribution
and Forecourt) will operate completely
Should oil line fittings be
compression or flared? The debate
has raged within oil heating for ages.
Heating engineers have preferred to use
soft copper oil lines with compression
fittings, but without support
inserts. Without an insert, the
soft copper can waste, leaving
poor joints causing weeping,
sweating or leaks. Even if the
joint is oil-tight, when the line
is under negative pressure, air
can be sucked into the line.
BS EN 1254-2:1998 defines two types
of compression fittings for use with
copper tubes to BS EN 1057: 1996.
Type A consists of a nut and olive, Type
B includes flared fittings.
20 Downstream Summer 2007
independently of each other. However,
full integration means that the
Forecourt Division will benefit from
the resources of a large, proactive
trade association which has been
established for over 28 years and is
extremely well-respected within the
industry and Government.
Keith Ashton, who joined FPS to
ensure a smooth transition for Garage
Watch Campaign, will continue to
co-ordinate the activities of the
Forecourt Division within FPS, and the
Campaign’s founder, Mark Bradshaw,
will continue to play an active role as
spokesman within the Division.
BS EN 1254-2: 1998 highlights concern
over using type A fittings with R220
(annealed) (‘soft’) copper pipe, stating
that internal support of the tube can be
required to allow compression of the
ring onto the copper tube.
As most modern installations have a
negative pressure oil line due to tanks
being at ground or below ground level,
the burner is higher then the oil tank’s
outlet or when using top off-take
Already, six additional benefits are in
the pipeline for Forecourt Division
members. A free legal helpline,
discounted central purchasing and
discounted car and van leasing were
due to be up and running by 1 August.
Other services and benefits are being
sourced and will be announced later.
“Taken together with the recognised
lobbying role, we believe that the new
FPS Forecourt Division will take its
place at the forefront of trade
associations representing the
independent forecourt sector,” said
Keith Ashton.
Atkinson extend support for compression
Lunch break technology
Felix Group’s Andy Egan with a Max Box.
Over time, many distributor depots
have been sprinkled with convenience
devices for employees. Drink, snack
and cash dispensers; water fountains;
and (until relatively recently) cigarette
machines have all proliferated.
Now, digital retailer Felix Group has
launched Max Box, a machine that
converts the area surrounding it into a
wi-fi hot spot for the internet generation.
This means that mobile phones, laptop
computers, blackberries, bluetooths and
tanks, there will already be the
champagne effect in the line. Oil deaerators
are commonly used to assist
lift and remove air from the line, so the
last thing you need is additional air
being pulled in through poor joints.
After researching the issue with
heating engineers, Atkinson
have opted for compression
joints with inserts in preference
to flared joints.
All Atkinson Tankmaster,
Atkinson Filter Valves and Atkinson
Tigerloop Fitting kits now have 10mm
soft copper inserts supplied as
standard. Atkinson also distributes the
FEL Fire Valve, with inserts.
so on can work perfectly well without
being physically connected to anything.
Via the Max Box, time-challenged staff
can use the touch screen to top-up their
mobile phones; print out pictures from
phones or cameras, or save them to CD
and DVD; and they can go internet
shopping. Max Box also acts as an ATM
cash dispenser, accepts cash, coins and
credit/debit cards, and is fully protected
against theft and vandalism.