APEA Publications

As part of the rapid growth and development of the whole electric vehicle charging infrastructure, filling stations are seen as an obvious place to provide charging facilities. However, it is recognised that difficult safety and logistical issues are linked to such installations. When the 4th Edition of the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation was published, significant technical discussions were still underway about this area to help finalise and clarify the safety issues that needed to be addressed. The work behind these meetings was led by APEA (the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration) who represent the major stakeholders in this sector. APEA and the IET are therefore now issuing this joint publication to help provide important guidance in this area.

Item Subjects: IET Standards Publication Year: 2020 Pages: 30 ISBN-13: 978-1-83953-315-0

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As part of the rapid growth and development of the whole electric vehicle charging infrastructure, filling stations are seen as an obvious place to provide charging facilities. However, it is recognised that difficult safety and logistical issues are linked to such installations. When the 4th Edition of the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation was published, significant technical discussions were still underway about this area to help finalise and clarify the safety issues that needed to be addressed. The work behind these meetings was led by APEA (the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration) who represent the major stakeholders in this sector. APEA and the IET are therefore now issuing this joint publication to help provide important guidance in this area. Item Subjects: IET Standards Publication Year: 2020 Pages: 30 ISBN-13: 978-1-83953-315-0

The Blue Book is the established technical guidance on providing information about storage and dispensing of petroleum products used as fuels for motor vehicles (including petrol, diesel and autogas (also known as LPG). It provides information on civil, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical installation issues for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations, together with information aimed to minimise the risks from fire and explosion, to health and to the environment.

This new edition of the publication is produced jointly by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) and the Service station panel of the Energy Institute (EI). Considerable technical input has also been provided by UK competent authorities (the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency), trade associations and professional organisations. Key technical changes in the new edition of 319 pages include:

• Updates to sections covering above-ground and below-ground storage tanks to reflect industry good practice including the need to test tank chambers on site
• Changes to the recommendation of hazardous areas on filling stations which covers longer hoses used in the industry and also covering mobile payment options
• The special safety requirements for pressure pumping systems
• Incorporation of guidance covering fuels containing bio-components up to the allowable amounts identified in EN 228 and EN 590 (technical information is provided for fuels containing higher amounts of bio-component).
• Development of guidance on engineered control measures for attended self-service (ASS) and unattended self-service (USS) sites. This technical guidance is in alignment with the operational guidance contained in the publication Petrol filling stations guidance on managing the risks of fire and explosion (the Red guide) produced by the Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Group
• Updates to sections on vapour recovery to reflect changes in UK legislation and the uptake of stage 2 vapour recovery.
• Updates to sections on leak detection and changes which reflect the environmental concerns for Class 11 systems
• The importance of maintaining leak detection systems to ensure safe storage
• Guidance in the Electrical section on the installation and safe operation of electrical vehicle charging points on filling stations
• Updates to sections on LPG to ensure alignment with UKLPG Codes of practice.
• Updates of the Annex providing technical information on the storage and handling of AUS 32.

This Fourth edition replaces the edition published in 2011.

Although the book makes frequent reference to legislation applicable in the UK, it is anticipated that the general principles will be applicable in most regions internationally, and this Guidance is used extensively by many countries around the world.

The revised Blue Book (May 2018) is available to APEA Members at a 50% discounted rate, if you are not a member please go to the 'Membership' page on this website and complete the online application form and payment process to benefit from the discounted rate.

The Blue Book is the established technical guidance on providing information about storage and dispensing of petroleum products used as fuels for motor vehicles (including petrol, diesel and autogas (also known as LPG). It provides information on civil, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical installation issues for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations, together with information aimed to minimise the risks from fire and explosion, to health and to the environment.

This new edition of the publication is produced jointly by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) and the Service station panel of the Energy Institute (EI). Considerable technical input has also been provided by UK competent authorities (the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency), trade associations and professional organisations. Key technical changes in the new edition of 319 pages include:

• Updates to sections covering above-ground and below-ground storage tanks to reflect industry good practice including the need to test tank chambers on site
• Changes to the recommendation of hazardous areas on filling stations which covers longer hoses used in the industry and also covering mobile payment options
• The special safety requirements for pressure pumping systems
• Incorporation of guidance covering fuels containing bio-components up to the allowable amounts identified in EN 228 and EN 590 (technical information is provided for fuels containing higher amounts of bio-component).
• Development of guidance on engineered control measures for attended self-service (ASS) and unattended self-service (USS) sites. This technical guidance is in alignment with the operational guidance contained in the publication Petrol filling stations guidance on managing the risks of fire and explosion (the Red guide) produced by the Petroleum Enforcement Liaison Group
• Updates to sections on vapour recovery to reflect changes in UK legislation and the uptake of stage 2 vapour recovery.
• Updates to sections on leak detection and changes which reflect the environmental concerns for Class 11 systems
• The importance of maintaining leak detection systems to ensure safe storage
• Guidance in the Electrical section on the installation and safe operation of electrical vehicle charging points on filling stations
• Updates to sections on LPG to ensure alignment with UKLPG Codes of practice.
• Updates of the Annex providing technical information on the storage and handling of AUS 32.

This Fourth edition replaces the edition published in 2011.

Although the book makes frequent reference to legislation applicable in the UK, it is anticipated that the general principles will be applicable in most regions internationally, and this Guidance is used extensively by many countries around the world.

The revised Blue Book (May 2018) is available to APEA Members at a 50% discounted rate, if you are not a member please go to the 'Membership' page on this website and complete the online application form and payment process to benefit from the discounted rate.

PLEASE NOTE: Each PDF has a unique password, you will need this password to open the document - it is shown on the download screen following your purchase.

This publication provides guidance for companies that provide hydrogen for the refuelling of motor vehicles and for authorities responsible for granting permits and supervising these companies when co-location with petrol filling stations (PFS’s) is proposed.

It provides a summary of technical guidance for the design, construction, maintenance and management of hydrogen fuelling stations in relation to their interaction with PFS’s when the two facilities are co-located, ensuring an acceptable level of protection for public safety, health and the environment for both facilities.

It gives a summary of regulations, requirements, criteria and conditions based on current industry good practice as reflected in British Compressed Gases Association, (BCGA) CoP CP 41: The design, construction, maintenance and operation of filling stations dispensing gaseous fuels and links the specific requirements for hydrogen refuelling with current industry guidance relating to Petrol Filling Stations. As such, it supplements the APEA/EI Blue Book – Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of petrol filling stations (third edition).

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