If you are looking for a comprehensive and authoritative guide on the design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations, you might be interested in the APEA Blue Book. The APEA Blue Book is a joint publication by the Association for Petroleum and Explosives Administration (APEA) and the Energy Institute (EI), with input from the UK Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency. It covers all aspects of filling station operation, from storage and dispensing of petroleum products to fire and explosion prevention, environmental protection and legal compliance. In this article, we will explain what the APEA Blue Book is, why it is important, and how you can get a free download of it.
The APEA Blue Book is the official name of the document titled "Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations". It is also known as the Blue Book because of its distinctive blue cover. The APEA Blue Book was first published in 1978 and has been updated several times since then. The latest edition is the fourth edition, which was published in 2018 .
The APEA Blue Book is a technical guidance document that provides information on civil, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical installation issues for the planning, design, construction, commissioning, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations. It also provides information on how to minimise the risks from fire and explosion, to health and to the environment. The APEA Blue Book covers both retail and commercial premises that store and dispense vehicle fuels, such as petrol, diesel and autogas (also known as LPG). It applies to both above-ground and below-ground storage tanks, as well as different types of dispensers and pumps. The APEA Blue Book also covers fuels containing bio-components up to the allowable amounts identified in EN 228 and EN 590.
The APEA Blue Book is important because it represents the industry best practice and standards for filling station operation in the UK. It is widely recognised and respected by regulators, operators, contractors, consultants and suppliers in the sector. The APEA Blue Book helps to ensure that filling stations are designed, constructed, modified, maintained and decommissioned in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. The APEA Blue Book also helps to comply with the relevant legislation and regulations applicable to filling stations, such as the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR), the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (COMAH), the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (EPR) and the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 (PCR).
The APEA Blue Book is available for purchase from the EI or APEA websites . The price for non-members is 150.00, while members of EI or APEA can get a 50% discount (75.00). However, if you are looking for a free download of the APEA Blue Book, you might be disappointed. The APEA Blue Book is a protected PDF document that cannot be printed, copied or forwarded to other people. Each PDF has a unique password that is shown on the download screen following your purchase. You will need this password to open the document. If you try to share or misuse the PDF, your licence will be revoked and you might face legal consequences.
Therefore, if you want to access the APEA Blue Book for free, you will have to find other ways. One possible option is to borrow a copy from a library or a colleague who has purchased it. Another option is to search for online resources that summarise or explain some of the key points from the APEA Blue Book. For example, you can find some useful information on filling station design and safety on [GOV.UK] or [College Board]. However, these sources are not substitutes for the original document and might not cover all aspects or details that you need.
In conclusion, the APEA Blue Book is a valuable resource for anyone involved in filling station operation in the UK. It provides technical guidance on how to design, construct, modify, maintain and decommission filling stations in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible way. The APEA Blue Book is available for purchase from the EI or APEA websites, but it is not free to download. You will have to pay for it or find alternative ways to access it.