The 4000 and 1225 litre slimline FuelMaster tanks offer neat, compact on-site fuel storage for farmers and small businesses.

Their narrow footprint and innovative sleek design means they are less conspicuous than conventional fuel storage tanks, and could be hidden away out-of-sight close to farm buildings, improving fuel security.  Both tanks come with reversible factory-fitted cabinet doors, giving farmers additional flexibility in terms of where they are placed.

Further protection to fuel supplies is offered by the tanks lockable cabinets and Watchman tank technology, fitted as standard to all FuelMaster tanks to allow farmers to constantly monitor the fuel levels within the tank.  Their 10 micron particulate/water filters protect vehicle engines from damage caused by contaminants.

In common with the rest of the FuelMaster range, the new slimline tanks are manufactured to a very high-spec and meet all UK regulatory standards for on-site fuel storage.  Manufactured from tough rotationally-moulded plastic the tanks are bunded and come with a Spillstop device to prevent overfilling and spills.  Dispensing is also made easier with the option of adding additional hose lengths which can be stored in the large cabinet, and there is a light inside the hood to help farmers fill up their vehicles in the dark.

“These are high quality tanks, manufactured to the most rigorous standards which provide very flexible, unobtrusive fuel storage solutions for farmers,” says Tony Soper, Kingspan Titan Sales Director, GB.  “We know that fuel security is a growing headache for farmers and rural communities, and it may help that these tanks can be tucked away on the farmyard, perhaps behind a barn.

“The tanks can also be fitted with systems to help with fuel management, again to help make life a bit easier.  Should a farmer want it, we can fit the tank with a tank monitoring device to allow them to keep an eye on the levels of fuel in the tank either locally or remotely. It means they can order their supplies in good time and not risk running out.”

The new FuelMaster slimline tanks will be on display at various agricultural and country shows across Great Britain and Ireland this summer including Cereals 2013 (11–14 June), The Royal Highland Show (19–23 June), The Royal Norfolk Show (25–27  June), and The National Ploughing Championships Ireland (24-26 September).

For more details or to find out more about the full FuelMaster range (tank sizes 1,225 to 10,000 litres) go to http://www.titanenv.com, or call +44 (0) 28 3836 4444.

Kingspan Environmental, a global leader in the design and manufacture of sustainable solutions for high performance buildings, will be out in force at Ecobuild 2013, showcasing its state-of-the-art technologies and highlighting their ease of installation through the hugely popular live demonstrations in the Practical Installer area.

The company will be showcasing its industry-leading environmental and renewable product portfolio within an innovative water management hub, renewable technologies hub and an intelligence design and specification hub on its stand (N2120).

The water and renewable hubs will focus on rainwater harvesting, off-mains drainage, solar thermal, hot water cylinders, air source and heat pumps.

In the intelligence hub, the spotlight will be on the company’s totally integrated design, specification and installation customer services, with expert help and advice available at the show from the company’s highly qualified design consultants for projects featuring solar energy, wind power, or water management. For those installing solar thermal technologies, a new Kingspan Solar online manual entitled Complete Solar Thermal Solutions, can be downloaded as an all-you-need-to-know guide to choosing and designing a system.

Those seeking to expand on their professional knowledge will be able to sign up for one of Kingspan Environmentals’s four RIBA- and CIBSE-accredited CPD seminars across off-mains drainage site assessment, rainwater harvesting, solar thermal and air source heat pumps.

Crowds are also expected to gather once more in the Practical Installer demonstration area, where working models of a Kingspan Water rainwater harvesting system and a Kingspan Solar Thermomax solar thermal system will be on display, providing the opportunity for a detailed and up-close examination of both technologies.

Cameron Holroyd, managing director, advises:  “Kingspan Environmental experts will be on hand throughout the show to talk through our full range of systems: what’s more if you’re currently working on a project then bring your building plans to our stand and we’ll give you an on-the-spot system specification. We can advise on the type and size of system to employ, as well as installation and maintenance.

“We are also very pleased to have been invited once again to demonstrate both our Thermomax solar thermal system and Envireau rainwater harvesting system in the Practical Installation demonstration area.  Last year, hundreds of visitors gathered to find out how easy our products are to install and commission, so don’t miss your chance – but do make sure you come early!”

Ecobuild 2013 takes place at the ExCel centre in London, 5-7 March 2013. Kingspan Environmental will be located both on stand N2120 and within the Practical Installer section.  For further details, call 0845 260 0258 or visit our websites: http://www.kingspanenv.com and www.kingspan-renewables.co.uk.

The 5th April was the first day of a hosepipe ban, under the Water Industry Act 1991, following the declaration of drought across parts of central and eastern England. The long-predicted changes brought about by global warming, changes to weather patterns, rising population densities, and greater abstraction levels from rivers have all contributed to severe water shortages – and given the severity of the situation, no one can predict how long the ban will be in place.

In response, Kingspan Water, the UK’s leading manufacturer of rainwater harvesting products, has introduced some new and innovative water butts, particularly suited to those with larger gardens and ponds.
Rainstore is a range of water butts featuring built-in pumps and hosepipe connections.

The Rainstore range includes 700 litre tanks – the equivalent of 70 watering cans full – and 1000 litre tanks, and are ideally suited for bigger garden plots, removing the need for multiple smaller water butts. What’s more the handy pump and hosepipe connector means no more traipsing up and down the garden, carrying a heavy watering can – saving time (if not the chiropractor’s bill!).

Contact Information:
Kingspan Environmental Ltd
Tel: +44(0) 28 3836 4400
e-mail: enquiry@kingspanenv.com

Fuel and oil prices are steadily rising, which is pushing an increasing number of people into fuel poverty and making home heating oil and diesel fuel into “liquid gold” and a prime target for thieves. So what can be done to safeguard your home or business?

Last week, BBC One’s The One Show was the first to bring this issue into mainstream national media. Farmers and homeowners have two concerns; how they safeguard their fuel supply and how they cope with rising fuel prices. They discussed various preventative measures for combating oil theft including; locking vehicles in a secure building overnight, installing security cameras on the premises, deterring thieves using a guard dog and even the “smart option” of a “Sonic Sensor” or Sonic Signalman as it is correctly known, an electronic fuel monitor.

Earlier this week, there was a feature on oil theft on BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s breakfast show, which included an interview with local businessman and security expert Roman Cooper from Allcooper. Again, the discussion highlighted, among other things, the value of using electronic wireless system for remotely monitoring fuel levels.

First alert for oil theft

In both programmes, it was clear that those interviewed had no knowledge of the theft of their oil until long after the event. Initially, their concerns had been raised when the radiators did not work – which led to the immediate and reasonable assumption that the boiler was broken and a plumber was called out. Of course, the boiler was fine but the oil tank was empty. The message here is check your oil and fuel levels regularly

The cost of oil/fuel theft

The cost can be high. Not only will the tank probably have to be replaced, as well as the oil, but there is also the cost of cleaning up. Sadly, oil theft may not be covered by home insurance There is also an environmental cost, which can be high as oil leaks not only pollute the ground, they can also leach into groundwater.

How Oil Tank Alarms Work

There are various oil tank gauges or oil tank alarms currently available. The latest technology or Sonic Signalman as we refer to it, can monitor the levels of either diesel in a fuel storage and dispensing tank, or kerosene in a bunded heating oil tank. It has GSM capability that can send text alerts to the owner if there is a drop in fuel or oil levels. This notifies of a potential fuel theft in real time. In other words, it provides a means for the owner to monitor, constantly, their oil tank supplies. The wireless electronic monitor is suitable for any existing or new oil tank installation, whether it’s a bunded heating oil tank or a single skin oil tank.

You may want to know if your oil tank is suitable for this technology. The simple answer is yes, any plastic or steel oil tank can be suitable, depending on the condition of the oil tank- in other words as long as there are no leaks or the tank is showing signs of wear or tear due to age.

Servicing and Maintaining Your Oil Tank

Clearly, with oil being such a precious commodity (and of course any losses can be devastating) it is more important than ever that your oil tank is in good condition and your oil boiler is working efficiently. With regular maintenance both will run more efficiently and cheaply. What’s more regular maintenance will prolong the life of the overall heating system. Through our Titan Accredited Installer Network we are offering a FREE, NO OBLIGATION survey of where your oil tank is situated and advise, if necessary, on oil tank replacements to help secure your oil supply.

To find out more about the free survey and the latest innovation in oil tank security, including oil alarm functionality and SMS text alerts, please contact Kingspan Environmental and talk to a member of our team email: enquiry@kingspanenv.com or call +44(0) 28 3836 4400

The innovative technology developed by Kingspan Environmental will be installed by Carillion Energy, in 20 oil tanks in homes in Dungannon, Camlough and Newcastle for a period of three months in a “pay as you go” pilot scheme to help homeowners budget for oil fills.

Charles Burns, Commercial Director, said, “We are delighted that we can road test our Fuelserv solution in our own back yard and that people in Northern Ireland could be the first in the world to see the benefits.

Buying the oil is a very simple process – you buy however much you want to use and Fuelserv then releases this amount from your tank.

All this is monitored by a small wall mounted unit inside your home, which will allow you to keep track of how much you’ve spent and how much you’ve used. For the householder’s peace of mind, there are also a number of anti-theft alerts and alarms built into Fuelserv, that we will also be testing.”

Jillian Ferris, Client and Stakeholder Director at Carillion Energy Services said, “We decided to team up with Kingspan Environmental to find a pay as you go method that works for people in fuel poverty as well as for those householders who want more control over their energy usage.”

Visiting the home of Tracey Doherty from Dungannon, where the technology is being tested, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland, said, “Pay as you go systems for gas and electricity have been around for some time and it is very exciting that the world’s first pay as you go oil metering system has been produced here and will be piloted in Northern Ireland.

For those limited in their choice of fuel, this technology has the potential to offer a means to budget for spend on oil and a chance to avoid the high costs of emergency drums. I am very keen to see the results of this pilot, and, if successful, will be looking at the possibilities for incorporating this kind of innovation into future energy efficiency schemes”.

Contact Information:
Kingspan Environmental Ltd
E-mail: enquiry@kingspanenv.com
Tel: +44 (0) 28 3836 4400

Sonic Signalman sends text alerts if oil or fuel levels drop, suggesting a theft may be occurring

Whether you live in a city or in the country, there is no getting away from worries about the rising cost of fuel and oil.

The cost and supply of fuel at the moment is of concern with possible fuel-tanker strikes looming in the UK. The government are advising the public to top up their tanks, and, according to news reports, petrol demand has risen by 172% and diesel demand has risen by 77%. Everyone is panic buying petrol and diesel in the event that supplies run low.

The rising cost of fuel and oil can make both appear more attractive to thieves.   In fact, there are a rising number of fuel and oil thefts being reported across the country, not only by home-owners but also by farmers and rural businesses.

Last night, Thursday 29th March, BBC’s The One Show discussed the impact this situation is having on rural communities across the country. It is clearly having a major effect on many farmers, who are now faced with two issues: how they secure their fuel supply and how they cope with rising fuel prices.

The One Show featured our latest innovation in fuel level management, referred to in the programme as “Sonic Sensor”.

The “Sonic Sensor”, or Sonic Signalman as it is correctly known, can monitor the levels of either diesel in a fuel storage and dispensing tank, or kerosene in a heating oil tank.   If the device detects a sudden drop in the level of fuel or oil – suggesting there may be a leak or someone is stealing the fuel – it sends an immediate text alert to the owner of the property. In other words, it provides a means for the owner to monitor, constantly, their oil or fuel stocks.

To watch the programme simply click on the link to the BBC i-player or copy and paste into a new web browser. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01f4zjj/The_One_Show_29_03_2012/

The brand website http://www.titanenv.com has been entirely redesigned and aims to provide a one-stop-shop of both expert advice and product information across the Titan range of environmental containers.

For the trade, the site offers a huge repository of information on oil tanks including an oil tank product selector guide and links to industry regulations as well as sections covering FAQ’s and downloadable installation instructions, plus an online tank guarantee form.

Meanwhile to end-users, both domestic and commercial, can gain access via the website to free site surveys, designed to make key decisions about installing a new oil tank or replacing an old. What’s more – appreciating that every UK home and bsuiness owner is now sensitive to the price of oil – the site also contains information about reducing oil heating costs and saving money through the installation of the SonicSignalman, an intelligent oil monitoring system. The SonicSignalman not only helps consumers with the painless management of their heating oil supplies, it will also allow their oil company to send them marketing text messages regarding special offers, allowing end-users to make infromed decisions as to when and how to purchase their oil.

It was a trend that clearly mirrored the rise in crude oil prices: as crude oil became ever more expensive, so heating oil was becoming increasingly valuable. This made it a target for thieves.

Unfortunately, oil prices have continued to rise and with it the threat of thefts has risen still further.

Homeowners, who were already concerned about higher monthly heating bills now have to cope with the even greater worry of the loss of all their heating oil.

Unfortunately, the problems caused by theft are exacerbated by the fact that many occur at night. By the time the theft is discovered, not only have several thousand pounds’ worth of oil been taken, but much of the remaining oil from the damaged tank has leaked out causing extensive environmental damage and leading to an expensive clean-up operation. Sadly, the property owner can be liable for the costs of any oil spill or leak, which may not be covered in their property insurance.

But homeowners concerns haven’t been confined to security and rising costs. We also know of another problem; delivery drivers unexpectedly refusing to fill oil tanks and turning away, because the tanks were incorrectly or poorly sited.

So, with all this in mind, what can you do to manage your bills and costs, as well as help your family stay safe and warm this winter?

Firstly, get your oil tank checked by an OFTEC registered plumber or installer to advise if the tank is fit for purpose, or needs a service. Regular maintenance and servicing of the oil tank and oil boiler will ensure their efficient working, lower bills and prolong the life of the heating system.

They can also advise if your tank is still in warranty. If it is more than 10 years old, its warranty will have expired and if there is a leak or spill, you, the property owner will be liable for clean-up costs. Unfortunately, as I’ve already indicated, not all property insurance covers such an incident – plus of course, there is the added expense of buying and installing a new oil tank.

We always recommend storing oil in a bunded tank which is essentially a double-walled tank or a ‘tank within a tank’. As well as protecting against spills and leaks, double-skinned tanks can make it harder for thieves to access the oil than, say, a single skin or steel tank. Also, if your tank is punctured, then at least some of the oil will collect within the bund, limiting the amount that leaks out, and reducing the resulting clean up.

An oil level monitor and tank alarm is an additional wise investment, particularly in the current climate. If you take a Watchman Alarm as an example, a transmitter on top of the tank uses ultrasonic level techniques to measure, continually, the level of oil. The can be viewed through a receiver which is plugged into an electric wall socket within the home. In the event of the oil level dropping at a rate that is not typical for a domestic oil tank the receiver will emit a siren-type sound that indicates either a leak or theft, is occurring. Labelling the tank as ‘alarmed’ should act as a further deterrent, however, we don’t recommend fitting any other locking devices to our tanks as this invalidates our oil tank warranty.

Additional security measures might include installing a sensory light close to the oil tank, enclosing the tank in a trellis, or laying gravel around the base.

In terms of safe siting, an oil tank should be installed directly on a flat, level, secure and non-combustible base extending 300mm on all sides. Paving flag stones are an ideal suitable base. It must not be propped up in any way – say, on support blocks under tank legs. Again, your OFTEC plumber or installer should be able to advise you further.

For more information, email sales@sensor-systems.com, tel. 028 3836 4411, or visit our website, www.sensor-systems.com

The technology developed by Portadown-based Kingspan Environmental could see significant savings for those homeowners having to resort to using drums (saddled with high-prices for small quantities) who will be able to access the cost benefits of having oil delivered in bulk.

The pilot scheme to help tackle fuel poverty among the most vulnerable will begin early next year, with an evaluation in summer ahead of next year’s winter period.

Minister McCausland said: “Around 70% of homes in Northern Ireland rely on oil to heat their homes, and this increases to around 80% in rural communities. The cost of fuel is a key factor in addressing fuel poverty and I am delighted that two local companies, Carillion Energy Services and Kingspan Environmental, have come up with a possible solution to a long standing problem.

“The expense of oil and of ordering oil in larger quantities has been an ongoing issue and those less well off have been the worst affected. Many families are not able to budget for £300 or £500 and resort to buying drums. This pilot will allow us to road test an innovative and unique technology which will allow oil from tanks to be released to boilers as needed, helping those most in need to budget and benefit from the savings gained by those buying in larger quantities.”

Kingspan Environmental has developed the technology for oil tank metering. Charles Burns, Commercial Director said: “Kingspan Environmental is the market leader in oil measurement technologies and we welcome the opportunity to work with Minister McCausland and his Department to further develop the Fuelserv pay as you go solution. As a Northern Ireland based company, we are delighted to be involved in projects which help alleviate the ever increasing burden of fuel poverty”.

The installations were specified by The Oil Tank Company Ltd – Titan Accredited Suppliers and Installers based in Rutland: the company offers a full maintenance service for both commercial and domestic installations.

The Titan FuelMaster tanks replaced the existing 20,000 litre single-skinned steel tanks which had become fouled and heavily corroded over time with sludge and sediment.

Both the new plastic FuelMaster tanks are bunded (a tank within a tank), and they have dual 10micron particle and water filter fitted as standard. The fuel from one tank will be used for on-site demonstrations of the latest tractors and other self-propelled machines, while the second tank, along with another new installation, a Titan EcoSafe 5000 bunded tank, will store oil for the company’s warehousing heating system.

The switch to the FuelMaster range has been driven by the industry shift from red diesel to ultra-low sulphur diesel, which is better suited to power the modern tractor engine.   Plastic tanks will not react with the diesel components, preventing the build up of sludge and residue, and the finer filters with water traps will protect the fuel system of the demonstration fleet.

“With the change to ultra-low sulphur diesel and the likelihood of a bio oil content within the new fuel, we had to make sure that our fuel hygiene was top of the class,” says John Deere’s division customer support manager Bob Holt. “Our previous steel tanks were decades old, and there was no point in running the risk of contaminating the fuel systems of our demonstration machinery fleet. We are simply employing best practice, and would encourage our customers to take a long hard look at not only their fuel storage facilities but also the quality of the fuel that they are purchasing.”

The Oil Tank Company has been dealing with Titan for the last 10 years – a testament, according to the company’s founder and managing director, Simon Ellis, to both the quality of the product and the customer service they offer.

He says: “Titan has long been the market leader in fuel storage; their products and service are second to none.  For example, the FuelMaster range comes fully set up ready to be installed and only require connecting to an electrical supply.  We then maintain the systems after installation, typically going in after 12 to 18 months to check the filters and pipeworks.”

The FuelMaster tanks were installed with new bases and firewalls and the installation is fully compliant with Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001.

For more information on the Titan Oil Storage and Diesel Dispensing ranges call 028 3838 4444, e-mail sales@titanenv.com, or visit www.titanenv.com.

For more information on The Oil Tank Company, call 01780 782255 or email sales@oiltankcompany.co.uk.