Behind the scenes of filling up: How do operators keep track of their fuel inventory?

This is Veeder-Root’s fifth article in their series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. Read the others here:
Behind the Scenes of Filling Up:
1. How Does it Work?
2. Gaining Approval and Getting Started
3. How does the fuel actually get to the nozzle?
4. How do gas stations ensure fuel isn’t leaking?
.

Keeping track of all that fuel

Veeder-Root

When you fill up at a gas station, it’s likely that you’re one of many people getting gas at the same time.

At busy gas stations and c-stores there are multiple transactions happening at one time. In fact, the average c-store dispenses just over 4,000 gallons of fuel per day!

With all that fuel pumping out of the storage tank, how does the site operator maintain an understanding of the current inventory, how much has been sold that day, and the amount of inventory that they started with? This basic information is what they will need for inventory reconciliation, which is the process of making sure that they can account for all the fuel that has been dispensed.

If there is a difference between the amount of fuel that records say are in the storage tank and the actual amount of fuel in the tank, then there is a fuel variance. There are two likely scenarios for the loss, either there is an adjusted loss or an actual physical loss of the fuel.

Adjusted losses accrue when key records of fuel transfer don’t match up. It’s common when the bills of lading, delivery confirmations, automatic tank gauges, and point-of-sale equipment may all supply a different record of the transaction. Contributing to the issue are tank charting and equipment errors, which can mask any actual fuel losses.

Physical loss might happen if there was a leak that went undetected, a meter drift, theft or delivery discrepancy, or even a change in temperature that causes fuel contraction or expansion in the tank.

What Can We Do About it?

The first step is to confirm that the equipment at your gas station is maintained and operating correctly. You then want to ensure that you have accurate tank charts for your site. The next step is to implement a daily reconciliation and variance tracking method.  

C-Store owners should also take advantage of remote connectivity options that allow them to check on their inventory and site status from anywhere. 

Automating The Process

The most accurate way to generate a tank chart is to use AccuChart on your Veeder-Root TLS Automatic Tank Gauge. This application takes frequent measurements and reports back when there is a statistically significant data set for creating an accurate tank chart. 

Once you have an accurate tank chart, an application like Business Inventory Reconciliation (BIR) can automatically calculate fuel variance.

BIR tracks all the fuel that enters or exits each of your underground tanks, accounting for all delivery and dispensing activity. It automatically collects metered sales information from electronic and mechanical dispensers and generates accurate delivery and reconciliation reports.  

This is our final installment in our blog series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. You can find more information on every step of the process here

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
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Behind the scenes of filling up: How do gas stations ensure fuel isn’t leaking?

This is Veeder-Root’s fourth article in their series on what actually happens when you fill up at a gas station. Read the others here:
Behind the Scenes of Filling Up:
1. How Does it Work?
2. Gaining Approval and Getting Started
3. How does the fuel actually get to the nozzle?
.

Veeder-Root

With so much fuel passing through a gas station’s fueling system, how do they ensure that fuel isn’t leaking?

For decades now, the Environmental Protection Agency has enforced regulations that require gas stations to prove they aren’t leaking fuel into the ground or the water supply, and there are a number of ways the gas station can meet the requirements. 

But beyond the regulations, fuel costs money – it’s the single most expensive inventory item for gas stations – and leaks or other fuel losses are costly! 

Managing Compliance

Once you’re done filling up, there is an entire monitoring system at the gas station that tests the fuel lines for any potential leaks and monitors important spaces around the site to ensure they’re dry. This system is called an automatic tank gauging system which includes a console, like the TLS-450PLUS ATG, series of sensors throughout the gas station, and probes in the underground fuel tanks. 

The automatic tank gauge system has many functions at a gas station, but at its core it provides the owner and store operator with reports that prove the site isn’t leaking fuel and provides the fuel inventory data needed to run the station. These reports are provided to EPA inspectors to ensure gas stations are complying with the regulations.

Fixing Issues Immediately

It’s important to have the appropriate reports, but leaks must be addressed in real time, and that is where the ATG console is also working like a security system for the fuel site.  

When an issue is detected in the fueling system, the TLS-450PLUS ATG records a condition result and generates an audible and visual alarm for the store operator. Employees at the site can then follow their protocol for addressing the issue.  

The guiding principle is ensuring that the gas station is safe for customers and meeting regulations. 

What’s Next?

Next week, we’re discussing how the TLS-450PLUS ATG gives C-Store owners and operators the business data they need to correctly manage their inventory. 

You can find more information on every step of the process here

 

If you have any questions or would like to purchase Veeder-Root and Red Jacket Products, visit us online at www.johnwkennedyco.com or call us at 1.800.451.4021.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
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Latest “Let’s Be Frank” Podcasts from Franklin Fueling

Let's Be Frank with Kali Kinziger

Here are the latest episodes from Franklin Fueling’s Let’s Be Frank podcasts
hosted by Kali Kinziger.

 

 

Let’s Be Frank podcasts are perfect to introduce newbies to the petroleum equipment industry; from the latest products, new technology, install and maintenance tips and tricks to brushing up on the latest industry trends.

 

 

 

Here are 4 more episodes from Kali and Let’s Be Frank:

 

FFS PRO with Loren SwalheimWith over a decade of experience on jobsites all over the world, Loren Swalheim (Director, Technical Services) has pretty much seen it all. In this episode, we explore the FFS PRO® suite of services that are powered by Franklin Fueling Systems’ technical expertise and break down how distributors and installers can utilize the tools to make their jobs easier.


UL 2447 with Anna OgurekWhat is UL 2447? How does it affect your business? Anna Ogurek and I talk about what this UL certification means, the products it effects, and how Franklin Fueling Systems provides the widest offering of UL 2447 listed products in the industry.


Carbon Series with Anna OgurekThis week I sit down with Anna Ogurek to talk about our new Carbon Series(TM) single and double wall fiberglass dispenser sumps. Hear how the new manufacturing techniques and interstitial monitoring options are making them the most versatile dispenser sumps in the industry.

NOTE:  The Carbon Series Dispenser Sumps will be featured in the Franklin Fueling booth at the John W. Kennedy Company’s Forging Relationships Trade Show on March 27th & 28th.

You can also find Franklin’s Carbon Series dispenser sumps and accessories on the Kennedy eCommerce website here.


Regulation Navigation with Gary SaltzThis week’s theme is Regulation Navigation! The Underground Storage Tank Federal regulations by the EPA went into effect on October 13th, 2018. Are you complying? Gary Saltz and I navigate through these regulations to help you understand what your options are and how to stay in compliance.

 

 

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!
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Responding to a Leak in an Underground Storage Tank

In our previous blogs, we discussed in detail how to prevent and detect UST leaks at gas stations and other UST facilities.

But what should you do if a leak happens?

What immediate actions should you take? Who should you contact? How should you proceed to managing and controlling the leak? Continue reading

3 Things Every Retailer Needs to Know about the 2018 EPA Regulations

Our friends at OPW would just like to kindly remind everyone that the EPA’s new Environmental Testing Regulations go into full effect on October 13, 2018, and OPW has a full line of products that are compatible with the 4 major regulatory requirements for new and existing Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems.

Watch the video below and learn more at opwglobal.com/epa-regulations!

 

Check out our blog post from August 2018, Are You Ready?? The Cost of Non-Compliance: You Can’t Afford It, containing OPW’s infographic that covers the history of UST Regulations.

You can find many of OPW’s great products in our web store and if you don’t find what you are looking for there or have any questions, feel free to contact us at 1.800.238.1225. 

Click on the logos below to explore OPW products online:

Fiberlite

 

 

 

 

OPW Retail Fueling Components

 

 

 

OPW Fuel Management Systems
 

 

 

 

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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What you need to know to be EPA compliant by the Oct. 13, 2018 Deadline

OPW - EPA CompliantOPW’s Guide To 2018 EPA Regulations

Get compliant and avoid fierce penalties!

OPW has put together a quick reference guide for everything you need to know to be compliant with the new EPA testing requirements.

Download OPW’s EPA Regulations guide to gain access to information from brochures, videos and articles to help you prepare for the October 13, 2018 compliance deadline.  Please be sure to indicate the specific OPW EPA-Compliant testable products for which you would like to receive additional information.

7 Ways Your Underground Fueling System can Save You MoneyAside from getting some background on why the new regulation exists, who and what it affects, specifics about testing and what happens for non-compliance, it also includes 7 Ways Your Underground Fueling System Can Save You Money.

So download your copy of OPW’s EPA Regulations guide today!

Please feel free to contact us at 1.800.451.4021 with any questions about compliance, OPW’s guide or to order OPW products!

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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Are You Ready For 2018?

OmntecNew EPA Regulation 40CFR, part 280, requires sumps to be tested every 3 years, starting in 2018.

Omntec sump tester price listOmntec offers the CLD Series portable containment sump tester, available in 3, 4, 6 , and 8 probe versions.

CLD Kit List Prices:

CLD3: Three Probe Sump Tester Kit- $11,537

CLD4: Four Probe Sump Tester Kit- $12,656

CLD6: Six Probe Sump Tester Kit- $16,203

CLD8: Eight Probe Sump Tester Kit- $19,080

Click here for more details on the CLD Series, and be sure to call us at 1-800-451-4021 with any questions.

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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Questions And Answers About The 2015 Underground Storage Tank Regulation As Of May 2017

EPA

Check out the May 2017 updated version of the EPA’s  PDF document :

Questions and Answers about the 2015 Underground Storage Tank Regulation

And please be sure to call us at 1.800.451-4021 for all your underground storage tank needs.

We appreciate your continued business and support!

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Opinion: EMV At The Pump: Should You Wait Until 2020?

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The following article was written by Richard Browne of Patriot Capital for www.cspdailynews.com.  Read the original article here.

ATLANTA — There was a collective sigh of relief on Dec. 1, when Visa, followed quickly by MasterCard, announced a shift in the forecourt gas-pump liability date from 2017 to 2020. I believe there also was a smile in some boardrooms, as retailers that already have invested see an opportunity to capture gallons and inside sales.

Industry reports suggest that about 33% of dispensers in the market are capable of processing payments to Europay MasterCard Visa (EMV) data-security standards with either a software or small hardware upgrade. This represents dispensers installed since 2011, when both Wayne and Gilbarco started shipping “EMV-ready” dispensers. Both manufacturers are reportedly close to or have released the required software to enable EMV, and there’s high probability that many networks will be processing EMV from pumps by mid- to late 2017.

So what?

Consumers are quickly becoming used to using a chip card. They are aware of the reason for it: increased security. Crooks are aware of EMV, and can quickly identify fuel dispensers that have—or don’t have—EMV payment enabled.

I believe we’ll see two things happen:

  • Consumers will shift their buying behavior to EMV-enabled gas pumps, starting in 2017. A high percentage of your customers have had one of their cards breached in the past and want the most secure transaction possible. In Europe and Canada, which have completed their implementation, retailers saw gallons shift to “secure” EMV sites from those that hadn’t yet been upgraded. Switching costs are low in our industry; it’s very easy for a customer to drive another block for a safer experience.
  • Criminals will have a shrinking number of sites to target. About 10% of dispensers are replaced each year. This suggests that, with no acceleration in upgrades, more than 50% of dispensers will be EMV-enabled in 2018, and 70% in 2020. The crooks have got to eat, and they will have half the sites to target that they had in 2015. Combine this with EMV implemented at restaurants and retail, and the potential places to commit card fraud becomes a small target.

Gray Taylor, executive director of Conexxus, said that Visa and MasterCard’s delay announcements appear to not clearly delay liability for retailers who experience higher fraud rates or those accepting foreign-issued cards. “We don’t see this announcement as a true game delay, but a bit of breathing room,” he said.

It is important to review your fraud liability with your processor, and understand Visa and MasterCard’s plans and how increased fraud may affect you.

It’s highly unlikely that we’ll see the liability upgrade deadline move again. With the installed EMV base naturally approaching 80% or more dispensers, the arguments that caused the date to move have less sway, and all other U.S. payments markets will have been EMV-enabled for five years.

Waiting will get more expensive. It’s generally anticipated that the new administration’s economic plans will result in higher inflation and interest rates. Combine this with promised lower tax rates, which effectively reduce the benefits of capital depreciation and makes equipment more expensive on a net-cost basis, and increases in labor costs, and waiting will be expensive. For multisite operators, the change in bonus depreciation from 50% today to 30% in 2019 and 0% in 2020 can have a significant cash-flow impact.

Competitors that have upgraded to new pumps will have enhanced marketing capabilities that the newest pumps provide. Video screens and contactless payment provide marketing options that can increase adoption of customer-loyalty programs and drive more traffic into your store.

The bottom line: Delaying pump EMV upgrades means potential market-share loss and higher fraud risk for your site. Consumers—and crooks—will know who’s made the move.

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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Update: MassDEP Stage I/II Registered Facilities’ Compliance

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Dear Stage I/II Facility Owner/Operators and Stakeholders,

 

An updated spreadsheet, “Massachusetts Stage I & II Facilities’ Compliance Certification Due Dates & Status”, is now posted on our MassDEP Stage I / II Vapor Recovery website.

 

Please note the revised spreadsheet was posted on 9/9/16.  An updated spreadsheet will be posted in October.

 

The spreadsheet can be viewed and downloaded at this link:

 

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/air/programs/stage-ii-vapor-recovery.html

 

The spreadsheet is located in two sections on the website;

 

  • “Stage I Vapor Recovery Certification Forms” section, and

 

  • “Stage II Vapor Recovery Certification & Decommissioning Forms” section.

 

 

Please Review the Following:

 

 

  1. Registered Stage I / II facilities:

 

The spreadsheet lists Stage I or Stage II facilities that are registered in the MassDEP Stage I / II database.

 

 

  1. Reasons you cannot find a facility or certification form on the report:

 

There are a number of scenarios why you cannot find a facility or current certification form on the report:

 

  • A Stage I / II facility has not registered with the MassDEP Stage I/II program.

 

  • The annual Stage I or Stage II certification form, or Stage II decommissioning form, was not received by the Stage I/II program.

 

  • Tanks were removed at a facility, and the Stage I/II account was closed, but the Stage I/II program was not notified that new tanks were installed.

 

For example, a facility removes an underground storage tank (UST), but does not register a newly installed aboveground storage tank (AST) with the Stage I program.  ASTs are applicable to the Stage I Vapor Recovery Program and must register with MassDEP by submitting the applicable Stage I certification form, either a Stage I Form A or Stage I Form C,

 

 

  1. Data Fields and comments:

 

Facility ID:                                            The “Facility ID” is Stage I/II ID number, NOT the UST ID number.

 

Company Name:                              Company name, facility name, and facility address currently on record in the Stage I / II database.

Facility Name:

Facility Address:

Facility Town/State/Zip

 

Tank Type:                                          Indicates if an underground storage tank (UST) or aboveground storage tank (AST) is installed.

 

Class:                                                     Indicates if the facility is registered as a Stage I facility (STG1), or Stage II facility (STG2).

 

CARB #/Sys Type:                            Indicates the Stage II CARB number, Stage I CARB number, or Stage I system type.

 

Test Cycle:                                          Stage II facilities have three test cycles; Third Annual, First Annual, and Second Annual.

 

Stage I facilities have one test cycle, First Annual, since the same tests are required every year.

 

Form Sent:                                          The date the applicable Stage I/II form was generated by MassDEP.

 

Form:                                                    The type of form sent to the facility or received.

 

Form C –              Stage I or Stage II Form C (refer to “Class” type)

Form D1 –            Stage II Form D1 (no test required)*

Form D2 –            Stage II Form D2 (test required)**

Decom –               Stage II Decommissioning form

 

*             Facilities eligible for Stage I Form D1’s will be generated starting in 2017.

**           Facilities eligible for Stage I Form D2’s will be generated starting in 2018.

 

Test Date:                                           Most recent Stage I/II compliance testing date.

 

Postmark Date:                                 Date the completed form was mailed or emailed to the MassDEP Stage I/II program.

 

Due Date:                                            Compliance Due Date for the applicable Stage I/II annual certification form.

 

Form Rcvd & Complete?               Complete –         Form was received and is complete.

Incomplete-       Form was received but sections of the form are Incomplete.

Not Received –  Form has not been received.

Suspended –      Form has not been received and enforcement was issued.

 

 

  1. Calculating Due Dates:

 

 

Decommissioned Facilities:

 

Facilities that have submitted Stage II decommissioning forms can be calculated as follows:

 

Decommissioning test date + 60 days + 1 year = First Stage I Form C due date.

 

For example, if MassDEP received a decommissioning form with a  test date of 12/22/15 the next due date will be…

 

12/22/15 + 60 days + 1 year = 2/22/17

 

For decommissioned Stage II facilities the Stage I/II database will generate the first Stage I Form C based on this formula.

 

 

Next Due date for certification forms received:

 

A certification due date is determined by the postmark date on the envelope of your previous year’s certification submission to MassDEP.  This approach ensures that all Stage I and Stage II systems are certified at least once every 12 months.

 

For example, if a facility’s Year 1 certification is postmarked March 23, the facility will be required to mail its next certification to MassDEP by March 23 of Year 2.  If, however, the facility mails its Year 2 certification more than 30 days before the facility’s currently applicable due date (for example on February 20), the due date for its Year 3 certification will be February 20, and not remain March 23. Future certification due dates for certifications mailed less than 30 days before their currently applicable due date will remain unchanged.

 

If maintaining your facility’s current certification due date is important to you, simply schedule your compliance tests for no more than 30 days in advance of that date.  You may also schedule your tests and submit your certification at any time before your due date if you wish.

 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Jeff Gifford

MassDEP

Bureau of Air & Waste

Stage I / II Vapor Recovery Program

1 Winter St., 7th floor

Boston, MA 02108

 

Phone: 617-556-1144

 

The John W. Kennedy Company appreciates your business and continued support!

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