In addition to pre-use inspections, it is recommended that you carry out periodic preventive maintenance and inspections of your fuel tanks. The frequency of these inspection should be set by yourself according to the nature of your operations, but once every 6 to 12 months should be adequate.



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Here is a list of tasks recommended to be carried out as part of the inspection:

• Visually inspect the tank for leaks.
• Remove the accumulation of water and diesel from the bund/cabinet. Please ensure you are competent to do this and are using the appropriate equipment and PPE. All resulted waste should be treated as hazardous and disposed in accordance with local regulations. If in doubt review the Manufacturer Safety Data Sheet. Your fuel supplier should be able to provide you with a copy.
• Perform a water finding test (dip the tank).
• Clean up the accumulation of debris or vegetation (if any) from around the tank. Keeping the vicinity of the tank organised and tidy will ensure that any leaks can be identified immediately
• Clean the mesh filters (strainers). Each feed line will have one, depending on the tank model either at the end of the line (inside tank) or near the butterfly valve (Y type strainer). Internal strainers can be accessed by pulling out the flexible dip pipe from the cabinet.
• If you have a water filter fitted to the pump, you may choose to replace this at this time.
• Lubricate the hinges which hold the cabinet cover or door. These should be fitted with grease nipples for effortless operation. Additionally, you may wish to spray some PTFE grease on the moving parts of the locking mechanism.
• Remove the filler caps and clean the threads with a wire brush if necessary. Prevent the build up of rust by applying a small amount of lithium grease on these. Inspect the gasket at the bottom of the cap and ensure that it provides a good seal.
• If the tank is situated in a static position, ensure it is adequately grounded (electrically earthed).
• Inspect the condition of the pumping equipment, vents and valves.
• Perform an operational test.
• Record your findings and plan for additional maintenance if required.

Fuel Distribution is an industry that relies heavily on fuel. And to keep up with the competition, companies must introduce new technologies and strategies to grow their customer base and reduce overhead costs. The Fuel Island was designed as a user friendly fuel tank system, allowing fuel distributors to sell more fuel and reduce loss through intelligent fuel storage and dispensing.

The Fuel Island is a 110% bunded, fuel station with remote monitoring technology. It pairs Western Global’s trusted EnviroBulka fuel tanks with all the necessary components and equipment to create a turnkey portable fuel station solution that can be deployed immediately. Ideal for fleet refueling or dispensing fuel for sale, tanks were designed to become complete fuel management systems. The Fuel Island also offers an efficient solution to long-term storage requirements, strategically designed to store fuel in specific locations for long periods of time. Each unit comes pre-wired and pre-plumbed with all accessories installed, eliminating set up time completely. With its integrated, cloud-based remote monitoring equipment fuel consumption can be accurately tracked, saving time and resources for the distributor and the end-user.

Fuel Islands are supplied “ready to use” which means installation time is greatly reduced compared to conventional site-built solutions. “It’s fair to say that the Fuel Island package doesn’t require any set up time or additional configurations. This product can offer ultimate efficiency onsite from day one. It’s user friendly, eliminating any set up costs and headaches similar products can offer” says Matthew Botterill, Western Global’s UK Sales Manager.

The UK Fuel Island is available in 3 packages which offer differing equipment specification levels; these options were designed to fit any client’s application and budget. Every package includes the fuel tank (from 9,000 – 38,500 litres), dispensing equipment, fuel management system, electrical panel and all necessary plumbing and wiring. Western Global’s highly skilled operations team pre-assembles and installs all these components so every Fuel Island is delivered to customers ready-to-use.

Each Fuel Island package is based around the Western Global EBD 2000, 4000, 6000 or 9000 Tank; the EnviroBulka Deluxe is a line of stationary bulk fuel storage tanks. Featuring large secure cabinet with roller shutter access door, spill sump in base of cabinet to contain any spillage or drips, extra feed and return ports for running other auxiliary equipment like generators, heaters, etc. Available in capacities ranging from 9,000 to 38,500 litres, EnviroBulka Deluxe tanks are designed with an access manway on top of the tank for easy cleaning and offset fuel fill pipe for rapid refuelling of tank.


Western Global is proud to introduce another efficient solution to our customers. Fuel distributors can sell more fuel, better track consumption and reduce downtime by utlilising a Fuel Island in their operations. Contact Matthew Botterill (matthew.botterill@western-global.com) to learn more.

Implementing a pre-use inspection procedure for all users of your fuel tank can save the time, money and negative effects to your company’s reputation associated with a fuel spill. Whether filling the tank or dispensing fuel from it,  a short visual inspection before you begin the operation ensures that it is safe to proceed and allows you to keep up with small maintenance issues before they become a major problem. Any issues reported from the user inspections should be thoroughly investigated and corrected in a timely manner.

Below is a basic inspection checklist that you can include in your filling and dispensing procedure.
Pre-Use Inspection Checklist:

• Inspect the fuel gauge. The reading will tell you how much fuel is available for dispensing, or if filling the tank, how much fuel can be added to the tank. Keep in mind that analogue gauges are not calibrated, and they only express an approximation of the fuel available. If you plan on filling it up while a partial quantity of fuel remains in the tank, exercise caution to ensure that the tank is not overfilled.
• Visually inspect the outside of the tank for leaks. If any are found report them immediately
• Inspect the bund or cabinet for accumulation of diesel or water. Whilst small amounts of diesel can drip off the tip of the nozzle with frequent use, the accumulation of significant amount of diesel or rainwater may indicate a leak, and must be reported and investigated.
• Visually inspect the pump and pipework. Look for drips or leaks and report any you find.

​Once you have completed the above, proceed with the refilling / refueling operation. After completing the operation make sure to clean up any accidental spills. If needed use a drip tray.

It is critical for maintaining a safe and compliant fuel tank to complete the initial setup following industry best practices. Before you begin, please refer to your local regulations regarding the storage of oils, to review your risk assessments.

Once you have received the tank onsite, ensure you have allocated a safe place for it to be located. The tank should be placed on firm, level ground, and in a location with minimal risk to Health and Safety or the Environment.



Here are some guidelines to follow when performing the initial setup of your tank:

• The tank should be placed outside at a safe distance from any residential or office building for fire safety.
• Locate the tank on a paved concrete or asphalt surface to assist with pollution prevention.
• Place the tank on a level surface to ensure you can use the whole volume of diesel safely.
• Ensure the availability of fire-fighting equipment (foam or powder) and spill response equipment (clay covers, absorbent granules, etc.).
• Assess when and how the tank will be used, and who will be using it. Ensure the operators are accustomed to the equipment and are competent to use it safely. Refer to the owner’s manuals for detailed instructions on using each piece of equipment.
• If the tank has been previously used (second hand) it must be thoroughly inspected prior to fill up.
• When ready, fill the tank to the 95% capacity. This will aid in priming the feed lines and pumps. Note that this is only required for first time use, or after the tank has been fully drained.

The above guidelines are a good start for a compliant installation, but regulations for fuel tank installation vary between different areas. The guidelines provided by the authorities in the jurisdiction in which the fuel tank is being installed will always take precedence.
Your local Western Global team is happy to help you find a solution that is compliant with local regulations. Contact the office nearest to you for assistance.

TIER 4 MACHINERY & THE IMPORTANCE OF FUEL QUALITY AND FILTRATION
The final phase-in of Tier 4 engine technology for non-highway diesel engines happened last year, as mandated by the EPA. This technology drastically reduces diesel engine emissions—great news for the environment—but requires a much higher level of fuel quality for reliable engine operation. Ensuring that your new Tier 4 EPA engines perform effectively, reliably, and without damage requires only two things: that you use only Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, and that you properly filtrate fuel.

ULTRA-LOW SULFUR DIESEL FUEL
Using Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel is a requirement of the new Tier 4 engines. ULSD fuels contain 15 ppm or less of sulfur content. Failure to use ULSD fuel can result in severe damage or failure to the engine, fuel system, diesel particulate filtration systems, and exhaust after treatment systems of your worksite equipment.

FUEL FILTRATION
Older engines may have been able to perform effectively using fuels that did not meet engine specifications, or that were contaminated with water or other particles, without negative long-term consequence.
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In the new engines, using this same fuel can result in reduced efficiency, increased maintenance costs, and, potentially, permanent damage to the engine—which will ultimately cost time and money to repair or replace. Because high pressure fuel rails and other internal engine components can be damaged by particles as small as 5 microns, high quality fuel filtration should be a key priority on any worksite.

Excessive water in fuel will cause permanent engine damage. Tier 4 engine systems include fuel/water separation filters to ensure quality fuel without the presence of water; these filters must be properly maintained to be effective.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO ENSURE PROPER FUEL QUALITY

• Obtain your fuel only from reputable providers of quality fuel.
• Use only ULSD fuel for your Tier 4 engine operations.
• Regularly check bulk fuel storage to ensure you are using quality fuels. It is recommended that you inspect bulk fuel tanks once a month for contamination by water or other particulates, and that you clean the tanks regularly.
• If possible, periodic testing of fuel by independent labs is recommended.
• Follow all guidelines in the vehicle maintenance manual and the engine manufacturer’s service information for regular servicing instructions of fuel and filtration systems.
• Never ignore warning information or fault codes given by the engine control module (ECM).

For more information on filtration systems and accessories, please contact us or view our accessories catalog online.