Environmental management for retail fuel sector

Ageing assets and their maintenance

Forecourt operators are actively seeking better ways to manage their existing assets to ensure they are fit for purpose, and extend their lifespan. This is essential to enable them to make the necessary investments to enhance the fuel offerings available at their sites.

It's important to note that asset failure can cost a business ten times more than implementing a successful maintenance plan, which is much less expensive than purchasing a new asset. Poorly maintained forecourt assets are more likely to cause a pollution incident, which could lead to enforcement action from organizations like the Environment Agency. However, demonstrating that all reasonable efforts were made to implement proper prevention systems can reduce the penalties.

This requires detailed inspection and service records, as well as ongoing maintenance of containment systems. Without these elements in place, operators could face significant fines and penalties. To ensure asset availability, safety, and reliability, routine maintenance is crucial. A maintenance strategy for forecourt assets, whether planned, reactive, or preventive, can make the difference between a profitable forecourt or costly closures.