Saturday, May 23, 2015

Improved Materials for Fueling Nozzles to Meet UL 2586 Standards

The petroleum dispensing industry and safety regulators are moving full speed ahead anticipating the possibility that higher concentrations of ethanol will be blended into the U.S. gasoline supply. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has tightened safety standards for fueling nozzle valves to account for the chemical effects of ethanol on construction, materials, and performance.

UL 842, the safety standard long-affecting hanging hardware, will no longer be used for fueling nozzle valves. Instead, UL 2586 will apply to fueling nozzle valves that dispense gasoline with up to 10 percent ethanol (E10) and UL 2586A will be in place for fueling nozzles dispensing up to 85 percent ethanol (E85).

The Environmental Protection Agency reports E10 makes up more than 90 percent of the U.S. gas market. In addition gasoline with 15 percent ethanol (E15) is currently available in 17 states since the EPA approved a waiver in 2012 permitting it to be used in cars, light-duty trucks and certain sport utility vehicles made after 2001.

“Fifteen to 25 percent ethanol content wreaks havoc on elastomers and plastics. Testing showed that elastomers formed from nitriles would not be suitable in most instances. However, a more stout material like a fluorocarbon or a fluorosilicon could withstand the degradation,” said Jerry Mahn, Husky Corporation Product Design Engineer in a recent edition of the PEI Journal.

Fueling products manufacturers, like Husky Corporation, are going to make sure to comply with the new stringent standards which contain requirements that will address the higher concentrations of ethanol.

For more information about Husky Corporation’s fueling products, visit http://www.husky.com/

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Gas Nozzles Ready for Enhanced Ethanol Blends

Underwriter Laboratories Inc. (UL) has tightened up safety standards for fueling nozzle valves to account for the chemical effects of ethanol on construction, materials, and performance. UL 842, the safety standard long-affecting hanging hardware, will no longer be used for nozzle valves. Instead, UL 2586 will apply to fueling nozzle valves that dispense gasoline with up to 10% ethanol (E10) and UL 2586A will be in place for nozzles dispensing up to E85. 



Husky Corporation has received listing under UL 2586 for the following nozzles and nozzle families Product details are available at http://www.husky.com/husky/

• Husky X family of fuel nozzles 
• Husky VIII family of fuel nozzles 
• Husky 1A / 1HS / 1GS 
• Husky V34 

“The new standards seek to make sure the equipment is up to par with the introduction of increased ethanol content in various gasoline blends,” said Rob Brown, Husky Corporation’s Engineering Manager, in a recent edition of the PEI Journal. 
UL said the practice of permitting exceptions to testing requirements was never written into UL 842. However, the standards written for fueling nozzle valves in UL 2586 specifically prohibit exceptions testing. To know more about Husky’s UL Certification for UL 2586 Standards and fueling nozzles, visit http://www.husky.com/ for more information

Monday, May 11, 2015

UL Standard Requires Pressure Activated or Interlock Device for UL Listed Nozzles

With safety as a primary consideration, UL 2586 incorporated a requirement that meets a concern of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Fuel nozzles with a latch-open device manufactured on or after April 30, 2015 must either be pressure-activated or come with an interlock device. If the nozzles are not equipped with pressure activation or an interlock device they cannot be used in applications where a UL mark is required. The main purpose of this requirement is to prevent accidental discharge of fuel if the nozzle stays latched-open when the dispenser is activated.


Understanding the Concept of “Pressure Activated”

Starting from the hose, pressure is released to activate the nozzle. As soon as the dispenser is turned on, the hose becomes pressurized and the main poppet valve opens; fueling can start with a squeeze of the lever. Once the pressure is alleviated from the hose, the dispenser shuts off and no fuel is dispensed from that moment. This ensures safety as the release of highly flammable liquid will be prevented.

The Interlock System

A nozzle with an interlock system requires more than just squeezing the lever for the main poppet valve to open. A bellow or boot, which in certain nozzle types covers the spout, needs to be pushed back before squeezing the lever. Only after adding this extra step will the main poppet valve begin to dispense fuel. 

The leader in providing high quality fueling products, Husky Corporation has incorporates these two safety mechanisms in various nozzle models to meet the UL 2586 standard and to ensure that all customers and their clients remain safe while fueling. For more information on Husky’s innovative fueling products, contact us at (800) 325-3558 or send an email to sales@husky.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Higher UL Nozzle Valve Standards Translate to Higher Quality and Higher Costs

Starting April 30, 2015 revised safety standards require all fuel nozzle valve manufacturers to comply with UL 2586 and its various related fuel-specific subcategories. To continue their patter of leadership in providing customers only the best and the highest quality of fueling products, Husky Corporation has taken steps to ensure that nozzle valves for applications requiring a UL mark meet the new standards.

UL 2586 Basics

UL 842 continues to apply to hanging hardware. However it no longer applies to fuel nozzle values manufactured beginning April 30, 2015. The following standards will apply instead:
  1. 1.) UL 2586 is applied on nozzle valves used for gasoline blends with up to 10 percent ethanol and diesel fuel. 
  2. 2.) UL 2586A is applied on nozzle valves handling gasoline and ethanol blends of up to E85. 
  3. 3.) UL 2586B is applied on nozzle valves used for dispensing biodiesel blends of up to 20 percent. 
The driving force behind a more stringent UL standard is the consideration of the corrosive effects of ethanol on the valve components. With the EPA approving E15 for cars, trucks, and some SUV’s made after 2001, the E15 blend is now available in at least 17 states today. In order to ensure that the higher concentrations of ethanol does not damage the internal components, manufacturers have applied UL 2586 to their nozzle valves.

Factors in Pricing

Customer safety and satisfaction are the top priorities of Husky when manufacturing innovative fueling products. To meet both of these priorities, Husky Corporation works within UL standards for applications where customers need to use UL listed components. They have addressed the need to update rubber components used to meet the separate UL 157 standard. Replacing the materials used to make components, like diaphragms and seals to meet the UL 2586 standard, will mean that the final product will cost more. Rest assured for all customers that Husky manufactured fueling products not only meet strict standards, but will also meet and even exceed your expectations.

For questions or inquiries about pricing or any of Husky’s fueling products, call us at (800) 325-3558 or email us at sales@husky.com.