No Shortcuts on the Pathway to Safety

The tough safety standards for fuel nozzle valves that took effect in late April didn’t happen overnight. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which has developed product safety standards for more than 100 years, worked through a lengthy process to address the reality of increased ethanol content in gasoline. E10 is in 90 percent of U.S. gas at the moment. But E15 is increasingly available around the country.

“I can tell you from my experience that it was the manufacturers who were very interested in us doing that. It wasn’t our idea and we were not telling them what to do. They were supportive and maybe even initiated some of this because they wanted their equipment to be safe,” John Drengenberg, UL Engineer and Consumer Safety Director said in an interview.

Standards Technical Panel

The task to recommend standards for nozzles to safely handle ethanol blended with gasoline at rates higher than E10 was assigned to a UL Standards Technical Panel. This diverse group reviews and votes on proposals prior to publication. The focus in this instance was to account for the way ethanol concentrations affect components like check valves, diaphragms, seals and springs.

“The standards are vetted through a committee where we have representatives of government, industry, and safety all sitting at the same table. Standards development is a process that involves a lot of people and is something UL has been doing for years,” Drengenberg said.

Husky: First Major Manufacturer with Nozzles Listed under UL 2586

One test protocol that emerged from the technical panel was using ATS fuels A, Z, H and IRM fuel 903 to simulate what high concentrations of ethanol do to nozzle components. Husky Corporation engineers invested years coming up with design configurations that could pass this and other rigorous tests to meet the new standards. In many cases, the change required the use of more costly internal components that could meet the requirements.

“Our standards process is give and take. It’s working with the industry, not imposing things on the industry,” Drengenberg said.

Husky was the first major nozzle manufacturer to have its full listing card published on the UL website prior to the effective date for the new UL 2586 standards. You can find out more in this news release or by contacting Husky directly at 800-325-3558.

BJE Offers Another Solution to Your Tank Monitoring Situation

New England-based distributor H.O.D., Inc. and Canada-based The Tank Shop developed a turnkey automatic pump solution that integrates a BJE 007 High or Low Tank Monitor Alarm and a BJE 007 Solenoid Valve with Timer (SVT) with a diaphragm pumping system. The system was newly installed at the Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center near Fort Smith, Arkansas where scores of military vehicles receive regular maintenance.

H.O.D., Inc.’s Burtis Hawes says that they needed to have something on the tank to shut it down when it reaches 95 percent capacity since the tanks are on the outside of the building and the pumps are on the inside of the building. That way even if the attendant stays inside, the oil in the tank wouldn’t overflow. Thus, the creation of the Tank Monitoring Alarm.

Hawes also says that the Tank Shop turnkey system includes the 007 Tank Monitor sensor in the outside tank with a panel for the pump and BJE monitoring components mounted inside the shop. Attendants empty the waste liquid, activate the pump so the fluid can move through hoses and hard pipes to the external tank, then move on to their next job. The SVT timer shuts the pump off after a set amount of time. If the tank reaches 95 percent capacity, the 007 tank monitor will shut the system down and activate both audible and visual alarms.

Hawes revealed that they have been using BJE equipment for about 12 years, and that they like it because it goes with several applications. He adds, “The 007 can go on any existing tank and doesn’t require any special components to receive it.” See how the BJE line of tank monitoring solutions and oil filter crushers can go to work for you. Contact BJE, a division of Husky Corporation, at 800-325-3558 or visit http://www.husky.com/bje/

55% Increase on Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Truck Stop Locations Reported in U.S and Canada

The network of bulk Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) truck stop locations in both the U.S. and Canada represented a 55% increase year-on-year in 2015 as it reached 1,935 locations in January 2015. DEF-equipped locations are now present in 47 states and 9 provinces respectively.

With the US totaling 1,851 bulk locations in operation, Texas continues to comprise 9% of the country’s infrastructure, holding the largest network with 169 locations. Other states with the largest networks are California, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Three major truck stop brands, namely TA Travel Centers, Pilot Flying J and Love's Travel Stops are running more than 60% of the locations.

On the other hand, the Canadian network has represented a year-on-year growth of 107% when it reached 84 bulk-equipped locations in January. Ontario and Alberto together hold 63% of total network while there has been a notable growth in Saskatchewan, which now has a total of 11 equipped locations over the past year. Atlantic Canada and British Columbia continue to operate the smallest number of locations, but nonetheless have also seen a steady increase in numbers.

For more details regarding Husky’s fueling products, please feel free to visit http://www.husky.com/

It Pays to be Safe

In any workplace, safety should be a primary concern, and Joyce Couch recognizes its importance. Many years ago, she read about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s On-Site Consultation Program that offers free and confidential safety and occupational health advice to small- and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, giving priority to high-hazard worksites. Couch saw an opportunity and helped her co-workers at Husky, a Missouri company that manufactures gas nozzles and pump hardware.

 

As a human resources manager, Couch used the available resources to educate and train their employees and helped Husky to continue OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. Safety and health consultants visit often and give talks about safety and train employees on using new equipment. “Businesses sometimes get nervous when they hear the term ‘OSHA,’ but this is a true partnership with skilled professionals who can share safety and health information with our workers,” Couch explained.

 

“We are very excited about earning the SHARP designation. It is a sense of pride for our employees to know that they have an exceptional safety and health compensation premiums have decreased and those funds are reinvested into safety programs. It pays to be safe.” By achieving the SHARP status, a company has placed itself in an elite group of small businesses that maintained exemplary injury and illness prevention programs.

For more information about Husky and its innovative fueling products, you may contact us at (800) 325-3558 or visit our website at http://www.husky.com/

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Hose Adds to Husky's Growing Product Line

Husky Corporation now offers dispensing hoses for Diesel Exhaust Fluid, rounding out a DEF product line that includes Husky nozzles, spouts,  swivels, adapters, Safe-T-Breaks® and Benecor DEF dispensing and storage systems, all serving the growing market of diesel powered vehicles required to use DEF.

http://www.husky.com/husky/husky-hoses/def-dispensing-hose/

DEF Hose Designed for Durability; Flexibility

Engineers at Parker Hannifin Corporation designed Husky's DEF hose tube and cover with black customized peroxide-cured EPDM, an extremely durable synthetic rubber that will avoid DEF contamination. Other features include:

• 3/4 inch NPT

• Available at any customer length desired

• Brass external crimp ferrule

• Recommended for electric pumps or dispensers

• Supplied without static wire 

• Engineered for dispensing DEF where UL approval is not required

• Inspected for pressure up to 50 psi

“DEF dispensing hose complements our recent strategic alliance to deliver Benecor DEF dispensing and storage systems. It further demonstrates Husky’s dedication to delivering total solutions for customers handling Diesel Exhaust Fluid,” said Husky Corporation Executive Vice President Brad Baker. “With DEF use expected to significantly increase in the coming years Husky is well positioned to serve this growing market.”

Growing Market for DEF

In addition to diesel engines on heavy trucks and buses, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate to reduce nitrogen oxide from diesel exhaust now applies to off-road diesel engines including all agricultural and heavy construction equipment. The urea-based DEF is sprayed into diesel exhaust to breakdown harmful emissions. 

Contact Husky Corporation for pricing information at 800-325-3558 or sales@husky.com

The New Standard

The petroleum dispensing industry is moving full speed ahead with many changes devised to address the blending of higher concentrations of ethanol into the U.S. gasoline supply. In particular, UL has restricted the safety standards for fuel nozzle valves to account for the effects of ethanol on construction, materials and performance. The standards took effect last April 30, 2015.

“The new standards seek to make sure the equipment is up to par with the introduction of increased ethanol content in various gasoline blends,” says Rob Brown, Husky Corporation engineering manager. 

“Standards are continuously reviewed and upgraded, and they can be tightened up as we understand more about safety issues” states John Dregenberg, UL engineer and consumer safety director.

Behind the New Standard

Scientists agreed that higher concentrations of ethanol increase the corrosive impact on rubber and soft metals. On almost 40 components that makes up a fuel nozzle, those that come in contact with fluid have been inspected and the test protocols for UL 2586 and UL 2586A are quite stringent.

“Fifteen to twenty-five 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 fluorosilicone could withstand the degradation,” says Jerry Mahn, Husky Corporation product designer engineer.

UL 157

Another ethanol-related change involves the UL 157. It lays out the certification requirements for rubber components in gaskets and seals. “The gaskets are very important in the standard; if they go bad, you have leakage of flammable liquid. That is something everyone wants to make sure does not happen,” UL’s Dregenberg says.

For more information about Husky’s reliable fueling products, contact us at (800) 325-3558 or shoot an email to sales@husky.com.