The petroleum dispensing industry is moving full speed ahead with several changes
designed to address the blending of
higher concentrations of ethanol into
the U.S. gasoline supply. In particular,
UL has tightened up safety standards
for fuel nozzle valves to account for the effects of ethanol on
construction, materials and performance.
Soon, UL 842, the safety standard long affecting hanging
hardware, will no longer be used for nozzle valves. Instead,
UL 2586 will apply to nozzle valves that dispense gasoline with
up to 10 percent ethanol (E10). UL 2586A will cover nozzles
dispensing gasoline with ethanol concentrations up to E85.
The standards will be in effect for all nozzle valves
manufactured beginning April 30, 2015. Fuel marketers will
not be required to replace the nozzle valves that are currently
in place in order to meet the new UL standards. Future nozzle
purchases will be covered by the UL standard in place at the
time the nozzle was manufactured.
“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.
Sheldon Ripson
