The public comment period is now open for review and proposals to change the Petroleum Equipment Institute’s RP500, Recommended Practices for Inspection and Maintenance of Motor Fuel Dispensing Equipment. The document, prepared by the PEI Fuel Dispensing Equipment Inspection and Maintenance Committee, represents a synthesis of industry procedures, manufacturers’ recommendations and regulatory standards relating to motor fuel dispensing equipment.

The new Recommended Practices, which supersedes and replaces the previous 2005 publication, is expected to be released in late 2010.

First printed in 2005, RP500 aims to minimize the possibility of fuel-dispensing system failure, reduce fire hazards, promote fueling safety and minimize environmental problems. The publication includes chapters on dispenser inspection, documentation, safety and fueling incident response, in addition to a complete list of definitions. Chapters in RP500 are dedicated to daily, monthly, annual and post-incident fueling system inspections. Six sample forms that to be used for recording inspection and maintenance data are also included.

Parties interested in commenting on the Recommended Practices draft document can view a read-only copy and offer suggested revisions at www.pei.org/rp500.

Comments are due to PEI by Friday, May 7, 2010. All PEI members, regulators, tank owners, and trade associations are encouraged to comment on and suggest changes to the document.

Other PEI recommended practices publications currently available include Installation of Underground Liquid Storage Systems (RP100); Installation of Aboveground Storage Systems (RP200); Installation and Testing of Vapor Recovery Systems (RP300); Testing Electrical Continuity of Fuel-Dispensing Hanging Hardware (RP400); Overfill Prevention for Aboveground Storage Tanks (RP600); Design and Maintenance of Fluid-Distribution Systems (RP700); Installation of Bulk Storage Plants (RP800); Inspection and Maintenance of UST Systems (RP900); Installation of Marina-Fueling Systems (RP1000); and Storage and Dispensing of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (RP1100).

Founded in 1951, PEI is comprised of more than 1,600 companies engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of equipment used in petroleum and energy handling industry. Members are located in 50 states and 81 countries. PEI is the leading authority and source of information for the petroleum and energy handling equipment industry and is committed to promoting the value of distributor services and improving the business relationships and practices of its members. The Institute's headquarters are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For additional information on PEI or its membership, please contact Chris Bouldin at cbouldin@pei.org or visit www.pei.org.