RP 500 To The Rescue

A tale with a happy ending

By Richard Basham

It is an unfortunate fact that part of doing business in the world today includes the possibility that at some point, a company is likely to be sued for some type of product liability issue. Manufacturers of hanging hardware used on gasoline pump islands are on the front lines of this battle as their products are in constant use by the general public.

The PEI Recommended Practices can provide added insurance in instances where products have been misapplied or poorly maintained.

Any gasoline spill can be a cause for legal action. It therefore behooves these manufacturers (as well as the C-store or service station operator) to do everything in their power to protect themselves in those cases where legal action can be taken. PEI’s publication, RP 500, Inspection and Maintenance of Motor Vehicle Fueling Equipment, is a valuable asset that can be helpful in such circumstances.

The Evidence
Recently, a convenience store company was sued when a gasoline dispensing hose burst and sprayed the customer and her car with gasoline. The convenience store operator named the hose company, IRPCO, in the action as the manufacturer of the hose assembly in question. Upon inspection of the hose, it was found to be very old, kinked in two places, and with portions of the cover actually missing.

RP 500 was presented as industry practice for dispensing hose maintenance. If RP 500 were followed, the hose should have been replaced. It was very old, kinked in two places, and portions of the cover were missing. As a result of this and other hose maintenance information presented, IRPCO was dropped from the lawsuit with very little legal expense incurred.

With PEI’s permission, IRPCO has reproduced those parts of RP 500 which apply to dispensing hose maintenance on its Web site. In addition, IRPCO has the following words printed on all of their dispensing hoses: “Maintain in accordance with PEI RP 500, posted at IRPCO.net.”

The more customers know about preventive maintenance, the more likely it is that occurrences such as the one noted above will take place. That is a win for everybody.

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The PEI Journal • Second Quarter 2008 • Volume 2, No. 2 • Contents are Copyright © Data Key Communications, Inc.
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