Notifying the right authorities about AN fertiliser storage

[Cowabunga]

Because many of us don't? Can't think when I've ever bought AN (as opposed to compound fertilisers).

You miss the point. There is no downside if you don't have any, same as if a domestic kitchen or house has no gas or gas bottles. They just assume, unless told otherwise, that they do. They certainly must assume that there is flammable and potentially explosive stuff in every fire they attend. It is part of their basic training.
Nowadays they can't even start to put a farm fire out without someone from the Environment Agency authorising them and ticking all the boxes first. A fairly recent fire [less that 20 years ago] on a nearby farm had this issue, yet they still managed to park one of their fire engines below a diesel tank, which ruptured and burnt their engine to a cinder. Never mind though, boxes were ticked so nobody gave a stuff. Lessons were, no doubt, learned.

 

[Brisel]

They are, in fact, exactly the same product. Hopefully the stuff we have is not partially degraded but the way some farmers keep bags out in the rain for days before putting it into store, if they ever bother, makes me wonder.

No, they are not the same. Uk AN has a small addition of an inert chalk which makes it considerably harder to detonate than what was stored at Beruit

 

[Highland Mule]

You miss the point. There is no downside if you don't have any, same as if a domestic kitchen or house has no gas or gas bottles. They just assume, unless told otherwise, that they do. They certainly must assume that there is flammable and potentially explosive stuff in every fire they attend. It is part of their basic training.
Nowadays they can't even start to put a farm fire out without someone from the Environment Agency authorising them and ticking all the boxes first. A fairly recent fire [less that 20 years ago] on a nearby farm had this issue, yet they still managed to park one of their fire engines below a diesel tank, which ruptured and burnt their engine to a cinder. Never mind though, boxes were ticked so nobody gave a stuff.

No, I don't miss the point. Risk assessments should always be given the best information available. The downside would be that the fire service don't turn up as quickly, because they have to take unnecessary precautions.

As for the part about getting EA (presumably SEPA) involved before they can start - that's completely wrong too - don't ask me how I know, but suffice to say I owe a lot to the local fire brigade for taking prompt action.

 

[Cowabunga]

No, they are not the same. Uk AN has a small addition of an inert chalk which makes it considerably harder to detonate than what was stored at Beruit

Not at all. Some UK AN has a small quantity of chalk. The vast majority does not. It is absolutely easy to detonate when mixed with diesel and/or in a confined space, as it is when used as an explosive. Hopefully though it will just burn fiercely as an oxidising agent on farm.

 

[Brisel]

Not at all. Some UK AN has a small quantity of chalk. The vast majority does not. It is absolutely easy to detonate when mixed with diesel and/or in a confined space, as it is when used as an explosive. Hopefully though it will just burn fiercely as an oxidising agent on farm.

In order to be sold in Britain, imported AN has to come with a detonation certificate

 

[sahara]

In the light of this thread I've just been checking over and reviewing our Fert stocks and position generally.
The Yara website is quite useful. If you go to the safety data sheets page, (top line of the UK web home page) and then scroll down there is quite a bit of info that's relevant to probably most of us. There is also a flow chart that tells us what we need to do depending on what quantity of what Fert we have.
There is also a link to a page giving all of the UK Fire service contact details.
: http://www.fireservice.co.uk/information/ukfrs
Hope it helps.

 

[Bogweevil]

Ammonium nitrate is always explosive unless at least 18% of limestone or chalk is added (to make CAN or nitrochalk).

Agricultural ammonium nitrate is stabilised with magnesium nitrate or other similar material which reduces its sensitivity to detonation. Given the right stimulus it can still explode however.

 

[neilo]

In the light of this thread I've just been checking over and reviewing our Fert stocks and position generally.
The Yara website is quite useful. If you go to the safety data sheets page, (top line of the UK web home page) and then scroll down there is quite a bit of info that's relevant to probably most of us. There is also a flow chart that tells us what we need to do depending on what quantity of what Fert we have.
There is also a link to a page giving all of the UK Fire service contact details.
: http://www.fireservice.co.uk/information/ukfrs
Hope it helps.

There is a noticeable lack of fire service numbers in most of Wales (Powys included). Maybe we’re just considered more careful over here?

 

[jamj]

In NI RT require the same or similar notifications.
But we have not been allowed to buy 'explosive' fertiliser for more than 40 years!

 

[Wombat]

Sorry deleted as made a mistake

I am trying to find the contact for east York’s as I rang the local fire station and they said they had no idea what I was on about. Anyone for the contacts?

Edit sorted, rang the general 01482 number not the local station one and got put through to control and they took it down over the phone. Said it goes on a spreadsheet and thats it

 

[nick...]

Sorry deleted as made a mistake

I am trying to find the contact for east York’s as I rang the local fire station and they said they had no idea what I was on about. Anyone for the contacts?

Edit sorted, rang the general 01482 number not the local station one and got put through to control and they took it down over the phone. Said it goes on a spreadsheet and thats it

I just email em saying got x tons of whatever at farm address.print a copy and save for my records.they usually email back with lots of info aswell
nick…

 

[Wombat]

I just email em saying got x tons of whatever at farm address.print a copy and save for my records.they usually email back with lots of info aswell
nick…

thanks just need to find an email for the hse one now, so i can get that done

 

[nick...]

thanks just need to find an email for the hse one now, so i can get that done

What are you emailing hse about
nick…

 

[Wombat]

What are you emailing hse about
nick…

you have to email/notify the HSE as well, for NAMOS over 25t as i understood it.

 

[nick...]

you have to email/notify the HSE as well, for NAMOS over 25t as i understood it.

Was not aware of that,thank you
nick…

 

[David.]

It’s a bit like when you try notifying the police about moving the combine at harvest and they just laugh! I cross 3 jurisdictions so that’s 3 lots of confused coppers and laughing

Do you not just apply for a special dispensation letter each year?
Does away with requirement to notify movements

 

[Zippy768]

When I get fertiliser, I'm gonna make sure I notify the fire service.....................and the police, army, SAS, navy, Air force, the bouncers outside Weatherspoons on a weekend..........this stuff will need protecting

 

[Phil P]

Do you not just apply for a special dispensation letter each year?
Does away with requirement to notify movements

That’s what we do but I need one from 3 forces and if you don’t speak to someone and explain what it is you want you don’t get any replies! It’s an annual challenge to sort out.

 

[Steevo]

That’s what we do but I need one from 3 forces and if you don’t speak to someone and explain what it is you want you don’t get any replies! It’s an annual challenge to sort out.

Simpler to buy and use urea!

 

[Phil P]

Simpler to buy and use urea!

He’s on about the combine, the fert is easy