Bureau of Petroleum Inspection
Matthew D. Curran, Ph.D., Bureau ChiefBureau Profile
The Department regularly conducts inspections of the petroleum distribution system and analyzes samples of petroleum products to ensure consumers are being offered quality products at a fair measure. During the 2010/2011 fiscal year 97.9 percent of the samples collected and analyzed from more than 10 billion gallons of petroleum fuel distributed throughout Florida met state standards, which are considered among the strictest in the nation. The Department issued 516 stop-sale orders to prevent the sale of 17,877,298 gallons of substandard or improperly labeled fuel. The quality of gasoline, alternative fuels (E85, biodiesel, ethanol, etc.), kerosene, diesel and fuel oil are determined at Department testing laboratories through analyses of octane rating, distillation, vapor pressure, vapor-liquid ratio, sulfur content, lubricity, oxygenate content, silver corrosion, alcohol content, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) percentage, and flash point.
Laboratory personnel also test antifreeze products for corrosion, freezing point, boiling point, pH, and foaming as part of the antifreeze registration and regulatory monitoring program. Similarly, brake fluid products must also pass strict standards for boiling point, elastomer swelling and chemical content before being registered by the Department for sale to the public. The Department registered 610 brands of antifreeze and brake fluid as acceptable products to be marketed in Florida. In the 2010/2011 fiscal year, laboratory analysts at Department laboratories in Tallahassee, Port Everglades, and Tampa conducted 195,915 tests of petroleum and alternative fuels in addition to antifreeze and brake fluid products.
The Department is responsible for conducting inspections at the 9,025 retail facilities operating in Florida. During fiscal year 2010/2011, inspectors conducted 277,762 petroleum inspections at both wholesale and retail petroleum facilities across the state. Inspections included calibrating tests, proper installations and maintenance of measuring devices and attached equipment, price gouging investigations, testing for water and debris, verification of backup electricity generation equipment and wiring, and labeling of petroleum dispensers at both wholesale and retail facilities. As a result of these inspections 4,946 pumps were cited for improper calibration and 66,321 corrections were issued for poorly maintained pumps. The Department also handled 3,306 petroleum-related and pricing consumer complaints as a result of posting the 1-800-HELP FLA consumer hotline decal on petroleum dispensers and elsewhere. Complaints have concentrated on fuel quality, meter accuracy and price. The field staff is charged with responding to these complaints within 24-48 hours. The Department continues to use numerous fraud investigation techniques including the deployment of undercover vehicles to further ensure that consumers receive fair measure when purchasing petroleum products. The unmarked vehicles have a specially designed and calibrated gasoline tank that enables a trained inspector to determine a pump’s calibration without a service station operator’s knowledge. The undercover vehicles have confirmed that most petroleum pumps are accurate and consumers are receiving fair measure.
We will always make every effort to be fair and impartial in our enforcement as it is in the best interest of the affected industries and the consuming public alike. Cooperation of the affected industries is earnestly solicited in carrying out the provisions of this law, its rules and regulations. A spirit of close cooperation will help make the law mutually beneficial to both industry members and consumers.