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About four weeks ago I went to my local Calor Gas Depot to fill up our Gaslow (having done so many times before). They would not allow me to re-fill saying they had just had an email informing them that re-filling systems like ours is not to be allowed because apparently there had been an 'incident' somewhere, although they couldn't tell me what or where.
I then phoned Calor Gas: nobody seemed aware of any such email. I got passed from pillar to post - as you do - but finally found a sypathetic ear who promised to try and find the reason for the email from her manager. He apparently knew nothing about it. After several emails back and forth, today I got an email from Miss Sypathetic Ear with a copy of the LPG Refuelling Guidelines. She apologised, saying she had spoken to the Health and Safety Manager and was sorry that this was not the answer I was hoping for. I took this mean they were still denying us the right to refill. So I have emailed her again, reiterating all the listed points in one of my previous emails, which confirm that we fulfil all the required criteria, copying back to her the salient points in the Guidelines, and have asked to speak to the Health and Safety Manager so that he can explain why, when we fill all the necessary requirements, he is still refusing to allow us to refill.
FYI I attach the salient points from their Guidelines:
“Containers which are attached to a vehicle for heating or cooking (on camper vans or similar) present similar risks on filling to those for propulsion purposes and may be permitted to be re-filled at autogas refuelling sites provided they:
are not removed for refilling; and
are secured in a suitable enclosure; and
are fitted with an internal device to physically prevent filling beyond 80%; and
are connected to a fixed filling connector which is not part of the container.”
I also rang Autogas and explained my problem to them and asked if they had a similar stance to Calor Gas. They confirmed that they don't have any problems with refillable systems like Gaslow being refilled at any of their service stations. They also sent me a copy of the same LPG guidelines saying that Gaslow refillable system was within their guidelines.
I have tried to get this issue resolved, and am still trying, but I am now wondering if any other member has had a similar issue.
Sal
______________________________________________________________ If you don´t know where you are going when you set off you will probably end up somewhere different!
Perfect example of a "jobsworth" failing to read what was ACTUALLY on the email, rather than seeing what he THOUGHT it said.
I accept it costs slightly more but for the quantity you are looking to purchase I would just toddle along to my local petrol station with an LPG pump and fill up there. (Then write a formal complaint to Calor UK)
Yes, we can, and probably will, go to a service station but the nearest is 30 minutes away and the Calor Gas depot is only two minutes away so it is an irritant not to be able to use it.
I think you have hit the nail on the head, they are not listening - the guys in the Calor Gas depot and the various folk on the phone at Calor Gas - I am sure they all think that we are trying to fill an ordinary bottle even though, as you can imagine, I have tried to explain the difference.
They are also not looking properly because I listed all the points quite clearly in my email.
I look forward to speaking to the Health and Safety Manager - if ever I can get to speak to him!!!
Sal
______________________________________________________________ If you don´t know where you are going when you set off you will probably end up somewhere different!
Would it be worth printing out this bit of their own regulations . . .
may be permitted to be re-filled at autogas refuelling sites provided they:
are not removed for refilling; and
are secured in a suitable enclosure; and
are fitted with an internal device to physically prevent filling beyond 80%; and
are connected to a fixed filling connector which is not part of the container.”
. . . then tick all the boxes (boldly and in red pen) and take it to the depot and demand to speak to someone in authority?
I can't think of a better way of demonstrating that all the criteria are met.
Dave
P.S. Be sure you have an external fill point and the bottle is actually secured inside the locker, or they will have "wriggle room".
Last edited by Zebedee on Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:04 pm; edited 1 time in total
Now there's a good idea Dave. I think I shall do just that.
And yes we do have an external fill point outside of the gas locker.
At the moment we don't need much gas because we have been on hook up ever since we last filled up with gas. I just wanted to get the situation sorted for the next time. However, we will have used a little so we could squeeze a litre or so in.
Sal
______________________________________________________________ If you don´t know where you are going when you set off you will probably end up somewhere different!
Surely any vendor of ANY goods cannot be compelled to sell them to someone, it is up to them whether they do or not as long as they do not breach the Trading Regulations?
I believe that you have no come-back if you go into a shop and they refuse to sell you something that is on sale - hence Sainsbury's can stop the sale of alcohol to those UNDER 25 although the law is clear that it is only permitted to sell to those OVER 18.
I suspect that Calor have the same right and cannot be compelled to sell gas to you even though you can tick every box......
Surely any vendor of ANY goods cannot be compelled to sell them to someone........I suspect that Calor have the same right and cannot be compelled to sell gas to you even though you can tick every box......
Dave
Absolutely correct. Any retailer can just refuse to serve you.
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France
I think I shall do just that.
