ForecourtSeparators
Built for fuelling forecourts.
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Sizing, regulations, installation. Our team has been answering these questions for over 25 years.
When managing a petrol filling station, your environmental responsibility and operational safety depend on a critical piece of infrastructure: the forecourt separator. These systems are your first line of defence against hydrocarbon contamination, intercepting and containing fuel spillages during vehicle refuelling and road tanker deliveries. As environmental regulations tighten, a high-quality forecourt separator is an essential safeguard for your business and the surrounding ecosystem. Your forecourt separator works efficiently to prevent petroleum, oil, and other hazardous hydrocarbon pollutants from entering drainage systems. By intercepting these contaminants at the source, you're not just complying with environmental regulations €“ you're actively protecting groundwater and demonstrating your commitment to sustainable business practices. Much like how full retention separators are critical in industrial settings, forecourt separators are the unsung heroes of environmental protection in the fuel retail sector. Regular inspection, cleaning, and professional servicing will extend the lifespan of your separator, maintain its effectiveness, and provide peace of mind that your petrol station is operating at the highest standards of environmental responsibility.
Forecourt Separators FAQs
What's the difference between a full retention and a bypass separator?
A full retention separator is designed to treat the entire flow from your forecourt, including surface water during heavy rainfall, making it the correct choice where petrol or diesel is dispensed. A bypass separator only treats a portion of the flow and diverts the rest untreated, so it's unsuitable for forecourts — full retention units (Class 1, EN 858) are what regulators expect at fuel filling stations.
What size forecourt separator do we need?
Sizing depends on the drainage area (forecourt, canopy and tanker delivery zones), expected rainfall intensity for your region, and the number of pumps or dispensing points. As a rule, you need a Class 1 (full retention) separator sized to EN 858-2 using the NS (nominal size) calculation, which factors in flow rate rather than just tank volume. Our team can help you work through the calculation using your site's drainage plan.
Are forecourt separators a legal requirement?
Yes — under the Environmental Permitting Regulations and guidance from the Environment Agency (and equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), any site handling petrol or diesel must prevent hydrocarbons entering surface water drains or watercourses. A Class 1 full retention separator, correctly installed and maintained, is the standard method of achieving this and will typically be a condition of your petroleum storage licence.
How often does a forecourt separator need emptying and servicing?
Most forecourt separators need a visual inspection every month, a full service at least every six months, and a complete empty and clean-out annually, though high-throughput sites may need this more frequently. Servicing should be carried out by a competent contractor in line with EN 858 and your separator's operation and maintenance manual, with records kept for inspection by the Environment Agency. Neglecting servicing is one of the most common causes of separator failure and pollution incidents.
Should our forecourt separator have an alarm fitted?
Yes — a high oil level alarm is essential and is a requirement under EN 858 for full retention separators. It alerts staff before stored hydrocarbons reach a level where they risk discharging into the drainage system, giving you time to arrange an emergency empty. Alarms should be tested regularly as part of your routine maintenance schedule.
Are forecourt separators available in GRP as well as concrete?
Yes, both are common — concrete separators are robust and well-suited to heavy tanker traffic loading, while GRP (fibreglass) units are lighter, quicker to install, and resistant to corrosion. The right choice depends on ground conditions, expected vehicle loading, and installation access at your site, so it's worth discussing your forecourt layout with us before ordering.