It is no secret that gas prices are currently about as high as we have ever seen and could be set to rise even higher. This has triggered an increase in the number of fuel thefts. You might have already seen the recent news regarding a family-owned gas station in Houston, TX, targeted by thieves who stole over 1,000 gallons of diesel from their underground storage tanks worth more than $6000.
At first, the gas station owners did not realize the theft had occurred but had noticed some inventory discrepancies over several consecutive days. When they reviewed security camera footage, they saw the same van parked over the access panels for the underground storage tanks. It appears the thieves had a trap door in the vehicle and were accessing the tanks and pumping out diesel. They managed to steal around 350 gallons on each of the three visits; however, on the fourth attempt, the owner was on-site, recognized the vehicle, and attempted to confront the thieves. Unfortunately, they managed to drive away, but a police investigation is underway.
So, what does fuel pump repair in Houston, TX, have to do with preventing fuel theft? The answer is a lot more than you might think. One of the key takeaways from the report on the Houston fuel theft is that the owner became suspicious because of inventory discrepancies. If he did not have well-maintained tank gauges, or if he was not monitoring them effectively, the theft could have gone undetected for much longer. This is just one of the many reasons keeping on top of maintenance is so important. When all of your equipment is up to date and in excellent working order, it becomes easier to spot when something is not right - whether a case of theft or a technical malfunction! Sometimes it is easier to dismiss fuel pump repair in Houston, TX, and preventative maintenance as an extra expense, but in truth, it is an investment that will save money in the long run.
Thefts from underground storage tanks are not as common as thefts directly from dispensers, but you can take several steps to secure your forecourt. We recently recommended to our clients booking a security inspection with PumpTex. That is still something we would advise, especially for gas stations that are not open 24 hours a day.
In addition to providing fuel pump repair in Houston, TX, PumpTex can assist with a range of security options that can help protect your forecourt. If you are looking to upgrade your dispensers, ask us about Wayne Smart Secure Access, the latest technology that allows the fuel dispenser to disable itself and send a security alert in the event of a breach. Alternatively, if you are not ready to upgrade, we can also recommend security elements for existing equipment, including CompX High Security Locks to secure the fuel dispenser, Tank commander caps for the underground fuel tank, and other security measures. We will be happy to discuss all of these options with you and help you make the right choices to secure your forecourt against potential thefts.
If you are thinking about an upgrade for your dispensers, one of the most secure options at the moment comes from Wayne Fueling Systems. Thanks to the Wayne Dispenser Secure Access electronic door features and Bezel Locking Kit, thieves will have difficulty gaining access to these dispensers. Additional security features include lockable metal pulser covers and pulse-monitoring technology.
Here are a few of the security tips that we share with our customers while carrying out fuel pump repair in Houston, TX.
If you want to talk about forecourt security or need fuel pump repair in Houston, TX, do not hesitate to get in touch, and we will be happy to discuss your options. Call 888-906-7867 or email Sales@pumptex.com.
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PumpTex, Inc. was founded in 1997 in the back of a garage with the dream of bringing a new level of customer service to the retail petroleum service industry. Over the years, we have grown to become a valuable resource to our customers. Many consider us to be the first responders of the retail petroleum service industry!
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