Fuel Storage Safety

[AZ Prepper]

Fuel Storage Safety
http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/09/fuel-storage-safety.html (http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/09/fuel-storage-safety.html)


With the current fuel shortages that are affecting different parts of the country, it is vitally important that Fuel Storage Safety is at the top of your list. You do not want to make a bad situation worse by creating a dangerous hazard for you and your family. Failing to use safety in the storage of your fuels can lead to an even bigger disaster than the one you are trying to avoid!



It is extremely important to use only the original containers or UL-approved containers to store fuels that you will be using. It is dangerous to store fuels in unapproved containers because they can become damaged easily and leak or spill. Spilled or leaking fuel can cause a fire or even worse an explosion. Containers that are UL-approved (red for gasoline, blue for kerosene, and yellow for diesel) can be purchased at your local hardware store or at the big box stores.



A fuel storage container should also be clearly labeled or otherwise marked to identify its contents. It should also be fitted with a spout, or an accessory funnel or some other device (a UL-approved hand pump, etc.) which will allow pouring or transferring the fuel without spilling your fuel and creating a dangerous hazard to yourself or others. Never ever use glass containers or empty milk jugs for fuel storage!



Periodically check for leaks from your fuel storage containers and gas powered equipment. This is extremely critical if they haven’t been used for a long period of time. Small leaks can add up over a short period of time and leave you with absolutely nothing in an emergency and create dangerous hazards. Always recycle or safely dispose of fuel containers (example: empty 1 pound propane cylinders) and unused or contaminated fuel. Avoid fuel vapors, which are both a health hazard and a fire danger. Keep your fuel containers and gas powered equipment in a secure, well ventilated place and away from any source of ignition. Storing your fuel in an unattached shed or garage is a lot safer than storage in the basement or in a garage that is attached to your home. Store your fuel containers off the floor if at all possible.
Keep your fuel storage containers out of the reach of children and make sure all fuel container lids and spouts are on tight to prevent easy access!

Buy your fuel in quantities that can be safely handled by your available storage facilities. Buying more than you have the means to safely store can only lead to a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Never ever smoke around fuel storage containers or when filling the fuel compartments of your equipment!

Oil and gas mixes used for various equipment (chainsaws, string trimmers, etc.) should be used only in engines that are designed for their use and kept in separate and clearly marked containers.

Always remember, SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker

[AZ Prepper]

Fuel Storage and Safety
http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/06/fuel-storage-and-safety.html (http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/06/fuel-storage-and-safety.html)


Many preppers out there store some kind of extra fuel.It could be small cannisters of propane or a 25 or 50 pound tank. It might be plastic or metal jerry cans of gasoline treated with "Stabil". It might only be extra starter fluid for the barbeque pit. It matters not. The main thing is to practice safety in all your preppin' activities and to not break any local or state laws in this regards. Make sure to check your local and city ordinances to make sure that you are not breaking any laws. There may be limits on the number of propane cannisters you can have in your home. There may be and probably are limits on how much gasoline you are allowed to store in your garage or outdoor shed. We'd all like to have an underground storage tank full of gasoline but this is not always practical from a financial, as well as physical, standpoint. Check with your city's code compliance office, check with your local fire department, but by all means do not just ignore something that could have a devastating effect on you and your family and quite possibly someone else's. Chances are that if you're storing fuels in an improper manner someone is going to find out(and turn you in to the authorities) or "Murphy's Law" is going to get you.

Remember to practice safety in all things you do and to break no laws. This will only bring negative attention to your activities and danger to you or your family. Things like a 55 gallon drum of fuel stored improperly or illegally can make a very large hole in the ground in your neighborhood if something goes wrong.

So take the time to find out what's allowed and then prep within the allowed boundaries to meet your goals. If you only need 5 gallons of gas to get to your bugout location, then that should be your goal. Financially you won't be putting your money into an excess amount of something that you may not be able to use(if it gets confiscated because of a state or local law) and it makes little sense to have excess fuel storage if you have to leave it behind when you bugout. Have a specific reason for the amount and type of your fuel storage. Remember to also rotate your stock on a regular basis.

Store what you need and use what you store!

Stay above the water line!

[AZ Prepper]

Fuel Storage and Safety – Fuel Types - LPG
http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/10/fuel-storage-and-safety-fuel-types-lpg.html (http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/10/fuel-storage-and-safety-fuel-types-lpg.html)


LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) has the advantage of being one of the easiest fuels that can be stored. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous fuels you can store. It is highly flammable and can be ignited by many sources, including open flames, sparks, smoking materials, electrical sparks and static electricity. It can also cause severe freeze burns or frostbite if LPG liquid comes in contact with your skin and is an explosive hazard if not handled properly. If you fail to take the necessary precautions to use LPG safely, you may be putting yourself at risk for a serious disaster.

LPG - Uses

LPG is a highly versatile fuel and is used in numerous applications. The major applications include:

1.) As a fuel source for stationary engines.

2.) As a fuel source for tractors and motor vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, forklifts, etc.).

3.) For cooking purposes (BBQ’s, camp stoves, ranges and ovens in the home)

4.) For heating purposes in the home, a work shop, or other outbuildings, etc.


LPG – Advantages

LPG has several main advantages:

1.) It is highly portability depending upon your application.

2.) It is available in a variety of container sizes to fit many different applications.

3.) It is a very clean burning and efficient fuel.

4.) It is readily available for purchase in numerous places.


LPG - Disadvantages

1.) It must be stored under pressure to remain in a liquid state.

2.) Leaks are not visibly apparent and your fuel can disappear due to leaks without your knowledge.

3.) It is only slightly heavier than air and will disperse in a ratio that is highly explosive.

4.) It will also “collect” in low spots creating a dangerous fire or explosive hazard.


LPG – Storage Methods

1.) LPG is normally stored in pressurized tanks of varying sizes from 1 lb canisters to 500 gallon storage tanks.

2.) It should be kept in a well ventilated building or open shed.

3.) It should be downwind and downhill from any living areas as the fuel vapors are heavier than air.



Whatever fuel you store, it should be checked on a regular basis and plan your storage so as to meet your short or long term goals for its use.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

[AZ Prepper]

Fuel Storage and Safety - Fuel Types - Gasoline
http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/10/fuel-storage-and-safety-fuel-types.html (http://stealthsurvival.blogspot.com/2008/10/fuel-storage-and-safety-fuel-types.html)


Gasoline is a useful and important part of our everyday lives. It is commonly used by individuals and families on a daily basis. With the concerns regarding the possibility of a gasoline shortage combined with high fuel prices, more people are storing gasoline for future use. Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid and should be stored only when you are aware of the safe and proper methods of storage. It is extremely important to realize the dangers of storing this highly flammable liquid.

Your local fire department and state fire marshal are the first places you should check for regulations concerning safe gasoline storage. Many local and state fire codes and regulations place restrictions on the amount of gasoline an individual homeowner can store at their residence (this is normally limited to 25 gallons or less). Regulations and rules will vary from state to state.

The following simple precautions will help keep you and your family safe when using or storing gasoline.

Special Note: Extreme Caution Is Always Needed When Using and Storing Gasoline


Tips for Safe Gasoline Storage

1,) Always use approved safety containers as required by federal or state authorities. (Gasoline containers are normally RED)

2.) Never store gasoline in glass containers or non-reusable plastic containers such as milk jugs or drinking water or plastic soda bottles.

3.). Always store gasoline outside your home in a garage or outside storage shed. Never store gasoline inside your home. Never store gasoline in the trunk of your car or place storage containers in direct sunlight.

4.) Never store or use gasoline near any possible sources of ignition (water heaters, furnaces, etc.). Gasoline fuel vapors are heavier than air.

5.) Never smoke, or use matches, lighters or cell phones around gasoline.

6.) Never store excess quantities of gasoline beyond your needs as it is a highly flammable liquid and a potential explosive hazard.

7.) Keep all gasoline containers tightly closed and use care in their handling and transport to avoid spills. Always allow for the expansion of gasoline. Never overfill containers.

8.) Handle gasoline outdoors so as to get the maximum possible ventilation. Always avoid breathing gasoline vapors.

9.) Never use gasoline as a solvent, cleaner, or barbecue starter. Never use gasoline in kerosene heaters or lamps or combine with other fuels such as kerosene or diesel. This will create an immediate explosive hazard.

10.) Always take steps to discharge static electricity as this can build up on you or the storage container. Always turn off your cell phones and the engines on your equipment during any fueling operation.

Important Note: Long term storage of gasoline requires treatment with an additive such as Sta-bil, protection from moisture and proper rotation of your stored gasoline to maintain quality.

Gasoline is an important and useful part of our daily lives. It is important to remember that gasoline can be dangerous if not handled or stored properly. Gasoline should only be used for its intended purpose and stored only when it is absolutely necessary. Always practice safety in the use of gasoline.

You can read other fuel storage safety tips here: Fuel Storage and Safety – Fuel Types - LPG

Remember, SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

[Bro Jones]

It may also be wise to check your home owners insurance policy and see if it limits the amount of fuel, gunpowder, ammunition, etc. ... I'm sure they would love nothing more than for you to pay them every month and then not have to pay your claim because they had grounds to argue that you stored a little too much of something.

[DisasterGuy]

For those who store propane in 5-gallon/20-pound bottles -- I assume you are aware that the older bottles can be identified by the knob on top. The old valves have round knobs. The new valves have knobs shaped like triangles with the points lopped off, or "hexagons" if you prefer. Our local propane dealer won't fill the bottles with old valves. However, Wal-Mart took the bottles with old valves in trade for newly-filled "Rhino" brand bottles with new valves. I did not make this trade dishonestly -- I told them what I had, and they didn't care, as long as it was a 20-pound bottle. I think that Wal-Mart does not fill the Rhino brand bottles with as much propane as our local propane dealer does. So, I will refill the Rhino brand bottle locally instead of trading it in at Wal-Mart.

[DisasterGuy]

My wife suggests that I add how to tell how much propane is left in a 20-pound bottle. The guard/handle around the top of the bottle has an engraving that says "TARE WEIGHT" and a number such as "17.5". This simply means that the empty bottle weighs 17.5 pounds. Any additional weight is the propane in the bottle. If you weighed a bottle and it weighed 26.5 lbs, 26.5 - 17.5 = 9.0 pounds of propane in the bottle. We use a digital scale good to + or - 1/10th pound to weigh bottles. I'll add that 20-pound bottles are not filled up to 20 pounds because they leave room in the bottle for propane to expand in heat. That's been very useful in Texas this year.

[DisasterGuy]

How much energy is in a fuel? My figures show 1 gallon of propane = 27 Kilo-Watt Hours (KWH). 1 gallon of methanol = 23 KWH. 1 gallon of gasoline = 37 KWH. So, it would take 13 gallons of propane to produce as much energy as 10 gallons of gasoline. A vehicle would get fewer miles per gallon of propane than the same vehicle would if fueled with gasoline. We have seen this difference between propane and gasoline electric generators of similar output. (The advantage of propane is long-term storage... in 2006 we cooked with propane from a bottle dated 1975.)

[DisasterGuy]

<style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Courier; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> I refilled the red gasoline storage containers today. Wife suggests I detail the process for people who don’t store fuel.

1. At the gas station, take the caps of the storage containers and sit the containers on the concrete.

2. Put in enough PRI-G gasoline stabilizer for 5 gallons of gasoline.

3. Add gasoline to the containers, then cap them firmly shut.

4. Back they go into the pickup truck bed, with rope tied through the handles to prevent them from falling over.

5. Back at the house, cut and punch some pieces of cardboard and write "11/11" on each piece to show a Fill Date of November 2011.

6. Use plastic tie wraps to put the tags on the handles of each storage container.

7. I use both steel military gas cans and plastic containers like those sold in Wal-Mart.

8. Try to rotate containers every 6 months or so.

9. Store the storage containers in an outdoor shed that has excellent ventilation and space just above the floor for vapors to leak away.

10. Lock the shed so neighborhood kids can't get in.

That’s all, folks!

[DMGNUT]

Maybe its just me, but regardless of what I do, the gas evaporates out of my plastic gas cans.
I don't have this problem with my steel military jerry cans.
I've been told (and read it somewhere too) that plastic "breathes", and thus the loss of gas through evaporation (at least here in very dry Arizona).
Just some food for thought... and like I said... maybe its just me.