Storing petrol advice

[mushroom]

I know this has been covered many times before - so my apologies - and I've been reading through some of the threads I can find on fuel storage, but I have a couple of questions I would be grateful if anyone can answer.

I have a 20l metal jerry can and two 5l plastic cans for emergency PETROL storage - they are currently empty as I realise petrol can deteriorate after 6 months or so and would only fill them up at any rumblings of shortages - at the moment I only need them for cars.

I know the legal limit is 20L metal + two 5L plastic for the home - but have read that the 20L should be in two metal cans of 10L each. Does anyone know the reason for this ruling? And would it be unwise to fill a 20L metal jerry for garage storage?

Thanks

[unsure]

if you put `stabil ` or something similar in it , it should keep for over 12months .
as for the amount you can store ive no idea .just make sure you fill them to the brim , its not petrol tha goes boom its the vapours of it . i don`t have the same problem as veg oil keeps for quite some time , well a couple of years .
i`d need to check on my veg oil stocks as ive not added any for a while .


EDIT it turns out you can store 30 ltrs at home

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17548007

[12mp82]

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum.htm

Storage

What is the limit of the amount of petrol I can store for domestic use?

The Petroleum Spirit (Motor Vehicles etc.) Regulations 1929 and the Petroleum Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 limit the amount of petrol that can be kept in a domestic garage or within six metres of a building (e.g. most domestic driveways). The limit is a maximum of two suitable metal containers each of a maximum capacity of ten litres and two plastic containers (which have to be of an approved design) each of a maximum capacity of five litres. These limits also apply to any containers kept in a vehicle parked in the garage or on the driveway (but not to the internal fuel tank of the vehicle). Under no circumstances should the petrol containers be stored in the home itself.

Anyone who wishes to store larger quantities than this, or use larger containers, is required to notify the local Petroleum Licensing Authority (PLA) and to store the petrol in a prescribed manner set out in the 1929 Regulations mentioned above - enquirers who want further details should contact their local PLA. Storage of more than 275 litres (60 gallons) of petrol requires a petrol licence - again, contact the local PLA.

[mushroom]

Why the two 10L cans though? Keeping 10L of petrol in a 20L can would be very unsafe - keeping 20L in a 20L can would be perfectly safe!!

[12mp82]

Why the two 10L cans though? Keeping 10L of petrol in a 20L can would be very unsafe - keeping 20L in a 20L can would be perfectly safe!!

The maximum capacity of the tin (jerry can or whatever) is 10ltrs, a 20ltr can would be deemed an inappropriate container for domestic storage, so do not use a 20ltr container.

[mushroom]

I hear you... and I'm not into breaking laws or invalidating my insurance! But can I just ask... I have a VERY big garden which backs on to wasteland - as do my neighbours - so my shed at the bottom is WAY more than 6 metres from any building... more like 60metres - does that make it viable? Thanks

[unsure]

I hear you... and I'm not into breaking laws or invalidating my insurance! But can I just ask... I have a VERY big garden which backs on to wasteland - as do my neighbours - so my shed at the bottom is WAY more than 6 metres from any building... more like 60metres - does that make it viable? Thanks

i can`t see any reason why not . you can store your car with a full tank next to your house but you can`t store spare fuel . makes about as much sense as chinese writing . well unless your chinese

[12mp82]

Have a real good read of the legislation at http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/petroleum.htm

Petroleum Spirit (Motor Vehicles etc) Regulations 1929

The Petroleum Spirit (Motor Vehicles etc) Regulations 1929 , no longer apply to workplaces (including petrol filling stations). However, they do apply to the domestic storage of petrol, including vehicles parked in a domestic garage or near residential premises.

I guess the rules and legal obligations are there for a very good reason, after all any failure will leave you wide open to prosecution and legal action.

[23pioneer]

one of the reasons they have limits is so that you dont stockpile during a crisis, up here in the northern isle we have our own fuel tanks so we can buy in bulk - but i suppose the only thing we will blow up if it all goes wrong is Norway

[mushroom]

You're quite right - I think the limits are probably as much for political reasons as they are for safety reasons!! Limiting a supply of anything increases value. And the fact that the law hasn't changed since 1929 says a lot!

Best make sure my bike is in full working order!!!