Whether you are keeping fuel at your home or your business, it is vital you store it securely, and safely. This is because, aside from being a fire hazard, fuel can be a serious risk to the environment. Currently, over 15% of pollution incidents are caused by oil spillages, which are often a result of improper storage. Not storing fuel properly can also put you in breach of legal guidelines, or lead to the fuel degrading.
Luckily, we have compiled this list of the best ways to keep your fuel safe, and in peak condition. Read on, and you can make sure you won’t end up in hospital, or court!
Keep It Clean
Storing fuel for long periods of time can lead to it becoming dirty and contaminated. This can eventually result in unreliability and failure when trying to use the fuel. Therefore, if you are keeping fuel for extended periods, you should consider purchasing fuel polishing. Fuel polishing is often used to improve fuel quality. This service filters the oil, and removes any bacteria, fungus, or other contaminates that have built up in your fuel. This is particularly important when storing fuel for your business, as 25% of commercial generator failures are related to contaminated fuel.
Be Aware of Differences in Containers
Before doing anything else, you should choose what you will store your fuel in. Container materials are generally divided into two kinds, plastic and steel. Plastic containers are advantageous in that they do not rust, and are more lightweight than metal. However, over time, chemicals from the plastic can leak into the fuel. In addition, plastic containers are more prone to leakage. Therefore, you may prefer to use a metal container when storing fuel for longer periods.
Require large amounts of fuel for your business? You may consider having a heavy-duty fuel container installed on your premises, to increase your fuel efficiency.
Choose Your Storage Location Wisely
Due to the potential risks associated with fuel, you must also give serious consideration to where you will store it. If you are keeping fuel on a residential property, try to keep it in a detached shed or garage. Doing so will keep the fuel away from most ignition sources, and reduce the chance of ingesting harmful vapours from it. These types of space are ideal because they are well ventilated, but will still protect your fuel from any potential weather damage.
If you are storing large amounts of fuel for commercial purposes, you should also be aware of any potential environmental hazards. Try to keep any oil a safe distance from inland and coastal waters, to mitigate the risk to marine life. You should also aim to store it on a stable surface. This will prevent the fuel from travelling a large distance, if it does happen to leak. Be sure to doublecheck local and national regulations on fuel storage, too. This is important, as many countries have specific restrictions on where you can place it.
