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SAFETY TIPS
Safety
Precautions for Handling, Storing, and Disposing of Gasoline
Gasoline is an important
part of our everyday lives. It provides the energy needed to operate our cars,
trucks, lawnmowers and other lawn care equipment, boats, a variety of off-road
vehicles, and motorcycles. However, gasoline can be dangerous if not handled or
stored properly. Gasoline should only be used for its intended purpose, as a
motor fuel, and stored only when absolutely necessary. It should not be used as
a solvent, cleaner, barbecue starter or for any other non-engine use. The
following precautions exist for the safe handling, storage and disposal of
gasoline.
NOTE: It is strongly advised that you contact your
local fire department and/or local government to determine the rules and
restrictions for handling, storing, or disposing of gasoline in your area.
Q: What are some of the standards and regulations
regarding storage of flammable liquids such as gasoline?
Your local and state governments are the first places you
should check for standards and regulations on gasoline. There are numerous
codes, standards, and regulations that cover storage and handling of gasoline
within the United States and Canada. For example, fire codes and regulations
restrict the amount of gasoline an individual homeowner can store¾
usually no more than 25 gallons, in approved containers of less than five
gallons capacity each. The use of tanks or storage of quantities larger than 25
gallons is typically regulated. Most states restrict the amount of gasoline you
are allowed to carry in containers in your vehicle.
Fire codes also regulate the amount and type of gasoline
storage allowed in other occupancies, including service stations, garages, car
dealers, hospitals, and commercial and industrial businesses. The National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) establishes codes and standards for fire-related
safety issues, which can be incorporated into binding regulations. Many of these
codes have been adopted by regulation in many communities. A partial list of
some of these codes includes:
- NFPA 30, Flammable and
Combustible Liquids Code;
- NFPA 30A, Automotive and Marine
Service Stations Code;
- NFPA 37, Standard for the
Installation and Use of Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines; and
- NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency
and Standby Power Systems.
Q: What precautions should be taken when filling a
gasoline container?
The following precautions should be taken when filling a
container with gasoline from a dispenser:
- Keep gasoline away from ignition sources like heat, sparks, and
flames.
- Do not smoke.
- Shut off the vehicle’s engine. Disable or turn off any auxiliary
sources of ignition such as a camper or trailer heater, cooking units, or
pilot lights.
- Only store gasoline in containers with approved labels as required
by federal or state authorities. Never store gasoline in glass or unapproved
containers.
- Portable containers must be placed on the ground,
and the nozzle must stay in contact with the container when filling, to
prevent buildup and discharge of static electricity. Do not fill a container
in or on a vehicle, including in car trunks or truck beds. (Placing the
container on the ground minimizes any static electricity buildup that could
lead to a spark and cause a fire.)
- Fill the container at a slow rate. This will decrease the chance of
static ignition buildup and minimize incidents of spillage or splattering.
- Manually control the nozzle valve throughout the filling process.
- Keep your face away from the nozzle or container opening.
- Avoid prolonged breathing of gasoline vapors.
- Never siphon gasoline by mouth. Do not put gasoline in your
mouth—gasoline can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. If someone swallows
gasoline, do not induce vomiting. Contact a doctor immediately.
- Keep gasoline away from your eyes and skin, because it may cause
irritation.
- Use gasoline only in open areas that get plenty of fresh air.
- Never use gasoline to wash your hands.
- Remove gasoline-soaked clothing immediately.
- Fill container no more than 95 percent full to allow for expansion.
- Place cap tightly on the container after fillingdo not use
containers that do not seal properly.
- If gasoline spills on the container, make sure that it has
evaporated before you place the container in your vehicle.
- Report spills to the attendant.
- Use gasoline as a motor fuel only.
When transporting gasoline in a portable container make sure
the container is secure from tipping and sliding, and never leave in the direct
sunlight or in the trunk of a car.
Q: What is the safest way to store and handle
gasoline?
Gasoline must be stored in an approved container or tank.
Gasoline containers must also be provided with an approved label as required by
federal and state authorities. Storage in anything other than an approved
container is strictly prohibited by fire prevention codes.
Gasoline is a flammable liquid and should be stored at room
temperature, away from potential heat sources such as the sun, a hot water
heater, space heater or a furnace, and away from ignition sources. Gasoline
vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the floor to ignition sources.
Therefore, appliance pilot lights or igniters should be kept more than 50 feet
from where gasoline is stored or handled, and elevated. Other precautionary
measures include:
- Do not smoke where gasoline is handled or stored.
- Always keep gasoline out of reach from children.
- For better ventilation, it is best to handle gasoline outdoors.
- Keep gasoline containers tightly closed and handle them gently to
avoid spills.
- Do not mix even a small amount of gasoline with kerosene or diesel.
- Do not use gasoline in kerosene heaters or lamps.
- Store gasoline in a building separate from the house or place of
occupancy, such as a shed or garage.
- Put gasoline in a small engine (like a lawnmower) only when the
engine and attachments are cool.
Storage of gasoline requires developing precautions for spill
cleanup. Minor spills should be absorbed with sawdust, paper or rags. Larger
spills may be contained and collected. Check with your local government or
hazardous waste disposal center to determine the proper avenues for disposing of
spilled gasoline. Place recovered gasoline and cleanup materials in approved,
labeled containers for proper disposal. Never dispose of spilled gasoline or
cleaning materials on the ground or into your garbage, drains, toilets or
sewers. If you do, it might cause a fire, or seep into streams, bays, lakes or
your groundwater.
Q: How long can gasoline be safely stored?
If the container or gas tank will not be used right away,
will be exposed to direct sunlight, or will be stored at temperatures above 80°
F much of the time, add a fuel stabilizer/additive to the gasoline when you
first buy it, prior to storage. Fuel stabilizers contain antioxidants, which
prevent gum and other compounds from forming on gasoline; biocides, which
prevent microbial growth; and corrosion inhibitors, which prevent the formation
of rust and corrosion. Fuel stabilizers/additives are available at auto parts
stores.
Many manufacturers of engines put restrictions on the amount
of time gasoline should be stored before use in engines. Always refer to the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Freshness is improved if the container or gas
tank is stored in a cool place and is kept almost 95 percent full. However,
leave some headroom for gasoline to expand if it warms up in storage. Without an
airspace, expansion will force liquid gasoline out of the container or distort
the container.
Q: What is the proper way to dispose of gasoline?
Never dispose of gasoline by pouring it onto the ground or into a sewer, street
drain, stream or other water body, or putting it into the trash. These actions
are environmentally harmful and may result in a fire, explosion, or soil,
surface or groundwater contamination. Fines and criminal penalties may be
associated with improper disposal. Excess
gasoline in good condition can be added to the fuel tank of a gasoline-powered
car or truck. See manufacturer’s recommendations. (Don’t dispose of
gasoline/oil mixtures for two-stroke cycle engines this way.) However, it is not
easy to dispose of gasoline that has deteriorated. There are organizations that
will help dispose of gasoline in an environmentally responsible way. Finding the
best option may take some researching. Sources of information are your
community’s fire department, recycling center, and hazardous waste disposal
center. Check the government pages of your phone book to locate these
organizations.
Commercial organizations are usually listed in the Yellow
Pages under Environmental and Ecological Services and Oils, Waste.
You may have to pay for disposal. Therefore, try to purchase only the amount of
gasoline that you absolutely need.
Q: Whom should I contact for further information about
gasoline?
Contact your local
fire department or local government to familiarize yourself with your local fire
and building codes regarding storage of gasoline. You may also request a
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) covering the potential fire, health and safety
hazards of gasoline, from your fuel supplier or service station dealer. If you
have further questions, you may want to contact the National
Safety Council or the National Fire
Protection Association. The National Safety Council is a clearinghouse for
information on storage and handling of flammable and/or combustible liquids
(including gasoline). The National Fire Protection Association develops codes
and standards as well as research and education for fire and related safety
issues.
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