And fire services recommend not filling to the brim as fuel expands and vapour can build up in warm weather creating a hazard. Despite being legal, the Health and Safety Executive advices not to store petrol unless you absolutely have to.
If you store petrol or diesel at home or in your car, you must take care. These substances are extremely flammable, and if not stored correctly could start a fire.
Will fuel go off in a vehicle tank? If you filled up your car or van with petrol or diesel and haven't driven it for six months or more, then starting it up might cause damage to the engine. Fuel starts to degrade if it's stored for more than half a year, meaning it won't ignite effectively when you turn the key.
Motorists can carry a maximum of two 10 litre metal jerry cans plus a maximum of two 5 litre plastic cans. This means a maximum of 30 litres of fuel can be carried in total.
Keep gasoline containers tightly closed and handle them gently to avoid spills. 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 a least 50 feet away from ignition sources, such as pilot lights.
How much fuel can you legally store at home? In line with Government and HSE regulations, you can store a maximum of 30 litres of petrol at home or a non-workplace premises. If you store any more than this you must inform your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA).
The HSE says you can store up to 30 litres of petrol in a maximum of two 'suitable containers' in your vehicle. These containers must be kept in the boot and not the vehicle's cabin.
How long can you keep petrol in a plastic container?
This is a normal feature of petrol and helps describe the process which takes place when it is stored in equipment fuel tanks. The storage life of petrol is one year when stored under shelter in a sealed container. Once a seal is broken the fuel has a storage life of six months at 20°C or three months at 30°C.
Only authorised plastic or metal containers can be used. The maximum capacity for a plastic container is 10 litres. The maximum capacity for a metal container is 20 litres. Petrol containers should be marked or labelled with the words: “PETROL” and “HIGHLY FLAMMABLE”, a hazard warning sign and the capacity in litres.
Once you've put fuel in a container you only have a few months before the quality starts to fall away – even less if the fuel is contaminated in any way. Generally speaking, petrol has a shelf-life of six months if stored in a sealed container at 20 degrees – or just three months if kept at 30 degrees.
In general, pure gas begins to degrade and lose its combustibility as a result of oxidation and evaporation in three to six months, if stored in a sealed and labeled metal or plastic container. Ethanol-gasoline blends have a shorter shelf life of two to three months.
Gas that is older than a year can cause issues, like engine knocking, sputtering and clogged injectors. Bad gas can be drained from the tank to prevent damage to the engine. One caveat to keep in mind is that there is no way of knowing how old the gas is when you first pump it into the car.
If you have a little old otherwise unusable gasoline on hand for some reason, and can't readily dispose of it properly by taking it to a hazardous waste facility, you can generally safely get rid of it by mixing a LITTLE OF IT with a lot of fresh gasoline.
It's not a substance that can readily be stored for a long time without being chemically treated. While you might think plastic drums make a good storage container, most plastic drums can't be used to store fuel.
Gasoline storage is especially ill-advised for apartment dwellers. -- Never store gasoline in any containers except those manufactured from sturdy steel sheeting which cannot easily be punctured. Glass containers and plastic containers used for food and milk are especially hazardous, as are rusted metal cans.
Aim to store your fuel in open-air – if not possible, ensure there's a direct exit to the open air and ventilation to the exit. Never store fuel inside your house – a shed or garage is best. Never dispose or manually pump fuel from a storage tank. Prevent any nearby heat and ignition sources.
Container regulations: When storing fuel at home you can only use what the HSE calls 'suitable' portable plastic or metal containers, such as a jerry can. Other options include a demountable fuel tank. You may also use a combination of these containers.
Sunlight will cause your gasoline to evaporate and expand inside the container. Too much heat from any source, including sunlight, can create a risk of fires or explosions. Keep your gasoline containers away from windows, and never leave them sitting outside in direct sunlight.
The best place is in a high, locked or child-safe cupboard, in a shed that is kept locked. Make sure your petrol container has the correct lid and the lid is always tightly fastened. Don't overfill your petrol container – leave a bit of space at the top. If the petrol warms, some of it will change to vapour.
Never store gasoline in your home. Storing gas in your home is not just a serious fire hazard, but a public health hazard as well. Exposure to the fumes is associated with certain health risks. Gasoline should always be kept in an outdoor structure such as a tool shed, storage barn, or separate garage.
The bottom line is that it is legal to fill metal cans of up to 20 Litres and plastic cans of up to 10 Litres from a petrol station. Many businesses have their own rules about what they allow and what may be allowed in one station may be completely forbidden in the next.
Petrol is a dangerous substance; it is a highly flammable liquid and can give off vapour which can easily be set on fire and when not handled safely has the potential to cause a serious fire and/or explosion.
Do not dispose of petrol at home. Take this waste to your local recycling centre (RC). Ask staff at the centre - petrol must be kept locked away. Ensure you bring this waste to the site in a suitable container.
The easiest way is to take a thorough look at it. Oxidised fuel will become darker over time and will have a sour smell. You can even go as far as to compare it with fresh fuel by pouring it side-by-side into a glass. If the older fuel looks much darker, it's a good sign that it's contaminated.
