Fuel handling precautions

FUEL HANDLING PRECAUTIONS

General

The following information provides basic precautions which must be observed if petrol (gasoline) is to be handled safely. It also outlines other areas of risk which must not be ignored. This information is issued for basic guidance only, and if in doubt appropriate enquiries should be made of your local Fire Officer.

Petrol - Gasoline

Petrol/gasoline vapour is highly flammable and in confined spaces is also explosive and toxic.

When petrol/gasoline evaporates it produces 150 times its own volume in vapour which when diluted with air becomes a readily ignitable mixture. The vapour is heavier than air and will always fall to the lowest level. It can readily be distributed throughout a workshop by air currents; consequently, even a small spillage of petrol/ gasoline is potentially very dangerous.

Always have a fire extinguisher containing FOAM, CO2, GAS or POWDER close at hand when handling or draining fuel or when dismantling fuel systems and in other areas where fuel containers are stored.

Always disconnect the vehicle battery before carrying out dismantling or draining work on a fuel system.

Whenever petrol/gasoline is being handled, drained or stored or when fuel systems are being dismantled, all forms of ignition must be extinguished or removed; any leadlamps must be flameproof and kept clear of spillage.

WARNING: No one should be permitted to repair components associated with petrol/gasoline without first having specialist training.

Fuel tank draining

WARNING: Petrol/gasoline must not be extracted or drained from any vehicle whilst it is standing over a pit. Draining or extraction of petrol/gasoline from a vehicle fuel tank must be carried out in a well ventilated area. The receptacle used to contain the petrol/gasoline must be more than adequate for the full amount of fuel to be extracted or drained. The receptacle should be clearly marked with its contents, and placed in a safe storage area which meets the requirements of local authority regulations.

CAUTION: When petrol/gasoline has been extracted or drained from a fuel tank the precautions governing naked lights and ignition sources should be maintained.

Fuel tank removal

When the fuel line is secured to the fuel tank outlet by a spring steel clip, the clip must be released before the fuel line is disconnected or the fuel tank is removed. This procedure will avoid the possibility of residual petrol fumes in the fuel tank being ignited when the clip is released.

As an added precaution, fuel tanks should have a ’PETROL (GASOLINE) VAPOUR’ warning label attached to them as soon as they are removed from the vehicle.