General

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.

Fuel tank repairs

Under no circumstances should a repair to any fuel tank involving heat treatment be carried out without first rendering the tank SAFE, by using one of the following methods:

a. STEAMING: With the filler cap and tank unit removed, empty the tank. Steam the tank for at least two hours with low pressure steam. Position the tank so that condensation can drain away freely, ensuring that any sediment and sludge not volatilized by the steam is washed out during the steaming process.

b. BOILING: With the filler cap and tank unit removed, empty the tank. Immerse the tank completely in boiling water containing an effective alkaline degreasing agent or a detergent, with the water filling and also surrounding the tank for at least two hours.

After steaming or boiling, a signed and dated label to this effect should be attached to the tank.

Body and chassis repairs

When a body or chassis repairs involve the use of heat, all fuel pipes which run in the vicinity of the repair area must be removed, and the tank outlet plugged, BEFORE HEAT IS APPLIED. If the repair is in the vicinity of the fuel tank, the tank must be removed.

Plastic fuel pipes are particularly susceptible to heat, even at relatively low temperature, and can be melted by heat conducted from some distance away.

Fuel lines or tanks must not be removed whilst the vehicle is over an inspection pit.