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Key Requirements for the Safe Storage of Petrol

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We have had a number of enquiries over the past few months with regards to petrol storage and so the following guidance is advised:

 

If the petrol is being stored in a place which is also a workroom then no more than 50 litres of highly flammable liquids should be stored – this is a general requirement which applies as much to thinners or any other highly flammable liquids as it does to petrol.

 

If the storage area is not a workroom, then DSEAR also requires, as far as is reasonably practicable, risks from ‘dangerous substances’ are controlled and to mitigate against the effects of any fire or explosion arising from these dangerous substances.

 

This means conducting a risk assessment and recording its findings then acting on them. Identifying how you can reduce risks to a minimum – look at the storage area to ensure that:

 

·         It does not have any sources of ignition, and none should be bought into the area (compressors, electrical switching)

·         It should be properly ventilated (large vents in doors and on one outside wall would be good practice)

·         It should be secure (padlocked and not able to be accessed except by authorised persons – consider arson risks also)

·         Refilling of equipment should preferably take place in the open air and away from sources of ignition (you could refill on hard standing outside and clear of the building – something your insurers will appreciate as well as the environment)

·         Care is taken to avoid spills and the consequences of a leak or spill is assessed (could a spillage leak to surface water drains – the consequences could be serious for the environment and your business)

·         Containers should be kept closed when not in use. Restrict unauthorised access.

 

If you own / use an Underground Petrol Tank:

 

From 1 October 2014 the petrol licensing regime was replaced with a petrol certification scheme. If you are the owner of a dispensing premises where petrol is kept you need to hold a Petroleum Storage Certificate (known as a 'storage certificate') to comply with the regulations.

 

A certificate is required when you have petrol dispensing equipment similar to a retail petrol filling station.  This means you will need a storage certificate if you have:

§  A static tank (either an underground or fixed above ground petrol storage tank);

§  A containment system as part of your petrol dispensing equipment; and

§  A pump where you dispense petrol directly into the tank of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.


 

You will not require a petroleum storage certificate for your workplace when:

§  You store petrol in a static tank and dispense it only into containers.

§  You store petrol in a mobile or movable storage container, whether you dispense into the tank of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, or into containers.

In addition to the above, the storage of petrol falls under the scope of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) and therefore a DSEAR risk assessment should be undertaken by a competent person.

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