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Safe Storage of Liquid Fuels at Home Portable Fuel Containers Portable Fuel Containers Portable Fuel Containers Portable Fuel Containers How much fuel do you buy and store? How much fuel do you buy and store? How much fuel do you buy and store? How much fuel do you buy and store? It is best to buy and store small quantities of fuels. Never store more than you can use in one month. Do you store fuels in approved Do you store fuels in approved Do you store fuels in approved Do you store fuels in approved containers? containers? containers? containers? Store fuels in UL-approved containers: red for gasoline ; blue for kerosene; yellow for diesel. Make sure the container is clearly labeled and is fitted with a spout or other device for easy pouring. For extra spill protection your can place the approved container inside a bucket or other container. Are containers stored Are containers stored Are containers stored Are containers stored i i i in a n a n a n a safe place? safe place? safe place? safe place? Your storage area should be well ventilated and secure. This type of storage can prevent fuel vapor build up which is a health hazard and fire danger. Storage in an unattached shed or garage is safer than storage in an attached garage or basement. Keep containers off the floor. Keep containers out of the reach of children. Safe handling of fuel is Safe handling of fuel is Safe handling of fuel is Safe handling of fuel is everyone's everyone's everyone's everyone's responsibility. responsibility. responsibility. responsibility. You can take steps to ensure that your own health and safety, as well as that of those around you, are protected. Improper handling of fuel can result in serious injury or death caused by fire, explosion, or Fuel released into the environment can contaminate soil and groundwater resulting in costly cleanups. You may even contaminate your own well. As little as 1 gallon of gasoline can contaminate ground water above health advisory levels. Petroleum products and fuels contain many toxic compounds some of which can cause cancer (carcinogens). Contaminated groundwater supplies may sicken people and animals who unknowingly drink the polluted water. Gasoline vapors are harmful to human health even at low concentrations and are potentially dangerous at high concentrations. Some very simple steps can alleviate many of these problems. This brochure contains tips on what you can, and should, do to ensure safe fuel handling. In addition, an excellent website on home fuel tank inspection is: w w w . i n s p e c t- n y. c o m / o i l t a nk s / tanks.htm Tips for Heating Oil, Kerosene, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Storage Tanks This Brochure is brought to you by the Cortland County Water Quality Coordinating Committee (WQCC). The WQCC is a committee dedicated to protecting the water resources of Cortland County through education of the general public and local government officials. 2001 ---PAGE BREAK--- Tank Abandonment Tank Abandonment Tank Abandonment Tank Abandonment and Removal. and Removal. and Removal. and Removal. Unused tanks pose numerous problems. They may pose risks to your health, the environment, and even your financial assets. Inactive tanks are an environmental threat until they are removed. Underground tanks should be cleaned and removed from the ground or filled in place with a sand or concrete slurry. Soils samples are recommended. They are often required at time of property sale. Remember to remove all piping associated with the tank at time of closure. Problems have occurred when fill pipes have been left in place and fuel deliveries are made to unmarked pipes. In this situation, fuels can be pumped directly into the ground. A similar situation can occur with aboveground tanks located in a basement. Failure to remove fill and vent pipes has resulted in deliveries spilled to the basement floor. Storage Tank Storage Tank Storage Tank Storage Tank Management Management Management Management Check for signs of trouble Check for signs of trouble Check for signs of trouble Check for signs of trouble Is the soil around the tank stained with petroleum? Is their a strong smell of petroleum near your tank? Are there fuel odors in your home? Have you or your neighbors noticed fuel odors in your basements or drinking water. Is your underground tank old and Is your underground tank old and Is your underground tank old and Is your underground tank old and possibly leaking ? possibly leaking ? possibly leaking ? possibly leaking ? Is your tank over 15 years old? Older tanks have a greater chance of leaking. Is your tank metal? Most older tanks are not corrosion resistant. Have you checked the pipes, valves ? Have you checked the pipes, valves ? Have you checked the pipes, valves ? Have you checked the pipes, valves ? Piping, valves and fittings connected to tanks can be a major source of leaks. Leaks are easy to miss if the piping is underground. Should you check for leaks? Should you check for leaks? Should you check for leaks? Should you check for leaks? YES! YES! YES! YES! An inexpensive way to check for leaks is to check the fuel level over time. Check tanks once a month and compare readings to deliveries and use. Tanks used for heating fuels are best tested in the summer. Check tank twice a month to see if levels remains constant during the non-heating season. You can normally see leaks from aboveground tanks, however, if your tank is in contact with the ground, you may miss that leak until it is too late. Do You Own an Do You Own an Do You Own an Do You Own an Aboveground Tank? Aboveground Tank? Aboveground Tank? Aboveground Tank? Do you have the right kind of Do you have the right kind of Do you have the right kind of Do you have the right kind of aboveground tank for your location? aboveground tank for your location? aboveground tank for your location? aboveground tank for your location? Tall, vertical tanks are designed for indoor use. They are subject to tipping and should be located on a solid, stable base or footing, such as a concrete basement floor. If your tank is located outside, you should be using a horizontal tank or a skid tank. Both these tanks are stable in an outdoor environment and will not tip over. They should also be placed on a concrete pad or stable footings. Are your tanks protected from accidents Are your tanks protected from accidents Are your tanks protected from accidents Are your tanks protected from accidents and damage? and damage? and damage? and damage? Tanks should be placed on a solid, stable base. Do not store items near tanks and piping. Protect your tank from vehicular damage. How do you prevent spills ? How do you prevent spills ? How do you prevent spills ? How do you prevent spills ? The most common cause of spills is overfilling. Spills from overfilling basement tanks can be prevented by installing a vent whistle or fill level indicator where the driver can see it. For tanks installed outside of your home a fill-level gauge is also recommended. Are your tanks contained? Are your tanks contained? Are your tanks contained? Are your tanks contained? Your best choice for containing an above ground tank is a dike. A dike is a box-like structure that can prevent leaks, spills and overfills from spreading. A dike may be prefabricated from steel or built out of concrete. Do not use concrete blocks.