The next step

To the BCGA Guidance Notes

[]

Risk assessment - use and storage of petrol

[Document]

Where to keep your petrol cans?

Misconception

Putting flammable liquids in a gas store is a common mistake but an understandable one. After all, a properly constructed gas cylinder store will be well ventilated, locked, kept away from building entrances and boundaries and protected from accidental damage by vehicles. Plus it will display warning signs such as “No smoking” and “Warning, flammable gases” or similar. On first impressions this is a safe place to keep your petrol. But there’s a further consideration.

Heat source

As explained by BOC, one of the largest suppliers of compressed gases, it’s rare for gas cylinders to be the cause of fire. However, if involved in a fire they are potentially dangerous regardless of what they contain. This is because heating causes the pressurised gas inside a cylinder to expand. If exposed to very high temperatures for a prolonged period, the pressure may increase until the cylinder explodes, or the contents are forcibly ejected from the valve, sending the cylinder at great speed in the opposite direction. Cylinders have been known to break through roofs and travel more than 100 metres in such circumstances.

Industry guide

It’s due to this risk during a fire that LPG cylinder stores must be sited at least three metres away from combustible materials. Advice from the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) states that stores must be free from litter, leaves and other substances which could catch fire (see The next step ).

Note. The BCGA guidance is established within the industry and referred to by inspectors and the courts. You should therefore regard it as compulsory despite the fact that it does not form part of any legislation.

What to do

Tip 1. Only retain the minimum quantity of petrol you require. Keep it in UN-approved containers marked with the words “Petrol” and “Highly flammable” . They must also have a warning label: “No naked flames” and “No smoking” .

Tip 2. Ideally your small quantities of petrol should be kept in a secure outbuilding in a metal container with a lid. A bespoke flammable liquids cupboard could be purchased, and is essential if you have no choice but to keep your cans in the workplace. Ensure that the bin or cupboard is not sited on the only escape route and that there is a dry powder extinguisher within ten metres. The cupboard must also have a warning sign “Highly flammable” .

Tip 3. The place you select for storing your petrol must be well ventilated and away from sources of ignition, e.g. power sockets. To achieve this many businesses choose to purchase a heavy flamvault which they site externally.

Assess your own arrangements for the use and storage of petrol against our example risk assessment (see The next step ).

For a link to the BCGA Guidance Notes and an example risk assessment, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 14.02.07).