Storing Petrol - Isle of Man Government

Storing
Petrol
Good practice and sound advice
I s l e o f M a n
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading
Our officers can offer advice on
storage facilities for small or large
quantities of petrol, good practices,
separation distances, fire fighting
equipment, security and other safety
measures. They will inspect storage
facilities before a licence is issued.
Published by the Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading
Government Building
Lord Street • Douglas • Isle of Man • IM1 1LE
T: (01624) 686520 • F: (01624) 686504
E-mail: iomfairtrading@gov.im
www.gov.im/oft
ISSUED BY THE
ISLE OF MAN OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING

Do I need a licence to
store petrol?
You must obtain a licence from the Isle of
Man Office of Fair Trading if you store more
than 10 litres of petrol. This applies wherever
it is stored, e.g. at your home, place of work
or place of recreation.
An application form can be obtained from
the Office. Contact details are shown on reverse.
Why is a licence required?
Strict controls are applied in relation to the
storage of petrol to minimise the risk of fire,
explosion, death and serious personal injury.
It is a criminal offence to store petrol if the
requisite licence has not been obtained.
Why is petrol dangerous?
• Petrol is a highly flammable liquid.
• Petrol gives off a flammable vapour even at
low temperatures. Flammable vapour will be
present immediately after any petrol has
been spilt.
• There is always a risk of fire or explosion if
there is a source of ignition, e.g. someone
smoking, having a barbecue or welding, in
the presence of petrol or petrol vapour.
• It only needs a minute quantity, e.g. a
teaspoonful, of petrol to create a
flammable atmosphere.
• Petrol floats on the surface of water and can
increase the risk of fire or explosion well away
from where it escapes by travelling long
distances along a water course, e.g. a drain.
• The presence of petrol vapour increases the
risk of fire or explosion in places where there
is little movement of air, e.g. within
workshops, inspection pits or enclosed
spaces, as it does not disperse easily and
tends to sink to the lowest possible level.
• Petrol or petrol vapour can flash back over
long distances, e.g. across the floor of
a workshop.
• A flammable atmosphere may be present in
any empty vessel, e.g. a fuel tank or a jerry
can, in which petrol has been kept.
• Contaminating clothing or anything else that
is absorbent with petrol, e.g. rags, a towel or
sand, increases the risk of fire or explosion.
How should I store petrol?
There are a number of ways in which you can
minimise the risk of fire, explosion, death and
serious personal injury.
• Avoid storing excessive quantities of petrol.
• Store and carry petrol in specifically designed
plastic or metal containers e.g. jerry cans.
• In workplaces you should store petrol
containers inside a cabinet or storeroom of
30 minutes fire resistant construction, fitted with
precautions against spillage and clearly labelled:
“PETROLEUM SPIRIT – HIGHLY FLAMMABLE”.
• Keep all sources of ignition away from where
petrol is being handled or stored. Obvious
ignition sources include open flames, hot
surfaces and sparks from electrical, welding
or cutting equipment. Not so obvious
ignition sources include mobile phones,
sparks from footwear and static electricity.
• Store petrol well away from where people
work and live.
• Secure the storage facility against theft
and vandalism.
• Ensure that there is adequate ventilation
where petrol is being handled or stored.
• Ensure that the store has adequate and
appropriate fire fighting equipment and
adequate dry sand to soak up spillages.
• Take precautions to prevent the escape of
petrol or petrol vapour from where petrol is
being handled or stored, e.g. avoid spillages
by securely closing containers and avoid
splashes by using a funnel when petrol is
being transferred.