Safe fuel storage

[red feather 10]

Looking for safe fuel storage systems. Currently fuel is stored in the troop trailer and churches barn. Any input would be appreciated.

 

thanks

 

yis

[BartHumphries 10]

http://www.ci.st-joseph.mo.us/fire/locations.cfm should give you all the information you need to find out any applicable laws and guidelines for where you live.

 

It should probably be stored in a locked clearly marked container that might need to be airtight depending on whether you're storing liquid or gas fuel. You may need to display an NFPA 704 warning label on the door -- for instance if you're storing kerosene or gasoline and a fire broke out, then it would be a horrible idea for firefighters to start shooting water at the burning building.

NFPA 704 placards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFPA_704

 

You might need to maintain chemical safety datasheets on whatever it is that you're storing. so that if a tank is cracked and people are breathing it in or if it spills on someone or whatever then people who are unfamliiar with whatever you're storing will know what to do about it. Your church should already have a material safety data packet for any cleaning supplies, etc., that are stored in the building -- talk to your building maintenance person about that.

 

Those are things that are generally required by various national standards -- your state/county/city might have additional requirements and someone whose job it is to know about those things can fill you in on whatever you need to know.

 

If you're storing commercially purchased fuel containers (for gas stoves, for instance), you can probably get a material safety data sheet from the manufacturer or from whoever you bought the product from.

[rdclements 10]

OK, so reading this thread last week prompted me into a discussion with my local fire marshal. How your unit handles fuels and the related hazards could be a great safety training opportunity.

 

In the quantities used by home owners and scout units, warning labels are usually not required - check with your local officials. Commercial businesses that use a lot of fuel are what the fire pros are primarily concerned about. A 20lb LP cylinder is a typical backyard item around here. Many troop trailers and scout storage buildings likely contain a few 20lb cylinders as well as some smaller bottles.

 

While placards are not required, your local fire fighters would likely appreciate knowing what you've got stored away. Knowing that there is gasoline or propane in that building or trailer will factor into how they respond to a fire.

 

Review how your unit stores this type of stuff - safety is not an accident.

[red feather 10]

Thanks for the input, good info. Will be talking to the PLC this coming Monday to start the process.

 

Thanks again

 

yis

red feather

[eisely 13]

Ironically, in the really old days, this used to be covered in the Boy Scout Handbook and one needed to know this stuff in order to advance in rank. Requirements have gotten more complex over time. The best solution is a separate storage shed of some kind, sufficiently distant from other structures, dedicated to this purpose and properly marked. However, many families and scout units do not have the necessary land available for this kind of thing.

[MasterJ 10]

Hi all.

This info is really good. Cheers