GENERAL INFORMATION
FUEL HANDLING PRECAUTIONS 1
FUEL HANDLING PRECAUTIONS
General
The following information provides basic precautions
which must be observed if petrol (gasoline) is to be
handled safely. It also outlines other areas of risk
which must not be ignored. This information is
issued for basic guidance only, and if in doubt
appropriate enquiries should be made of your local
Fire Officer.
Petrol - Gasoline
Petrol/gasoline vapour is highly flammable and in
confined spaces is also explosive and toxic.
When petrol/gasoline evaporates it produces 150
times its own volume in vapour which when diluted
with air becomes a readily ignitable mixture. The
vapour is heavier than air and will always fall to the
lowest level. It can readily be distributed throughout
a workshop by air currents; consequently, even a
small spillage of petrol/ gasoline is potentially very
dangerous.
Always have a fire extinguisher containing FOAM,
CO2, GAS or POWDER close at hand when
handling or draining fuel or when dismantling fuel
systems and in other areas where fuel containers
are stored.
Always disconnect the vehicle battery before
carrying out dismantling or draining work on a fuel
system.
Whenever petrol/gasoline is being handled, drained
or stored or when fuel systems are being
dismantled, all forms of ignition must be
extinguished or removed; any leadlamps must be
flameproof and kept clear of spillage.
WARNING: No one should be permitted to
repair components associated with
petrol/gasoline without first having
specialist training.
Fuel tank drainage
WARNING: Petrol/gasoline must not be
extracted or drained from any vehicle
whilst it is standing over a pit.
Draining or extraction of petrol/gasoline from a
vehicle fuel tank must be carried out in a well
ventilated area.
The receptacle used to contain the
petrol/gasoline must be more than adequate for
the full amount of fuel to be extracted or drained.
The receptacle should be clearly marked with its
contents, and placed in a safe storage area
which meets the requirements of local authority
regulations.
CAUTION: When petrol/gasoline has been
extracted or drained from a fuel tank the
precautions governing naked lights and
ignition sources should be maintained.
Fuel tank removal
When the fuel line is secured to the fuel tank outlet
by a spring steel clip, the clip must be released
before the fuel line is disconnected or the fuel tank is
removed. This procedure will avoid the possibility of
residual petrol fumes in the fuel tank being ignited
when the clip is released.
As an added precaution fuel tanks should have a
’PETROL (GASOLINE) VAPOUR’ warning label
attached to them as soon as they are removed from
the vehicle.
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