gasoline storage

[todd_k]

So I had to buy gas today to fill up the lawnmower and now I don't know where to store it. I have a garage with a hot water that has a pilot light so I'm afraid to store gas in the garage due to any fumes. I don't have a shed so the only alternative I can think of is under the deck.....which I don't think is a good idea either. What should I do? The gas is stored in 2 plastic gas cans (one 5 gal and one 1 gal) that we recently bought.

 

[the_bird]

I wouldn't stress about the garage in the least. The cans are stored up tight, and unless they are right on top of the pilot light, by the time any fumes theoretically reached the pilot light, they've be so diffused I can't imagine there would be any risk. Relax!

 

[olllllo]

It's code here in AZ for the water heater to be raised up off the floor so that fumes won't be ignited. Your gas tank on your car could leak fumes just as easily as a plastic can.

I have an electric mower.

 

[olllllo]

I wouldn't stress about the garage in the least. The cans are stored up tight, and unless they are right on top of the pilot light, by the time any fumes theoretically reached the pilot light, they've be so diffused I can't imagine there would be any risk. Relax!

If the water heater is on the floor it can be disasterous.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_safety_electrical/article/0,1797,HGTV_3792_1389832,00.html

 

[DraconianHand]

Definitely do not store any flammable liquid inside, in your basement or in a location with a potential ignition source (even more so if the ignition source is near the ground). The majority of your flammable vapors and gases are heavier than air, so they will collect and pocket in low lying areas, such as your basement.

Outside is probably the best place to store it. Unless there is an ignition source under your deck, storage in this area shouldn't be a problem (although a detached shed would be ideal).

Storing gasoline in a listed/approved flammable liquid storage container with a spark arrestor is the safest container to keep gasoline in.

 

[the_bird]

I guess I'm working under the assumption of "detached garage" (what I'm used to); clearly a bad assumption, given that it's the water heater under discussion. I'll shut up now (even though I'd still keep the gas can in the garage )

 

[DraconianHand]

I guess I'm working under the assumption of "detached garage" (what I'm used to); probably a bad assumption for most of the country.

Ha! I was kind of assuming an attached garage.

Actually, the biggest danger from stored gasoline isn't from a leak (vapor or liquid), but from a spill. The liquid from a spill will only travel so far, but the vapors will continue to roll out for a good distance more. This is where your ignition source comes in.

Burn units are not fun places, unless you are into having dead flesh scrubbed off on a regular basis.

 

[Bernie Brewer]

There is a reason that the National Electric code requires that all receptacles in garages be at 48" or higher: So they don't ignite fumes which will settle near the ground.

 

[todd_k]

the garage is attached and the hot water heater is raised up off the garage floor. this was one of the items our home inspector specifically pointed out when we walked around the house.

 

[megavites]

Another thing to consider is that the new blends of gasoline with 15% Ethanol
suck up water over time. This then breaks down to other chemicals and will destroy rubber fuel lines over the long term. So don't leave your yard equipment,
snow blowers, etc. filled with fuel. Drain before storage.

 

[DraconianHand]

the garage is attached and the hot water heater is raised up off the garage floor. this was one of the items our home inspector specifically pointed out when we walked around the house.

With the water heater raised off the floor, you should be ok. SHOULD. My professional opinion would be that if you have someplace outside to store it, then keep it outside.

 

[DraconianHand]

Another thing to consider is that the new blends of gasoline with 15% Ethanol
suck up water over time. This then breaks down to other chemicals and will destroy rubber fuel lines over the long term. So don't leave your yard equipment,
snow blowers, etc. filled with fuel. Drain before storage.

I understand this is becoming a problem for boat owners. I don't have a boat, so I don't speak from experience. /

 

[todd_k]

oops, another possible storage place would be in the crawl space. Is ventilation an issue?

 

[the_bird]

If you're still listening to an idiot like me, I would say a definately "NO" to the crawl space. You can't have the fumes getting into the living space, absolutely not.

 

[DraconianHand]

Yes, good ventilation is preferred as it helps prevent the vapors from settling in the low spots (so NO to the crawlspace).

Under your deck sounds like the best place so far.

 

[fretman124]

Being of normal mind and sense.....I store mine outside next to the lawn mower. The can has a cap or two right? Close them to keep the water out. That way when the other 100 explosive chemicals in my garage with the gas water heater explodes, I don't add gasoline to the mix

 

[Cheesefood]

Does your garage have a door (other than the one(s) for the car) or a window? Place it next to there.

I'd say NO to the deck (smoking friends, grills, etc) and NO to indoors. Get a new gas can with a good fitting lid and keep it tight.

Honestly though, you're just as much at risk from the gas in your mower or blower, so don't worry too much.

 

[C3Candy]

I just keep my gasoline out side.

 

[dibby33]

I keep mine in the cellar beside my firework collection.



seriously (for a quick minute as beers kicking in nicely) i store my petrol (not gas, it is not gas, gas is not a liquid - that is silly) in 1 gallon cans in the cellar and make sure that they are out of the sunlight when the door opens. I try not to store the cans empty as that way less gas can build up in the cans.

on a lighter note (hee hee) I did have 15 litres of petrol that I did not know if it was was for four or two stroke usage so I took it to a stump fire my mate was having and kaboom. nice.

 

[DraconianHand]

my petrol (not gas, it is not gas, gas is not a liquid - that is silly)

True, petrol is not a gas, but since we are splitting hairs ...

[GEEK]

...liquids (as well as solids) do not burn (and the topic is related to the danger of storing a flammable liquid).

Only gases burn. Liquids must be raised to the point where they give off flammable vapors and solids must do the same thing through a process called pyrolisis.

[/GEEK]

 

[david_42]

Since your water heater is on a stand, I'd say store the gasoline in the garage. Most people have cars that use gasoline and they keep them in the garage. I keep my mower in the garage AND my motorcycle. Keep the can on the northern side, if possible, and away from the heater. And always re-fuel outside with the garage door shut.

 

[user 4295]

Have you considered using one of these Rubbermaid storage sheds? This one cost me around $150. I store the gas for my mower and my string trimmer in it, along with various yard items. It has a latch on it that allows you to secure it with a lock.

 

[olllllo]

Have you considered using one of these Rubbermaid storage sheds? This one cost me around $150. I store the gas for my mower and my string trimmer in it, along with various yard items. It has a latch on it that allows you to secure it with a lock.

I've been looking a these to store my burners, keggle, et al.

 

[todd_k]

Have you considered using one of these Rubbermaid storage sheds? This one cost me around $150. I store the gas for my mower and my string trimmer in it, along with various yard items. It has a latch on it that allows you to secure it with a lock.

Yes, I am considering one of those, my father just suggested the same thing to me in an e-mail. He also had a good point about storing gas in the garage, if I ever had a house fire or garage fire, the insurance company may frown upon storing gas in the garage. He said under the deck is the best option right now but make sure they're away from the gas grill, which they are. I don't have any friends who smoke so I don't have to worry about that and whoever wants to ash on my deck instead of in an ashtray or soda can can lick my left nut.