They are certified EPA spillproof leakproof kidproof red plastic gasoline cans. Gas goes in. Never comes out.
The only opening is the spout. It has special "engineering" to not let the gas out. Gas only develops about 20psi when heated under the hot sun so that's not enough to blow up the can
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There was a test of the Blitz cans on the web (gotta dig for it) which showed absolutely zero weight loss (they measure weight not volume) for a can out in the sun for a year IIRC. When compared to the "vented" can, the Blitz won.
Of course, it's a B*TC* to get the gasoline OUT of the can, but that's a whole nother topic.
The pool is the other part. It isn't so much the heat. When the cig is in the pool, the vapor concentration at the ember is most likely not right to light off. There is really not all that large of a range when vapor isn't too rich or too lean.
EPA web site says nothing about any specific volume for long term gasoline storage.
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Using and Storing Gasoline In the summer, lots of portable containers are used to store and transport fuels for lawnmowers, chainsaws and recreational vehicles. These portable containers can emit hydrocarbons; in addition, spills can leak into ground water. Here are some tips to follow to reduce these concerns:
Use Proper Containers Use only containers approved by a nationally recognized testing lab, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Containers should be fitted with a spout to allow pouring without spilling and to minimize the generation of vapors. Always open and use gasoline containers in a well-ventilated area away from children and animals.
Fill Cautiously Fuel equipment on a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt and use a funnel and/or spout to prevent spilling or splashing when fueling lawn and recreational equipment and always fuel outside where there is adequate ventilation to disperse the vapors
Store Carefully Store as little gasoline as possible and be certain to keep your gasoline container properly sealed. Store the gasoline in a cool, dry place and never in direct sunlight. Store at ground level to minimize the danger of falling and spilling. Do not store gasoline in a car trunk. There is a threat of explosion from heat and impact. Do not store gasoline in your basement.
Avoid Spills Avoid spilling gasoline on the ground, especially near wells. If a small spill occurs use kitty litter, saw dust or an absorbent towel to soak up the spill, then dispose of it properly Dispose Properly Do not dispose of gasoline down the drain, into surface water, onto the ground, or in the trash. You should check with your town concerning using your local household hazardous waste collection for safe disposal of excess or old gasoline.
OSHA says the cans need to be 5 gallons or less in order to transport.
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But they say nothing about how many you can transport at the same time or where you have to put the cans.
Here's what it says.
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.152(a)(1) states "Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5 gallons or less.
Anytime the word "shall" is used in a regulation, it means that this rule is mandatory and must be followed.
What is an approved safety can or DOT gas can?
A safety can is (29CFR1926.155(1) an approved, closed container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a flash arresting screen, spring closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure.
Approval is given by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, for example, Underwriters' Laboratory, Inc.
Gas cans can only display DOT approval markings when they meet stringent Department of Transportation requirements. Here is where it gets confusing, inexpensive plastic gas cans may meet EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) requirements, but they do NOT meet DOT rules. Some gas cans may say they meet CARB spill-proof regulations in certain states or AQMD (Air Quality Management District) rules. Again, this doesn't help when trying to comply with OSHA. None of these other regulatory agencies are the same as DOT. They are not interchangeable.
If your head isn't already spinning, one last point. If you are looking for a UL "approval", you will see the following words on the product, UL Listed. If your can has a UL Classified marking, this is not the same as UL Listed (approved). If you want more information about UL markings, go to
If you're going to get nitpicky, I will too. A BLEVE is a mechanical explosion; it does not require combustion at all. Water can BLEVE in the right container, as the Mythbusters have proven.
1926.152(a)(1): Approved safety cans or Department of Transportation approved containers shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities of 5 gallons or less ...
1926.152(b)(1): No more than 25 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids shall be stored in a room outside of an approved storage cabinet ...
1926.152(b)(2): Quantities of flammable and combustible liquid in excess of
25 gallons shall be stored in an acceptable or approved cabinet meeting the following requirements ...
1926.152(b)(3): Not more than 60 gallons of flammable or 120 gallons of combustible liquids shall be stored in any one storage cabinet. Not more than three such cabinets may be located in a single storage area. Quantities in excess of this shall be stored in an inside storage room.
State: Transition Date: Full Compliance Date California Jan-01-00 Jan-01-01 Phase II regulation: Jul-01-07 Delaware Jan-01-02 Jan-01-03 Maryland Jan-01-02 Jan-01-03 New York Jan-01-02 Jan-01-03 Pennsylvania Jan-01-02 Jan-01-03 Maine Jan-01-03 Jan-01-04 Virginia Jan-01-05 (specific counties only) Connecticut May-01-04 May-01-05 Washington DC Jan-01-05 Jan-01-06 New Jersey Jan-01-05 Jan-01-06 Texas Jan-01-06 New Hampshire Mar-01-06 Mar-01-07 Ohio Jul-01-07 Massachusetts Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is awaiting implementation of the U.S. EPA nation-wide Portable Fuel Container Rules scheduled for January 2009. Rhode Island Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is awaiting implementation of the U.S. EPA nation-wide Portable Fuel Container Rules scheduled for January 2009. Vermont The VT DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation) is awaiting implementation of the U.S. EPA nation-wide Portable Fuel Container Rules scheduled for January 2009. Illinois The IEPA is currently awaiting implementation of the U.S. EPA nation-wide Portable Fuel Container Rules scheduled for January 2009. National EPA Administrator signed proposed rule similar to CARB's revised rules. Implementation date is January 2009
Actually, the possibility of a leak might be a bigger risk than any fire hazard.
Your neighbor doesn't know how leak proof your containers are. You might be able to prove it to him.
But think about it. If he has a well, and you drip a little gasoline into the groundwater, he just lost his water supply.
Even if no well, if you contaminate the groundwater under his property, he can no longer sell his house. You're probably liable for his property loss as well as an environmental cleanup.
And if you're storing your gasoline perfectly, but the guy before you dripped gasoline into the groundwater, you may have trouble proving it wasn't you.
Of course that's true if you keep your gas cans in the shed too. But your neighbor won't know.
Transportation of Hazardous Materials - Recent Laws & Regulations
HM-200; TITLE:"Hazardous Materials in Intrastate Commerce; Technical Amendments"; Final Rule; Effective Date 02/18/98; Published 02/18/98; 63 FR
8140.
SUMMARY: On January 8, 1997, RSPA published a final rule which amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to expand the scope of the regulations to all intrastate transportation of hazardous materials. ... In this final rule, RSPA is: Correcting a date for States to develop legislation authorizing certain exceptions recognized in the HMR; clarifying packaging requirements for hazardous materials transported for agricultural operations; correcting size requirements for identification number markings; and clarifying that the provisions for use of non-specification cargo tanks apply to transportation of gasoline.
Don't know about storage. Others are citing rules. I keep plastic 5 gallon, 2 gallon and 1 gallon containers in my garage, tucked away under the workbench. One of each. The 2 gallon is for filling the lawn mower. Easy to handle and not spill gas. The 1 gallon has the 2-cycle mix for the weed whacker. The 5 gallon only comes out to replenish the others. As to your question, the simple answer is one at a time. No reason you have to transport all the gas at once. Though I don't see moving 4 5-gallons jugs in the trunk as an issue if they are reasonably secured and you don't travel far. But I'm less than half a mile from a gas station. If I had to travel more than a couple miles I'd probably carry one at a time. When I do the yearly half-mile trip with my 3 jugs it's a dedicated trip and I'm aware of what's in the trunk the entire time.
Just curious-- Do you ever weld, solder, grind, hammer metallic things, or use power tools at that workbench?
I keep a 10-20 gallons gas in my garage, too-- but it is in a no-work zone between two garage doors. Even at that I think I would be smart to move it to its own little shed.
Yep, doodlebuggers (oil exploration crew members) often rammed a stick of dynamite in the ground, lit the end, and made coffee. The stuff burns like a railroad flare, though not as violently (or smelly).
Right. The reason for "No Smoking" signs around gasoline is not so much that the cigarette will ignite the fumes as it is the CIGARETTE LIGHTER will ignite the fumes.
To be fair, what the signs SHOULD say is: "No lighting of cigarettes around here"
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