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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:34 pm
by Suggers
I use about 500litres every 2 years (min delivery) - tanker turned up this morning - said the rules have changed, and they are now not allowed to fill my 3x 205litre drums, even tho they're inside a barn and off the floor.
Looking for some advice as to my best options ?
Cheers.
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:05 pm
by 47p2
There are no specific legal requirements on how to store diesel or the quantity allowed either in workplaces or domestic premises. It is not, from a health and safety point of view, a particularly hazardous substance within the meaning of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 - its vapour flash point is too high. This means that its vapour will not ignite at normal room temperatures.
That said, there are some general issues you'll need to take into account:
no 'hotwork' should be performed on the vessel unless it is emptied and purged of any remaining vapour.
the drum should be positioned away from any source of direct heat.
the drum should be located in an area where there is no risk of collision with vehicles, fork-lift trucks etc. (diesel splashing onto a hot engine will probably ignite).
leaks and spills should be contained to the vicinity of the drum and mopped up quickly, to lessen the risk of slipping.
refilling and dispensing activities need to take account of manual handling issues etc.
While diesel is not a particularly dangerous substance from a health and safety point of view, it is an environmental hazard, with considerable clean-up costs if it should leak into a drain, watercourse or the soil. You may, therefore, wish to contact the Environment Agency for further information .
Taken from the Health & Safety Executive website
Hope this helps
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:06 pm
by Tommy
I thought ''hotwork' as they say, should be done when it's full, especially in petrol tanks, I suppose it's less of a risk with diesel vapour
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:01 pm
by GB_Groundworks
we've got a 2000 ltr bunded tank at our yard, its elevated and gravity fed. but we get 45 gallon drums (205 ltr) delivered to sites, been looking at a towable fuel bowser. you'll be able to either pick up a bunded tank either plastic or metal fairly cheap or just buy the drums from the supplier ours charges £5 per drum returnable on collection.
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:16 pm
by dig dug dan
Your not too far away from leighton buzzard road, and there is a place there called revolution oil. they will delivery barrels of red diesel and take the old ones away.
Kick the other company into touch. their loss!
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:44 pm
by msh paving
you can fill a 1000l IBC with red diesel,they would not fill 45gallon drums for me 3 years ago,due to possible overflow , MSH 
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:55 pm
by Suggers
Thanks for all replies - v. helpful -
Dan - will give Revolution a bell tomorrow. Were they the lot that blew up Hemel ? :laugh:
MSH - have found this co. - a 600L IBC would do me...
Recycled containers.
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:55 pm
by henspeed
I thought the regs had recently changed on fuel storage and anything over 200ltrs had to be stored in a bunded tank.
See link below for more explanation.
http://www.oilstorageregs.co.uk/
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 6:45 pm
by Pablo
The regs aren't for Health and safety they're to prevent any environmental contamination which means they're written by a different agency than the H&S.
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 5:39 pm
by Suggers
Thanks for the pointer to Revolution, Dan - am now sorted - will also be buying my heating oil from them in future....