Fuel Storage

Fuel storage is an issue for RVers, OHVers, and campers.  In order to be prepared for spontaneous outings and to use our RVs or camping supplies in a disaster situation, we need to store some fuel at home, assuming we can do it legally and safely.  There are some jurisdictions that place limitations on the types and amounts as well as methods of storage for fuel.  Most suburban residences routinely store a can of gas for lawnmowers and propane for their BBQs.  Most homeowners probably aren't storing it properly.

Keeping the fuel tanks on your RV full in storage is usually a recommended practice.   There are seldom any prohibitions on parking a vehicle with a full gas tank.  While a full gas tank represents a greater source of combustible materials if the vehicle catches fire, keeping it full reduces the chances of accidental ignition. It is the fumes that burn, not the liquid gasoline.  I have seen demonstrations of dropping match into a 1-gallon tin can filled to the top with gasoline and the match just goes out.   Do that with a 1-gallon tin with only about 1 inch of gasoline in the bottom and you'll get an explosive ignition!   Mythbusters did a demonstration blowing up cars with different levels of fuel.  Which one made the biggest, baddest, boom?  The one with an empty gas tank!  Regularly inspect your fuel tank and fuel lines to be sure there aren't any leaks.   This applies to the propane tank on all RVs, stoves, and BBQs as well as motor fuel tanks on motorhomes, tow vehicles, watercraft, and OHVs.

Safe storage of portable fuel containers is governed by both common sense and government regulations.   OSHA has very specific rules for the storage of flammable liquids, including paints and cleaning solvents as well as fuel.  Many cities have additional regulations regarding home storage of fuels so check with your own city before you begin hoarding propane cylinders or gas cans against a potential emergency.  Store flammable materials and corrosive materials in separate areas outside of your home.  And, no, an attached garage is not considered "outside your home".  This is where the average homeowner runs afoul of both fuel safety and (often) the law.  Fuel should be stored in a metal building, like a shed, separated from the structure containing your living quarters.  Keep in mind that gasoline does go bad over time.  Exposing it to hot temperatures in storage speeds evaporation and deterioration.

NEVER store fuel in anything but an approved container.  Gasoline and other petroleum products may react with many types of plastic which could cause an unsafe condition.   To see an accelerated demonstration of this, pour a little gasoline in a styrofoam cup.   Make sure you do this where the spill won't kill your grass or endanger structures because the cup will quickly melt and release the gasoline.  Other plastics, like milk and juice jugs may react more slowly, but the only containers you can be sure won't react are those approved for fuels.  There are different colored containers for gasoline (red) and diesel (yellow).  Water jugs are usually blue or green.   This will help you keep track of the proper fuels for different pieces of equipment and help you avoid mixing fuels.   Putting gasoline into a diesel engine or diesel fuel into a gasoline engine can cause serious problems.  Plastic gas cans designed for off-road use are usually square, making them more stable than standard "jerry" cans.  They can be equipped with a hose to make a convenient spout for filling your OHV.   For even more convenience and to prevent spills, you can screw a 2" long 1/2" plastic pipe nipple into the end of the hose and add a PVC pipe cap.  If you store mixed gas for 2-stroke engines like those found on OHVs, outboard motors, chain saws, and some garden equipment, label it with the fuel ratio so you will know which devices it can be used in.  Using mixture that is too rich will foul plugs; using a mixture that is too lean can cause the engine to seize.  And no engine runs well on the wrong mixture.

NEVER store portable fuel containers inside your RV or your residence.  Even storing them in your garage, as many people do, isn't a good idea.  For real safety, store them in a separate metal shed or cabinet outside.  This applies to spare tanks for your BBQ and to the 1 lb cylinders used to fuel camping equipment.  When you need to transport portable cylinders in your RV on camping trips, place them in an outside cabinet away from any source of heat or ignition.   You may need to crawl under your motorhome and inspect exhaust pipes from the engine and from the generator to make sure they don't come dangerously close to a cabinet where you plan to store fuel.  Make sure any tanks you carry are closed and not leaking.  There is no manual shut-off valve on 1-lb propane cylinders.  hey are designed to seal automatically when they are removed from appliances.   To be sure, sniff the top of the canister and/or spray it with a little soapy water to make sure it sealed correctly . There will usually be a little odor for a minute or so after disconnecting, but it should quickly go away.   Test it with soapy water to be sure.   If it is leaking, dispose of it properly and DO NOT put it back in your RV cabinet . Leaking fumes could accumulate until they reach the flash point, at which time any spark would cause an explosion!  If you have no place to dispose of it, leave it sitting outside until any sign of leakage is gone.  At that point either it has emptied or resealed itself and should no longer be dangerous.  Personally, I would mark such a container and dispose of it when I got home to avoid any future risk.   Or put it back into your stove, BBQ, or lantern, and use it up.  If you carry extra fuel for your RV or OHVs, carry in only in an approved container and keep it outside of your RV.   Gas can racks can often be mounted on the rear bumper of a motorhome or travel trailer. If you carry fuel in an enclosed OHV trailer, which is a fairly common practice, make sure the cans are tightly closed and leave some ventilation in the trailer (windows and/or roof vents) so fumes from any spills or leaks from gas cans or vehicles that may happen will dissipate before they reach the flash point.

When filling gas cans at a filling station, always remove them from your vehicle and put them on the ground.  Leaving them in the back of a pickup truck, in a trailer, or in the racks on your bumper may allow static electricity to build up during fueling which could cause a fire or explosion.   While we're on the subject of fueling safety, it goes without saying you should not smoke.  There is also a common myth that cell phones can cause fires while fueling. According to snopes.com, this is FALSE.  There has never been any documented evidence to support this claim.  Other sources of ignition, mostly static electricity, have been found at all incidents where a fire occurred while a customer was using a cell phone.   Here are some additional detailed guidelines about filling gas cans: Fill Gas Cans Carefully.

Safety First!