What Are The Safety Tips Involved With The Handling Of Fuel Storage Tanks?

July 20, 2020 Safety Tips

Oil products such as gasoline, diesel, biofuel, lubricants, and engine oil are essential to industries, factories, and construction sites. They need proper storage to maintain fuel quality and quantity. A fuel tank is a large container made out of either metal or plastic used for the storage of oil-based products. These fuel tanks exist in different capacities, shapes, and sizes. When we talk about commercial uses of fuel, quick and easy access is of the utmost importance. For example, manufacturing factories might need fuel to operate their manufacturing equipment, or they might need it to run generators, in case of a power outage.

 

That said, these factories and plants need to consider a lot of factors when it comes to handling these fuel storage tanks. We may think that it just needs filling up the fuel tank and placing it wherever they desire. If you are a factory owner who wants to know how to handle these fuel storage tanks, then you have come to the right place. This carefully collected information that we are presenting today will give you some tips to handle fuel storage tanks safely.

 

Store Fuel According To The Amount Needed
Your factory equipment may require a lot of fuel to run. It is a correct practice to have extra fuel around. However, storing more than the required amount can cause issues. Storing more fuel than needed can cause a lot of money and fuel wasted. Also, there is a possibility that the stored fuel may go bad over time if it sits idle in one place.

 

Industrial grade fuel tanks are humongous, and they can store a high volume of fuel. Consider buying a fuel tank that can hold the required amount and not more than that. For example, if your factory equipment requires 1000 gallons every month, then you should buy a fuel tank that can store 1100-1200 gallons. Going all out and buying a fuel tank with a 2000 gallon capacity is an expensive investment, and it is something that you should avoid. You can read more about fuel tanks and how they work by doing some research on the internet to come up with safe decision-making.

 

Use Approved Storage Tanks, And Follow Strict Storage Guidelines
You might buy a fuel storage tank from a provider who is unknown in the market but is offering you a discount. As tempting as it may seem, there is always a chance that this unknown provider will sell you a fuel tank that is unbranded and unreliable. Storing fuel in an unreliable fuel tank can contaminate your fuel, decreasing its quality. These unbranded fuel tanks are greatly affected by the environmental conditions of the storage space also.

 

A good practice is to buy a fuel tank from a well-known, reputable company. Along with the fuel tank, they give you an instructions manual that you should follow to ensure fuel quality for a long time. Also, consider storing the fuel in an area where the temperature is not too high or not too low. The quality of fuel is greatly affected by the conditions of the storage area.

 

Do Not Smoke Near A Fuel Tank
You might find it surprising that the number of people who smoke near a fuel source is in the thousands. Oil-based products such as gasoline, petroleum, and lubricants contain highly flammable chemicals. Fuels such as diesel and petrol let off fumes that can ignite if they get exposure to fire. Also, these fumes are hazardous for your health if they make their way inside your lungs.

 

Smoking near fuel tanks is a bad practice that can cause deadly injuries to you and your employees. If you smoke, do it in a well-ventilated area and away from all fuel sources. Something as little as tossing a lit cigarette bud near a fuel source can cause a big explosion, damage to your factory, and loss of human life.

 

Purge Your Fuel Tank Every Week
Storing fuel in a fuel tank for a long time can cause fumes to build up and pressurize the tank. When the fuel tank gets pressurized, it might end up popping the fuel cap of the tank due to the increase in pressure, which may cause you to lose fuel in the form of vapor. A good practice is to open your fuel cap once every week to let us the gases that might be increasing the pressure inside your fuel tank.

 

Storing a flammable substance like diesel or petrol is a big responsibility. As a factory owner, you not only have to worry about how your employees handle your on-site fuel tanks, you also have to worry about their health and safety. Incorrectly handling an oil-based product can cause many health hazards. It might lead to spillage of fuel, which in turn can cause a fire or many other different accidents. However, today we have shared with you some tips to handle fuel storage tanks, so it is a good idea that you consider these tips if you want to ensure proper handling of your fuel storage tanks.