Shed for storing diesel. Cheap floor that will contain spills.

[rogersmithiii]

I just bought a tractor, and want to keep 100 gallons of diesel to run the tractor.

I plan on using two, 55 gallon, steel barrels, and plan to build a shed to keep the snow and water off of the barrels. Plus, I want to get the fuel away from the house, so if there is a fire, it's not a nightmare.

I'd like to put something under these two barrels so if they started leaking, I wouldn't have an environmental disaster.

What can I use as a floor that will support the barrels, not rot out, and contain a spill until I could clean it up?

Or should I just put them on patio blocks, and replace the barrels every two years?

I know I don't want them on bare dirt.

 

[jaydee325]

This is the type of thing they use in industry.

I'm sure you can find something similar for less money.

Overpacks, Drum Overpacks, 55 Gallon Drum Overpacks in Stock - ULINE

 

[TractorGuy]

I was using metal drums for 6 years with no real problems except they were forming rust inside as they sat with low levels. I had them on patio blocks under a shelter behind the house.

I just bought some plastic barrels from an employee of my fuel supplier. His boss said they have used some for 3 years without trouble. I set these on piece of plywood on top of my gravel floor. It's it the middle of my new barn away from the house so hopefully it won't come back to bite me.

 

[mcfarmall]

Just buy a plastic spill containment thing that you can set drums on. Look at U-Line for them.

 

[jaydee325]

Just buy a plastic spill containment thing that you can set drums on. Look at U-Line for them.

I screwed up the link in my post #2. I corrected that with a link to U-Line as I originally intended.

Sorry!!

 

[JethroB]

How about a water heater drip pan with a plug? Large ones are about 30” in diameter. $25 or so.

 

[DaveinValdez]

Why not just use plastic barrels?

 

[PILOON]

Why not just use plastic barrels?

I've stored my fuel in plastic for the last 10 - 12 years with 0 issues.

 

[rogersmithiii]

Ever come to mind how many houses wid oil heat store over a ton #2 oil inside house without spill container?

I know. Scares the rabbit droppings out of me.

 

[PILOON]

Ever come to mind how many houses wid oil heat store over a ton #2 oil inside house without spill container?

Nearby was a stone house that had 3 oil tanks in the basement area.
Three since the deliveries were not feasible during winter.

A fire occurred while a sitter was caring for 6 children and the sitter panicked and ran for neighbor help rather than remove the kids.
All six perished and were totally incinerated.
The end effect was like a crematorium.