Dedicated Fuel Storage Shed

[dave1949]

I am considering building a fuels storage shed to store diesel, gas, propane tanks, oxy-acetylene tanks, hyd. fluid, oil, etc. I'm sure alot of us have garages that are ticking time bombs.

The purpose would be to move all these out of the garage for fire safety and generally reducing fire hazards. Plus I think it could make fire fighters a whole lot safer if I ever had a building fire.

A well ventilated shed about 50' from any other building is what I had in mind. I would put a flamable hazard sign on each side for the benefit of any firemen - should I ever need them. I am not concerned much about theft.

Any ideas from firemen or others who have done this or are considering it?
Thanks, Dave.

 

[Trails2004]

You hit the nail on the head- "Well ventilated"

Good Luck with your project!

 

[Rickstir]

I am doing this next spring. I have to build a horse barn/pole building for the wife. After that I have an old concrete pad 20 yards west of the pole barn I keep my tractor in. This will be a 3 1/2 sided pole building, open along the top all around for ventilation. The half open side will be on the west, away from the pole barn. Most of it will be for implements but a portion will have all the fuels and fluids.

 

[jpm1]

I think its a great idea! My thought would be to invite the fire chief over and discuss it with him. Show him what you are storing and go from there. It would sure take some of the guess work and suprise from their job if they were needed.

 

[eepete]

I'm on our volunteer fire department here. Great idea! In addition to the ventilation, a little window on each side is nice. If it goes, you can pop the windows, blow water in one and the other is an exhaust. They could be as small as 2' square and 4-5' off the ground- useful and a reasonable deterrent to theft.

If your local Fire Department is volunteer, consider a $50 donation and when you either send it in or give it to them, tell them that if they had a chance you'd love for them to come out and make any suggestions that would make their life easier regarding design and placement. The donation is optional and it is not cheesy at all. If you then popped them even $25 a year, they would always know where you are. This is not better treatment for money, it's just that a donation is so rare that they will talk about it and go "Now where does he live?" and remember it. They will love to see your tractor, tools, etc and will remember the layout of your place. They may also make recommendations regarding parking, turn around areas and the like. What a win!

Finally, this will make a difference in how much you can salvage if your tractor barn/garage catches fire. Not having 15-20 gallons of fuel thrown into the event means that there is less super heat and slower spread of the fire. If you can put a temperature based fire sensor in both structures (your tractor barn and fuel building) the early warning means a much better chance of saving things. While I would never advocate using a garden hose to try to put out a structure fire, people do it and if you got caught up in the moment and did that the less fuel that is around the better. Safer for you and the fire fighters.

Finally, thanks for thinking about the safety of 1st responders as you create your personal infrastructure for tractoring!

Pete

 

[BXinNH]

When designing the ventilation in your fuel shed(s), remember that almost all flammable/combustible liquid vapors are heavier than air. Ventilation will be more effective at the bottom of the walls than at the top.
Matt.

 

[dave1949]

Thanks to all for the replies and good ideas.

Per eepete's idea, I have thought of talking to the local fire chief before I get started, all volunteer here too. They can always use funds for equipment maintenance.

I know I would feel I improved the overall safety for everyone by getting the accelerants out of the tractor garage. The volunteer firemen are guys who donate a good bit of time and energy to their communities. It's good to think about their safety too.

Dave.

 

[Cidertom]

(Putting on Chiefs hat)
If I were to offer advice on the subject it would be:

Protect from ground fire; Put some non-combustible barrier around site so a simple grass fire can't get to it.

Fuel away from the fuel bunker; So any accidental fire from fueling can't flash back to the shed.

Put appropriate NFPA 704 symbol on it so responders can see what it is, and act accordingly.

Have a 40+ B Exitinguisher in the area, not at the site.

Thank you for considering the issues.

(taking off Chiefs hat)

Cidertom

 

[dave1949]

Thanks CiderTom.

Good idea to have a ground buffer around it. I will probably use gravel/driveway stone. Thanks for the NFPA 704 and extinguisher info too.
Dave.

 

[powerstroke444e]

From an insurance stand point I really like seeing all gas and fuel out of the shed.
Personal after having a few clients burn there house down from spilling gas in the garage I moved all my gas, paint thinner and diesel out to a portable shed. We did this on our farm also, now its second nature to keep them out of the shop, and makes me nervous when I go in other people's shops and see open vented gas cans just setting in the corner.