Setting up gasoline storage tank(s)

[zmoz]

Out of curiosity; why doesn't Oregon allow people to pump their own gas?

I'm not completely sure, but I believe it was an effort to create more jobs. Diesel is self serve, and, you're allowed to pump your own gas into a motorcycle. (but not a boat, gas can, etc) Makes total sense, right?

Besides the local regulations; I'd check your lease for clauses concerning flammable/hazardous materials storage, even if it was an auto body shop before you got it.

Yeah...the lease states that I cannot store gasoline UNLESS I get approval from the landlord, BUT, it also says approval cannot be reasonably withheld if I demonstrate that it will be stored safely and within all laws. That's what I have to do.

As for the fire marshal having a cow...if he's conscientious about his job, he will. I inquired with our local fire marshal about storing 55-gallons of diesel in a drum sitting inside a yellow plastic containment vessel inside fire marshal approved flammable liquid storage cabinet that would reside in my garage. I even emailed him pictures of what products I intended to use, and he still advised against it.

That's why I'm asking for advice here, and I will carefully word my questions to the fire marshal to get answers to the law, not advice or opinions. Hopefully.

 

[rswyan]

Yeah - they wanted me to lease a fancy double wall tank they setup for construction sites, but I wasn't interested in their price.

What was the cost ?

 

[MarkV]

I'll be pretty surprised if the Fire Marshall will approve inside storage of 200 gallons of gas. If there were a structure fire I don't think they would be wanting to fight it with that much accelerant in there. It would also seem like you could run into some real liability issues with anything less than approved containers.

MarkV

 

[LBrown59]

Actually looking at your setup is one of the reasons I wanted to use drums..
I wish gas was as easy to store as diesel.

I'm with you on that.
If it was I'd simply add enough drums so that adding enough gasoline to the diesel order would equal the min order for home delivery.
Anybody on TBN all ready doing that ?

 

[zmoz]

What was the cost ?

About 50 bucks a month.

It would also seem like you could run into some real liability issues with anything less than approved containers.

"Approved" by who? The only certification I've ever seen on a gas tank was from the DOT, and it just so happens the DOT has no authority inside my shop.

Like I said before, I can go buy four drums of 110 octane race gas (at $405 each!) and load them into the back of my pickup, and store them in my shop, can I not? Where do the racers store their drums of gas? Is it somehow different because I only want 91 octane?

In fact, the place that sells race gas in drums, has it stocked inside a warehouse not dissimilar from mine...
SUNOCO RACE FUEL 110 OR METHANOL GALLONS OR DRUMS
Is there something special about those Sunoco drums? Maybe I should just buy a few empties from him?

 

[MarkV]

About 50 bucks a month.


"Approved" by who? The only certification I've ever seen on a gas tank was from the DOT, and it just so happens the DOT has no authority inside my shop.

Like I said before, I can go buy four drums of 110 octane race gas (at $405 each!) and load them into the back of my pickup, and store them in my shop, can I not? Where do the racers store their drums of gas? Is it somehow different because I only want 91 octane?

In fact, the place that sells race gas in drums, has it stocked inside a warehouse not dissimilar from mine...
SUNOCO RACE FUEL 110 OR METHANOL GALLONS OR DRUMS

You may be right and I know nothing about racing gas. What I would question is if something were to happen, would your insurance or the buildings owners insurance be OK with 200 gallons of gas stored inside? Your insurance agent seems like the first place to check.

A quick Google search seems to indicate that most areas have regulations when it comes to storing more than 25 gallons of gasoline. Even with 25 gallons it must be in approved containers no larger than 5 gallons. Of course that is just what I am reading and I'll look forward to hearing what you find out.

MarkV

 

[zmoz]

I'm still not sure if they have specific regulations about how to store it, but I looked up all the permitted land uses for my specific industrial zoning in my city. They say I'm allowed to "store or wholesale" up to 600 gallons of "fuel".

The place next to me is the local school bus contractor and I can see their big refueling tank from my front door, but it's diesel, and it looks like a really expensive double wall tank. There has been more than one "issue" with people trying to steal fuel out of this tank at night...

I will definately talk with local officials first, but, as you guys have pointed out I have to word my questions very carefully and come to them having some knowledge about the issue. Something like "If I wanted to store a few drums of fuel for my race car where should I put them?"

 

[rswyan]

About 50 bucks a month.

Yeah ..... that's kinda dear ...

Of course, I'm saying that from the vantage point of not knowing what an EPA/OSHA-approved double wall tank currently costs .....

I once purchased a single-wall 550 gallon steel skid tank (for waste oil) .... as I recall the price was somewhere around a buck a gallon .... but then that was more than 20 years ago

BTW - did you ask if you can just purchase a tank outright ? (the problem with doing so is that the tank may have to be inspected and re-certified periodically)

"Approved" by who? The only certification I've ever seen on a gas tank was from the DOT, and it just so happens the DOT has no authority inside my shop.

Yeah, well .... they may not (they do have authority over you and your vehicle if you are using it on the public highways) .....

But EPA and OSHA probably do ....

You ain't talking about a "gas tank" (as in a vehicle) - you talking about an "above-ground petroleum storage tank" ....... different animal .....

Think EPA and OSHA .... not DOT.

Like I said before, I can go buy four drums of 110 octane race gas (at $405 each!) and load them into the back of my pickup .....

..... and drive it somewhere, loaded ? :shocked:

Ahhhh .... do you have at least a Class C CDL with a Hazmat endorsement ?

At the point you load four 55 gallon drums of gasoline into your truck, it will contain roughly 1364 pounds of a Class III Flammable Liquid ... and your vehicle is now loaded with a placardable amount of Hazardous Material (Actually, in the case of gasoline, you hit that threshold just a little bit after you started filling the 3rd drum) .....

..... and you have just caused your truck to become a Commercial Motor Vehicle ..... subject to regulation by the DOT.

Under 49 CFR 173.6 (Hazardous Materials - Materials of Trade Exception), the maximum limit for transporting small quantities of gasoline is no more than 8 gallons per container, with the total weight of all hazardous materials not exceeding 440 pounds. And it must be transported in a red metal UL listed safety can.

Any quantity of gasoline greater than 8 gallons per container must comply fully with hazmat regulations.

Gasoline carried in quantities per container greater than 8 gallons per container must also comply with the following:

1. The package/container must be marked on one side as follows:
Gasoline
UN1203

2. The package/container must be labeled with a class 3, flammable liquid label.

3. Shipping Papers must be carried along with an MSDS sheet for gasoline.

Gasoline carried in excess of 119 gallons must comply with items 1-3 above as well as the following:

1. The driver must obtain a Commercial Drivers License with a hazardous materials endorsement.

2. The vehicle must be placarded with the appropriate placard.

Other regulations may apply as well.

Where do the racers store their drums of gas?

Why don't you ask them ......

Is it somehow different because I only want 91 octane?

Nope - octane doesn't play any role whatsoever.

In fact, the place that sells race gas in drums, has it stocked inside a warehouse not dissimilar from mine...

They may or may not be legal ....

Generally, just because I happen to observe someone else doing something, doesn't necessarily mean I'm gonna do it myself ....

Is there something special about those Sunoco drums? Maybe I should just buy a few empties from him?

Maybe ....

 

[MikeD74T]

zmoz, Contact a company that services gas pumps. They are usually private companies & will have all the materials/regulation information you need. MikeD74T

 

[zmoz]

Actually, yeah, I do have a hazmat driver with all the paperwork...but that was just theoretical. I do not plan on delivering my own gas...I'm just saying anyone is allowed to go buy a drum of it...maybe not legal, but I would guess most of those drums end up in a small time racer's garage.

My point being if I can have one drum of fuel, I can probably have four. But maybe I'm wrong, I don't know...

It would definately be different *IF* this was a residential area and *IF* it was attached to a dwelling. The allowable uses of my industrial building are pretty broad, and include all kinds of things I would be arrested for at my house.