The link above to US Plastics barrels indicates that the food grade polyethylene barrels are NOT for fuels and oils. Digging further on their site I found tanks (not DOT approved BTW) that are for fuels and oils and are of HDPE (high density polyethylene) or CLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) -- but the prices are dramatically higher. Bottom line still is: cheap plastic barrels are NOT for fuel storage! Regular PE may work -- for a while. Maybe a long while. But there are good reasons they are labelled not for fuel/oils. It may only mean dissolved plastic clogging your injectors or it may mean a 55 gallon HazMat spill and a dozen or so cubic yards of contaminated soil to "dispose" of (I say "dispose" because all you get is a kind of "perpetual cemetary space" -- if it leaks later, it's still "yours" to clean up.
VistanTN
PS Whatever you use for fuel storage, do your local firefighters a favor. 1. Talk to them so they can fire plan your property and know where the fuel is. 2) Mark the container or stand with the appropriate HazMat number so they know what they are dealing with if you have a fire. 3) They may well tell you in more graphic terms than I have why they don't like your plastic drum. If so they may "suggest" that if you want them to fight the fire, you'd better change containers. I've been in their position and there were things like this that caused us to just sit back and watch it burn -- protect other property, but not risk our lives in a dangerous and hopeless situation (any of the PE's will just contribute to the fire, along with your diesel, but the HDPE and CLPE at a somewhat slower rate ...) 4) If you insist on plastic, or even if you don't and you have more than a 5 gallon can, you might want to consider a seperate building or shed away from other property -- a "sacrificial lamb" if the worst happens. Separation distance will depend on the quantity and type of fuel stored and the prevailing winds but it is another good option (your insurance company might even give you a break on your proerty insurance -- or forego charging you the higher rate of a non-UL approved fuel depot).
The recycling markings may help tell what you have:
(1) PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate is a transparent plastic with good gas barrier properties. It is also relatively cheap and strong. This makes it especially suitable for producing soft drink bottles.
(2) HDPE - High Density Polyethylene is another plastic commonly used for drink bottles. It is translucent and strong with a good resistance against chemicals. Pigments are used to add colour to HDPE bottles.
(3) PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride is frequently used for drainage pipes because of its superior chemical resistance. It also a good insulator and is used for cable jacketing.
(4) LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene is a tough and highly flexible plastic that is used for producing plastic bags, cable jacketing and bottles. Other applications include products that can be heat sealed.
(5) PP - Polypropylene is a strong and light plastic. It has a relatively high melting point and is used in products exposed to high temperatures. These include yogurt and ice cream containers that are filled while hot.
(6) PS - Polystyrene is rather stiff and rigid. In this form, it is used in disposable cutlery and CD jewel cases. Packing foam is also produced by blowing air bubbles into PS while it is still setting.
My note: This stuff makes plastic "soup" when in contact with gasolene.
(7) Other - This designation is used for plastic products that do not fall into any of the other catagories. Further sorting of these items is required at recycling centres. An example is melamine, which is often used in plastic plates an cups.
