Yes, polyethylene plastic (especially a specific plastic oil drum) is safe for storing diesel fuel, although there are some limitations to how long it may be securely stored.
Storing less than 3,500 litres of oil at your home
You must follow the Building Regulations if you install a new or replacement oil container in your home, such as for central heating. Depending on how much oil you’re keeping, there are different rules.
Storing less than 30 litres of oil at home
You can store up to 30 litres of oil without informing anyone, whether you own a home, a car, a boat, or an airplane. When storing small amounts of oil, several storage containers are necessary, depending on the quantity:
Storing between 30 litres and 275 litres of oil at home
You can keep up to 275 litres of oil at home, but you must notify your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA) in writing, providing your name and address as the occupier of the storage space or the location where the oil is stored.
Storing between 275 litres and 3,500 litres of oil at home
At home, you can store between 275 and 3,500 litres of oil, but you’ll need a petroleum storage certificate and a license from your local PEA. This is non-transferable and will last up to three years. They may impose restrictions on how and where it is to be stored.
It is not permitted to be stored in your living quarters or pumped from an oil tank on your property.
Storing over 3,500 litres of oil at home
The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001, which also apply to enterprises, must be followed if you want to keep more than 3,500 litres of oil at home. We go through this in further detail further down.
Can you store fuel in an IBC?
If your company requires bigger quantities of fuels or lubricants but not enough to justify the cost of a stationary storage tank on-site. An IBC could be a good option if you need some flexibility in where your gasoline is stored or just need it for a short period of time.
An IBC can normally hold and store up to 1000L of fuel on-site, but it also has the added benefit of allowing you to transport the container and its contents if you have a suitable vehicle, such as a forklift truck. Another benefit is that they can be stacked one on top of the other, which might aid with storage if you only have a limited amount of space. This has the extra benefit of allowing the gasoline to be gravity fed into smaller Jerry cans or directly into the machine.
Your decision will be based mostly on your needs and how you intend to keep the fuel or lubricants on your premises. If you just need to keep fuel on your site for a limited period of time, either of these choices could be a good fit. The only difference between the two is the amount of fuel you plan to use on a regular basis.
If you intend to use more than 1000 gallons of fuel on a regular basis and require regular fuel delivery. You may discover that having many 205 litre drums on-site, or multiple IBCs, allows you to bulk buy fuel and save money in the long run. You may have no choice but to use this option if this is a temporary site.
However, for individuals who plan to stay at the location for an extended period of time, or perhaps permanently. If you expect your fuel use to rise over time, a larger fixed storage tank could be another choice.
What container can I put diesel in?
You can keep a little amount of diesel fuel in portable 5-gallon gas cans that you take to the gas station if you need to store it. You’ll need specific storage containers for greater amounts, such as 55 gallon drums or a stand-alone tank.
Depending on the site and local requirements, larger diesel tanks constructed of metal or specially formulated polyethylene might be erected above ground or below ground. When necessary, these tanks can also be installed on the rear of trucks. The exact size of the tank is determined by the amount of fuel you need to store.
Do you need a Licence to store red diesel?
Red diesel fuel is the same as conventional white diesel; it has the same qualities and may be used in any diesel engine. If you use red diesel in a road vehicle on public roads, however, you are breaking the law and will be charged with tax evasion.
Farmers are an exception to this rule. They can travel up to 1.5 kilometers on the public highway with red diesel in an automobile.
How long can I store red diesel?
It’s unlikely to take as long as you imagine. After you put fuel in a container, it only takes a few months for the quality to deteriorate much less if the fuel is tainted in any way.
Petrol has a six-month shelf life when stored in a sealed container at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and just three months when stored at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The more heat it is subjected to, the faster it will blow up.
You’ll be able to maintain the container for even shorter time if it’s not well sealed, and there’ll be an elevated fire risk owing to combustible vapours escaping.
Diesel, on the other hand, can be utilized for six to twelve months before becoming ‘gummy,’ which can clog filters and cause engine problems if used.
How much diesel can I store at home UK?
You must comply with England’s building regulations if you install a new or replacement fuel container at your home, for example to fuel your cooker or central heating. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own set of building regulations.
Less than 30 litres
You can store up to 30 litres of fuel in your home, vehicle, boat, or aircraft without informing anyone. Depending on how much oil you store, several containers are required by law:
Over 30 litres and up to 275 litres
You are allowed to store more than 30 litres of petrol but not more than 275 litres, but you must notify your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA) in writing, including your name, address, and storage site.
Over 275 and up to 35000 litres
You can also store more than 275 litres but less than 3500 litres, but you’ll need a permit and a petroleum storage certificate. To obtain one, contact your local PEA, who will issue you one that is valid for up to three years and is non-transferable.
- You must never manually or electrically dispense (or pump) from a storage tank on your premises.
- You should try to keep your fuel in the open air as much as possible. If this isn’t possible, you’ll need a direct escape to the open air, as well as ventilation for this exit.
- Fuel should never be stored anywhere else than in the fuel tank of a flammable engine.
If you want to keep more than 3500 litres, you must follow company restrictions. To install an oil tank of this capacity at home, you’ll also need to apply for planning approval.
Who can buy red diesel?
In the vast majority of circumstances, red diesel is not for sale or use on public highways. To legally acquire red diesel, you’ll need to travel to a specialty gasoline provider.
If you need it, we can deliver red diesel in any quantity from 500 litres to 36,000 litres or more! We can also offer red diesel in 205-litre barrels or even a new fuel tank if you don’t have adequate fuel storage for your red diesel delivery.
Does diesel destroy plastic?
Polyethylene is used to make plastic barrels for industrial use because it is a tough yet pliable plastic. HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, is used to make industrial-grade plastic barrels that are specifically designed to contain industrial items.
Food-grade HDPE drums are safe enough to store edible, consumable commodities before they reach the market, while hazardous waste drums are sturdy enough to hold hazardous waste for long periods of time. Plastic drums have a wide range of applications, so it’s no surprise that they can also be used to store diesel fuel.
However, before you start filling plastic drums with fuel, make sure the drum is marked as acceptable for use as a plastic oil drum and that it was made of HDPE. Not every plastic can properly contain diesel fuel without polluting it or breaking down quickly.
You must still evaluate how long you can securely store the fuel once you have an industrial standard plastic oil drum. Unfortunately, diesel fuel cannot be stored in plastic drums indefinitely. Even if the drum is made of HDPE, the diesel will react with the plastic polymers over time. The plastic will eventually degrade, resulting in leaks. The diesel fuel may also begin to break down and become unfit for use.
Diesel fuel should not be stored for more than six months, according to government standards. You must then replace your drum and dispose of your diesel fuel. Other factors may have an impact on this limit. Extreme heat or temperature variations, for example, will cause the fuel to breakdown more quickly.
Can you put diesel in a plastic jerry can?
Before putting diesel in the plastic ones, ensure sure all the gasoline has been removed and they are completely dry. The steel ones are the same, although I usually only put diesel in them. I drove two red ones across the nation with diesel in them and had no problems.
