Fuel storage is a critical component of emergency preparedness. Fuel is required to heat our houses, cook our meals, light our planet, and meet other requirements. However, poor storage can quickly result in significant life-threatening circumstances as well as property destruction.
What are the legal restrictions and standards for storing gasoline in private residences? Every county has its own set of rules that differ slightly. The following are the Utah County household fuel storage limitations and standards based on the Uniform Fire Code.
We recommend you to store any gasoline carefully and in accordance with local laws. For current fuel storage limitations and standards in your area, contact your local fire department! The following information was taken directly from a brochure distributed to Utah County residents. The information is provided as an example of probable legal restrictions.
For more information on how to safely store a variety of fuels in an emergency, see our post How to Safely Store Fuel for Emergencies.
The following Utah County Area Fire Departments and Agencies have approved the following RECOMMENDED EMERGENCY HOME FUEL STORAGE LIMITS AND GUIDELINES.
The information in this pamphlet is solely designed to provide general suggestions for emergency fuel storage in residential areas to average homeowners. After studying the following advice, please contact your local fire department for conclusive answers to any questions you may have. (January 15, 1999) The following recommendations are based on the UNIFORM FIRE CODE, which was completely adopted into the annotated Utah State Code and local city ordinances in 1997.
Q: Can I keep emergency fuel containers in my garage, basement, or adjacent garage?
A: No way! To reduce fire threats and ignition sources, we recommend that you keep emergency gasoline containers in a detached shed or garage. Two or three (2) 1-gallon DOT-rated gasoline containers, as well as 2-cycle fuel for general lawn maintenance equipment usage, are permitted in your attached garage. Larger amounts of fuel have caused numerous major problems within homes, basements, attached garages, and carports.
Q: Can I store as many containers as I want in my detached garage or garden shed?
No, it isn’t. You are only allowed to store certain quantities of each type of fuel (gasoline, kerosene, diesel, propane) in specific types and sizes of containers, depending on the type of fuel (gasoline, kerosene, diesel, propane). For each type of fuel, see the guidelines on the following pages.
Q: Does the fire department have the ability to tell me what I can and can’t do in my own home?
A: Fire prevention-related sections of the Utah State Code, as well as local municipal and county regulations, provide legal authority. This is a matter of life and death (your life and death). Additionally, your homeowner’s insurance company would like that you restrict the amount of flammable substances stocked at your home to a minimal minimum.
- The maximum amount of flammable liquids (gasoline and white gas) that can be stored in a domestic setting is 25 gallons, preferably in an unattached garage or shed. No more than 10 gallons of this total can be stored in a connected garage, and no flammable liquid storage is permitted in basements. NFPA 30 (1977 UFC 7902.5.8, 7902.5.10.1)
- When computing total storage capacity, empty containers will be counted as full (1997 UFC 7902.5.3)
- Containers for flammable liquid storage must be of an approved type. UFC 7902.1.8.1.1 (1997) The majority of these containers are labeled as approved for flammable liquid use and list the specifications they must follow (DOT, ASTM, NFPA 30, etc.) Always utilize retail containers that have been approved or are brand new. There are no used milk jugs!
- If you want to keep more than 5 gallons of flammable liquids at home, you’ll need at least one 2A10BC fire extinguisher that’s no closer than 10 feet away and no farther than 50 feet away. UFC 7902.5.1.2.1 (1997)
- Controlling ignition sources is a must! Static spark discharge and ignition of flammable vapors must be avoided at all times when transferring and dispensing volatile substances. For usage with flammable liquids, open flames and high-temperature devices must be controlled and permitted. In addition, smoking is not permitted in the storage area. 7901.10, 7901.4, UFC 7901.10, 7901.4, UFC 7901.10, 7901.4, UFC
- Flammable and flammable liquids in motor vehicle fuel tanks (gasoline, diesel, and 2-cycle mixes) are exempt, and hence are not included in your total home fuel storage volumes. UFC 7902.5.1.1, 1997
- Combustible liquids (Diesel, Kerosene, and Lamp Oil) must be stored in an unattached garage or shed at a maximum of 60 gallons per household. Only 10 gallons of this 50 gallon total can be stored in an attached garage, and no combustible liquid storage is permitted in basements. UFC 7902.5.8, 7902.5.10.1, NFPA 30 (1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997, 1997
- Containers for flammable liquid storage must be of an approved type. UFC 7902.1.8.1.1 (1997) The majority of these containers are labeled as approved for flammable liquid use and list the specifications they must follow (DOT, ASTM, NFPA 30, etc.) Always use original or approved containers. There are no used milk jugs!
- If you want to keep more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids in your home, you’ll need at least two 2A10BC fire extinguishers, placed no closer than 10 feet apart and no farther than 50 feet apart. UFC 7902.5.1.2.1 (1997)
- Controlling ignition sources is a must! Static spark discharge and ignition of flammable vapors must be avoided at all times when transferring and dispensing combustible liquids. For usage with flammable/combustible liquids, open flames and high temperature devices must be controlled and permitted. In addition, smoking is not permitted in the storage area. 7901.10, 7901.4, UFC 7901.10, 7901.4, UFC 7901.10, 7901.4, UFC
- Portable Kerosene heating units must be (UL) listed and have a fuel capacity of no more than 2 gallons. (UFC 6106.2, 1997) However, in inhabited residential spaces, the Uniform Fire Code (Article 61) expressly prohibits the use of these unvented heating systems. If you decide to use these devices, make sure to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, keep a safe distance from combustible surfaces, provide adequate ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector to detect dangerous conditions.
- You are allowed a total capacity of 25 gallons for portable DOT tank storage. You could have up to five 5-gallon (20 lb) portable appliance cylinders in storage inside your home (the size typically found on barbeque grills DOT 4BA240); or one 23-gallon (100 lb) cylinder (DOT 4BW240) in an unattached garage or shed. However, if you wish to store propane and combustible liquids together, keep them at least 10 feet apart. UFC 7902.1.6 (1997)
- Only two (2) of the small portable 1-pound cylinders may be stored within your home or associated garage. (NFPA 58/5-34) (1997 UFC Standard 82-1) All other propane cylinders must be stored in an unattached garage or shed outside your home.
- Propane cylinders connected to heating and/or cooking appliances, as well as those mounted on trailers, motor homes, and campers, are not included in your overall storage capacity.
- For the purposes of computing your overall storage, unattached or empty cylinders are counted as full.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state environmental agencies, and local fire departments have spent millions of dollars over the last ten years requiring motor fuel dispensers (gas stations, etc.) across the country to control leakage of motor fuels into the environment from their underground and above ground fuel storage tanks. We are naturally concerned about the hundreds of homes across the country who have relatively uncontrolled fuel storage capabilities on their personal property.
As a result, once the threat of widespread utility service interruption has passed after January 1, 2000, we strongly advise you to reduce your home fuel storage capacities to no more than 5 gallons of flammable liquids (gasoline or Coleman White gas), 25 gallons of combustible liquids (diesel or kerosene), and 5 gallons of flammable gas (propane) in portable DOT cylinders. Heating fuels do not have an endless shelf life, and many heating/cooking equipment makers recommend using them all up within six months after purchase.
Be Wise! Don’t Do Stupid Things
We have enough fuel stocked in our home to go over a year without power or natural gas. It is kept in a lawful and secure manner, adhering to the above-mentioned legal criteria. You’ve got this!
We beg you to adopt prudent emergency preparedness measures to safeguard your family. Remember to read our article How to Store Fuel Safely for Emergencies for more information on emergency fuel storage.
Is it safe to keep propane and gasoline in the same place?
It is forbidden to store propane and ether gas cylinders near flammable items. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that oversees workplace safety
What is the best way to store gas and propane?
- Propane cylinders should be stored outside. Never store them inside or in a confined space like a garage, shed, or basement.
- Keep them somewhere cool. Heat should not be applied to the cylinders above 120 degrees. This temperature could result in a fire or a leak.
- Propane cylinders should be kept away from open fires. This includes smoking and the use of spark-producing devices. Any flame has the potential to induce combustion.
Is storing gasoline in a hot shed safe?
Gasoline can be stored in less-than-ideal conditions, such as a heated shed, if necessary measures are taken. Because gasoline is combustible, it requires a spark to ignite. Heat alone will not cause gasoline to combust, but it will expand, which means that under the appropriate circumstances, your container could explode.
Is it possible for a propane tank to explode in the sun?
Yes, they are capable. Temperatures can quickly soar on a hot summer day. The pressure within the propane tank will rise as the tank heats up. Despite the fact that portable propane tanks include safety relief valves to release pressure, the best place to store a tank is out of direct sunlight. Outdoors, in the shade, and in cool temps is the safest place to store a propane tank.
Is it permissible to leave a propane tank outside during the summer?
Propane tanks can be safely stored outside, but it’s important to find a location that’s not too close to your home. When it comes to storing your propane tanks in the winter, it’s crucial to remember that freezing temperatures aren’t a concern for propanein fact, you don’t even need to cover your tank if you’re storing it outside.
Place the tank on a solid surface, such as a piece of wood or a slab of concrete, and store it open or closed.
It’s also simple to store propane tanks during the summer. During the summer, your propane tank can be kept outside on a flat, firm surface. Keep the tank in a shady area so it doesn’t sit in direct sunlight for lengthy periods of timethis will keep the tank at a safe temperature, which should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).
Is it true that propane tanks can explode?
Although propane is flammable and can cause an explosion, a propane-LPG tank explosion is extremely unusual. Propane tanks (gas cylinders) can explode, however this does not happen frequently. It is extremely difficult for a propane tank to explode.
Is it permissible to store a gas tank outside during the winter?
Propane tanks must be kept in a ventilated, open environment. Storing your propane tank inside or in an enclosed space is risky and can result in damage. Storing your propane tank in a basement, automobile, tent, or garage is not a good idea.
Outdoors, in the shade, is the best place to keep your propane tank. If you’re storing your propane tank, ensure sure it’s disconnected from the grill when you’re done with the season.
Because low and freezing temperatures aren’t as dangerous as high temperatures, you can keep your gas tanks outside throughout the winter. You should be warned, however, that the damp patches formed by rain and snow might lead to rusting on the tank itself.
How long can a 20-pound propane tank be stored?
We get asked all the time how long propane can be stored before it spoils.
The basic reason is that propane has a long lifespan. It is, in fact, one of the most storage-friendly, reliable, and durable energy sources currently available. Propane has an unusually long shelf life because it has no expiration date and does not degrade or lose its potency over time. To clarify, “shelf life” is defined as “the amount of time a commodity can be stored before it becomes unfit for use, consumption, or sale” (Wikipedia). Unlike diesel, which has a one-year shelf life and gasoline, which has a three- to six-month shelf life, propane can be stored indefinitely, making it a highly effective and convenient fuel for both residential and commercial applications, as well as an excellent partner in emergency preparedness plans.
Furthermore, the cylinders in which propane is kept have a very long shelf life. This is why propane cylinders must be recertified by a skilled propane technician on a regular basis. When regular cylinder maintenance is followed, it is possible to get 30 or 40 years out of a stored propane tank.
Home heating, portable cylinders for BBQ and gardening/landscaping, space heating, forklift, autogas, and emergency preparedness are just a few instances of how propane outperforms other fuels in terms of convenience and longevity.
Oil-fired heating systems are colossal, filthy behemoths that take up valuable space and necessitate regular maintenance. If heating oil is stored for an extended period of time, it might become dangerous. What is “too much time”? Think 18 months or fewer, depending on how properly it was stored in the first place.
BBQ cylinders are widely used. They’re lightweight, portable, refillable, and easy to store. They can last for years if stored properly, with no need for replacements or additives.
Propane in portable, tiny cylinders up to and including 1,000 gallon cylinders can be used for emergency preparedness.
Space heaters and generators powered by diesel or gasoline emit a foul odor, can cause messy spills and stains, and must be replaced on a regular basis. However, not propane! Its long shelf life makes it an ideal fuel for portable use or powerful backup generator systems that can power a whole house.
It’s no surprise that propane is popular among homeowners and businesses because of its convenience, versatility, and peace of mind.
Visit our Residential and Commercial sections to learn more about all the wonderful things propane can do for you.
At Paraco, we’ve got you covered with daily fuel.
In the cold, where do you keep propane?
Indoor storage of smaller, portable propane tanks is not recommended. Shut off the main valve and separate it from the gas line on your barbecue to prepare a tank for the winter. Keep it away from open flames and on a flat, sturdy surface where it won’t be disturbed. Also, stay away from damp regions where moisture might accumulate and lead to early rusting.
A relief valve is built into portable propane tanks and operates when internal pressure builds up. This safety element is especially vital during the colder months. Proper propane tank storage should prevent liquid propane from coming into contact with the relief valve. This is accomplished by maintaining the tank upright at all times, especially if it is more than half full.
The optimal time to store your tank will be determined by how often you use it. To ensure that they don’t forget, many homeowners choose to set a seasonal reminder for themselves.