Fuel storage comes in many forms, whether you are filling up a tank on a car or truck, or whether you are filling up a piece of machinery such as a tractor or digger. The chances are you are pumping this from a bulk fuel storage system.
‘Bulk Fuel’ is essentially bulk petroleum fuel, usually more than 200L which is stored in a bulk fuel tank such as an above ground fuel tank, or underground fuel tank. This storage system will hold the bulk of the fuel and can range up to 110,000L.
Other storage means for grand scale bulk fuel are terminal fuel tanks (such as pictured below). An oil depot (sometimes called a tank farm, tank farm, installation or oil terminal) is an industrial facility for the storage of oil and/or petrochemical products and from which these products are usually transported to end users or further storage facilities. These stock millions of litres of fuel, and usually are supplies for towns, cities and in some cases countries.
Terminal farm image.
Bulk fuel storage is seen as a benefit for a variety of industries. When it comes to fleet operators, heavy machinery companies, logging companies or even higher companies, the cost benefits of having a bulk fuel storage solution allows a quick ROI on investment and also limits downtime for many industries, along with hourly rated labour costs. You can give our tank savings calculator a try to see if that could help your business:
Each country also has strict guidelines when it comes to storing bulk fuel based on the classification of the fuel and also whether it needs to be secondary contained.
This next FAQ will help to guide you through whether or not your bulk fuel storage tank needs secondary containment: How do I know if my fuel tank needs secondary containment?
Compliance is key when it comes to storing bulk fuel and it is essential that rules and regulations are followed for the safe management of fuel. The penalties for not complying with the legislation can include imprisonment and large fines.
If you have any questions around bulk fuel storage feel free to contact the team at Fuelchief and we are happy to answer your questions: info@fuelchieftanks.com
These tanks are also known as ‘double skin’ type tanks – they are designed with the inner (primary) tank being fully encased by an outer (secondary) tank which will contain the total volume of the primary tank should it ever fail. This design ensures the fuel will be captured and not leak onto the ground or into storm water systems or waterways. Another major benefit is as no concrete bund is required the tank can be easily shifted to a new location if required, which also means there is no need for a concrete bund at the new tank site.
Storing Petrol
Petrol is highly flammable and is one of the most hazardous substances that we use. Because it is so easily ignited, you must handle it with great care.
As well as being flammable, petrol is poisonous. If you accidentally swallow petrol, call a doctor at once. Do not induce vomiting. If you get petrol in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and call a doctor. Petrol on your skin may not initially appear to be a problem, but prolonged or repeated liquid contact can lead to irritation or dermatitis. Breathing petrol fumes is dangerous. Exposure to vapour concentrations can cause respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea and loss of coordination. Higher concentrations may cause loss of consciousness, cardiac sensitisation, coma and death resulting from respiratory failure. Petroleum vapour can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and exposure to high concentrations, particularly in confined spaces, can cause dizziness and unconsciousness.
Most importantly, never swallow petrol or diesel or attempt to use the mouth to siphon it. This can result in it entering the lungs or stomach, which can be fatal.
You need to be extra careful if you’re planning to store petrol, Worksafe have an excellent site in which you should find most of your answers.
Storing Diesel
While diesel is not a particularly flammable substance, it is an environmental hazard with considerable clean-up costs if it should leak into a drain, watercourse or the soil.
Diesel is a hazardous substance and two grades of diesel fuel are approved for use in New Zealand:
For simplicity, both are treated as flammable liquids, low hazard.
In addition, diesel may be blended with biodiesel in quantities up to 99 percent biodiesel. The biodiesel is non-hazardous but the blends are treated as flammable liquids, low hazard. As a flammable liquid, low hazard diesel will burn, but not as easily as a flammable liquid, such as petrol.
While storing diesel is the most common and relatively simple compared to petrol, there are a number of factors that need considering so click this link which you’ll find very helpful then give one of our guys a call and we’ll make your installation simple.
Site certification can be a difficult process and we recommend making contact as early as possible with the right test certifier or compliance body that can help. You could either contact us, (see details below) and we can recommend the right person for you. Our staff have extensive experience right across the country and are likely to save you a lot of frustration. Call us today to discuss your requirements. info@fuelchieftanks.com
If you would like to continue the search yourself, here are some helpful links although we do recommend you make yourself familiar with the general Australian Standards that do apply country-wide
AS 1940:2017 – The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS-1692:2006 – Steel tanks for flammable and combustible liquids
Queensland – This information details the legislative requirements, including safety requirements, standards and codes, for the petroleum and gas industry in Queensland. For additional information, read the technical guidelines for operating plant and the technical guidelines for gas work.
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/mining/safety-health/petroleum-gas/technical/guidelines-policies
New South Wales – This code of practice provides comprehensive practical guidance on the safe storage and handling of substances and articles classified as dangerous goods, apart from explosives, infectious substances and radioactive substances.
http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/50729/storage-handling-dangerous-goods-1354.pdf
Victoria – This code of practice provides practical guidance on how to comply with your obligations under Victoria’s occupational health and safety legislation for the safe storage and handling of dangerous goods.
https://prod.wsvdigital.com.au/sites/default/files/2018-06/ISBN-Code-of-practice-for-the-storage-handling-dangerous-goods-2013-09.pdf
South Australia – New Dangerous Substances (General) Regulations took effect in September
https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/DANGEROUS%20SUBSTANCES%20(GENERAL)%20REGULATIONS%202017/CURRENT/2017.258.AUTH.PDF
A licence is required for LP gas (class 2.1), flammable liquids (class 3), toxic substances (class 6) and corrosive substances (Class 8) when certain limits are exceeded.
https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/law-compliance/licensing/apply-licence/chemical-substance-licences/dangerous-substance-storage?id=2576
Northern Territory – Major hazard facilities (MHF) are sites that store, handle and process large quantities of hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods, including explosives and fuels.This site has some very useful information and further links to help and assist with compliance in your area.
http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/SafetyAndPreventions/Pages/Major-Hazard-Facilities.aspx
Western Australia – The safety codes can be found here: https://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Dangerous-Goods/Dangerous-goods-safety-codes-of-6508.aspx
Getting your tank set up right and in accordance with state legislation can be a difficult process and we recommend making contact as early as possible with the right certifier or compliance body that can help. You could either contact us, (see details below) and we can recommend the right person for you. Our staff have extensive experience right across the country and are likely to save you a lot of frustration. Call us today to discuss your requirements or email us at: info@fuelchieftanks.com
The Australian Government offers tax incentives for those who are purchasing assets for their business (up to $150,000*). Visit the following page to find out more regarding this rebate offer: https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Depreciation-and-capital-expenses-and-allowances/Simpler-depreciation-for-small-business/Instant-asset-write-off/
Site certification can be a difficult process and we recommend making contact as early as possible with the right test certifier that can help. You could either contact us, (see details below) and we can recommend the right person for you. Our staff have extensive experience right across the country and are likely to save you a lot of frustration. Call us today to discuss your requirements: info@fuelchieftanks.com
If you would like to continue the search yourself, here are some helpful links although we do recommend you make yourself familiar with the general New Zealand Standards that do apply country-wide
Safe Work Instrument 2017 – Reduced secondary Containment for certain above ground stationary tanks
All the information you need about Diesel
Diesel does not require a Location Compliance Certificate or a certified handler. When stored in a bulk storage tank of more than 5,000 litres, a Stationary container compliance certificate is required. This is also the case if the diesel is used in connection with an oil burning installation or an internal combustion engine, such as a generator. In this case, the threshold could be as low as 60 litres. There are exceptions where the diesel is used in a domestic oil burning installation. Check out this helpful guide to help you work out if your stationary container system needs a compliance certificate.
Diesel may be kept in a store room in a building, but the store room must have a fire resistance rating or a fire rated tank and the quantities allowed are limited, as is the package size.
If you are storing diesel on a farm, the rules are slightly different for diesel stored if your farm is more than four hectares. Check out this helpful guide on Above ground fuel storage on farms.
All the information you need about Petrol
Petrol is highly flammable and is one of the most hazardous substances that we use. Because it is so easily ignited, you must handle it with great care. If this is you, we recommend getting in touch with the right test certifier as early as possible.
All the information you need about Used or Waste Oil
If used oil is not stored, used or disposed of properly it can harm people and the environment. For example, it can contaminate ground and surface water, which can damage drinking water and aquatic life. If you follow the code, you will minimise the impact of used oil on people and the environment and comply with HSNO.
Check out this ‘Code of Practice regarding used oil’.
Check out this paper on the ‘Management and handling of used oil’.
Site certification can be a difficult process and we recommend making contact as early as possible with the right test certifier that can help. You could either contact us, (see details below) and we can recommend the right person for you. Our staff have extensive experience right across the country and are likely to save you a lot of frustration. Call us today to discuss your requirements or email info@fuelchieftanks.com
If you would like to continue the search yourself, here is a helpful link;
Register of Compliance Certifiers
This register provides information on compliance certifiers authorised by WorkSafe to issue compliance certificates under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
This is very simple, please visit https://compliancecertifiers.worksafe.govt.nz/
In NZ the Government regulations only permit Class 3.1D Diesel Fuel to be stored in self-bunded tanks.
