Petrol Containers

Portable Petrol Containers

Did you know that there have been reports of fires resulting from filling metal portable petrol containers (jerry cans) in the back of utes whiles the containers were resting on plastic bed liners or in vehicles with carpeted or rubber matted surfaces?

These fires resulted from build up of static electricity. The insulating effect of bed liners, carpeting or rubber mats prevent the static charge generated by petrol flowing into containers from grounding. The discharge of the build-up of petrol to the grounded petrol dispenser nozzle may cause a spark and ignite the petrol. Both ungrounded metal (most hazardous) and plastic gas containers have been involved in these incidents.

Tips regarding use of portable petrol containers:

• Use only containers that have been listed, labelled or approved for petrol.
• Do not dispense petrol into a portable petrol container while it is located inside a vehicle, boot or ute bed.
• Make sure that the container is stable and positioned on the concrete or ground prior to dispensing petrol.
• When placing the petrol container on the ground surface, make sure it is positioned away from other vehicles, people and moving traffic.
• Use caution when dispensing petrol from nozzle remains in the petrol container until the dispensing is complete.
• Do NOT smoke when dispensing petrol into containers.
• Avoid use of mobile phones when dispensing petrol.