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  2. Storing Fuel
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Storing Fuel

Petrol is highly flammable and has the potential to cause a serious fire, so our advice is to keep stored fuel to an minimum. The storage of petrol is restricted by law to a maximum of 30 litres per household.

If you do store fuel at your property, make sure you do so within the legal requirements to keep you, your family and your neighbours safe.

Store your fuel safely:

  • It is against the law to store more than 30 litres of fuel at home (fuel must be stored in two appropriate 10 litre metal containers and two appropriate 5 litre plastic containers)
  • Do not fill a container more than the capacity printed on the label
  • Do not store petrol inside your home. Store petrol in a place that is not part of or attached to your home and make sure it is secured
  • Petrol must be stored in approved plastic or metal containers which are specially designed for the purpose of storing fuel. Petrol is not only highly flammable but is extremely corrosive and if is not stored in suitable containers it could leak
  • Do not smoke or use matches in the vicinity of stored fuel
  • Make sure that your petrol is not dispensed (i.e. it is not pumped either manually or electrically from a storage tank) at your storage place
  • Take all reasonable precautions in your storage place to prevent any sources of ignition or heat that would be able to ignite the petrol or its vapour
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Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters

Kelvedon Park
Rivenhall
Witham
Essex
CM8 3HB

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