Storing and Handling Fuel on the Farm

Introduction

Storing and Handling Fuel on the Farm

The capacity of diesel and gasoline storage on Alberta farms is at least 250 million litres (55 million gallons). With this large volume of stored fuels, the financial, environmental and public liability risks to farmers are real. This publication provides information to help farmers store and use gasoline and diesel fuel safely.

Legal Implications

In Alberta, the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) is the legislation that supports and promotes the protection, enhancement and wise use of the environment. This Act provides for large penalties for polluters, including cleanup costs. Farmers are not exempt from the EPEA. No one wants to pollute, but accidents happen. Prosecution under this Act may be avoided if "due diligence", taking all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of an offence, can be shown (EPEA Sec. 215). While due diligence minimizes the chance of mishap, it doesn't diminish the responsibilities of storing and handling fuel.

The Alberta Fire Code is the major legislation governing the storage of hazardous products. Although the storage of fuel on farms, for individual farm use, is exempt from the Alberta Fire Code, following the recommendations in this code may help to prove due diligence. For this reason, many of the recommendations in this publication are taken from the Alberta Fire Code.

Financial Implications

Banks and other lending agencies recognize the risks of farm fuel storage and handling. When using land as security, most lending agencies ask the borrower to complete an environmental assessment questionnaire, which includes specific questions about fuel storage. Environmental concerns may be enough to prevent loan approval. As part of their own due diligence requirements, lenders may perform a physical assessment from time to time to evaluate their ongoing environmental risk.

Insurance companies also ask questions about fuel storage and handling to help them assess the risk level associated with issuing insurance. However, you should review your insurance policies (automobile and property) to see whether they cover environmental damage. Some policies may provide some coverage, but many provide none. Practicing due diligence is a major part of protecting your ability to borrow money or obtain insurance.

Health Risks

Exposure to diesel or gasoline can occur through breathing vapours, swallowing fuel or skin contact. Contact with the skin can cause irritation and dermatitis. Prolonged skin contact with gasoline can lead to chemical burns. Vapours are moderately irritating to the eyes and respiratory passages. Exposure to high vapour concentration can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and central nervous system depression. Gasoline is a possible cause of cancer. It contains benzene and long-term inhalation of benzene vapours can cause major medical problems.

Exhaust from diesel and gasoline engines contains carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Exposure to high concentrations of either gas is life threatening. In addition, diesel exhaust contains benzene.

Minimizing skin contact with fuel by wearing neoprene gloves is the first step in avoiding health problems. Leather or cloth gloves aren't recommended because they become contaminated and prolong exposure to the fuel. Thoroughly wash your hands if they are splashed with fuel.

Fumes in a confined space can lead to an explosive air-fuel mixture. Therefore, all fuel transfers should be done outdoors. When operating motors inside a building, vent the exhaust outside. Avoid breathing fuel fumes.

If fuel, especially gasoline, is spilled on your clothing, don't go near sources of ignition, including heaters and furnaces you may be tempted to warm up beside. Care should also be taken to slowly remove clothing so as not to create static electricity. Thoroughly wash the splashed area. If skin irritation, nausea, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, chest pains or other symptoms occur, get medical attention immediately. Exercise extreme care with contaminated clothes by rinsing out all traces of fuel before machine washing or drying.

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While the fuel currently available is lead-free, it must be assumed that old, used tanks have held leaded fuel and are contaminated with lead. For this reason, used fuel tanks shouldn't be used for grain or water storage. Fuel tanks also have the potential to explode if they aren't cleaned properly.

Material safety data sheets on gasoline and diesel can be obtained from fuel suppliers.

Storage Tank Options

The objectives of fuel storage are to maintain fuel quality and minimize losses in a safe manner. There are several onfarm storage options, classified as underground, on-ground and overhead (Figures 1 through 6). Underground tanks are completely buried with only the pumps, vents and fill connections visible. There are two types of on-ground tanks. Vertical, on-ground tanks are usually cylindrical in shape and have their bottoms sitting directly on the ground. Horizontal, onground tanks are cradled close to the ground in a heavy steel frame. An on-ground tank must be equipped with a pump for fuelling vehicles and farm machinery. The third type is overhead tanks. They are supported above the ground on stands and the fuel is gravity fed.

A new generation of on-ground tanks is available (Figures 1 and 2). They are built with double walls and equipped with an integral pump system, providing excellent protection against leaks. The double walls provide some thermal insulation value, reducing swings in fuel temperature. Installation is reduced to finding a suitable location, preparing a firm foundation and providing electrical power, using wiring suitable for Class I hazardous locations. (Refer to the Electrical Code.) The fuel can be secured by shutting off the power to the pumps. Collision protection is provided by design in some models while additional protection may be required in others. The biggest drawback is the purchase price. This must be weighed against the advantages to determine if these tanks meet your needs.

Figure 1. New generation on-ground vertical

Figure 2. New generation on-ground horizontal tank

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Figure 3. Underground tank

Figure 4. On-ground vertical tanks with containment dike

Figure 5. Horizontal on-ground tank

Reducing Risks

Fire Fire poses the greatest risk of loss to nearby homes, buildings, equipment and livestock. In addition, there is the loss of the fuel involved. The potential for injury or death is also high. As dangerous and destructive as fuel is in a liquid state, it's even more dangerous as a vapour. Under certain conditions, vapours may explode, spreading fire over a large area (Figure 7).

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Figure 6. Overhead tank

Figure 7. The remains of a farm fuel tank after it exploded and flew over 200 feet Every available step to reduce the chance of fire should be taken. If the system has pumps and meters, ensure the

wiring is installed and maintained in a manner suitable for Class I hazardous locations. (Contact a qualified electrician or refer to the Alberta Electrical Code.) Clean up minor spills and keep the area free of tall vegetation and debris. This reduces the danger to the fuel tanks in the event of a grass fire. A glass bottle can refract sunlight and ignite dry grass. Ground all above ground tanks. Position tanks safely, and at least 15 meters (50 feet) from all buildings (Figure 8).

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