Extract from ABC News
David Leaney says stockpiling fuel is not just bad for supply, it is potentially unsafe. (Supplied: David Leaney)
In short:
Some service station owners say unusual objects are being filled with fuel as consumers continue panic-buying.
Experts warn improper storage or excessive amounts of fuel in suburban homes can pose a safety risk.
What's next?
Australian Standards sets out rules for fuel storage in residential homes, but how they are enforced is unclear and varies by state or territory.
The use of makeshift and bulk containers to stockpile fuel in residential homes is sparking safety concerns from authorities.
In the NSW Northern Rivers, service station operator Shahz Rana decided to ban the use of any containers last month after seeing everything from 200-litre drums to a Coca Cola bottle being filled up at the bowser.
"In the beginning there was lots and lots of panic buying. Now we've mandated that we're not giving more than 50 litres," he said.
"If we see they have drums or a jerry can in the back, we are politely telling them they can't fill them up.
"Whatever they can put into their vehicle's [fuel tank], that's all that's allowed."
Australian National University lecturer David Leaney is an expert in global supply chains and petrol, having worked as a fuel control officer in the defence force.
He said filling up makeshift containers was not just bad for the fuel supply.
"Fuel is not something you want sitting around in a container that's not designed to store fuel," he said.
"If people are using something made to carry water and they think it's watertight so it will be suitable for fuel, it won't be.
"It's not designed to handle that chemical for a long time."
Unlike many plastic containers, jerry cans are purpose-built for fuel storage. (ABC News: Madigan Landry)
Mr Leaney said non-compliant containers might not be built to handle expansion, contraction, or the build-up of gases that came with fuel storage.
He said in the worst cases, fuel could leak through the plastic, or flammable fumes could ignite away from the container.
"If somebody's got fuel stored in their garage and it's 2 metres away from where they're using a drill or a circular saw, the sparks from that can actually ignite the fumes and the container can explode," Mr Leaney said.
Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Joshua Fischer said because of the fire risk, the agency advised against storing fuel inside homes, including in kitchens, laundries, bedrooms, living areas or cupboards.
Joshua Fischer says fuel should not be stored inside homes. (Supplied: Fire and Rescue Victoria)
"That includes any attached garages where there's hot water systems, fridges, freezers or power tools, near pilot lights, heaters or electrical equipment," he said.
"The key reason for that is that petrol vapour is heavier than air, and so it can travel along the floor to an ignition source, creating a flash fire even without any direct contact from the fuel itself."
Rules and regulations
The regulation of fuel storage varies by state or territory but in some places unsafe practices can come with hefty fines or jail time.
In NSW, transporting more than 1,000L of fuel requires a placard on the vehicle, and transporting more than 500L in a single container requires a placard and a dangerous goods licence — the same applies in Victoria.
Intermediate bulk containers of 1,000L have been used at petrol stations, including Shaz Rana's, but are not recommended for fuel storage. (ABC News: James Dunlevie)
Australian Standards sets out limits for quantities of fuel that can be stored in homes under AS1940 — the standard for the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
The standard sets the limit for the storage of petrol at:
- 5L within a dwelling,
- 25L in an attached garage,
- 100L in an outdoor structure within 1m of a house,
- And 200L in an outdoor structure more than 3m from a house.
For diesel the limit is:
- 50L within a dwelling,
- 100L in an attached garage,
- And 500L in an outdoor shed or garage.
How that is enforced is less apparent — the regulation advises that town planning restrictions could apply to the storage of petrol in residential areas and that it may impact insurance.
In NSW, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said the storage of less than 2 million litres of fuel, including home stockpiles, was regulated by local councils.
The ABC contacted several local councils in NSW but did not receive a response about regulations around the storage of petrol or diesel.
In Victoria, the state government's WorkSafe department said reckless storage or transportation of petrol that puts people at risk of death could carry a penalty of 10 years in prison or a fine of more than $700,000 under the state's Dangerous Goods Act.
Western Australia chief dangerous goods officer Iain Dainty said the state's dangerous goods safety laws penalised the improper storage, handling or transportation of fuel.
In Queensland, a Workplace Health and Safety spokesperson said individuals could not risk the health and safety of others, including in the handling of hazardous materials like petrol, under the state's laws.
Safework Tasmania said while it did not regulate fuel storage in private residences, the storage of more than 250 litres of petrol wa regulated under the state's work health and safety laws.
Mr Leaney said whether or not there were enforceable penalties for unsafe fuel storage in your state or territory, common sense should prevail.
"The best thing we can do as a country is recognise that panic buying is the single biggest problem associated with our current situation — it's breaking the system at the moment," he said.
"So the best thing to do is just wait and top up small amounts on a regular basis."
