Diesel Fuel Storage Safety

A farm tank or a few drums of diesel make the work easier, and they bring fire, spill and contamination risks that need planning. Good siting and routine checks cover most of it.

Key points

Site tanks away from buildings, water and ignition sources, and check local rules first.
Use containment so leaks cannot reach the soil or water.
Keep fuel clean and dry, and check tanks and hoses regularly.
Keep diesel and gasoline apart and secure the tank from children and theft.

Where should you put a diesel storage tank?

Choose a spot away from buildings, living areas, heat sources, wells, ponds and drainage paths. Keep it clear of dry grass and brush, and make sure a fuel truck or your own truck can reach it without driving across soft ground. Distances from buildings, property lines and water are often set by local fire codes or state rules, so ask before you install.

Place the tank on firm, level ground or a stable stand. A tank that settles or tilts puts stress on fittings and can leak at the connections first.

If your tank sits near a pasture, think about where a leak would run. On a cattle ranch, a spill that reaches a stock pond or a creek is a much bigger problem than the same spill on bare gravel.

What rules apply to farm fuel tanks?

Requirements for farm tanks vary with tank size, location and state or local regulation. Some areas require spill containment or a plan for larger volumes. Do not guess. Check with your local fire marshal, your state agriculture or environmental agency and your insurance agent, and ask your extension office whether a farm fuel storage guide exists for your state.

NFPA publishes widely used fire codes, and local authorities often adopt them in some form. Ask what applies to your property rather than assuming.

Ask the fire marshal about distances and tank type
Ask your state environmental agency about spill containment and reporting
Ask your insurance agent whether the tank affects coverage

How do you contain spills and leaks?

A containment basin or a double-wall tank catches leaks before they reach the ground. For drums or small tanks, set them on a containment pallet or in a dike sized for the volume stored. Keep absorbent material nearby and know what you will do in a spill.

Check the tank, hose, nozzle and fittings regularly for drips, cracks and wet spots. A slow leak under a tank can go unnoticed for weeks and cause soil and water contamination.

How do you keep fuel clean and free of water?

Water and dirt in diesel cause filter plugging and injector trouble, which is expensive to fix. Keep the tank cap and vent sealed against rain and dust, and drain water from the low point as the tank design allows. Condensation forms inside partly filled tanks as temperatures swing, so some owners keep tanks fuller in humid seasons.

If you store fuel for months, ask your fuel supplier about treatments and shelf life. Use clean hoses and filters when moving fuel, and never pour from a dirty can into a tractor tank.

Keep a simple log of when you last checked for water, changed the filter on the tank outlet and inspected the hose. Notes make patterns obvious, and they help your mechanic if injector trouble shows up later.

What fire precautions should you take around stored diesel?

Diesel is harder to ignite than gasoline but it burns, and a fire in a fuel tank area spreads fast. Keep ignition sources away, post no-smoking signs and keep the area clear of brush and chaff. Keep a fire extinguisher rated for fuel fires near the fueling point, and tell everyone where it is.

Do not store gasoline in the same spot as diesel. Gasoline vapors are a different risk, and mixed storage invites mistakes.

How do you secure the tank from children and theft?

Lock valves and pump switches, fence the area if children or livestock roam, and consider lighting. A tank behind a locked gate, with a lockable cap, is both safer and less tempting for fuel thieves.

On a small cattle ranch with a tank near the barn, put the pump and hose where animals cannot knock them or chew on them, and keep the area free of tripping hazards.

Post the fire department number and your address near the tank so that anyone on your place can report a problem quickly.

When should you call a professional about your tank?

Call a qualified fuel supplier or tank contractor for installation, repair, cleaning and removal of old tanks, especially underground ones. Old underground tanks may be subject to special rules and can be a liability. A mechanic can help if contaminated fuel has reached your tractor.

If you discover a leak, stop using the tank, contain what you can and contact your state environmental agency or local fire department for steps and reporting rules.

When to get help: Ask your local fire marshal and state environmental or agriculture agency about tank rules and spill reporting, and use a qualified fuel supplier or tank contractor for installation or repairs. Talk with your insurance agent about coverage related to fuel storage.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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