Domestic and non-workplace petrol storage
The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 have provision for licensing domestic and non-workplace petrol storage where it is kept for private use only.
Specific thresholds apply for domestic and non-workplace petrol storage
Up to 30 litres
Licence or notification - no certificate required and no need to notify us.
Storage arrangements:
- suitable portable containers
- a single demountable fuel tank;
Common requirements
- must not to be stored in living accommodation
- must not be dispensed at the storage place using manual or electrical pumping of petrol from a storage tank
- if the storage place is not in the open air, it has a direct exit to the open air and is ventilated to it
- all reasonable precautions are taken in the storage place to prevent any sources of ignition or heat that would be liable to ignite petrol or its vapour
- not to be used in the storage place other than:
- in the fuel tank of any internal combustion engine or
- in quantities (not exceeding 150 millilitres at any one time), for cleaning or as a solvent for repair purposes
Between 30 and 275 litres
Licence or notification - no certificate required, but you must notify us in writing with the name of the occupier, address of the premises
Storage arrangements:
- suitable portable containers
- a single demountable fuel tank;
Common requirements
- must not to be stored in living accommodation
- must not be dispensed at the storage place using manual or electrical pumping of petrol from a storage tank
- if the storage place is not in the open air, it has a direct exit to the open air and is ventilated to it
- all reasonable precautions are taken in the storage place to prevent any sources of ignition or heat that would be liable to ignite petrol or its vapour
- not to be used in the storage place other than:
- in the fuel tank of any internal combustion engine or
- in quantities (not exceeding 150 millilitres at any one time), for cleaning or as a solvent for repair purposes
Over 275 litres
Licence or notification - the certificate fee is payable dependant on storage quantities.
Storage arrangements:
- in suitable storage containers or tanks
- conditions can be attached to storage
Common requirements
- must not to be stored in living accommodation
- must not be dispensed at the storage place using manual or electrical pumping of petrol from a storage tank
- if the storage place is not in the open air, it has a direct exit to the open air and is ventilated to it
- all reasonable precautions are taken in the storage place to prevent any sources of ignition or heat that would be liable to ignite petrol or its vapour
- not to be used in the storage place other than:
- in the fuel tank of any internal combustion engine or
- in quantities (not exceeding 150 millilitres at any one time), for cleaning or as a solvent for repair purposes
Number of containers
The number of containers that can be filled is dependent on several factors, but a limit of two containers is normally accepted as providing a reasonable level of safety on the forecourt and ensures compliance with the non-workplace storage limits. There are no regulations that specify the of number containers that can be filled and each Petrol Filling Station will have their own restrictions on the sale of petrol in containers.
Containers can have a maximum capacity of:
- plastic containers – maximum 10 litres
- metal containers – maximum 20 litres
Further details on containers can be found on the HSE website.
Under certain circumstances it might be allowed for more than two containers to be filled. In this case, both the purchaser and seller must enter into an agreement to make sure effective control measures are in place, followed and understood by the person or persons filling the containers. This agreement should also include the number of persons required to safely fill the containers and a time of day when the containers are to be filled.
Further details on assessing the risks and control measures that must be achieved can be found in the Petrol filling stations - Guidance on managing the risks of fire and explosion (The Red Guide) (The Energy Institute).