South Africans must think twice before storing petrol at home
South Africans have been hit with massive fuel price increases, but motorists have been warned about the dangers of storing the highly flammable liquid at home.
South African motorists were hit by R3 per litre on petrol and R7 per litre on diesel, despite the government cutting the general fuel levy by R3 per litre.
Early data points to massive increases in May, with the war in Iran driving a global rise in oil prices, and the end of the conflict hard to predict.
With the April increases, motorists across the country began refilling ahead of the increases, leading to shortages nationwide. However, there are risks for those who store fuel at home.
The South African Insurance Association (SAIA) said that storing petrol at home can have serious safety, environmental, and insurance risks.
It said that petrol is classified as a hazardous substance under occupational and fire safety legislation, with the serious risk of fire or explosion.
Besides fire risk, petrol vapours pose health hazards, and spills can contaminate soil and water sources, causing significant environmental damage.
SAIA said that municipal by-laws limit how much fuel you store, with regulations on petrol storage at residential properties enforced locally by municipalities.
Most municipalities allow only 20 to 25 litres of fuel in approved containers to be stored at a time, with this fuel used for common tools like lawn mowers or for limited emergency purposes.
Storing more fuel than the above local limits constitutes a breach of fire safety regulations and hazardous substances legislation.
Petrol bought at service stations must be transported in strict accordance with the National Road Traffic Act and SANS 10231 standards.
“Only approved and certified containers, such as metal jerry cans or those marked UN, ASTM, or AS, may be used. Failing to comply with these requirements may result in legal action by law enforcement,” it said.
Non-compliance can void your claim
Insurers do not cover losses arising from illegal or non-compliant activities, with large quantities of fuel on a residential property potentially:
- Significantly raising the fire risk:
- Accelerating the spread and intensity of a fire; and
- Being considered contributory negligence in the event of a claim.
Even if the fire starts in another part of the home, the presence of petrol can increase the risk of damage and lead to a claim being rejected.
SAIA said that consumers should contact their insurers for more information and to review their insurance policies.
If small quantities are needed, SAIA said that consumers should follow municipal rules and the below safety procedures:
- Store fuel in a secure, well-ventilated area;
- Never store petrol inside the house or in living areas;
- Use only certified storage containers;
- Keep fuel away from heat, sparks, electrical equipment, or open flames;
- Label containers clearly with the fuel type and “Flammable” warnings;
- Ensure no smoking near storage or dispensing areas;
- Keep a fire extinguisher close by;
- Use proper equipment to prevent static discharge during transfers;
- Keep a spill response kit on hand;
- Use bunded areas or drip trays to contain leaks;
- Never start a siphon with your mouth—use a pump or hose;
- Avoid using mobile phones while refuelling; and
- Keep fuel out of reach of children and uninformed people.
However, given the potential risks to homeowners, SAIA said that petrol should not be stored at one’s premises.
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