Plastic gasoline cans in hot garage ... OK or not? (Phoenix: home, store)

[jimj]

Originally Posted by MalteseJane

We had a gas water heater in the garage. Of course we did not store the gas can next to the water heater. That pilot light would have had to go a long way to be able to ignite "fumes" from the gas can.

From the Gasoline Safety Educator Guide:

"Gasoline produces ignitable vapors that are very dense, 3 to 4 times heavier than air. These vapors are ignitable at a wide range of mixtures with air, from 1.6 to 7.2 times the density of air. They can travel for great distances along the ground or floor and they tend to accumulate in low enclosed spaces, the same areas where pilot lights on appliances tend to be located. A nearby open flame from the pilot light of a water heater or furnace can easily ignite vapors from these products. Because of its low flash point, high vapor density and wide flammable range, these products are highly explosive. A small spark that causes gasoline to explode may lead to a large fire, which can then lead to an even larger explosion."

"The container should be filled only 95% full. The remaining air space allows room for the gasoline to expand if it warms up later. Otherwise, expansion could force liquid gasoline out of the container or distort the container."

Guidelines for Storing Gasoline
• Don’t store gasoline in the house or garage!
• Always store a gasoline container in a cool and well-ventilated area. Keep it away from any
source of heat or sparks such as a water heater, electric motor or car engine.
• Never store more than one gallon of gas.
• Always store the container in a shed away from the house or any habitable structure.
• When not in use, keep gasoline locked up at all times.
• Have a class B type extinguisher located near gasoline storage area.
• Always keep gas out of reach of children.

Ref: http://www.ameriburn.org/Preven/Gaso...#39;sGuide.pdf

[BlueCat1105]

I wouldn't think that people air condition their sheds, so how would that be a cool, well-ventilated area? Of course, I'm only exploring a move to Phoenix; maybe you DO have A/C in your sheds!

[pbenjamin]

Ok, I am not particularly concerned. I have a partial can of gas in a plastic container that has been sitting in my (detached, no gas water heater) garage for years. It just occurred to me that it is unnecessary as I no longer have any gas powered items. I bought a cordless electric lawnmower a few years ago. So, I should dispose of it. What is the best method of disposing of the gasoline? I should probably keep the emptied container for emergencies.

[Uptacamp]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Ok, I am not particularly concerned. I have a partial can of gas in a plastic container that has been sitting in my (detached, no gas water heater) garage for years. It just occurred to me that it is unnecessary as I no longer have any gas powered items. I bought a cordless electric lawnmower a few years ago. So, I should dispose of it. What is the best method of disposing of the gasoline? I should probably keep the emptied container for emergencies.

Fill up your car tank?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Ok, I am not particularly concerned. I have a partial can of gas in a plastic container that has been sitting in my (detached, no gas water heater) garage for years. It just occurred to me that it is unnecessary as I no longer have any gas powered items. I bought a cordless electric lawnmower a few years ago. So, I should dispose of it. What is the best method of disposing of the gasoline? I should probably keep the emptied container for emergencies.

Let it evaporate. Pour it into a shallow pan and set it out in the sun away from any spark/flame sources. Do it on a day when there are no ozone issues.

[Zippyman]

[quote=nitram;30709841]

Originally Posted by MalteseJane

We had a gas water heater in the garage. Of course we did not store the gas can next to the water heater. That pilot light would have had to go a long way to be able to ignite "fumes" from the gas can.[/QUOTE]

LOL True, but the fumes do travel through the air and could reach the pilot light very easily. Is it worth the chance of destruction and possibly lives.

gas water heaters are mounted on stands to minimize this risk. in any case, gas water heaters arent particularly common in Phoenix, and no one advised the OP to leave a gas can in a garage with one. in a garage without a gas heater, the danger is minimal. feel free to post any news reports you can find of people in phoenix, who had a fire (much less an explosion) due to storing a small quantity of gas in their garage in a proper container. I havent found a single one.

gas isnt an explosive, its a flammable compound. big difference. I know every tv show car crash you've ever seen involves gas "exploding", but that isnt what usually happens in the real world. gas usually burns.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Uptacamp

Fill up your car tank?

Doesn't gas go bad over time?

[locolobo13]

This thread reminds me of the 60s & 70s. Lots of people worked on their cars in the carport, under a tree, etc. They would wash greasy parts with gas. That used to be one of my chores as a youngster.

Invariably back then people were smoking while working around their cars. I can recall a few who were smoking while washing the parts in gas. I'm sure there were some fires due to this but never saw one.

[maverick974]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Doesn't gas go bad over time?

Very quickly actually.
Back in the 70's as a kid, gas was refined differently than today and today it has many more additives for the type of engines that are in the new vehicles. Gas today goes bad in a few weeks or at best a month or two. After that, it smells like turpentine and, while still flammable, it's qualities have changed and it doesn't work well as a fuel.
There is an entire industry now that makes additives for your fuel so it doesn't decay as fast as it would normally. Boats in particular are subject to having problems from bad gas because they often sit so long without being used. Luckily, my boat is used once or twice a week so I don't have that problem. HA!
Older boats have fuel hoses that slowly melt from the inside out because of the alcohol and methanol they add to todays fuel. By the way, we are told those two additives reduce the amount of pollutants that our cars release. Unfortunately, it's totally false.

[wit-nit]

[quote=Zippyman;30716864]

Originally Posted by nitram

gas water heaters are mounted on stands to minimize this risk. in any case, gas water heaters arent particularly common in Phoenix, and no one advised the OP to leave a gas can in a garage with one. in a garage without a gas heater, the danger is minimal. feel free to post any news reports you can find of people in phoenix, who had a fire (much less an explosion) due to storing a small quantity of gas in their garage in a proper container. I havent found a single one.

gas isnt an explosive, its a flammable compound. big difference. I know every tv show car crash you've ever seen involves gas "exploding", but that isnt what usually happens in the real world. gas usually burns.

So what you're saying is to throw common sense out the window and take your chances. You may not have read about fires or explosions from fumes caused by water heaters or dryers in garages but they do happen. More often than you think. 2 years ago in our area a homeowner lost his house due to a explosion of stored gasoline in his garage. Fumes gathered around the gas water heater. It blew up the garage and the spreading fire engulfed the whole house. Over $150,000 worth of damage.
It's far better to be safe than sorry later on.
Here's an example of a fume lit fire recently in a Florida home and also an excellent article about storing inflammables.

Northpinellas: Stored gas in sealed garage ignites house fire

National Ag Safety Database - Storing Gasoline and Other Flammables