Metal Gas Cans

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Don’t even get me started on the “safety nozzles”. I’m all for better safety but they’re just idiotic IMO.

There is some method to the madness with these nozzles but I bet many uninitiated people have been snuffed by these things. Most of us cut big yards as kids for a few bucks. Imagine a 13 year old filling a hot mower without knowing how to use the safety nozzle.

My storage wars landlord gets plastic containers with traditional fill necks and vents. Average containers with the good necks. Sell for $10 to $20 fast. Probably more than they cost new.

On topic, I like plastic better than metal as I can see what is inside.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Note that ALL gas cans can create static build up and ignite when not properly grounded. Doesn't matter if metal or plastic.
Filling a gas can in the bed of a pick up (with a bed liner) is a good example of what not to do.
Same can happen when pouring gas from a gas can, but the flow is usually slower and not quite as dangerous.

The can needs to be touching the ground when filling, and the nozzle needs to be touching the can.
Failure to do that can cause a static spark to jump and static sparks are really, really hot. Way above what it takes to ignite gasoline.

How do you ground a plastic can? If there is a charge at the pour point, grounding the bottom of the can does nothing and the plastic doesn’t conduct electricity. Using a grounded metal spout it about the only way I can imagine but these don’t really exist.

[aigel]

NATO cans are the way to go. 20l. I'd do metal any day over plastic. What sc_rufctr posted is a half a NATO can. With the lever closing system that thing is completely air tight. I bough a couple when I was hunting out of my Sequoia and wanted to take extra gas. Any other gas can could not be put in the trunk, it would stink up the truck with fumes as soon as you were climbing the mountain from the over pressure in the cans going up in elevation! Non issue with the Nato cans.

G

[sammyg2]

If a plastic can is sitting on the ground or a grounded surface, the static will be bled off and will not buiod up. But if it's sitting on a bed-lined pickemup, it will build up and can go bad.

[sammyg2]

Filling Gas Cans Safely
Author(s):
Lehtola, Carol;
Brown, Charles
Organization(s):
University of Florida IFAS Extension
PDF Version

Vehicle fires sometimes occur while people are filling metal gas cans placed on plastic surfaces. This type of fire usually involves a gas can in the back of a pick-up truck with a plastic bed liner.

Gasoline tends to carry a static electric charge. When pouring gasoline into a can, this charge can build up on the can. If the can is sitting on concrete or the ground, the static charge can safely flow away. But when the can is sitting on plastic, such as the plastic bed liner in a truck, the static charge can not escape because the plastic is an insulator, that is, it does not conduct electricity. A spark can occur between the can and the fuel nozzle and ignite the gasoline.

When the spark occurs in the flammable vapor space near the open mouth of the gas can, a fire occurs.

safety is the bottom line

Use only gas cans approved by OSHA and follow these precautions:

Use only an approved container.
Don't fill any container while it's inside a vehicle.
Always place the container you're filling on the ground and away from other customers and traffic.
Keep the nozzle in contact with the can while you're filling it.
Never use a latch-open device to fill a portable container.
Don't smoke.
While transporting containers, tie them in place.
For More Information

For more information about tractor safety, visit the Florida AgSafe Network Web site:

Florida AgSafe > Home

https://nasdonline.org/186/d001589/filling-gas-cans-safely.html#:~:text=Vehicle%20fires%20sometimes%20 occur%20while%20people%20are%20filling,pouring%20g asoline%20into%20a%20can%2C%20this%20charge%20can

[RWebb]

Justrite also make an oval can (in poly)

I have 2 old poly cans - I expect them to fail, but don't know which decade that will be in.
- the e; cheapo poly cans fail pretty quick

I'd get a Justrite if I was gonna buy now

BTW, plastic melts in a fire; OTOH a metal can full o' gas will...

[sammyg2]

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-111/default.html

Fire Hazard from Filling Portable Gas Cans in Pickup Trucks and Cars
July 1998
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 98-111

Description of Hazard
In recent incidents reported to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), fires spontaneously ignited when workers or others attempted to fill portable gasoline containers (gas cans) in the backs of pickup trucks equipped with plastic bed liners or in cars with carpeted surfaces. Serious skin burns and other injuries resulted. Similar incidents in the last few years have resulted in warning bulletins from several private and government organizations.

These fires result from the buildup of static electricity. The insulating effect of the bed liner or carpet prevents the static charge generated by gasoline flowing into the container or other sources from grounding. The discharge of this buildup to the grounded gasoline dispenser nozzle may cause a spark and ignite the gasoline. Both ungrounded metal (most hazardous) and plastic gas containers have been involved in these incidents.

gasoline fire in truck
Fire Hazard: Filling gas can in pickup truck with plastic bed liner.
Safe Practice: Always place gas can on ground before refueling. Touch can with gas dispenser nozzle before removing can lid. Keep gas dispenser nozzle in contact with can inlet when filling.

Recommendations For Prevention
Construction workers and others in small businesses who often work with gasoline-powered equipment commonly use portable gasoline containers. Homeowners use gasoline cans for their lawn mowers and other equipment.

Avoid the hazardous practice of leaving the portable gasoline containers in pickup trucks or cars when refueling!
Before filling, always remove the containers from the vehicle and place them on the ground at a safe distance from the vehicle (provides path to dissipate static charge to ground).
Touch the container with the gas dispenser nozzle before removing the container lid (provides another path to dissipate static charge to ground).
Keep the nozzle in contact with the container inlet when filling (to dissipate static charge buildup from flow of gasoline).
Additional measures for prevention include the following:

Manufacturers or retailers: Place a hazard label on all plastic liners being sold warning workers not to fill portable gas containers in the bed liner of the truck but always to place the containers on the ground before filling.
Gas stations: Display a warning notice near gas pumps to place all portable gas containers on the ground before filling.
States: Provide a warning notification to owners and users when new vehicles are licensed or when license plates are renewed.
Manufacturers: Build bed liners that can be grounded to the metal truck bed, thereby dissipating potential electrostatic charge.

[varmint]

Hate the new cans. Have reverted to using old five gallons jerry cans.

[widebody911]

https://expedition-imports.com/Wavian-Fuel-Cans_c_318.html