UK rules on filling cans with diesel at petrol station

[Squaredy]

8 hours ago, scbk said:

20l plastic diesel can with a separate breather valve, and a little pouring spout.

 

Costs about £45 or whatever but you get some free chain oil 

 

 

 

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I see where you are coming from.  It appears that plastic tubs are not legal.  I was called out recently by Tesco and when I looked into it they were right.  It has to be a metal can with UN approval for the purpose.

[GarethM]

23 minutes ago, Squaredy said:

I see where you are coming from.  It appears that plastic tubs are not legal.  I was called out recently by Tesco and when I looked into it they were right.  It has to be a metal can with UN approval for the purpose.

I'm sorry but that's bs, providing it has a UN number on the container it's legal for diesel.

 

Petrol is a bit different a that expands and has a specific regulation.

 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/portabable-petrol-storage-containers.pdf

[Squaredy]

2 minutes ago, GarethM said:

I'm sorry but that's bs, providing it has a UN number on the container it's legal for diesel.

 

Petrol is a bit different a that expands and has a specific regulation.

 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/portabable-petrol-storage-containers.pdf

I am sure the regulations say it has to be metal.

[Mark Bolam]

36 minutes ago, Squaredy said:

I see where you are coming from.  It appears that plastic tubs are not legal.  I was called out recently by Tesco and when I looked into it they were right.  It has to be a metal can with UN approval for the purpose.

Tesco sell plastic diesel containers though, the black ones.

They are 5l mind, maybe the rules change for larger volumes?

[GarethM]

Nope, just UN approved.

There is a limit on total volume, but that's something like 3000 litres, more about if you had an accident and spilled.

[Squaredy]

5 minutes ago, GarethM said:

Nope, just UN approved.

There is a limit on total volume, but that's something like 3000 litres, more about if you had an accident and spilled.

One of the earlier posts on this thread suggests that it is HSE guidance, but only once you are over 10 litres.  Maybe this is wrong?  

Anyway, as I found out random plastic containers are not allowed, however strong.

[GarethM]

The whole UN thing is to prevent idiots using milk jugs and alike.

 

Even old chainsaw oil contains are diesel UN approved, everything has to be shipped on pallets so is generally approved for use.

 

If it was me I'd turn up with a load of ex army jerry cans, mines from 1987 just to spite them or an actual barrel depending on how arsey the manager had been.

Edited August 31, 2023 by GarethM

[Dan Maynard]

Is it not the case that there are HSE guidelines but in the end they are not obliged to sell anyone fuel, so can make their own extra rules?

 

So if Tesco say only metal containers on the forecourt then that's up to them, otherwise go somewhere else. I think you could be right it's to make it very easy to enforce people not using milk bottles and carrier bags like they were in one of the panics.

 

Think HSE rules are different for petrol and diesel, as I have a petrol chipper if it's over 10 litres has to be metal and limit on number of containers in the vehicle. Diesel I think you can do anything you like.

[scbk]

In my experience, supermarket fuel station staff have always been total jobsworths. Best avoided.

"Normal" petrol stations are fine, no issues.

A local one even has a red diesel pump, (but it's almost the same price as white!!)

[Squaredy]

4 hours ago, scbk said:

In my experience, supermarket fuel station staff have always been total jobsworths. Best avoided.

"Normal" petrol stations are fine, no issues.

A local one even has a red diesel pump, (but it's almost the same price as white!!)

There is a little old country garage near me that sells red out of a pump.  I used to use him on very rare occasions but knew he was a total rip-off. 

 

Last time I asked the price beforehand and he said "About £1.20 per litre".  How he could not know I have no idea.  He then proceeded to fill my can and knew exactly how much to charge me - just over £1.50 per litre.  Yes that is for red.  Admitedly this was a year or so ago when prices were higher, but it was not a complicated question - and he lied.  I never use him now.