Water jerrycan for gasoline

[Xavierp]

Hi all

QUESTION: can I use plastic potable water jerrycans for gasoline?

If you need background:

No plastic gasoline jerrycans available that will fit on my boat. I need the, I guess old fashion one that is tall and not so wide as the newer ones

The potable water ones still have the old shape.

[Fintry]

First, take a look at these:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/co...type~gasoline/
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-gall...can-99551.html
They're painted steel, which would not be my first choice, but outboard tanks were painted steel fifty years ago and they lasted five-ten years.



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I suspect blue five gallon water jugs are the same material as red gasoline jusgs, so as a practical matter, it would probably be OK if you kept them outside -- which you would have to do anyway. Unless the boat is gas powered, you don't want any gas in the boat.



However most states restrict putting gasoline in anything but an approved container. I doubt that most filling stations enforce that, but you might want to paint them red.


Jim

[5BTM]

If the water jerrycans can meet the standard of construction and are approved to carry gasoline, you are good to go.

"an approved closed container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a flash arresting screen, spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by 5BTM

If the water jerrycans can meet the standard of construction and are approved to carry gasoline, you are good to go.

"an approved closed container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a flash arresting screen, spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."

What is that requirement in reference to? I can buy a plastic, 6-gallon portable outboard gasoline tank.

[SV OutofHere]

Well, it's not an approved gas container!!!

This might work

https://www.scepter.com/products/con...ine-container/

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...le-gas-can-epa

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...RoC8C0QAvD_BwE

[donradcliffe]

I doubt you can buy the sceptre 3609 in the US. It has a vent.

[Sailorman Ed]

"an approved closed container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a flash arresting screen, spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."

Maybe that is a Canadian thing but of the dozen or so red plastic gas containers I have, NONE meet that standard.



From my plastics background, the only difference between the blue water jugs, the red gas jugs and the yellow diesel jugs is the color concentrate added to the HDPE blow molded plastic. And the engraving on the mold.



But if you try and fill the fuel into the wrong color container at an attendant pump, they will likely refuse. At a self serve gas station, probably not any issue.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Xavierp

QUESTION: can I use plastic potable water jerrycans for gasoline?

Can you? Sure you can. Is it a good idea? You decide. For me, well, it's not how I roll.

Originally Posted by 5BTM

If the water jerrycans can meet the standard of construction and are approved to carry gasoline, you are good to go.

"an approved closed container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a flash arresting screen, spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure."

That's from the specifications for a safety can. I like them. I have a bunch in different sizes. Good for dinghy gas.

Originally Posted by Sailorman Ed

From my plastics background, the only difference between the blue water jugs, the red gas jugs and the yellow diesel jugs is the color concentrate added to the HDPE blow molded plastic. And the engraving on the mold.

The newer gasoline jugs are laminated, in order to meet the permeability requirements. There's some sort of barrier layer between the HDPE inside and HDPE outside.

[s/v Jedi]

The best thing invented after the jerrycan (y’all know it’s called that because it’s a German thing… if they realize that they will demand a new name) and all the hassle about nozzles and vents etc. is this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Y2TR6GY

Also, it means that the jerrycan model for water has become handier as it does away with the spouts and have a simple one piece cap.

[wholybee]

Legalities aside, my water jugs, while exactly the same size and mostly the same as my gas and diesel jugs the same size, shape, and brand, the plastic is only half as thick. So while it would work, would not be as durable.

The water jugs do not have the flame arrestor installed in them, which I knock out anyway, and the pour spout doesn't have any anti spill device.

[Kettlewell]

So, what if someone pours the gasoline into your water tanks, or uses the big blue jugs to try to put out a fire?

[CaptTom]

Originally Posted by Jammer

...That's from the specifications for a safety can...

Where can I find these specifications? And/or, what distinguishes a "safety can" from a regular portable fuel can? I'm trying to get at which actual regulations apply to us, on a vessel in US waters.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Where can I find these specifications? And/or, what distinguishes a "safety can" from a regular portable fuel can? I'm trying to get at which actual regulations apply to us, on a vessel in US waters.

While this is written to answer a question re: a construction site, it quotes the relevant CFRs which would apply to all portable fuel cans.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/stand...is%20added.%5D

[Cari Laut]

29 cfr may hold regulations for OSHA regulated entities, but that doesn’t make a Jerry can bought at Home Depot insufficient for a private vessel.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Where can I find these specifications? And/or, what distinguishes a "safety can" from a regular portable fuel can? I'm trying to get at which actual regulations apply to us, on a vessel in US waters.

Safety cans are in common use in industrial environments. I don't know who makes the rules. Just like it said in the text quoted upthread, they have a spring loaded closure, and a flame arrestor. They come in "Type I" and "Type II." Type II has a flexible spout, Type I has a funnel. I use Type I.