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HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 11:51 am
by lewes
Is there a HSG document or strict guidance for the cleaning of fuel tanks ???
I have been asked the question and I don't think there is but its Monday morning so cant confirm !!!
These are fuel tanks that go on vehicles and not Tankers or bulk storage of fuel.
Thanks for any input
Re: HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:01 pm
by BGW
Cleaning and gas-freeing of tanks containing flammable
residues Guidance Note CS15 HSE Books 1985 (rev 1997)
ISBN 0 7176 1365 8
Tank cleaning safety code (Model code of safe practice in the
petroleum industry, Part 16) Institute of Petroleum 1996 (2nd ed)
ISBN 0 4719 7096 4 Available from: Portland Press,
Commerce Way, Whitehall Industrial Estate, Colchester
CO2 8HP. Tel: 01206 796351.
also see
Cleaning and gas freeing of tanks
Re: HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:02 pm
by MickG
What are you trying to clean from it??
You need to think about containment of any liquid and disposal of the waste.
A COSHH assessment should be carried out too.
I'm sure someone will be able to add more soon...
Re: HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:06 pm
by lewes
At the moment the vehicle tanks are drained to suitable containers and a soapy solution is used and rinsed several times.
These vehicle tanks are normally used for diesel
Re: HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:16 pm
by MickG
Diesel isnt flammable so you dont have to worry about that.
But why clean them??
If you leave any water in the tanks before re-use this may end up being worse than any contamination you might have.
If you're trying to clean red diesel staining, you wont!!
Re: HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:31 pm
by lewes
I understand that vast quantities of Diesel fumes in an enclosed environment can be flammable.
The tanks are removed from the vehicle as there can be a build up of sludge in the bottom of the tank.
Weve had an incident and im looking into it further
Re: HSE Guidance for cleaning of fuel tank ???
Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:35 am
by MickG
Flash point of diesel is around 62C. If it gets especially hot you might have a flammability problem, but at 62C your guys working will already have given up!!
Auto-ignition temp of diesel is 210C, so I wouldnt worry about that!!
The correct quantities of diesel vapour and oxygen at high presures can be explosive, but you'd have to inside a diesel engine to experience it.