Flammable Liquids

It’s the vapor, not the liquid, that burns. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and can travel along the ground to a pilot light, heater or spark far away.

• Construction
• General Industry

Containers

• Use approved safety cans (self-closing lid, flame arrester) of 5 gallons or less for handling and dispensing.
• Label every container with its contents.
• Keep lids closed when not in use.

Storage

• Inside buildings, keep no more than 25 gallons of flammable liquids in a room outside an approved storage cabinet (construction)
• Use approved flammable storage cabinets for larger amounts
• Keep storage areas away from exits, stairways and ignition sources (no smoking within 50 feet)
• Outdoor storage areas graded to divert spills, kept clear of weeds and debris
• Fire extinguisher rated for Class B fires nearby

Refueling equipment

• Shut the engine off and let hot equipment cool.
• No smoking or open flames.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the tank opening; use bonding when needed. See Static Electricity.
• Fill portable cans on the ground, not in a truck bed with a plastic liner.
• Clean up spills right away. See Spill Response.

Last updated: October 1, 2026