Reclassification of Diesel as a Flammable Liquid

HSE Update

Blake Group provided information on the reclassification of diesel and the serious implications for the storage and use of diesel/gas oil in the manufacturing, transportation, power generation and heating industries in our August newsletter article titled ‘Explosive Issue…the Reclassification of the Flashpoint of Diesel‘ and are now able to provide you with further information.

The reclassification of diesel as a flammable liquid under the CLP regulations 2015 and the update of HSG 176, the HSE guide notes for the storage of flammable liquids, 2015, has caused serious concerns for the downstream section of the Fuel Industry. The implications if followed to the letter by those involved in the Industry, including the end users, would have been financially horrendous or an opportunity some might say, as all Diesel /Gas Oil storage systems would have had to be modified as a minimum, or in most cases replaced.

Fortunately, the HSE working with the Fuel Industry Working Group, FIWG, have resolved the issue.

The HSE has released a paper that addresses the position.

It states :

“Where diesel fuel is stored in storage tanks with a capacity of not exceeding 150,000 litres, designed to recognised industry standards such as BS 799 part 5 (The BS for single skin steel storage tanks ), OFS T 200 (The OFTEC standard for steel integrally bunded tanks ), EN 13341 or OFST 100, ( standards for rotationally moulded plastic tanks ) and where the vessels were manufactured in a workshop environment to controlled standards and where there is no risk associated with the formation of a flammable oil mist, the requirements of HSG 176 do not need to be applied.”

This statement can be used when carrying out a DSEAR assessment with respect to Diesel fuel storage installations.

Additionally with respect to Kerosene:

“For installations up to 10,000 litres the provisions of BS 5410 Part 1 and BS 5410 part 2 should be applied and for installations of a greater capacity than 10,000 litres the provisions of HSG 176 should be applied.”

For further clarification, please contact Ronnie_blake@blakegroup.co.uk, (0131 554 1646).