Petrol can

DiyNutJob · 2026-02-04T10:58:18+0000

I am getting a petrol can and seeing plenty for sale that have no labels on them. I think it's a requirement for labelling/marking. Can anyone explain why non-compliant cans are allowed to be sold?

jj4091 · 2026-02-04T14:05:41+0000

If you are talking about plastic ones I always thought it was a colour code. Green for petrol. Black for diesel. But I think both are only intended for emergency use not storage.

DiyNutJob · 2026-02-04T17:22:44+0000

jj4091 said:
If you are talking about plastic ones I always thought it was a colour code. Green for petrol. Black for diesel. But I think both are only intended for emergency use not storage.

Storage is allowed for a certain limit. The regulations says the can has to be marked as flammable. If they are selling unmarked ones, that seems to suggest marking isn't a legal requirement. But google says different:

Legal Labelling Requirements
To be legal, a portable petrol container must be marked with:

The words "PETROL" and "HIGHLY FLAMMABLE".
An appropriate hazard warning sign (typically the flame symbol).
The nominal capacity in litres.
The manufacturer's name and the date/month of manufacture.

Munroast · 2026-02-04T17:44:51+0000

I have wondered about this before - however when I have fill;ed all manner of containers up for the lawn mower / chain saw, no one has ever questioned me at the filling station

make sure it doest have a hole in the bottom, years ago it was fair stinking on my short drive home, where I realised a small puncture hole had allowed half of it to leak out all over the floor in my van, just left the doors and windows open all night, it just evaporated away.

Harry Bloomfield · 2026-02-04T17:50:55+0000

DiyNutJob said:
The words "PETROL" and "HIGHLY FLAMMABLE".

Is moulded on the sides of all my plastic containers, except the last one I bought is such a poor, cheap moulding, the the screw top plastic lid, leaks like a sieve, and the thread so flimsy, it could never possibly ever seal.

DiyNutJob · 2026-02-04T18:11:34+0000

I was trying to save £2 on an unmarked one, but splashed out for a marked one. It doesn't matter if it leaked, I am sure I can find a way to fix it with a tpu print. I just don't need any hassle with the regulation bull ox, what with house insurance invalidation etc.

Odds · 2026-02-04T18:37:02+0000

Wouldn't need one o' them if you'd bother to upgrade to an EV.

DiyNutJob · 2026-02-04T18:42:48+0000

Odds said:
Wouldn't need one o' them if you'd bother to upgrade to an EV.

Needing one every 30 years still better than having to charge the ev every other day.

Odds · 2026-02-04T18:45:07+0000

Yeah right - it's such a hassel to plug it in.

Munroast · 2026-02-04T18:51:08+0000

Odds said:
Yeah right - it's such a hassel to plug it in.

don't plug a petrol can into the mains - that would not be wise

Odds · 2026-02-04T18:54:26+0000

Munroast said:
don't plug a petrol can into the mains - that would not be wise

Don't tell me, tell Nutjob - he's capable of anything.

Mottie · 2026-02-04T18:59:42+0000

DiyNutJob said:
what with house insurance invalidation etc.

What about house insurance invalidation etc? Do tell.

Munroast · 2026-02-04T19:05:38+0000

Mottie said:
What about house insurance invalidation etc? Do tell.

if your plastic petrol can bursts into flames (and does not melt in the intense fire) and does not have the wording "Petrol- highly Flammable" written on.....

Mottie · 2026-02-04T19:07:28+0000

Munroast said:
if your plastic petrol can bursts into flames (and does not melt in the intense fire) and does not have the wording "Petrol- highly Flammable" written on.....

I store my petrol in bin liners and carrier bags.

Tigercubrider · 2026-02-04T20:55:11+0000

You can store up to 10 litres at home when using plastic cans, more if in metal but it’s below about 40 I think

Petrol can

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