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Diesel Fuel Storage Safety

Storing diesel on a farm brings fire, spill and environmental concerns. This guide covers general safety ideas and points you to the officials who set the rules for your area.

Why does diesel storage need attention?

Diesel is less volatile than gasoline, but it still burns, and a leak or spill can create a fire hazard, contaminate soil and water and cost a lot to clean up. Storage tanks are often old, outdoors and exposed to weather. A small leak can go unnoticed for a long time.

Because rules about fuel tanks differ by size, location and state, this article does not state any requirement. Ask the official bodies named below.

What rules apply to my farm?

Rules on fuel storage can come from several sources, including your state environmental or agriculture agency, the fire marshal, the local fire department, the EPA and local zoning. Requirements for spill plans, secondary containment, setbacks and registration vary depending on tank size, type and location.

Start with your county extension office, which often knows the local requirements, and your local fire department. Your insurance company may also have conditions for fuel storage. Confirm everything with the official body rather than relying on memory or a neighbor's advice.

• County extension office
• Local fire department or fire marshal
• State environmental or agriculture agency
• Your insurer

Where should a tank go?

The location affects risk. Think about distance from buildings, hay and grain storage, wells, ponds, streams and property lines. Consider access for deliveries and for emergency vehicles, and drainage so a spill does not run toward water or buildings. Keep the area clear of weeds, trash and stored combustibles.

Specific distances come from official rules and your fire department, not from general rules of thumb. Ask before installing or moving a tank.

What should I do about leaks and spills?

Check tanks, fittings, hoses and the ground around them regularly. Look for stains, wet spots, dead vegetation, drips and damaged gaskets. Fix problems promptly. Have a spill plan: how to stop the source if it is safe to do so, how to contain a spill and whom to call. Keep absorbent materials as recommended by your local authorities.

Reporting rules for spills differ by state and amount. Contact your state environmental agency or your extension office to learn when you must report, and do so promptly if required. For a large spill, fire or injury, call 911.

How do I maintain tanks safely?

Keep tanks in good condition: sound supports, clean vents, working caps and clear labeling. Protect against vehicle impact with barriers where needed. Keep the area secure so children and unauthorized people cannot tamper with it.

Never weld, cut or grind on or near a tank, including an empty one, without proper professional guidance, because vapors can remain. Have qualified professionals handle repairs, tank removal and cleaning.

Who can help me do this well?

Local fire departments often visit farms to review fuel storage. Extension offices, state agencies and the EPA publish guidance, and your fuel supplier may offer advice on equipment and practices. NFPA provides general fire safety information.

Include fuel storage in your farm emergency plan. Share the location with family, workers and the fire department so responders know what is where. If there is a fire at or near the tank, get people away and call 911.

What should be in a farm fuel emergency plan?

A plan is simple and practical. Write down where each tank is, what it holds and how much it can hold, and give the information to your local fire department. Mark shutoff valves and make sure those who might need them know where they are. Post emergency numbers and the farm address near the tanks and in the shop.

List what to do for a leak, a spill and a fire. In general terms, the plan should say: protect people first, call 911 for a fire or injury, contact the right agency for spills as the rules require and keep others away. Do not enter smoke or fumes to try to save equipment.

Review and update the plan every year, after any change to tanks, and after any incident. Share it with family and workers, and keep a copy where responders can find it. A short walk-through with the whole crew, standing at the tank, makes the plan real and gives people a chance to ask questions before they need the answers.

• Document tank locations and contents
• Mark shutoffs and post numbers
• Review the plan yearly

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.