Portable Fuel Storage Tanks

The amount of diesel you can store at a residential property depends on the quantity, storage location, container type and applicable state or local requirements.

Under the minor-storage provisions referenced by AS 1940, diesel storage allowances vary depending on whether the fuel is stored inside a residence, in an attached garage or outdoors with appropriate separation from buildings and property boundaries.

For example, up to 250 litres of diesel may fall within minor-storage provisions when stored outdoors under the appropriate conditions, but this should not be treated as a blanket approval for every residential property.

Always use approved, leak-free fuel containers, keep diesel away from ignition and heat sources, and confirm the requirements applicable to your property before installing larger home diesel fuel storage tanks in Western Australia.

A portable diesel fuel tank should be refuelled in a suitable outdoor or well-controlled refuelling area, positioned securely on stable ground and away from ignition sources.

During refuelling, follow the tank manufacturer’s instructions and appropriate site procedures. Where required, suitable bonding or earthing arrangements should be used to manage static electricity, particularly when transferring fuel between tanks and equipment.

Keep the dispensing nozzle under control throughout the filling process, monitor the fuel level and ensure spills can be safely contained.

For commercial, agricultural, construction and mining operations, a correctly configured portable diesel storage and dispensing tank can provide a safer and more efficient way to refuel generators, pumps, vehicles and heavy equipment on site.

Safe diesel handling is especially important on WA mine sites, farms, construction projects and remote work locations.

When filling a portable diesel fuel tank:

• Do not refuel near open flames, sparks or other ignition sources.
• Do not position the tank next to hot engines or exhaust systems.
• Do not use damaged, leaking or unsuitable fuel containers.
• Do not leave fuel transfer equipment unattended while refuelling.
• Do not exceed the tank manufacturer’s safe filling level.
• Avoid filling a portable container while it is positioned in an unsuitable location where spills cannot be safely contained.
• Allow sufficient ullage for fuel expansion, particularly in the high ambient temperatures experienced throughout the Pilbara, Goldfields and regional Western Australia.

Correct fuel storage and refuelling practices help reduce spills, equipment damage, environmental incidents and unnecessary downtime.

Self-bunded diesel fuel tanks are widely used across Western Australian mining, civil construction, oil & gas and industrial projects because they provide integrated secondary containment without requiring a separate traditional external bund.

They are not automatically compulsory on every site simply because the project is located in Western Australia. The fuel-storage solution required will depend on the quantity of diesel being stored, tank design, location, environmental risks, applicable legislation, AS 1940 requirements and the individual operator’s site standards.

Many major mining and Tier-1 construction operators specify double-walled or self-bunded fuel tanks within their own engineering, environmental and site requirements.

A properly designed self-bunded tank provides an effective solution for bulk diesel storage on remote WA sites, particularly where equipment may need to be relocated as mining or construction activities progress.

Before purchasing a tank, Genertec can help you identify the capacity, configuration and features required for your application and site.

The right diesel fuel tank size for a generator depends primarily on the generator’s fuel consumption, expected electrical load and how long it needs to operate between fuel deliveries.

A simple starting calculation is:

Generator Fuel Consumption Per Hour × Required Run Time = Minimum Fuel Requirement

For example, if a generator consumes 20 litres per hour and needs to operate for 48 hours between deliveries:

20 L/hr × 48 hours = 960 litres

You should then allow additional reserve capacity for unexpected increases in load, delivery delays, extreme weather or access restrictions.

For remote WA operations, allowing approximately 20% additional operational fuel reserve can provide a useful planning margin, subject to the site’s specific operating requirements.

This is particularly important for remote mine sites, accommodation camps, dewatering pumps, telecommunications sites and standby generators, where running out of fuel can result in expensive downtime.

Genertec can help calculate your expected fuel consumption and recommend a portable or bulk diesel fuel tank sized to suit your generator and required run time.