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Petroleum licensing - storing petrol

A petrol station

We are the licensing authority for the storage of petroleum in Tyne and Wear. 

To protect the public and the environment, Petroleum is licensed to ensure that it is kept and dispensed in a safely.

If you are storing or proposing to store petroleum for commercial or retail purposes and do not have a licence, you will need to apply for one. 

A licence will let you keep an approved quantity of petroleum. It is an offence to keep more than this, as is failing to comply with any of the licence conditions.  Also, you can not keep licensable quantities without holding a licence.

What is petroleum?

Petroleum means any product of crude petroleum which has a flashpoint below 21°C. This includes petrol, benzene, pentane and any mixture which contains these products.

A licence is also required for the storage of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or Calcium Carbide when stored on a Petroleum forecourt.

Petrol

 

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

Licence/renewal for up to 2,500 litres

£42

£84

£126

Licence/renewal for up to 50,000 litres

£58

£116

£174

Licence/renewal for over 50,000 litres

£120

£240

£360

Transfer of licence

£8

N/A

N/A

 

Note: The Health & Safety Fees Regulations 2009 set out the maximum annual fee for petrol licences.  As the Regulations set no fees for licensing periods in excess of 1 year, it is the nationally recognised practice to levy a fee by a multiple of 2 or 3 of the current fee for the respective durations of 2 or 3 years.  PETEL circular 65/62 refers.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/65-62.htm

 

Contact

If you need advice or have any questions about licences for petroleum, please contact your nearest Community Safety Office:

Service Delivery Headquarters (SDHQ) 0191 4441264
North Division Headquarters (NDHQ) 0191 4441002
Service Headquarters (SHQ) 0191 4441587

Domestic storage

Petrol is a highly flammable, explosive and toxic substance. There are laws you must obey and rules you need to follow if you are storing it.

It's against the law to store more than 20 litres of petrol in two 10 litre metal containers, and 10 litres in two 5 litre plastic containers. All containers must be designed for the purpose and they must be marked petroleum and highly flammable.

Apart from what's in the fuel tank, you can only transport petrol in securely closed containers designed for the purpose and marked petroleum and highly flammable. Make sure they are secured in the boot when being transported.

Filling your tank from a container should only be carried out in the open air.

Store any containers in a garage or shed away from any other buildings. Don't keep it in the house. Make sure the area is well ventilated and away from any naked flame or live electrical equipment.

Check containers regularly for leaks. If you smell petrol fumes, ventilate the area and make sure nobody smokes or turns electrical switches on or off. The slightest spark could cause an explosion.