Yes, it's perfectly legal to fill up a jerry can or petrol can as long as it meets some basic standards.
Petrol can be transported in tins and jerry cans that comply with Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2906 and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. The capacity of containers filled with petrol at service stations is limited to 25 litres.
For example, a metal jerry can will hold 10 litres, and motorists are allowed two metal cans in total; a combined 20 litres of petrol.
Not only can the fumes be harmful to your health, but the fuel itself can catch on fire if it's exposed to static or another ignition source. Don't fill containers to the top. Since petrol expands when it heats up, it's important to leave some room in your storage container.
Filling it up
Second, you must place it firmly on the ground before filling – no filling from your boot, the tray of your ute or trailer. Why? A fuel container is vulnerable to ignition sources when being filled and even a small static discharge can start a fire.
Leave cans in a shed, detached garage or another well-ventilated area else that's not close to living spaces. Store gas cans at room temperature and far from flames or sparks. Make sure children and pets don't go near gas cans. Check containers once a month for potential leaks.
Never Carry a Portable Gas Can Inside a Vehicle's Passenger Compartment or Store It Inside Your Home. To maintain safe internal pressures, approved fuel containers are designed to vent fuel vapor in high ambient temperatures.
How long does fuel last in a jerry can? When using the right fuel container, petrol can last up to one year, so long as the jerry can remains properly sealed. At 20˚ Celsius, fuel in a container with a broken seal lasts six months; at 30˚ Celsius, it lasts three months.
To distinguish gasoline from diesel, the color yellow is used instead of red. Yellow gas cans serve as diesel fuel containers and meet the same governmental requirements. Distinguishing from gasoline with the yellow color allows easy recognition and less risk of fuel mixing.
The high summer temperatures can cause vapors from these liquids to catch fire or even explode. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, approximately 2400 fires happen every year because gas cans left in the sun ignite and explode.
Federal regulations allow up to six jerry cans to be carried in a vehicle, though safety experts strongly warn against such a large amount.
A gasket made the mouth leakproof. An air-breathing tube from the spout to the air space kept the pouring smooth. And most important, the can's inside was lined with an impervious plastic material developed for the insides of steel beer barrels. This enabled the jerrycan to be used alternately for gasoline and water.”
Plastic Fuel & Water Cans
All Fuel Cans in the Pro Quip range are Certified to Australian Standard AS2906:2001 and UN Approved. We offer two distinct designs being Fast Pour in5L, 10L, 15L and 20L sizes, and Safe-T-Pour in the 5L Size.
SCA 2 Stroke Jerry Can 5 Litre - Ampol Sorell Service Station.
The jerrycan ("Wehrmachtkanister" in German) was originally designed using steel, for use by the German army, to transport 20 liters of fuel for military purposes. The name jerrycan was contrived by British soldiers during World War II, using the derogatory nickname they used for Germans, "Jerry."
Officially there are no rules as such and there is no legal obligation to store fuel in a particular colour can. It's up to you.
Metal gas cans are: Reliable/Durable – metal gas cans are made from iron. This sturdy element will ultimately last longer than plastic which can warp over time, meaning metal gas cans are better for long-term storage. Environmentally friendly – plastic gas cans are petroleum products that harm the environment.
Red 20 Liter Wavian Fuel Can — original NATO Jerry Can
Wavian fuel cans come in Red for gasoline, Blue for kerosine, and Yellow for diesel. The sizes available are 5 Liters (1.3 Gallons) 10 Liters (2.6 Gallons) and 20 Liters (5.3 Gallons). All come with a safety spout.
Old and new gas should not be mixed for a variety of reasons, the major ones are; The old gas degrades over time it should not be added because it has already lost it's combustibility. It can cause sputtering. It might fail to fire it up.
Degradation occurs from the get-go but most gas stays fresh for a month or two without issue. However, gas that is more than two month old is generally OK to use with only minor decreases in performance. Gas that is older than a year can cause issues, like engine knocking, sputtering and clogged injectors.
Yes, Gas Has a Shelf Life
It's true: gas does have a shelf life. Left dormant in your vehicle's tank, it can expire in as little as four weeks. Meanwhile, you can expect anywhere from three to six months with fuel that's been stored in jerry cans—in proper conditions.
Wipe the can clean before putting it in the vehicle (or hose it off). Secure the can in the vehicle so it won't slide around. Do not transport container in passenger compartment of vehicle. Never leave a gas can in your vehicle for extended periods.
The maximum capacity for a plastic container is 10 litres. The maximum capacity for a metal container is 20 litres. Petrol containers should be marked or labelled with the words: “PETROL” and “HIGHLY FLAMMABLE”, a hazard warning sign and the capacity in litres.
There are plenty of storage racks for jerry cans available for a variety of vehicles and while the best place to store a jerrycan/jug is on the back of your vehicle, or in the tray of a ute, sometimes you need to place them on the roof of your vehicle.