It never happens to you, until it does...

[bdbecker]

I get careless when it comes to storing flammables in my garage. Then I see one of my college buddies is in the hospital with second degree burns.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=41176819&ni...econd-degree-burns-suffered-in-salt-lake-fire

No more excuses, the flammables are going outside until I get a real storage solution sorted out for them.

 

[Jess]

Loss of a shop or home can be a heartbreak, but its just stuff. Loss of a family member or other occupants goes beyond tragedy. I removed all my gas and diesel cans to another well ventilated storage space away from my shop and house. I would like to have a separate shed or small building where it could all be kept but not there yet.

 

[Weekend_warrior]

I tend to keep my gas cans in the garage, but have nowhere else to store them. If I ever see a flamable rated cabinet cheap I'll pick it up, but for now I keep most of the flamable things other than gas cans in a metal cabinet in the garage. I have three VP style fuel cans for my dirt bikes. Most have a little left from rides. I've not hand any issues yet. Maybe I will one day or maybe not. If I had a shed out back I'd store them in their, but still have tanks on the bike that have gas in them.

 

[Mitch1963]

I keep my gas and diesel in a little storage shed away from the welder/torch....etc..

 

[Strouty]

Gasoline and diesel are stored in a totally separate outbuilding. I have a flammable cabinet for the bulk stuff. I do keep a few things floating around, but nothing major. Of course I have my cutting torch, but I feel that is safer than a can of gasoline any day.

The most dangerous thing in most people's garage is those damn lithium batteries. I hear about more fires started because someone left the batteries charging.

Hope your friend recovers.

 

[JKady]

I keep fuels in cans out in the shed in the back yard, only way they're gonna catch fire there is if the brick building that backs up to my property catches fire. My automotive chemicals are in a side locker on one of my toolboxes, while it's not fireproof, it prevents sparks from welding or grinding getting to them easily. My torch bottles are in the garage but they honestly don't worry me.

 

[Gerald O]

Who keeps cars in the garage with fuel in the tank?

 

[bdbecker]

I peeked in my garage when I was home for lunch today and took a look at my situation. I have a bunch of spray paint, a couple of partial gallons of paint thinner and mineral spirits on a shelf under my main workbench, a couple of gallons of gas and kerosene sitting near the door, and the typical assortment of starter fluid/brake cleaner/PB Blaster cans sitting on a shelf near my bench. Not only that, I have an old rug in front of my workbench.

I'm working in a stinking firebomb waiting to happen! The worst part about all of this is that I know better. Time to re-prioritize my project list and get the situation under control.

...Hope your friend recovers.

His girlfriend posted a Facebook update, it sounds like he's doing okay considering the circumstances.

 

[matt_i]

Imo, have to be very careful flame cutting or mig welding in a wood-framed building. Those molten metal balls can ignite dust bunnies, roll into cracks underneath the drywall.

I actually don't worry much about gasoline cans, its in another garage that is currently storage. However I really hate working with actual liquid gasoline. The smell drives me nuts and I try to get away from it as much as possible. Even when filling up the tank.

I do worry about my forklift propane tanks and my oxygen and acetylene tanks though..

 

[kaymccampbell]

My fuel cans are in an outbuilding. My rattle cans are in a steel cabinet. My walls are 5/8 X rated drywall, except for the bottom 6" which is stoneboard, to be covered with 12" of tile.