UL Panel Starts Broad Look at Portable Fuel Containers Updates

A UL working group September 16 began looking at updating standards on portable fuel cans. The project is in very early stages, so the direction is not set.

Numerous standards are targets, some of them near to needing 5-year reviews. The focus includes UL 30 (metal safety cans), UL 1313 (nonmetallic safety cans for petroleum), UL 1314 (special purpose metal cans), and ULC-ORD C30 (safety containers).

Beyond those, the group will consider existing codes and regulations. The group has Canadian representation in hopes of ensuring harmonization. Some early discussion involved differences between consumer and occupational uses. Three preliminary ideas for potential focus involve:

• Expanding UL 30 to cover portable units.
• Consolidating some of the standards into one.
• Considering withdrawal of UL 1314 due to coverage of special purpose cans by other groups like ASTM or CSA.

Also likely to get consideration are new non-metallic materials, recent but long-running work of flame-mitigation devices, and misuse of certain types of containers.