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12 Volt Fuel Transfer Pump Safety

Fuel transfer pumps transfer fuel from one container to another. In vehicles, they transfer gas from your auxiliary tank to your main tank. In industry, fuel transfer pumps transfer fuel from large storage tanks to machinery such as tractors. Fuel transfer pumps typically move large amounts of gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and solvents. When using a fuel transfer pump, there are several safety procedures that you should adhere to in order to avoid injury.

  1. Personal Safety

    • Petroleum fuels can burn or cause serious skin irritation. Wear protective gear such as goggles, heavy gloves and aprons when handling petroleum fuels to avoid prolonged skin contact. Change any saturated clothes as soon as possible and wash your skin with soap and water.

    Electrical Safety

    • Ground your fuel transfer system properly, ensuring there is a continuous metal-to-metal contact from one component to the next. This includes tank, pump, meter, filter, hose and nozzle. You should also avoid operating your fuel transfer pump in wet or damp locations. Water entering your fuel transfer pump or its components will increase the risk of electrical shock. Keep all cables away from heat, oil, sharp or rough edges, and moving parts. Damaged or tangled cables increase your risk of electric shock. To prevent shock from unintentional starting, check that the power switch is in the off position before connecting your pump to the battery.

    Fuel Safety

    • Do not operate your fuel transfer pump in the presence of any source of ignition such as spark, flame, running or hot engines, lit cigarettes or heaters. Never smoke while working with any type of fuel. Use your fuel transfer pump only for the fluids that the manufacturer designed it to carry.

    Inspection

    • Disconnect the power to your fuel transfer pump before repairing or servicing, and never connect the power when the transfer pump cover plates are not in place. Inspect external wiring on your fuel transfer pump regularly to ensure it is properly connected to the battery. Do not operate the pump if the wires or their connectors show signs of wear, cracks or corrosion. Remove all caps and plugs for a complete inspection of the transfer pump's parts, and do not operate the pump if any part is damaged or shows signs of wear. Inspect the pump and components regularly for leaks. To identify leaks easily, keep the pump's exterior clean.

    General Safety

    • Turn off your pump and disconnect it from its battery before leaving it unattended, and never walk away from the pump while it is connected to the battery. Keep your work area free of clutter and do not allow persons unfamiliar with fuel transfer pump operation to handle the pump. You should have your fuel transfer pump serviced by a qualified repair person regularly and use only approved replacement parts. Do not replace damaged parts with similar or almost exact parts. Use only exact replacements recommended by the manufacturer of the pump.

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