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More than half of Ohio farms with bulk fuel tanks have them located too close to buildings, estimates Hank Bartholomew, loss control specialist for Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance. He said storing and handling flammable liquids near farm buildings present serious fire and safety hazards that can and should be avoided.

"When you’re fueling tractors or other farm equipment with hot engines and a fuel spill occurs, a resulting fire can not only burn the equipment but also any structures that are close by," Bartholomew said.

Another situation poses an equally hazardous scenario. "If a fire should start in a building with an adjacent fuel tank, it could also catch fire or explode," Bartholomew said, exposing anyone nearby – including firefighters – to serious or fatal injuries. "Just the smoke from a burning structure can mask the tanks and pose much greater risk to firefighters," he added.

He noted that underwriters view fuel tanks positioned away from buildings as one of many safe practices that affect underwriting decisions. Fuel tanks located inside farm structures usually need to be moved to obtain coverage, he said.

Bartholomew has found that many Ohio farmers also are not aware they need permits for storing and handling diesel fuel. He said awareness also is lacking about containment regulations that apply to fuel tanks.

For more information about these and other farm safety practices, contact a nearby Nationwide Insurance agent who can coordinate a loss prevention visit.

To help prevent further damage from an explosion or fire, all diesel and gasoline tanks should be outside and away from the nearest buildings by at least the following distances, according to the National Fire Protection Association and Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance.

5 feet Up to 125 gallons

10 feet 125 to 500 gallons

15 feet 500 to 750 gallons

20 feet 750 to 1,500 gallons

25 feet 1,500 to 2,000 gallons

35 feet 2,000 to 5,000 gallons