Petrol fumes - wibu?

[oilyskinproblems]

Me dh and dc are temporarily in shared accommodation while we wait for our house to be built. There is a garage right below our bedroom and one of the other occupants has had a tank of petrol leak everywhere. It’s quite a lot and our entire bedroom (and dcs bedrooms) absolutely stinks of petrol. You can smell it in every room but it’s potent in the bedrooms.

I was a bit concerned about our very young dcs breathing in the fumes (one is an infant) and did a quick google search. Apparently large levels of petrol fume inhalation can cause Carbon monoxide poisoning. I’m not sure what “large levels” constitutes as but I’m really nervous about putting the kids to bed in these fumes. DH thinks I’m being hysterical...I may be who knows but the dc are still too small.

Can anyone offer some advice? Aibu (and hysterical) or should we go elsewhere until the smells gone? Or nip out and get a CO detector?

No you absolutely are not being hysterical, do not sleep there with the kids. Unfortunately I speak from experience.

Do you know how much petrol? How big was the tank?

I’m trying to find the other occupant to ask how much but can’t get hold of him - he’s popped out. Thanks very much for your reply - DH has just admitted there is no way we can stay here tonight as the fumes are so overpowering. It’s gradually getting worse think the leak may still be going.

A huge fire risk surely. Are you in the property now?

Oh good I am glad you aren't staying there. No wonder your neighbour went out!!

You need to find out how much it was though, depending on how much it was that can be a big job to fix. Is it a private garage where someone parks there car or like a garage where cars are fixed? Just wondering if it's likely to be a small tank or large really

*Their car sorry

It’s a private garage and the tank is for a fairly large sit on lawn mower - will keep trying to get hold of him - thanks again

You're welcome, hope you get it sorted

I'd call the fire brigade and make sure it's cleaned up properly and the garage owner is spoken to about not storing petrol in the same building as people live. It may be his garage but it's still a residential building and it's dangerous surely?

I think the guy thinks we’re overreacting going somewhere else but never mind. We’re in a rural area where lots of people have tractors/larger mowers and he said this has happened before and he’s going to give the garage a good scrub down now.

In regards to calling the fire Brigade - I’m really not sure? I’m very uneducated/naive about the risks. We’ve left now anyway - genuinely couldn’t stay in those fumes let alone put baby to sleep in them.

I guess if he's going to scrub it then it'll be safe for now but having petrol stored under your bedroom is not safe in any way and I wouldn't be happy about it being stored there especially if he has such poor storage that he keeps spilling it!

I googled and found this If spilt or exposed to the air, petrol evaporates quickly producing vapour which is highly flammable and therefore easily ignited by any spark, cigarette and so on. A small spill will still produce a large amount of vapour

So if you can still smell petrol there is petrol vapour and if a spark can ignite it then it's possible when your boiler comes on, etc that it goes up in a ball of flame? I would get advice.

i think you’re right we really need to get advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about. Definitely not worth the risk - thanks for the replies

Did he give you any idea of how much spilled op?

Carbon Monoxide is heavier than air so if the leak is below than this is not going to be an issue. Personally I would be more concerned about the fire risk but the levels of vapour in your accommodation will not be at a level at which it will ignite. That is not to say that it isn't a risk if there is a source of ignition in the garage.

I suspect that the fumes are more of an annoyance that a threat but you're not wrong to be concerned.

You can get one of those carbon monoxide monitors for the house (health visitor should have advise on this), also I would contact environmental health before the fire brigade if you're looking for advice.

It was a full tank which is a gallon. Been round this morning and the smell is just as bad - he hasn’t cleaned it up. We got advice on how to clean it up properly and what to use and he said he would do it but hasn’t and now it’s all dried in/evaporated. Won’t even allow us to keep the garage doors open to ventilate it as he has a lot of stuff in there.

Wow what a twat! Is he your landlord? What will you do?

It should be scrubbed then sand put onto it to make doubly sure. Lawn mowers even ride ins don't take that much but a little bit of liquid goes a long way

The fire risk is quite the worry.

Why is he not cleaning it appropriately?

Get advice from fire service.