Bipartisan legislation cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) to make fuel containers less flammable received approval on Sept. 17 from the U.S. House of Representatives and the next day advanced to the U.S. Senate.
“By ensuring portable fuel containers come equipped with basic safety measures, we will prevent dangerous accidents that threaten thousands of lives every year,” Rep. Joyce said. “We need to have a standard in place that ensures these containers can function as safely and effectively as possible.”
Rep. Joyce in January introduced the Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2019, H.R. 806, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to require that fuel containers include devices that stop flames from entering the container, according to the congressional record.
The requirement would apply to flammable, liquid fuel containers of fewer than five gallons that are intended for transport, according to the bill summary, and CPSC could either promulgate a rule or adopt an existing standard.
If enacted, H.R. 806 also would require CPSC to educate consumers about the dangers associated with using or storing such containers near an open flame or an ignition source.
Additionally, H.R. 806 would require child-resistant caps on kerosene and diesel fuel containers, a requirement that currently applies only to gasoline containers, according to the congressional record summary.
H.R. 806 is supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters, the American Burn Association, the Consumer Federation of America, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of State Fire Marshalls, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the National Fire Protection Association, among others.
“I was proud to introduce this legislation alongside Congressman Mike Thompson and look forward to seeing our colleagues in the Senate take action on the bill soon,” said Rep. Joyce.