Many people have passed by these containers numerous times without giving them much attention – the vibrant red sand buckets found at every Kenyan petrol station.
These unassuming vessels actually serve as your primary defense in fire situations, capable of stopping small flames from escalating into devastating blazes.
The buckets are not just symbolic safety items; they fulfill several vital functions that can distinguish between a minor incident and a major catastrophe.
Throughout Kenya’s petrol stations, sand buckets are strategically placed near fuel pumps as a mandatory safety requirement under strict national regulations.
The main purpose of these containers is fire suppression through smothering, a method that eliminates the oxygen supply flames need to continue burning.
Unlike water, which would actually intensify a petrol fire by causing the fuel to spread and disperse, sand effectively smothers flames without creating additional dangers.
It also absorbs petrol or oil spills that could otherwise expand and create more significant fire or explosion risks.
The sand’s electrically neutral properties make it especially valuable in preventing potential ignition sources.
Kenya’s petroleum sector shows remarkable adherence to fuel quality standards, with 98.76 percent of stations meeting requirements according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (EPRA) thorough testing.
However, safety enforcement is critically inadequate, with 87 percent of petroleum transporters failing to meet regulatory standards, particularly in Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) handling and tanker transportation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2007, amended in 2010, specifically requires these safety protocols for workplaces dealing with flammable materials, such as petroleum stations.
Petrol stations are considered high-risk locations under the Energy Act 2006, necessitating complete fire safety equipment, including sand buckets, as part of emergency response measures.
Besides helping to control fires, the sand is also used to absorb oil spills, reducing slippery surfaces that can cause tyre skidding and other safety concerns.
While modern firefighting equipment like foam extinguishers and Carbon Dioxide systems are also mandatory at stations, sand remains essential for immediate response to small, isolated flames.
Regulations mandate that petroleum service stations with underground tank systems maintain larger-capacity extinguishing systems, including portable Carbon Dioxide extinguishers and foam chemical extinguishers.
Sand buckets represent a low-technology yet highly effective method that remains dependable, inexpensive, simple to use, and can be rapidly refilled and restored after use.
When you next refuel your vehicle, take a moment to identify those red buckets; they could be the simple tool that protects your life.