SAFE welding on a Diesel fuel tank??

I will add that while fighting a structure fire in a high performance shop, we had 6 firefighters in a stairwell trying to extinguish a stubborn extension fire, and yes, I was one of the 6... The air horn on the fire truck sounded 1 long blast..which means DROP EVERYTHING AND GET OUT.... Well, we had a few "veterans" in there, and they were reluctant to heed the warning of the air horn. When we finally did all get out of the structure, we were informed that a 55 gallon plastic drum was under the stairs we were standing on....and it was full of race fuel. Thankfully, it burnt through and was just spraying flames, it never exploded...but 6 of us almost became a statistic!

 

50 Burb....Head over to your closest pilot , loves,or flying j truck stop...
look in the "truckers" store. Should be about $60. for a locking fuel cap for your tank ( fyi , its 2" pipe thread..)
Dave

 

I have been welding on diesel tanks for about 25 years, mostly aluminum saddle tanks...adding weld fittings and wrapping new bands around mounting strap areas that have corroded etc. The tanks are drained...drilled or cut for fittings and welded..some tig welded some mig... I have never purged or washed-out... never had any problems at all. I WILL NOT WELD GASOLINE TANKS PERIOD...not worth the risk!
I have never heard of diesel fumes blowing-up. I have done well over 100 tanks...I verify 100% that it is diesel or I wont touch it.