Other methods of storage can be applied as needed. But, the fuel should be controlled and regularly inspected by guards for tampering that regularly make rounds in the facility. This is not unusual to check secured commodities.
The US embassies and consulates are not usually in a distant place from civilization. The consulate in Benghazi was not in a distant location or was in the outskirts of the city. So, if there are no or inadequate storage regulations of fuel or an explosive substance of any kind the USA should have their own policy. Such policy should be consented to by the hosting country as either sufficient or substandard to the country's own fire prevention policy.The storage facility has to be a reasonable distance from any offices on USA property. Basically, there should be a facility, well vented, monitored and standard to USA safety and/or the hosting country if their standards are better.
The lack of policy for fuel storage caused complete lack of security in the Benghazi consulate on September 11, 2012.
Firstly, the smoke caused the death of the last Ambassador Stevens and his protector Sean Smith. Additionally, the smoke and/or fire prevented a path to the building where Chris Stevens and Sean Smith were in a safe room.
Secondly, the deaths of CIA contractors Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty were caused by gun fire. There were three attempts to find Chris Stevens. Those searches caused a delay in the leaving of the personnel in vehicles that worked reasonably well in the escape. The vehicles were armored, however, the barrage of bullets were proving to much as there was a 'close call' with nearly failing glass.
Thirdly, there was no response to fire by the personnel in the compound. There needs to be fire prevention measures in all US embassies and consulates. Fire prevention is a huge subject that also includes ventilation of any underground storage where people enter to obtain supplies. But, there wasn't the least bit of fire prevention in a government owned building which should include heat sensitive sprinklers. Such a fire prevention measure may mean a facility such as Benghazi might also need it's own water tower.
The CIA contractors deaths resulted because the personnel were prevented leaving the compound while personnel searched for Chris Stevens. There is a possibility had the four been able to leave as soon as there was any indication of danger they might be alive today.
So, fire and smoke have proven to cause a huge risk for the US State Department of their facilities and should not be taken lightly of the hosting government either.
