Storing Hazardous Materials per OSHA & NFPA

Perfect for Storing Hazardous Chemicals and Solvents

                The storage of flammable chemicals and solvents is a serious matter. You can’t just put them on a back shelf and put a warning sign. In case of a fire or other disaster, you need a better option. Virtually every business uses flammable chemicals and solvents in some capacity but places like hospitals, laboratories, construction companies, waste dumps, industrial printers, factories, assembly plants, military installations, gas stations, fire departments and any place where flammable chemicals are sold need additional equipment. These businesses need flammable storage cabinets for the safety and security of their employees and customers and it may be required by local authorities and insurance companies to have them.

                Flammable storage cabinets are storage spaces designed to hold various paints, aerosols, liquids and solvents and reduce the risk of fire and personal harm from exposure and they’re designed to protect the contents and minimize the spread of any spills. Flammable and combustible liquids should be stored in these cabinets but some materials should be avoided like inorganic acids or strong oxidizing agents.

                The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has made a regulation/code about how flammable storage cabinets should be constructed and set the standards on what chemicals and liquids should be stored within. A link to the full listing of OSHA code 1910.106 can be found here.

                The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is one of the United State’s oldest nonprofit organizations dedicated to creating and maintaining minimal standards for fire prevention and suppression. They have over 300 codes for fire safety; Code 30 cover flammable and combustible liquids and their storage. It covers many technical details and the different classes of liquids and how they should be stored and what the level of danger is. A link covering the whole scope of Code 30 can be found at this site.

                There several misconceptions about flammable storage cabinets; there is no requirement for them to be the color red, metal isn’t not the only allowed building material, cabinets can be built out of wood if they follow NFPA Code 30.

                Safeandvault offers flammable storage cabinets that abide by the NFPA Code and are OSHA approved. These models have a ½” air space between two 18-gauge welded steel walls and dual 2” capped vents keep the contents of the cabinets cooler then in standard cabinets. Safeandvault also makes smaller models that fit under counter tops, window, flume hoods and other small spaces for convenient storage. They also feature adjustable feet that keep the cabinet level and a 2” (5 cm) high door sill helps keep spills contained. All of the models feature 500 lb capacity galvanized shelves, the shorter models have one shelf and the taller have two shelves. A locking handle is also a standard feature and the cabinets are painted in a bright yellow powder-coat with a “Flammable – Keep Fire Away” warning. The construction of all models is suitable for Class I, II and III liquids.

                Flammable storage cabinets are the right choice for your business, laboratory or workshop; they’re not just the right choice, they’re the safest choice.

Written by Joseph Fowler