NFPA Flammable Storage / What and Why
Fire is a constant danger to any business and most businesses have materials and chemicals within that would only make a fire worse. That is why it is vital for any place of business to have flammable storage cabinets that will keep any fires from noxious chemicals and materials. Whither your business has the obvious chemicals around because it’s a factory or machine shop; a standard place of business like a convenience store with hazardous materials in the backroom or a business you’re not likely to think of in terms of hazardous chemicals; like a school or a hair salon.
One of the best choices you can make is choosing a NFPA code approved cabinet to safeguard these chemicals. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is an organization that was founded in 1896 and is dedicated to creating, maintaining and supervising codes, standards and regulations to prevent fires and limit the damage they cause. They are continuingly updating and revising over 300 codes and have a cadre of over 6000 volunteers who represent fire fighters, builders of fire equipment, providers of fire insurance and more. One of their codes is concerned with the standard to which flammable and combustible liquids are stored and what containers should be used. NFPA Code 30 has several sections referring to these cabinets. Labsafety.com provides an excellent synopsis about the required construction of metal flammable liquid storage cabinets.
“NFPA 30 Chapter 4.3.3 (b) and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 (d) (3) (ii) (a) state, Metal cabinets constructed in the following manner are acceptable. The bottom, top, door, and sides of cabinet shall be at least No. 18 gauge sheet steel and doubled walled with 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm) air space. Joints shall be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means. The door shall be provided with a three-point latch arrangement and the door sill shall be raised at least 2 inches (5 cm) above the bottom of the cabinet to retain spilled liquid with-in the cabinet. NFPA 30 Chapter 4.3.3 (a) also states, Storage Cabinets shall be designed and constructed to limit the internal temperature at the center, 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top, to not more than 325 degrees F (162.8 degrees C) when subjected to a 10- minute fire test with burners simulating a room fire exposure using the standard time temperature curve as given in NFPA 251, Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials. All joints and seams shall remain tight and the door shall remain securely closed during the fire test.”
Safeandvault.com provides models that abide by the NFPA code to the letter. With 18-gauge steel, ½” air space between the walls, dual capped 2” air vents, 2” door sills which help contain spills and 500 lb. capacity galvanized shelves (which are also adjustable). Smaller models come with one shelf while the larger version comes with two. Another important feature that aids in storing liquids is the adjustable feet that keep the cabinet level. These products are a great choice for any business.
NFPA Code Approved Flammable Storage Cabinets
It is also important to know what you should store in these cabinets. Here is a list of the types of chemicals that flammable and dangerous. If you have these chemicals on-site or products/tools/materials containing large amounts of them; store them in a safe place like our cabinets.
Corrosives
Irritants
Asphyxiates
Primary Anesthetics
Hepatotoxins
Nephrotoxins
Neurotoxins
Hemotoxins
Carcinogens
Reproductive Toxins
Mutagens
Teratogens
Sensitizers
Toxic Chemicals
Acutely Toxic Chemicals
Cyanide and Sulfur Compounds
This website has the types of chemicals listed and examples of each type. OSHA also has a complete list of hazardous chemicals. It is important to be aware of all of them.
NFPA and OSHA aren’t the only organizations looking out for the safety of businesses and their employees and customers. Safeandvault.com wants to assist by offering great products at great prices.
Written by:
Joseph Fowler