When you’re working with dangerous goods, selecting, implementing and maintaining compliant storage is key for chemical compliance. In this post, we’ll be looking at the dangerous goods storage requirements for each class of dangerous goods, so you can create a safe and compliant workplace.
Let’s get started by first explaining what dangerous goods are.
What is a Dangerous Good?
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids or gases that are harmful to people, property and the environment. Dangerous Goods include substances that are explosive, flammable, spontaneously combustible, oxidising, toxic, corrosive and water reactive. Some commonly used dangerous goods include petrol, solvents, paints, acids and pesticides.
Workplace incidents involving dangerous goods have the potential to cause severe or fatal injuries to people and large-scale destruction to workplace property and the surrounding environment.
What Can Happen If Dangerous Goods Aren't Stored Properly?
As dangerous goods pose significant risks upon the people and property of your organisation, it makes it very important to store your dangerous goods in a safe and compliant manner. If you fail to store your dangerous goods safely, your organisation may face a range of serious consequences for non-compliance including fines and court proceedings. The risks associated with non-compliant storage of dangerous goods can range from human harm and fatalities to environmental contamination and destruction of prooerty.
The safe storage of dangerous goods can be achieved by adhering to the requirements outlined in the Australian Standards. While the Australian Standards are not law, they are accepted as an important part of a solution for meeting legislative compliance.
We’ll now outline the storage requirements for each of the DG classes, so you can better protect your workplace and community from the risks associated with hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods.
Class 1 - Explosives
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of explosives is AS 2187.1-1998 - Explosives - Storage transport and use - Storage.
This standard outlines the design requirements for internal portable magazines and explosives cabinets.
The key requirements for these explosive storage cabinets and boxes include:
- Fully welded steel or aluminium sheet metal construction no less than 1.1 mm thick.
- Internally lined with wood that is securely fastened to the steel or aluminium
- Fitted with a close fitting lid secured by steel hasp, staple and hinges.
- Fitted with a lock and handles for lifting
- Painted both internally and externally
Class 2 - Gases
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of gases in cylinders is AS 4332-2004 - The storage and handling of gases in cylinders.
This Standard outlines the design and construction requirements for gas cylinder storage cages used for the storage of:
- Division 2.1 - Flammable Gas
- Division 2.2 - Non-flammable non toxic gas
- Division 2.3 - Toxic Gas
IMPORTANT: The indoor storage of gases in cylinders must be avoided wherever possible, as the accidental release of gases indoors can result in serious incidents such as fire or explosion. Toxic gases are recognised as hazardous chemicals and can cause asphyxiation, poisoning and serious human harm if they’re inhaled.
The main design requirements for gas cylinder storage cages include:
- Must be constructed from a non-combustible material.
- Doors must open outwards
- A natural ventilation system that consists of at least 2 opposing walls with louvers. The total area of the vents shall be at least 0.1m2 per one metre of wall length.
- Must be fitted with restraining chains and bars to protect the gas cylinder from being knocked over or falling.
Class 3 - Flammable Liquids
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for Class 3 Flammable substances is AS 1940-2017 - The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
This Standard explains the different requirements that apply to both the indoor storage and outdoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
The design requirements for indoor flammable liquids storage cabinets include:
- Double walled sheet metal construction with at least 40mm air gap between the walls.
- Self-closing close fitting doors that latch at 2 or more points.
- The inner base of the cabinet shall form a liquid tight spill containment sump that is at least 150 mm deep. Cabinets with a storage capacity exceeding 250L must have a spill containment sump that has the capacity to hold at least 25% of the aggregate storage capacity of the cabinet.
- Perforated shelves to allow for free air-movement within the cabinet.
The main design requirements for outdoor chemical storage containers used for the storage of flammable liquids include:
- A liquid tight spill containment sump in the base of the store. The capacity of this spill containment sump depends on the aggregate storage capacity of the chemical storage container. Specific details on the spill containment capacity can be found here.
- A natural ventilation system comprising of at least two walls of fixed louvers having at least 50% of its area as opening.
- The relevant dangerous goods signage to warn workers and visitors of the risks associated with the flammable liquids being stored.
Flammable liquids stores have different design and construction requirements to protect chemicals against the added risk of outdoor storage.
Class 4 - Flammable Solids
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of flammable solids is AS/NZS 5026-2012 - The storage and handling of Class 4 dangerous goods.
This Standard outlines the design and construction requirements for cabinets used for the storage and handling of:
- Division 4.1 - Flammable Solids
- Division 4.2 - Spontaneous Combustibles
- Division 4.3 - Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases (dangerous when wet)
The main requirements for indoor storage cabinets used for the storage of Class 4 dangerous goods include:
- The cabinet shall be of a double walled sheet steel construction having a thickness of at least 0.75mm. The gaps between the walls shall be at least 40mm.
- The doors of the cabinet shall be self-closing close-fitting and capable of releasing in the event of build up of pressure inside the cabinet.
- The cabinet must have a base with a spill containment sump that is at least 150mm deep and capable of holding at least 100% of the largest package stored inside the cabinet.
- Any shelves within the cabinet must be perforated to allow for free air-movement within the cabinet.
Division 5.1 - Oxidising Agents
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of oxidising agents is AS 4326-2008 - The storage and handling of oxidising agents.
This Standard outlines the design and construction requirements for indoor oxidising agents storage cabinets.
Key construction requirements for oxidising agents cabinets include:
- The cabinet must have a double walled sheet steel construction with at least a 40mm air gap between the walls
- The doors shall be self-closing close-fitting and capable of automatically releasing in the event of a build up of pressure within the cabinet.
- The cabinet must have a liquid-tight spill containment sump in its base that is at least 150 mm deep and capable of holding 25% of the cabinets total storage capacity.
Each class of dangerous goods has specific hazards that must be controlled through compliant storage.
Division 5.2 - Organic Peroxides
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of organic peroxides is AS 2714-2008 - The storage and handling of organic peroxides.
Section 4.6 of AS2714 outlines the requirements for the design and construction of indoor organic peroxide storage cabinets.
The main requirements for organic peroxide storage cabinets include:
- The cabinet must have a dual skinned sheet metal construction of at least 0.75mm thick. The gap between the two sheet metal walls must be at least 40mm.
- The cabinet must have self-closing close-fitting doors that automatically release in the event of a build up of pressure within the cabinet.
- The inner base of the cabinet shall form a liquid tight spill containment sump that is at least 150 mm deep. This spill containment sump must be designed to prevent packages being stored in the compound.
Division 6.1 - Toxic Substances
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of toxic substances is AS NZS 4452-1997 - The storage and handling of toxic substances.
The requirements for the design and construction of indoor toxic storage cabinets are outlined in section 4.6 of AS NZS-4452.
Key requirements include:
- The walls, door, floor and roof of the cabinet shall be a double walled sheet steel construction. The sheet steel must be at least 0.75mm thick and the gap between the two walls must be at least 40mm.
- The cabinet must have lockable doors.
- The doors of the cabinet must be self-closing and close-fitting.
- The base of the cabinet must form a liquid tight spill containment sump that is capable of holding at least 25% of the total capacity of the cabinet.
AS NZS 4452 explains the design and construction requirements for indoor toxic substance storage cabinets.
Class 8 - Corrosive Substances
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of corrosive substances is AS 3780-2008 - The storage and handling of corrosive substances.
Section 4.6 of this standard outlines the design and construction requirements for corrosive storage cabinets. Unlike other dangerous goods storage cabinets, Class 8 Corrosive storage cabinets don’t need to have a sheet metal construction because corrosive substances will dissolve metallic substances by chemical action.
The main requirements for corrosive storage cabinets include:
- The doors of the cabinet must be self-closing close-fitting and held shut by catches at two or more points. The doors of the cabinet must not open inwards and have the ability to be opened from within the cabinet.
- The base of the cabinet must form a liquid tight sump that is 150mm deep and capable of holding at least 25% of the maximum storage capacity of the cabinet.
The Importance of the Correct Storage of Dangerous Goods
As dangerous goods pose significant risks, it’s vital that you store and manage them in a safe and compliant manner. Afterall, safety cabinets and outdoor chemical containers are key risk control measures that will specifically reduce the likelihood and impact of chemical hazards. As we’ve detailed in this blog, safe dangerous goods storage can be achieved by adhering to the requirements outlined in the relevant Australian Standard for your class of chemicals.
If you would like more information on the dangerous properties associated with the 9 different classes of dangerous goods, download our FREE eBook by clicking on the image below.
