Have you conducted a chemical risk assessment and determined the need for Class 3 Flammable Liquids storage? Then we congratulation you on taking the steps towards chemical compliance! To make this process easier for you, we’ve rounded up the flammable liquid storage cabinet requirements, so you can implement a storage solution that’s 100% compliant. Let’s look at the 5 key requirements for storage cabinets now.
REMEMBER: Class 3 Flammable Liquids are the only type of chemical that should be stored in a flammable cabinet. Read the Safety Data Sheets to determine the dangerous goods class of your chemicals and ensure incompatible substances aren’t stored in or on your cabinet.
Storing Class 3 Flammable Liquids
The Australian Standard AS 1940 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids details the requirements for flammable cabinets.
The requirements from Section 4.9 Storage In Storage Cabinets include:
- Cabinet construction
- Cabinet marking
- Cabinet location
- Exclusion of ignition sources
- Storage in storage cabinets
We'll explain each of these requirements of AS 1940 in further detail below, so you can make sure that your flammable liquid storage cabinets are meeting the requirements.
If you’re planning on storing flammable liquids in safety cabinets, there are requirements that you need to meet to ensure compliance.
Cabinet Construction
When selecting a flammable cabinet, the most important factor you need to consider is if the cabinet is constructed in full conformance with AS 1940. By choosing a compliant flammable cabinet, you’re not only investing in a proven risk control measure, you’re also meeting the requirements of WHS Regulations and Australian Standards.
Key features of a compliant cabinet include:
- Double-walled sheet steel construction for walls, floor, door and roof. Space of at least 40 mm between walls.
- Any gaps (around doors, into the space between walls) must be sealed to prevent spread of flames or heat radiation.
- Inner base of the cabinet must form a liquid-tight spill containment compound at least 150 mm deep. This area must not be used as a storage space.
- Leaks must be directed into the lower spill containment compound.
- Shelving needs to be perforated and must carry the maximum load.
- Cabinet doors shall be self-closing, close-fitting. They must also be held shut automatically by catches (at 2 or more points).
- If doors have a device to hold them open when required, it must have an automatic release when temperatures exceed 80°C.
- Materials of components which are vital to the structural integrity of the cabinet must not melt at temperatures below 850°C. Seals and gaskets are accepted but should be avoided if their failure affects the protective function of the flammable cabinet.
Cabinet Marking
When you’re storing flammable liquids, it’s important that all people onsite know that there are dangerous goods present. This includes alerting staff, supervisors, contractors and visitors to your business.
One of the steps to achieving this it to ensure that the relevant safety signage is clearly marked on your flammable cabinets.
In Section 4.9.4 of AS 1940, the requirements for cabinet marking are listed. Each cabinet shall be marked with—
(a) the name and address of the manufacturer or, for imported cabinets, the distributor within Australia;
(b) the maximum storage capacity;
(c) a Class 3 dangerous goods label with sides of at least 250 mm nominal length; and
(d) a sign bearing the words ‘NO SMOKING, NO IGNITION SOURCES WITHIN 3 m’ in lettering at least 50 mm high.
Compliant safety cabinets come with pre-installed signage, although it is your responsibility to maintain all signs — and replace signage that’s missing or in disrepair.
You should also develop a schedule of regular cabinet inspections to make sure that all signs and markings on your flammable cabinet are clearly visible when the cabinet doors are shut.
You’re required to maintain safety signage on your flammable cabinets so all personnel know that dangerous goods are being stored in that location.
Cabinet Location
The position of your cabinet is crucial in maintaining a safe environment in your workplace. If you require multiple cabinets in the one work area, the planning process can be a little complicated. However, once you have a firm understanding of the cabinet location requirements, your job will be made a lot easier.
AS 1940 requirements for flammable cabinet locations include:
- The location of your cabinet must not impede escape during an emergency – don’t install a cabinet close to an emergency exit or in a stairwell, hallway or any other area that is necessary in an emergency evacuation
- Aggregate capacities of cabinets must not be greater than 850 L per 250 m2 on a ground floor area; or (ii) 250 L per 250 m2 on other floors.
- Each aggregate quantity must be separated by a distance of at least 10 m.
For cabinets over 850L in capacity, the additional requirements for cabinet location apply:
- These cabinets can’t be installed in buildings including hospitals, schools, aged care facilities, residential accommodation and commercial buildings
- Cabinets must not be placed on a floor which doesn’t have direct access to ground level or the street
- Cabinets shall not be located closer than 3 m to common walls, unless the wall is made of concrete or masonry, and it extends 3 m above the top of the cabinet and 3 m either side of the cabinet
Exclusion of Ignition Sources
As we know, flammable liquids are extremely volatile substances that can easily ignite — causing devastating workplace fires or explosions. One of the key considerations when installing and maintaining your flammable cabinet, is to ensure that ignition sources are prohibited within 3 m of the cabinet.
Ignition sources may be anything from a power point or cigarette butt to welding equipment or static electricity. If the ignition source meets your store of flammable liquids, the flammable vapours will ignite which can cause fire, explosion or flashback.
Section 4.9.7 Exclusion of ignition sources of the standard explains:
There shall be no ignition sources within the cabinet.
Where flammable liquids are stored, ignition sources shall be excluded from the area outside the cabinet to a distance of 3 m measured laterally, and from floor level to a height of 1 m above any opening in the cabinet, including the door, or a distance determined in accordance with AS/NZS 60079.10.1.
Where only combustible liquids are kept in the cabinet, ignition sources shall be avoided within the spaces specified above.
Storage in Storage Cabinets
Now that you’ve successfully selected and set up your cabinet, now comes the daily work of keeping it in order.
The standard explains the requirements for storage:
4.9.8 Storage in storage cabinets
The following operational requirements and recommendations apply:
(a) Persons shall be prevented from entering the cabinet.
(b) Drums shall not be stacked more than two high if they are greater than 60 L capacity.
(c) Only one drum of more than 60 L capacity should be kept in a horizontal (decanting) position at any time.
(d) Only closed packages, or those fitted with a tap, should be stored in the cabinet.
When working with flammable liquids, education is key. Many unfortunate incidences such as human harm, fire or explosion could have been prevented if all staff, supervisors, contractors and visitors were made aware of the dangers posed by flammable liquids in the workplace.
By investing the time in staff training — so your team know how to correctly stack, load, use and maintain a flammable cabinet — you can greatly reduce the risk associated with the storage and handling of Class 3 Dangerous Goods.
Additional Considerations for Your Flammable Cabinets
While we’ve listed the key requirements for flammable liquid storage cabinets, there are other considerations that can improve the safety of your organisation.
Questions may include:
- Do my flammable cabinets require ventilation?
- Are my staff trained to safely handle and store flammable liquids?
- Have I implemented a regular cabinet inspection and maintenance plan?
- Do I have adequate housekeeping to maintain the safety and compliance of the cabinets?
How Do Your Flammable Cabinet Help You Comply?
While we’ve explained the range of features of a compliant flammable liquids cabinet, there are some key ways that these engineering controls can help you comply with WHS Regulations and meet the requirements of the Australian Standard.
These cabinets provide a range of health, safety and compliance benefits, including:
Minimising Health and Safety Risks
To meet your obligations of ensuring a safe working environment, these controls will help you reduce risk of human harm caused by Class 3 substances. Human harm could be in many forms – including asphyxiation, fires, flashback and explosion.
Protecting Flammable Liquids from Damage
Protection for the contents of your cabinet assists with creating a safer working environment, as well as assisting with your operational costs. Accidents can occur when packages aren’t kept in suitable storage, with the possibility of leaks, spills and vapour emissions being minimised by the flammable cabinet. Having a dedicated, secure space for storage minimising the likelihood of impact damage, as well as chemical misuse, theft and vandalism.
Keeping Chemicals Stable
As flammable liquids are incompatible with a vast range of chemicals and materials, keeping them properly segregated is of the utmost importance. Chemical cabinets offer segregation for dangerous goods, allowing them to be stored in a cabinet suitable for their class – and segregated from other hazardous substances.
Containment of Chemical Spills
Due to the risk of flammable vapours travelling to an ignition source, the containment of chemical leaks and spills is vital when storing Class 3 substances. Cabinets are equipped with a liquid-tight sump that prohibits leaks and spills from entering the workplace. However, keep in mind that it’s your responsibility to immediately action spilled liquids and inspect your cabinet on a regular basis.
Do Your Cabinets Meet the Requirements?
We hope this blog has shed light on the requirements you’ll need to consider when you’re selecting, installing, using and maintaining flammable liquid storage cabinets. Remember, if you don’t meet these requirements, you could risk human harm, loss of property, environmental damage as well as be in breach of WHS Regulations. If you want to learn more about meeting your obligations, why not download our eBook? Essential Considerations When Storing Flammable Liquids Indoors is a helpful guide that will take you step-by-step through the ways you can reduce risk at your workplace. Click on the image below to access our free eBook today.
