Using Safety Cabinets to Store Chemicals

When chemicals and other substances are handled and stored in a workplace, safety cabinets are necessary. Such safety cabinets are color coded to identify each type of hazard: yellow for flammable, red for combustible, blue for corrosives, green for pesticides, and white or grey for wastes. Regardless of the color used, incompatible liquids must be kept separate in storage in order to prevent explosions or fires.

NFPA Code 30 sets regulations for safety cabinets in order to protect internal contents from fires outside. Cabinets for flammables, corrosives, or pesticides need a capped bung opening for ventilation. Although not required by a federal regulatory agency, states may require them. If vents are used, they must be ducted directly outdoors and should not change the effectiveness of a cabinet during a fire. Cabinets containing pesticides, however, must not have ventilation.

"Jl Industries Fire Extinguisher Cabinets"

Excessive chemical vapors may be a concern when liquids are kept in safety cabinets. The cabinets, in this case, need to be in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.

Not all safety cabinets are made from the same materials. Cabinets for containing corrosives and acids, although not strictly regulated, are made from wood or polyethylene. The EPA requires that such cabinets contain spills and, as a result, polyethylene safety cabinets are welded at the seams in order to provide better spill protection.

All safety cabinets, according to NFPA Uniform Fire Code (UFC) 66, need self-closing doors, with self-latching offering better protection. Although not a national regulation, UCF 66 is followed by most sales and locales.

Before any chemicals are placed inside, make sure that no chemicals are stored alphabetically, as this could lead to a fire. Flammables and combustibles can be kept in the same cabinet, as long as the total amount does not exceed 120 gallons and no more than three cabinets are kept in the same fire area except by a separation of 100 feet.

All safety cabinets have maximum quantities for storage in order to prevent fires. Flammable, classified by class 1A, 1B, or 1C, and combustible, classified as class II or III, liquids are kept in 60 gallon drums or 660 gallon tanks. Class I and II liquids must not exceed 60 gallons each in storage. Class III liquids go up to 120 gallons. A combination of classes I, II, or III must not exceed 120 gallons, with no more than 60 gallons each from class I or II liquids making up this amount. A cabinet, as well, should never hold more than 120 gallons of class III liquids.

Using Safety Cabinets to Store Chemicals

Selecting Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

For sensitive equipment, particularly emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers they must be kept in high quality, tamper proof and yet easily accessible containers. This is why selecting fire extinguisher cabinets for the fire extinguishers in your establishment is very important. In addition to keeping your valuables and other important documents in a fire and waterproof Honeywell safe, a good fire extinguisher cabinet makes sure that putting out fires becomes an efficient endeavor in the case of an emergency. This post is about making sure we get the right type of extinguisher cabinet that is right for us.

The first and foremost factor to consider is the size of the fire extinguisher contained. Extinguishers come in different sizes, different weights and as well as different classes. For example, a 5kg electrical extinguisher would be of a different height with a normal 9kg extinguisher. In general, the bigger your establishment means you need heavy duty fire extinguisher. The load capacity of fire extinguisher cabinets shouldn't matter too much for as long as you are using one made out of polyethylene - which is more durable and will last for the long term unlike older models that use wood or fiber glass.

"Jl Industries Fire Extinguisher Cabinets"

The second factor is where you plan to accommodate your fire extinguisher. Usually, businesses and industries would place them differently. Of course, you want it to be readily accessible in the case of an actual fire. Thus, it should be placed where fires may potentially start such as in the kitchen, where there are fabrics and where there is heavy duty electronic equipment. If it is locked, you make sure that the trained personnel in the area would know how to unlock it (i.e. where the key is -such as on the master's desk or in the Honeywell safe.) There are also special fire extinguisher cabinets available made for moving vehicles such as for use in fire prone cargo trucks and ones that can accommodate more than one fire extinguisher.

When it comes to the actual installation of the cabinet, it is relatively easy and simple. However, for increased safety is always better to consult with the experts such as a reputable fire safety equipment dealer or your local fire marshall or fire station. This also makes sure that your establishment makes gets a satisfactory rating with the fire risk assessment under the Fire Safety Order (2005). This way, you make sure that you practically get maximum safety as well as a good record for complying with the law.

Make sure that the products you acquire in safeguarding your sensitive equipment are always of good quality. This ensures that your extinguishers last for years in their protective cabinets. Also, make sure that you obtain other safety equipment for storage of other important objects such as the aforementioned Honeywell safe. For protecting our assets, our people, our business as well as complying with U.K. law we must maximize our safety by always making sure we take no risks especially when it comes to fire safety.

Selecting Fire Extinguisher Cabinets

Bennett Glover is a professional fire safety expert and consultant for commercial businesses to help promote fire safety and awareness in the UK area. He regularly writes articles to inform the general public about the safest ways of handling fires and how to prevent them in the first place. His knowledge and expertise has earned him many writing and speaking engagements. He enjoys teaching fire safety to students, business owners, and learning institutions to help save lives.

For more tips and information about fire extinguisher cabinets, please visit: Honeywell safe.