Flammable Liquids Storage

Flammable and combustible liquids are present in varying amounts in a wide array of occupancies and operations.  These liquids pose a significant exposure since they ignite readily, burn intensely and result in fires which are often challenging to control and extinguish.  A key to avoiding catastrophic incidents involving these liquids is to prevent their ignition and involvement in fire through the use of approved equipment and handling practices. 

Flammable and combustible liquids should be stored in safety containers, vessels specifically for safe transportation, dispensing and point-of-use handling.  These containers improve safety because of reduced potential for spills, limited vapor release and limited exposed surface area.  Additionally, flammable and combustible liquids can significantly increase the hazard of an otherwise properly protected area. It is critical that the hazard is recognized and properly controlled.  If you need more than five one gallon or larger containers of gasoline or 12 or more smaller containers of flammable or combustible liquids, you should have a storage cabinet to safely store these liquids.  Some key features and practices for storage include:

• Limit storage in a single cabinet to less than 120 gallons of flammable liquids.
• Locate no more than three cabinets in any fire area.
• Keep cabinet doors closed and latched.
• Place all liquid storage containers in cabinet when not in use.
• Keep vent openings sealed, so that flammable vapors cannot escape into the room.
• Label each cabinet conspicuously “Flammable – Keep Fire Away.”
• Store only flammable and combustible liquids in the cabinet. Do not store acids, caustics and other not flammable hazardous materials in the cabinet. 

During the survey, several locations had flammable liquid contains stored in open areas of the apparatus bays.  It is recommended your organization utilize storage cabinets which meet NFPA 30 guidelines for Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.  These cabinets vary in size from small applications up to those capable of storing two 55 gallon drums. 

Available Resources

• NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code