Flammable liquids must always be stored properly- in fire storage cabinets so as to prevent any unwanted accidents in the workplace. If you work with dangerous chemicals on a day to day basis in a factory or manufacturing unit, safety should be your first priority. News of industrial fires is not uncommon and the most common cause of such accidents is improper storage of the dangerous chemicals. Read on to know more about proper storage.
Dangerous liquids and chemicals can be anything between paints and inks, corrosives, flammable liquids, pesticides and so on. Not all of them are as lethal but when they come in contact with air or some other liquid, they might explode. These must be stored separately in dedicated containers. Then again, for acids and corrosives, special containers are required- made of steel.
Metal cabinets are considered to be the best in preventing damage to properties and injuries. These are made of 18 gauge iron sheets and have double walls with at least an inch of air space in between. The 3 point lock door along with riveted and welded joints makes them more secure and sturdy. Venting is also advisable for all these cabinets but they should only be located at the bottom and direct outside. A wooden fire safety cabinet is constructed using 1 inch high grade plywood. These do not delaminate or break easily in case of fire. Flathead screws are used to fasten and rebate the joints of wooden cabinets from both sides.
Both metal and wooden cabinets need to pass a fire test. This test is conducted for 10 minutes and the internal temperature of the cabinets must not exceed 325° F. All the seals must remain tight and doors secure.
All such cabinets come in various capacities, according to your need. But for Class I and Class II chemicals, no more than 60 gallons are permitted. For Class III chemicals on the other hand, up to 60 gallons are allowed. Fire storage cabinets must always be purchased from authorized dealers and suppliers, which conform to the standard safety requirements, like S.E.P.M.A.R- a name you can trust.
Fire Safety Storage Cabinets Australia 