What are the Requirements for Flammable Liquid Storage?

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What are the Requirements for Flammable Liquid Storage?

 

Flammable and Combustible Liquid Definitions

Flammable liquid storage requirements depend on how flammable the liquid is. Because NFPA is a fire code and OSHA represents labor law, they have slightly different criteria. However, both use the liquid's flash point and boiling point as key classification elements.

 

NFPA Classifications:

NFPA 30 uses two terms (flammable and combustible) in their classification of materials. Class I liquids are flammable, while Class II and III liquids are combustible. A flammable liquid is one having a flash point below 100 F (37.8 C) and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 lbs. per square inch absolute at 100 F; a combustible liquid is one having a flash point at or above 100 F (37.8 C).

 

The NFPA breakdown is as follows:

Class Flash Point Boiling Point
I-A < 73 F (22.8 C) < 100 F (38 C)
I-B < 73 F (22.8 C) ≥ 100 F (38 C)
I-C ≥ 73.4 F (22.8 C) - < 100 F (37.8 C)  
II ≥ 100 F (37.8 C) - < 140 F (60 C)  
III-A ≥ 140 F (60 C) - < 200 F (93.3 C)  
III-B ≥ 200 F (93.3 C)  

 

OSHA Classifications:

In 2012, OSHA stopped using the term combustible. It now defines all flammable liquids by flash point with notations about liquids heated within 30 F (16.7 C) of their flashpoint. It also changed to the Category classification to align their Hazard Communications Standard (HCS) with the United Nation's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Under GHS, all liquids with flash points of 199.4 F (93 C) or less are categorized as flammable liquids. They are further subdivided as follows:

Category Flash Point Boiling Point
1 < 73.4 F (23 C) ≤ 95 F (35 C)
2 < 73.4 F (23 C) > 95 F (35 C)
3 ≥ 73.4 F (23 C) - ≤ 140 F (60 C)  
4 > 140 F (60 C) - ≤ 199.4 F (93 C)  

 

 

 

When is a Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet Required?

The OSHA standard sets volume limits on flammable chemicals based on its flammable classifications. For example, no safety cabinet is required to store less than 25 gallons of Category 1 flammable liquids in approved containers. The limit for a single storage cabinet is 60 gallons of Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquids, or 120 gallons of Category 4 flammable liquids. And, up to three safety cabinets are allowed in a storage area.

 

Defining Flammables

To understand the OSHA requirements for the safe storage of flammables, we must first define flammable. The flashpoint and boiling point determine the category of a flammable liquid. Flashpoint is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid.

A flammable liquid is any liquid having a flashpoint at or below 199.4°F (93 °C). Flammable liquids are divided into four categories:

  • Category 1: Liquids with flashpoints below 73.4°F (23°C) and boiling points at or below 95°F (35°C) (1910.106(a)(19)(i)). Examples: acetaldehyde and ethyl ether.
  • Category 2: Liquids with flashpoints below 73.4°F (23°C) and boiling points at or above 95°F (35°C) (1910.106(a)(19)(ii)). Examples: acetone, benzene and toluene.
  • Category 3: Liquids with flashpoints at or above 73.4°F (23°C) and at or below 140°F (60°C). When a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100°F (37.8°C) is heated for use to within 30°F (16.7°C) of its flashpoint, it must be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8 °C) (1910.106(a)(19)(iii)).
  • Category 4: Liquids having flashpoints above 140°F (60°C) and at or below 199.4°F (93°C). When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30°F (16.7°C) of its flashpoint, it must be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100°F (37.8°C) (1910.106(a)(19)(iv)). When a liquid with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 °F (93 °C) is heated for use to within 30 °F (16.7 °C) of its flashpoint, it must be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 4 flammable liquid (1910.106(a)(19)(v)).

Whether liquids are Category 1 or 4 is not the only factor you should consider when determining safe storage needs. You also need to consider ignition temperature, lower and upper explosive limits (LEL or UEL), vapor pressure, specific gravity and vapor density when designing a storage system.

 

Flammable Safety Cans

One tool to help reduce the hazards associated with flammables is the use of safety cans. OSHA defines a safety can as "an approved container, of not more than 5-gallons capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure" (1910.106(a)(29)). This definition allows a wide variety of containers to be considered safety cans. However, many local laws and insurance carriers require safety cans to be Factory Mutual (FM) or Underwriter Laboratory (UL) approved. These two organizations are nationally recognized, independent testing laboratories to which manufacturers submit products for evaluation of their ability to meet safety requirements under intended use. Products that meet the requirements are given either a UL or FM approval. Both laboratories are also recognized by OSHA.

In addition, 1910.106 Table H-12 limits the maximum size of containers and portable tanks for flammable liquids. The following chart shows the allowable amounts for each category of liquid.

Container Type Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4
Glass or approved plastic 1 pint 1 quart 1 gallon 1 gallon
Metal (other than DOT drums) 1 gallon 5 gallons 5 gallons 5 gallons
Safety Cans 2 gallons 5 gallons 5 gallons 5 gallons
Metal Drum (DOT specifications) 60 gallons 60 gallons 60 gallons 60 gallons
Approved portable tank 660 gallons 660 gallons 660 gallons 660 gallons

Medicines, beverages, foodstuffs, cosmetics and other common consumer products when packaged according to commonly accepted practice are exempted from these approved container and portable tank requirements.

 

Safety Cabinets

Another fundamental means of fire protection is the use of flammable storage cabinets. The NFPA and OSHA require flammable cabinets to be designed and constructed to specific requirements. Per 1910.106(d)(3)(ii), storage cabinets must be designed and constructed to limit the internal temperature to not more than 325°F when subjected to a 10-minute fire test and the cabinets must be labeled in conspicuous lettering, "Flammable - Keep Fire Away." 1910.106(d)(3)(ii)(a) states that metal cabinets must be constructed in the following manner:

  • Bottom, top and sides of cabinet must be at least No. 18-gauge sheet iron
  • Cabinet must be double walled with one and one-half inch airspace
  • Joints must be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means
  • Door must have a three-point latch
  • Door sill must be raised at least two inches above the cabinet bottom to retain spilled liquid within the cabinet.

 

These regulations also provide an option for wood cabinets. 1910.106(d)(3)(ii)(b) states that wood cabinets must be constructed in the following manner:

  • Bottom, top and sides of cabinet must be constructed of exterior-grade plywood at least one inch thick
  • Plywood must not break down or delaminate under fire conditions
  • Joints shall be rabbetted and fastened in two directions with flathead wood screws
  • When more than one door is used, they must have a rabbetted overlap of not less than one inch
  • Hinges must be mounted in such a manner as not to lose their holding capacity due to loosening or burning out of the screws when subjected to the fire test

In addition to the requirements listed above, in some areas of the country where the IFC is followed, well-fitted and self-closing doors are also required. Most local authorities use one or more of these standards as a foundation for establishing local codes—it’s recommended that the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) be contacted for specific guidance.

Safety cabinets are offered in single or two door styles with manual or self-closing doors. Manual doors open a full 180 degrees and require the user to physically shut the door(s). Self-closing, self-indexing doors incorporate a mechanism that automatically shuts the doors upon release. Fusible links hold the self-closing doors open during use, but if inadvertently left open, the links melt at 165°F in the event of a fire to automatically close the doors.

1910.106(e)(2)(ii)[b] limits the quantity of liquids that may be kept outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in a building or in any one fire area of a building. These limits are only applicable to those portions of an industrial plant where the use and handling of flammables is only incidental to the principal business. The quantity of liquid that may be stored outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in a building or in any one fire area of a building cannot exceed:

  • 25 gallons of Category 1 liquids in containers
  • 120 gallons of Category 2, 3 or 4 liquids in containers
  • 660 gallons of Category 2, 3 or 4 liquids in a single portable tank

The amount of flammable liquid storage and location of cabinets are also regulated. 1910.106 (d)(3)(i) states, "Not more than 60 gallons of Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquids, nor more than 120 gallons of Category 4 flammable liquids may be stored in a storage cabinet."

 

Transfer and Use Areas

Areas in which flammable liquids are transferred from one container to another must be separated from other operations by adequate distance or by construction having adequate fire resistance (1910.106(e)(2)(iii)).

Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 °F (37.8°C), must be kept in covered containers when not actually in use (1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(a)). Category 1 or 2 flammable liquids, or Category 3 flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), may be used only where there are no open flames or other sources of ignition within the possible path of vapor travel (1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(c)).

 

Whenever handling flammable liquids always think of these eight basic tips:

  1. Know your chemical —consult the safety data sheets (SDSs)
  2. Remember it’s not the liquid itself that burns, but rather, the invisible vapor
  3. Maintain adequate ventilation, avoid confined areas where vapors can accumulate
  4. Eliminate potential ignition sources
  5. Think “covered” or “closed” for containers
  6. Properly bond and ground containers when transferring
  7. Keep liquids segregated by type and store according to governing codes
  8. Use approved storage, transfer, use and disposal equipment, i.e., FM or UL listed
 
 
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