REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF FLAMMABLE LIQUID CABINETS

Many Departments store flammable liquids in purpose-designed flammable liquid cabinets. This is generally a safe way to store bulk (more than a few litres) flammable liquids. However, these cabinets are only effective if they are maintained and used in accordance with Australian Standard 1940-1993 and WorkCover Authority requirements.

Common problems found with flammable liquids cabinets include:

• storage of containers in the cabinet bund (the liquid tight compound in the bottom of the cabinet, which should be at least 150 mm deep)
• location of cabinets less than 3 m from an ignition source, most often a regular power point (GPO)
• location of several cabinets in close proximity to one another when they should be at least 10 m apart
• location of a cabinet such that it could impede emergency egress
• self-closing door mechanism not working properly
• flammable liquids stored on top of or next to the cabinet
• substances other than flammable liquids stored in the cabinet.

Please check your cabinets to see if they meet the requirements that are spelt out in the attached documents. Some non-compliance relates to housekeeping and can be readily remedied. In some cases, faulty self-closing door mechanisms can be repaired. Contact the cabinet manufacturer or supplier for assistance with repairs and servicing. If a cabinet could impede egress from a room or building, a new location will need to be found for the cabinet. Relocating a cabinet away from a power point may be difficult. However, an alternative may be to have the power point, and the plugs and cables connected to it, converted to non-sparking fittings suitable for Class I Zone 2 Hazardous Areas, as defined by Australian Standard 2430. Contact Trades Services, Facilities Management Office, for assistance with this.

Please contact one of our staff for further advice.

See also more general information concerning dangerous goods.

Leanne Mumford, OHS Officer, Risk Management Office

Last revised: 30th June 1999

The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (published by the Standards Association of Australia

4.5 STORAGE CABINETS

"4.5.2 Maximum capacity Not more than 250 L aggregate of flammable and combustible liquid shall be stored in any individual storage cabinet."

"4.5.3 Cabinet construction The construction of a cabinet shall be in accordance with the following requirements:

(a) The walls, floor, door and roof shall be of double-walled sheet steel construction, with a space of not less than 40 mm between the walls, which may be either an airspace or filled with non-combustible insulation.

(b) The cabinet bottom shall form a liquid-tight compound at least 150 mm deep.

(c) Any shelf shall be perforated for free air movement, and shall be capable of supporting the maximum possible load.

(d) A cabinet door shall be self-closing, close-fitting and held shut by catches at not less than two points.

(e) The materials of any components that are critical to structural integrity shall not melt at temperatures less than 850oC, seals or gaskets excepted. "

"4.5.4 Cabinet marking Each individual cabinet shall be marked with the maximum capacity to be kept in the cabinet (see Clause 4.5.2), a Class 3 dangerous goods label of at least 100 mm nominal size, and a NO SMOKING, NO IGNITION SOURCES warning sign of at least 50 mm height."

"4.5.5 Ventilation provisions Where a cabinet incorporates provisions for optional connection to an external venting system–

(a) the design of any vent opening in the cabinet wall shall be such as to maintain the structural strength of the cabinet;

(b) the vent opening shall be provided with a means for permanent closure when venting is not required;

(c) a flash arrestor shall be provided for use when the cabinet is to be vented; and

(d) the information supplied with the cabinet shall include instructions of the installation of the vent system."

"4.5.6 Cabinet separation The arrangement of cabinets shall be such that–

(a) not more than 250 L is stored within any 250 m2 of floor area; and

(b) not more than 250 L is stored in any 10 m of linear distance, and cabinets must not be less than 5 m apart."

"4.5.7 Ignition sources A cabinet shall not be less than 3 m from an ignition source."

"4.5.8 Free escape A cabinet shall be so located in relation to exits and stairways that in the event of fire the escape of persons will not be jeopardized."

"4.5.9 Cabinet venting Any vent shall be terminated at least 3 m from a source of ignition, at least 1 m from any opening and at least 3 m above-ground."

Note also a restriction on minor storage amounts of flammable liquids in Laboratories under Section 2, Table 2.1: for Packaging Groups I and II, minor storage amounts are restricted to 50 L per 50m2 of floor space.

Storage Cabinets for Flammable Liquids DG303 May 1991.

"The following is a summary of the requirements under the Dangerous Goods Act 1975, for keeping of flammable liquids within a flammable liquid storage cabinet. The full requirements may be found in AS1940 - The Australian Standard for the Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids."

"LICENSING: A licence to keep dangerous goods being flammable liquids, may be required where more than 100 litres of flammable liquids are stored."

"CAPACITY: Specification AS1940 permits cabinets with a maximum capacity of 250 litres. However storage cabinets for use in NSW are available to a maximum capacity of 850 litres. An exemption was granted by the Chief Inspector Dangerous Goods on 29 May 1989 to permit an increase in the maximum capacity of flammable liquids cabinets in NSW from 250 litres to 850 litres subject to certain conditions. The design of cabinets in excess of 250 litres must be approved by the Chief Inspector Dangerous Goods NSW."

"CONSTRUCTION: The walls, floor, door and roof of a cabinet shall be double-walled sheet steel construction, with a space not less than 40 mm between the walls, which may be either an air space or filled with a non-combustible insulation. The cabinet bottom shall form a liquid tight compound at least 150 mm deep. Any shelf shall be perforated for free air movement.

Cabinets intended for use inside a building must be either non-vented or vented to the exterior of the building."

"DOOR: A cabinet door shall be self-closing, close fitting and held shut by at least two catches. Catches and hinges shall not be made of plastics material."

"NOTICES: The following notices must be displayed on the cabinet:

1. The flammable liquid diamond sign ...This diamond must be at least 250mm square. (Red background, black foreground)
2. The words "DANGER NO SMOKING KEEP FIRE AWAY" or "NO SMOKING NO IGNITION SOURCES"
3. The maximum capacity of the cabinet.

These notices must be clearly visible from every access point to the cabinet."

"SEPARATION DISTANCE: Irrespective of occupancy, not more than one cabinet shall be installed in each 250 square metres of building area and the distance between any two cabinets shall not be less than 10 m. A cabinet shall be located at least 3 m away from any ignition source. A cabinet shall be so located in relation to exits and stairways that the escape of persons shall not be jeopardised in the event of fire."

"FIRE PROTECTION: For each indoor storage cabinet at least one ... portable powder fire extinguisher must be provided and be located reasonably adjacent to the risk in accordance with AS2444."


See also

Licence Requirements and Exemption Quantities for Dangerous Goods of Various Classes

Information on using Hazardous Substances


Last revised: 24/11/00, Leanne Mumford, OHS Officer, Risk Management Office.