1. What Is Drum Storage? Understanding the Basics…

The 55-gallon drum—also known as a 55 gallon barrel—is the industrial standard
for storing liquids, solids, wastes, and hazardous materials.
Made of steel or high-performance plastics, these drums hold approximately 200 liters
and are engineered for durability and transportability.

These drums are essential across a wide range of industries, including:

• Chemical manufacturing and processing
• Oil and petroleum distribution
• Food and beverage ingredient handling
• Agricultural products and fertilizers
• Hazardous and regulated waste storage

However, large inventories of drums require specialized storage infrastructure
to ensure safe handling and effective risk mitigation.
That’s where purpose-built drum storage buildings and storage lockers excel.

3. Drum Storage Building Types and Features.

A. Bulk Drum Storage Buildings

Bulk drum storage buildings are engineered facilities designed specifically for housing large quantities of 55 gal drums. These structures protect stored materials and personnel through features such as:

• Secondary containment sumps – capture spills and leaks before they leave the storage area.

• Ventilation systems – reduce fume accumulation and maintain compliance with NFPA and OSHA ventilation requirements.

• Explosion-proof electrical and lighting – mitigate ignition sources in volatile environments.

• Fire-rated walls and doors – provide passive fire protection for flammable and combustible liquids.

• Forklift-accessible doors and aisles – improve efficiency and safety in handling and retrieval.

These buildings can be configured to meet a wide range of capacity and compliance needs, from medium-size storage (e.g., up to ~57 drums) to large-scale bulk storage (upward of 150-plus drums).

B. Chemical Drum Storage Lockers.

The Limitations of Generic Storage

For smaller inventories, chemical storage lockers provide a compact and compliant solution. These units are typically:

• Sized from a few drums up to dozens

• Built with welded steel for weather resistance

• Equipped with integrated containment sumps

• Rated for OSHA, NFPA, and EPA compliant storage of non-flammables to flammable liquids

A typical example is a non fire-rated storage locker capable of holding up to six drums with significant sump capacity for containment.

Lockers are ideal for point-of-use, maintenance, or satellite storage where a bulk drum building may not be necessary.

C. Fire-Rated vs Non Fire-Rated Drum Storage

A critical distinction in drum storage design is fire rating:

• Fire-Rated Drum Storage Buildings include fire-resistant walls, closures, and assemblies (often 2-hour or greater) that help protect the inventory and surrounding infrastructure in the event of fire. These units are typically required where flammable or combustible liquids are present.

• Non Fire-Rated Drum Buildings/Lockers are suited for non-flammable hazardous materials that don’t demand a fire rating but still require containment and safety features.

Design selection depends on your chemical profile, hazard classifications, local codes, and fire marshal requirements.

B. Secondary Containment and Spill Control

Secondary containment is essential. In the event of a leak or spill, the containment must hold a minimum volume as defined by EPA SPCC rules:

• 110% of the largest container’s volume OR

• 10% of the total aggregate volume stored

Whichever requirement is greater.

Integrated sumps, curbing, and grated flooring systems help capture spills before they impact personnel or the environment — and make inspections and cleanup much easier.

Ventilation and Fume Management

Proper ventilation — whether mechanical or natural — is critical in drum storage areas, especially where volatile chemicals are present. Venting systems help ensure fumes do not accumulate to dangerous levels that could lead to fire or health hazards.

Fire Safety and Suppression

Depending on the chemical type and quantity:

• Fire suppression systems (sprinkler, foam, or other agents) may be required under NFPA or IFC codes.

• Explosion relief panels and fire-rated doors are often used to channel heat and pressure in a fire scenario.

Consult local fire code officials to determine the specific fire suppression requirements for your site.

4. Fundamental Drum Storage Design Considerations

A. Capacity and Layout Planning

Storage capacity goes beyond counting drums. Facility managers must account for:

• Aisle widths for safe forklift access

• Rack systems if stacking or multi-tier storage is planned

• Spill containment footprint

• Fire and egress access

• Incompatible material segregation

Standard building widths (e.g., 6’, 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’) determine maximum drum counts — from ~28 drums in a 6’ structure to ~180 drums in a 14’ wide unit — when configured appropriately.