OSHA, under the tutelage of the National Fire Protection Associated, enforces regulations concerning your company’s hazardous material storage area. Each industry that handles hazardous chemicals for producing finished goods or incurring residual hazardous waste must follow hazardous material storage area regulations. A hazardous material is any potentially volatile or dangerous chemical that poses known adverse reactions, health hazards, and environmental contamination risks. Failure to abide by OSHA and NFPA 30 regulations for hazardous materials storage area can result in civil penalties. While safety is a guiding principle of compliant chemical storage, special precautions should also be taken to contain environmental pollution. Although state regulations vary, our hazardous materials storage area warehouses can ensure lasting protection and compliance.
How Much Hazardous Material is Permittable?
OSHA allows for the storage of 25 gallons of flammable liquid outside a compliant storage container. Additionally, OSHA requires no more than 60 gallons of flammable liquid (flashpoint below 140 degrees F) or 120 gallons of combustible (flashpoint at or above 140 degrees F) can be stored in a single chemical storage container or warehouse. Moreover, OSHA requires the use of rated storage safety cabinets when possible. Although federal requirements per chemical vary, our fire-rated and non fire-rated chemical storage lockers can ensure workplace compliance for temporary storage dilemmas.
How Should I Store Hazardous Materials Inside a Hazmat Locker?
Hazardous materials must always be stored below eye level. Additionally, hazardous materials should never be stored on the floor or unstable surfaces such as ledges, egresses, tilted shelving, or in older chemical drums susceptible to leaks. All hazardous material containers must be closed until and after dispensing and mixing. Moreover, all chemical containers should be properly labeled ensuring proper application and storage. While it might sound counterintuitive, avoid storing hazardous materials alphabetically. Federal regulations allow for the storage and removal of hazardous materials by hand truck or forklift. Our innovative pushback racking and wide-swinging doors allow for the easy storage and removal of hazardous materials in drums or IBC tote pallet systems.
What are Acceptable Building Materials for a Hazardous Material Storage Area?
When in Doubt: Pick a Steel Solution for All Hazmat Storage
OSHA regulations allow for the wooden and steel construction of hazardous material storage areas. Because of the potential volatility for dangerous chemicals, OSHA requires all wooden storage cabinets to be constructed with exterior grade plywood at least 1 inch in thickness. Furthermore, the wooden chemical storage cabinet should not breakdown under standard fire test conditions. All joints must be rabbeted and fastened in two directions with flathead wooden screws. A rabbeted overlap of no less than 1 inch is permitted when more than one door is used. “Steel hinges shall be mounted in such a manner as to not lose their holding capacity due to loosening or burning out of the screws when subjected to fire. Such cabinets shall be painted inside and out with fire retardant paint,” according to OSHA Standard 1926.152.
Furthermore, OSHA stipulates that no more than “60 gallons of Category 1, 2 and/or 3 flammable liquids or 120 gallons of Category 4 flammable liquids shall be stored in any one storage cabinet.” Additionally, no more than three such cabinets may be located in a single storage area. All chemical storage cabinets must be labeled with the phrase, “Flammable-Keep Away from Open Flames.” Each letter height for “FLAMMABLE” should be two inches while the minimum letter height for “KEEP FIRE AWAY” should be one inch.
Should Your Hazardous Material Storage Area Have Fire Suppression?
Investing in reliable fire suppression for you hazardous material storage area could prevent small fires from becoming infernos. Because of the propensity for chemical related fires, OSHA Standard 1926.152(b)(4)(ii) requires automatic extinguishing systems to be designed and installed in an approved manner. “Openings to other rooms or buildings shall be provided with noncombustible liquid-tight raised sills or ramps at least 4 inches in height, or the floor in the storage area shall be at least 4 inches below the surrounding floor. Openings shall be provided with approved self-closing fire doors. The room shall be liquid-tight where the walls join the floor,” according to the OSHA standard.
Furthermore, OSHA requires at least “one portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 20-B units shall be located not less than 25 feet, nor more than 75 feet from any flammable liquid storage area located outside.” Where sprinklers are provided, these fixtures must be installed in accordance with the Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
Do I Need Ventilation?
The NFPA 30 stresses the importance of proper ventilation in preventing the accumulation of toxic vapors and gases inside your hazardous material storage area. Portable tanks not exceeding 660 gallons must have emergency venting in accordance with chapters II and III of the The Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30-1969. Mechanical ventilation can reduce the toxic accumulation of deadly vapors by performing six air changers per hour.
Where Should I Position My Chemical Storage Warehouse?
Authorities having jurisdiction determine the distance of setback for chemical storage. Because of the differing fire risks per classification, certain chemicals will pose more significant combustion hazards than others. U.S. Hazmat Rentals can meet all AHJ requirements with our line of two-hour and four-hour fire rated chemical storage warehouses.
Storage Locker Placement
Each hazardous chemical storage area should receive special floorspace consideration within your facility. Chemical storage warehouses and hazmat containers should be positioned in an area that doesn’t interrupt workflow operations. Furthermore, chemical storage warehouses entrances should be clear of equipment, materials, and supplies. Additionally, all chemical storage warehouses should be positioned away from vulnerable equipment and personnel. Also, we recommend positioning your chemical storage in a centralized location.
