You’ve probably asked yourself this question if you’re a new business owner who comes in contact with dangerous materials. ‘Just what is a hazmat storage building?’ ‘Why do I need one?’ ‘Isn’t a hazmat building for heavy duty construction or factories?’ In reality, everyone comes in contact with hazardous materials daily. The gasoline fumes that you inadvertently breathed in while filling up your tank or the hand sanitizer that you smattered on your hands after handing cash to the gas station clerk are all examples of hazardous materials. To meet the growing benchmarks set in place by OSHA and the EPA, an increasing number of small businesses have found themselves under the category of ‘necessary chemical storage.’
What Hazmat Means?
So, what is hazmat exactly? Hazmat is an abbreviation of “hazardous materials.” For the sake of inclusiveness, this government derived term covers any gas, liquid, or solid that could pose a threat to humans, property and the natural environment. Hazardous materials are also categorized by their flammability, propensity to sudden combustion, as well as potential toxicity. The list of hazardous materials is long and full of nuance. A hazardous material could be anything from gasoline, paint, nuclear waste, dynamite, batteries and even water, as it is a reactive substance and could cause other contacted substances to experience a sudden chemical reaction. Suffice to say, the regulations concerning proper chemical storage are complex and difficult to navigate without expert guidance. Failure to adhere to these guidelines and regulations can result in heavy civil fees and penalties that could bankrupt your fledgling business.
Where Should Hazardous Products Be Stored?
The type of required chemical storage will depend on the product you are seeking protection for. Paint, for example, is flammable and should be stored in a fire-rated storage locker that can prevent flames from spreading to surrounding structures. Flammable chemicals should be stored in compartmentalized areas away from reactive substances that could cause fire or explosion. An optional fire suppression system should also be considered to immediately extinguish flames should a fire occur. Mechanical ventilation is another standard option on a hazmat storage building. This feature can remove dangerous levels of airborne particulates and fumes, which can also cause a sudden explosion. Each hazmat storage building is also outfitted with an innovative spill sump containment system. Should a spill occur, the liquid will simply pass through the still grated flooring and collected in sump until it can be safely removed.
How Do You Store Chemicals?
As you can tell from pictures of our product lines, a hazmat storage building resembles a large metal trailer. Unlike traditional steel storage containers, which are not up to code for dangerous chemicals, a hazmat storage building is equipped with a bevy of features to protect employees and property from dangerous materials. Dangerous chemicals or hazardous materials can be stored in a variety of methods. For large quantities of liquid chemicals, many businesses will rely on pallet drum barrels or IBC tote containers. These large containers can be stored and removed via forklift. The large outward swinging doors on our fire-rated hazmat buildings can safely and efficiently accommodate forklift storage.
