Staying current with OSHA requirements in all areas of your warehouse can seem like a heavy task, especially when you’re dealing with chemicals and other hazardous materials. Properly storing these elements is crucial not only for safety but for keeping everything compliant with OSHA standards. That is why we’ll take you through the importance of using the right flammable cabinets and their specifications. We’ll also talk about best practices and proper usage. So let’s dive right in.

What are Flammable Cabinets, and Why Are They Important?

Flammable storage cabinets were created to keep hazardous and flammable materials safe from high temperatures that would cause them to ignite. These are essential in high occupancy facilities. In the event of a fire, flammable cabinets allow for extra time to evacuate and extinguish the fire before it reaches the stored chemicals.

These cabinets also serve as a great way to keep things organized and make sure flammable materials are in their proper area. Because of their many shapes and sizes, these cabinets can be placed virtually anywhere in your facility.

What are the OSHA Requirements for Flammable Cabinets?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has many requirements and standards you should know and abide by. If there is anything unclear about their guidelines, reach out to us. We have OSHA-certified experts that can answer any of your questions.

OSHA states that any flammable liquid with a flash point below 199.4°F (or 93°C) is considered flammable. Some chemicals are naturally more flammable than others, and the way you store these chemicals is defined by the flash point and boiling point. The number of chemicals you store will also determine how you handle them.

Large Quantity Storage

How you store your items will be greatly affected by the amount you need to store. You may be required to store your chemicals in larger portable tanks or even permanent tanks and use a piping system to comply with the OSHA requirements.

Small Quantity Storage

When storing smaller quantities of flammable liquids, you can simply store them in containers and tanks.

Below is a diagram showing the different allowable sizes of containers for flammable liquids:

Even though container size is one of the most critical areas to consider, you also need to consider the flammable liquid storage requirements and the permitted amounts in a single area. Here is a diagram explaining each limit by category:

• Category 1 - 25 gallons
• Category 2, 3, or 4 - 120 gallons
• Category 2, 3, or 4 - 660 gallons

What Should Be Stored in a Flammable Storage Cabinet?

You really should only put flammable liquids in a flammable safety cabinet. All other materials, such as corrosive liquids, acids, or bases, should be stored in cabinets rated for those items. Ensure you never put materials in a flammable cabinet that would potentially ignite itself within the cabinet.

If you have questions about the type of cabinet you need or need answers about size requirements, our teams are here to help you. Our standards are kept within OSHA requirements, and we regularly check that each of our experts is up-to-date with the latest changes to these standards. Don’t hesitate to give us a call or fill out a form online. One of our representatives will contact you within one business day.