- Apr 6, 2018

Flammable Cabinets – what to store in them.

Flammable cabinets are highly important. They not only protect people and provide health and safety benefits they are also a place to store goods and keep them our of sight. Having a designated cabinet tell everyone that it is for storing these products and nothing else. People won’t place their bags in there for example. Many people don’t think that they are a necessity however they really are. You can not use a regular storage cabinet to store flammable liquids.

So, to the point, what to store in a flammable cabinet. There are three main substances: Flammable liquids, flammable gasses, explosive chemicals, Oxidising Chemicals and Solids

Flammable liquids:

Flammable liquids ignite when they reach a certain temperature. While they require safe handling, the difference between flammable and combustible liquids is the flashpoint (flashpoints are the lowest temperature at which the material gives off enough vapour to start burning.) Flammable liquids have a flashpoint of below 37.8° Celsius (100°F) while combustibles have a flashpoint between 37.8° Celsius (100°F) and 93.3°C (200°F). To stop such liquids from endangering your work place, you should check the flashpoint of each substance entering your work area and ensure to store them in an appropriate flammable cabinet. Examples of flammable liquids include common materials such as petrol, paints, paint thinners and alcohols.

Flammable gases:

Flammable gases will burn if they are mixed with an oxidant, such as air, and when provided with an ignition. These can be dangerous, even when stored in sealed containers, as small quantities of escaping gas can form an ignition source in favourable conditions. This can potentially lead to an explosion or fire. Examples of flammable gases include propane, acetylene, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, natural gas and methane.

Explosive Chemicals:

Many chemicals have explosive properties that can be activated by heat, friction or shock. Touch sensitive chemicals are some of the most dangerous, as they can be activated simply by brushing against the container. These chemicals can naturally occur or be specifically manufactured for this property. The danger associated with these can also increase as the chemicals weaken over time and so particular care should be taken when storing older chemical stock. We recommend our security range for this. Compounds at risk of this include those containing acetylides, azides, oxonides, haloamine and nitoso.

Oxidising Chemicals:

Some chemicals can evolve oxygen at room temperature or with small amounts of heating. This release of oxygen can accelerate a fire, increasing the possibility of damage to your property or employees. To reduce the threat of potential accidents, oxidising chemicals should be contained in a secure flammable cabinet. As some oxidisers can mix with other chemicals to cause a combustion, they should be stored in separate areas. Examples of oxidising chemicals include hydrogen peroxide, concentrated Nitric acid and bleach.

Solids:

Some solids are also quite dangerous. For one, old film and photographic negatives are commonly made from cellulose nitrate. Not only does this easily catch fire, it can also combust due to degradation of the films. These are particularly dangerous as they’re difficult to quench. Another flammable solid is picrate salt, which is commonly used to create explosives but is also used in dye manufacturing and laboratories. The material is very sensitive and reacts to heat, shock and friction. So be careful.

Now you know all the chemicals that need to be stored in a flammable cabinet. We understand that this might leave you a little unsure. If this is the case, then please get in contact with our sales department. We will be happy to help in any way possible.

If you want to find our more information you can view our previous blog posts.

If not, you can view the full range here at hazardous cupboards.co.uk

Thank you for reading and have a great day.