Unfortunately, Canadian officials discovered startling statistics regarding fire, explosions, and employee injury and death. Recent reports show that of the many commercial fires occurring each year, a significant number of them resulted from ignited combustible or flammable liquids. This is a stark reminder of why it’s so critical to have a solid plan in place for flammable liquid safety.
Why Do Flammable Liquids Burn?
Flammable liquids don’t burn as liquids, but their vapors, released when the liquid evaporates, can create dangerous gases. These gases ignite easily from sparks, flames, or static charges. Hot surfaces like welding torches can also trigger such fires, which burn hotter than wood or paper fires. Some liquids release poisonous gases too. To stay safe, avoid storing flammable liquids near potential ignition sources and maintain proper workspace ventilation. Flammable liquids have different flashpoints, the temperature at which they become vapor and can ignite. Lower flashpoints mean higher fire risks
Flammable Cabinet Storage Guidelines
For one thing, people who handle flammable liquids need proper training so they know what they can and can’t do. For another, industries handling flammable materials as part of routine operations must store them in cabinets. However, not every company understands why choosing the right cabinet is so important. This is where flammable cabinet storage guidelines come in handy.
Remember, there are many different types of flammable liquids. Some examples include gasoline, paints, solvents, commercial cleaners, and adhesives. Not only that, but most of these produce vapours. That means the liquid itself, as well as the vapours lingering in the air, can ignite or explode.
Following Flammable Storage Cabinet Regulations
Using cabinets specifically designed to store flammable and combustible materials isn’t just for safety, but it’s also mandated by Canadian officials. By not following the current flammable storage cabinet regulations, companies become non-compliant with safety laws. Again, that puts human lives at risk and could cause major problems for the business.
Things Included in the Flammable Cabinet Storage Guidelines
Keep in mind that flammable cabinet storage guidelines line up perfectly with compliance regulations. The following are some of the specific requirements that companies that deal with flammable liquids must do.
Dispensing
One aspect of storage to ensure flammable liquid safety has to do with dispensing. That involves drums that need to flow properly when filled or drained. Also, these containers must have a safety vent and self-closing faucets. To ensure that employees follow all the guidelines, it’s imperative to provide them with extensive training.
Point of Use
Today, many companies that handle flammable liquids want to keep storage cabinets as close to the point of use as possible. After all, that saves time, and it’s efficient. It can also minimize the amount of exposure someone has to ignitable liquids. However, any organization that wants to utilize this practice must adhere to flammable cabinet storage guidelines specific to the point of use placement.
Multiple Options
With increased regulations for flammable liquid safety, manufacturers now make a broad range of cabinets. These vary in size, shape, configuration, and door arrangement. If your company has combustible or flammable liquids on-site, our team of experts at SAFE Engineering Inc. can guide you to the appropriate cabinet.
Safeguard Your Workspace
If you’re in the business of handling and storing flammable liquid, don’t take it lightly. Improper storage or lack of ventilation can lead to serious incidents in the workplace. To address such issues, you should use approved and labelled containers for storing combustible liquids. This decreases the chances of a fire outbreak.
Here at S.A.F.E Engineering, we can help you mitigate any potential risks associated with flammable liquids storage. We work with industry experts who can guide you on flammable cabinet storage guidelines.
