Further Information:
- SCDF Guidelines on Fire Safety Requirements for Laboratories
- SS 532: 2007 Code of Practice for the Storage of Flammable Liquids
Excerpted from Workplace Safety and Health Guidelines – Laboratory Handling Chemicals
Storage of Flammable Chemicals
Flammable chemicals easily catch fire and burn. When heated, flammable liquids become more hazardous as vaporization rates generally increase with temperature. It is the vapor of the flammable liquid that ignites and burns.
Primary storage concern:
- Protect flammable chemicals from ignition sources.
The following applies when storing flammable chemicals:
- Store flammable liquids in a minimum 1 hr fire-rated storage cabinet designed for flammables away from heat sources or in a cool and well-ventilated area next to or near the laboratory. The storage cabinet will protect its contents from the heat and flames of an external fire;
- Keep flammable chemicals away from oxidizing chemicals and highly sensitive chemicals that liberate heat in reaction to air or moisture;
- Do not store flammable liquids with flash points lower than room temperature in a standard refrigerator meant for household use. Standard refrigerators are not designed to be free of ignition sources. Store flammables only in a laboratory-safe or explosion-proof refrigerator. The refrigerator’s temperature needs to be set lower than the flash point of the most readily ignitable substance stored in the refrigerator;
- Minimize the amount of flammable chemicals stored within a laboratory as they pose a serious fire hazard. Storage of flammable chemicals should be kept within the limits stipulated under the Fire Safety (Petroleum and Flammable Materials) Regulations; and
- Firefighting facilities and equipment must be readily available at every storage area with flammables.