Flammable storage cabinet

The cabinet is built to keep heat away from the liquids inside long enough for people to evacuate and for firefighters to respond. Double-wall construction with insulating air space, self-closing or tight doors, and a liquid-tight bottom sill that catches small spills are the main features. Cabinets for flammables are typically labeled as such, and designs for other hazards, like corrosives, are different.

Rules limit how much flammable liquid may be kept in a cabinet and how many cabinets can be in an area. Those limits are set in fire codes and in OSHA's flammable liquids requirements, and they depend on the liquid category, which is defined by flash point and boiling point. Check local codes rather than relying on a general figure. The Flammable liquid and Combustible liquid categories are used to judge what must go in a cabinet.

Good practice includes keeping doors closed and latched, storing only compatible materials, labeling the cabinet and its contents, and not using it as a general store. Do not put oxidizers, strong acids or other incompatibles inside; practice Chemical segregation. Venting is not normally required and is only recommended in specific cases, because venting can compromise fire resistance if done wrongly.

Cabinets should be kept away from ignition sources and exits. Dispensing from a container requires Grounding and bonding to prevent static. An SDS may state storage requirements such as a cool, ventilated place away from heat, which a cabinet helps achieve. Think of the cabinet as one tool alongside good housekeeping and limiting quantities in the work area.