Hazardous Areas Blog

USING 250L FLAMMABLE GOODS CABINETS

Minor Storage

Flammable Goods Cabinets are intended for Minor Storage of Flammable and Combustible Goods, as per the following extract from AS 1940:2017 of Table 2.1:

Storage Cabinet Construction

AS 1940 Clause 4.9.2: The following requirements apply:

(a) The walls, floor, door and roof shall be of double-walled sheet steel construction, with a space of at least 40 mm between the walls. NOTE: This space may be either an air space or filled with non-combustible insulation.

(b) Any gaps around the doors and into the space between the walls shall be sealed as far as is necessary to prevent the spread of flame or heat radiation.

(c) The inner base of the cabinet shall form a liquid-tight compound at least 150 mm deep and shall be designed to prevent the compound from being used as a storage space.

(d) Any shelves shall be perforated to permit free air movement and shall be capable of carrying the maximum possible load.

(e) All leakage shall be directed into the lower compound.

(f) All cabinet doors shall be self-closing, close-fitting and held shut automatically by catches at two or more points.

(g) Where doors are equipped with a device to hold them open when necessary, they shall be released automatically as soon as the temperature exceeds a nominal 80°C.

(h) The materials of any components that are critical to the cabinet’s structural integrity shall not melt at temperatures less than 850°C. Seals or gaskets are accepted but avoid their use if their failure could affect the protective function of the cabinet.

Cabinet Marking

Each cabinet shall be marked with—

(a) the name and address of the manufacturer or, for imported cabinets, the distributor within Australia;

(b) the maximum storage capacity;

(d) a sign bearing the words ‘NO SMOKING, NO IGNITION SOURCES WITHIN 3 m in lettering at least 50 mm high.

All signs and markings shall be clearly visible when the cabinet doors are closed. Here are some examples of acceptable marking:

Ignition Sources

The following potential ignition sources should be kept at least 3 metres from the cabinet:

Electrical Outlets,
Lighting (unless certified for use in vapours from the most flammable substance stored,
Overhead Crane control pendants (control box),
Any naked flames (oxy-acetylene sets),
Machines that generate hot sparks or particles (e.g., grinders),
Hot surfaces,
Engines (spark and compression ignition types).

Inappropriate Storage

Anything that is not a flammable or combustible good, with a sealed screw cap or other equally effective sealing means, can be stored in these cabinets. Items observed during site inspections include:

Rags (Oily or otherwise),
General rubbish,
Personal possessions,
Batteries,
Ropes,
Chains,
Food items,
Corrosive reagents (acid or alkaline)
Supporters of combustion (cylinders of Oxygen, Chlorine, etc)

Cabinet Location

The following requirements apply to the location of cabinets for flammable and combustible liquids:

(a) Cabinets shall be located so that they do not impede escape in an emergency.

(b) Cabinets having a capacity greater than 250 L shall not be installed in residential or accommodation buildings, commercial buildings, hospitals, aged care buildings or school buildings.

Hazardous Area Classification of Cabinets

From AS/NZS 60079.10.1:2009 (+A1) Clause ZA.9.2.2.2:

For storage cabinets as defined by AS 1940, irrespective of the ventilation of the storage area:

(i) Interior of cabinet: Zone 1

(ii) Exterior of cabinet together with any vent provided on the cabinet, from ground level to 1 m above and 3 m laterally: Zone 2

For storage cabinets as defined by AS 1940, when installed in a room:

This material is produced by HAZ. The information is of a general nature only and should not be relied upon. Each set of circumstances associated with compliance of hazardous areas and Type B compliance is unique and expert advice on your particular circumstances should be sought. HAZ accepts no liability for any reliance on the information published on this website.