Everyday Hazmat User’s Training Guide, Page 18

Everyday Hazmat User's Training Guide

Section III Hazardous Materials Management (continued)

Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids and aerosols are very common in the USDA Forest Service. Examples are gasoline, solvents, and janitorial products. The label on the container will say flammable or extremely flammable; the MSDS will also provide identifying information. Because these products are flammable, they must be labeled, stored, used, and managed according to regulations and USDA Forest Service policy. Any wastes must be considered a hazardous waste.

Definitions

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Products with flashpoints equal to or greater than 100°F are combustibles.

Storage Cabinets

Proper storage cabinets can protect workers and the environment and can allow you to store larger quantities of a flammable liquid safely.

Indoor Storage

Incidental Storage

Storage of flammable liquids is strictly regulated for the safety of personnel and facilities. Incidental storage of flammables is permissible as long as the quantity does not exceed the amount allowed, and proper storage containers are used. Permissible quantities differ depending on the occupancy of the structure. Empty containers previously used for flammable liquids must be stored as if they still contain a flammable liquid.

Important Requirements

No more than 10 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids incidental to the operation and maintenance of equipment, and for demonstration, treatment, and laboratory work, may be stored outside of an approved cabinet.
Incidental liquids must be stored in approved containers and in a garage or other approved location.
In offices and educational and institutional facilities, the container size is limited to 1 gallon for class I liquids unless safety cans are used.
If safety cans are used for incidental class I flammables, the maximum container size is 2 gallons.
An approved cabinet must be used to store more than 10 gallons of flammable or combustible liquids incidental to the operation and maintenance of equipment and for demonstration, treatment, and laboratory work.

Control Areas

Control areas increase the quantity of flammable liquids you can store. However, there are limits. These quantities can be increased if you use approved cabinets and if the area has sprinklers. Multiple control areas also can be used if they are properly separated. Empty containers previously used for flammable liquids must be stored as if they still contained a flammable liquid.

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Important Requirements

Class I liquids may not be stored in basements; avoid storing flammables in basements.
Containers with a capacity of less than 30 gallons may not be stacked more than two containers or 3 feet high, unless they are on shelving or are otherwise secured.
Containers with a capacity greater than 30 gallons may not be stacked.
Containers must be stored in an upright position.
Combustible commodities must not be stored above flammable and combustible liquids.
Flammable liquids must be a minimum of 3 feet from beams, girders, or other obstructions.
Flammable liquids must be a minimum of 3 feet below sprinkler deflectors, discharge orifices, or other overhead fire protection systems.
Flammable liquids must not be stored in the same rack or group as combustible materials.
The maximum amount of flammable liquids that can be stored in a control area is: 30 gallons of class IA, 60 gallons of class IB, and 90 gallons of class IC—or 120 gallons of any combination, as long as the limits for any given class are not exceeded.
Amounts can be increased by 100 percent if proper cabinets are used, and by another 100 percent if the area has sprinklers—not to exceed 300 percent of the original volume with both cabinets and sprinklers.
Spill control and secondary containment are required if any individual container has a capacity of more than 55 gallons or if the total capacity of all containers exceeds 1,000 gallons.

Interior Rooms

For larger quantities of flammable and combustible liquids, you can use cutoff and inside rooms. A room with an outside wall is a cutoff room, and a room with no outside walls is an inside room. Empty containers previously used for flammable liquids must be stored as if they still contained a flammable liquid.

Image of a floor plan for the indoor storage of flammable liquids in interior rooms. The floor plan indicates the locations of a cutoff room and an inside room.

Important Requirements

Cutoff and inside rooms can be used if more class I, II, and III liquids need to be stored than can be stored as incidentals or within control areas within a building.
The quantities of class I, II, and III liquids that can be stored in cutoff and inside rooms depend on the size of the building and its structural features.
Check with your hazmat coordinator for specific structural requirements and safety features before designating an existing room for liquid storage or before constructing a new storage room.
Spill control and secondary containment are required if any individual container has more than a 55-gallon capacity or if the total capacity of all containers exceeds 1,000 gallons.