Safety cabinet and structure

Safety cabinets are used to safely store flammable chemicals or compressed gas cylinders.First,they should meet three major security requirements:

1.Minimize the fire risk associated with the storage of flammable substances and protect the contents of the cabinet for the shortest known (tested) time (fire rating). Materials stored in the cabinet should be prevented from contributing to the spread of fire or causing an explosion in the event of a fire.

2.Minimize the amount of vapor released into the working environment.

3.Retention of Accidental Spills in Cabinets.

The areas of application and uses are diverse:pharmaceuticals,universities,hospitals,industry,workshops,public organizations dealing with hazardous substances,etc.Essentially,any facility that stores flammable substances.

Legislation and Guidance 

• In the UK, the most relevant regulations and guidance documents on storage of flammable substances are:

• DSEAR 2002: By law,the Hazardous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation requires employers using flammable substances to take all reasonable precautions to eliminate the hazard at source.Where possible, flammable substances should be substituted with safer materials,but where this is not possible, every effort must be made to control the substance in order to protect people, property and the environment.

• HSG51:Store flammable liquids in containers.This Health and Safety Guidelines (HSG) publication from the HSE is aimed at anyone responsible for the storage of hazardous substances,regardless of the size of the storage facility.It specifies controls designed to eliminate or reduce risks to workers or other risks to workers due to the storage of packaged dangerous goods.It reflects good practice in the design of new storage facilities (and,where reasonably practicable,existing sites) and applies to transit or distribution warehouses,open storage sites, and facilities associated with chemical production sites or end-users.

• HSG140:This Health and Safety Guidelines (HSG) publication from the HSE is for persons responsible for the safe use and handling of flammable liquids during all general work activities, small scale chemical processing and spraying.It explains the fire and explosion hazards associated with flammable liquids and will help you determine how to control risks in your workplace.

• HSG71:This Health and Safety Guidelines (HSG) publication from the HSE focuses on the classification of hazardous materials and the relationship between these materials.Particular attention is given to general recommendations for the separation or segregation of different classes of hazardous substances, including flammable liquids.This is fundamental to prevent reactions between incompatible product types that could have extremely serious consequences for human life and property.

• GHS:Globally Harmonized System, now the common cross-border guidance document governing proper marking of safe boxes

Structure

The structural design and testing of safety cabinets is regulated by the European Standards BS EN 14470-1 (Cabinets for Flammable Liquids) and BS EN 14470-2 (Cabinets for Pressurized Gas Cylinders) adopted in the UK.Safety cabinets usually consist of the following components: inner body, fireproof insulation, outer body, fresh air inlet and exhaust connection points with automatic closing, automatic closing mechanism of doors in case of fire (not applicable to gas cylinder cabinets),Heat-triggered self-expanding seal (intumescent type) and optional ground connection on the door.Flammable substances safety cabinets to BS EN14470-1 usually have storage shelves or pull-out drawers for storing chemicals.Shelves or drawers shall be load tested and capable of withstanding the load specified by the manufacturer.To ensure that accidental spills are kept inside the enclosure, the enclosure must be equipped with a spill trap.BS EN14470-2 safety cabinets for pressurized gas cylinders are designed to contain gas cylinders in work areas.Gas is supplied to the required application via ducts through duct intakes at the top of the cabinet.These pipe penetrations must be sealed to ensure fire protection.Many pressurized gas cylinder cabinets are also equipped with "rolling ramps" that can be inserted into the door or folded away so that the fire seal is not damaged when the cabinet is loaded.Models available in various widths, heights and fire ratings, with a choice of door and locking systems:

• Width (cm): 60, 90, 120, 140.

• Heights: Tall or undercounter cabinets available in various heights.

• Fire rating: F15, F30, F60, F90 or G15, G30, G60, G90 fire rating (min).

• Door and Lock Systems:Wing and folding doors offer sensor control and fully automatic opening/closing.