Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Lightweight roof
Fire-resisting
internal walls
½hr self-closing
fire door, with sill
Ventilation apertures
sill
Figure 8.19
Example of suitable fl ammable storeroom in a building
➤
Storage arrangements should be made available
for fl ammable liquids which are separate from other
substances including LPG - up to 50 litres may
be stored within the work area if enclosed in a fi re
resisting cabinet or bin
The storage arrangements for smaller amounts of
fl ammable substances and LPG will vary dependent
upon the processes for which they are being used.
All containers that are to be used to store fl ammable
liquids should be designed and constructed to meet the
standard of being suitable for the purpose.
Containers also need to be of a performance tested
type, in that they should be robust and have well-fi tting
lids and spill resistant tops to prevent leakage if knocked
over. There are specifi c standards available for such
containers and their packaging to comply with transport
legislation.
To ensure that no chemical or physical interaction
occurs which might cause leakage, the material, from
which the containers are made, needs to be compatible
with the properties of the liquid. In addition, containers
may need protection against corrosion, e.g. by painting,
and plastic containers can often suffer degradation by
natural light, which can be reduced by suitable shading
of the container.
LPG cylinders can also suffer degradation from
corrosive atmospheres particularly in relation to some
chemical operations, therefore the use and storage of
the cylinders should refl ect the workplace conditions
and be stored outside.
Storage within the actual workplace where the
fl ammable substance or LPG is to be used must be
considered at length. Ideally external storage arrange-
ments should be made; where this is impracticable the
following must be considered:
➤
Securing mechanisms should be provided to any
storage that allow only authorised access
➤
The storage facility must be provided with spill
protection
➤
Flammable liquid containers should always be
replaced in the store following use and such con-
tainers should be provided with lids to protect
against vapour release and spillage
➤
LPG storage (up to 300 kg) should be ideally in open
air but must be with good ventilation if stored within
a workplace (see Fig. 8.18)
➤
Proprietary safety containers (such as dash pots
used in the printing industry) should be fi tted with
self-closing lids for fl ammable liquids
➤
Flammable liquids should not be dispensed or
decanted within a store or adjacent to a store.
Arrangements for such operations should include
the provision of ventilation and extraction systems
➤
The storage facility should be located away from
ignition sources
➤
Signage denoting the fl ammable storage facility
should be displayed, including 'no smoking'
➤
An inventory of the substances should be kept
including as a minimum the name of the substance,
type and quantity kept
➤
Arrangements for the safe storage and disposal of
items such as rags, cloths, etc. which may have
been used to apply the liquids or mop up spillage.
➤
Keep the quantities of fl ammable materials and LPG
stored and used to an absolute minimum
