Introduction to Fire Safety Management

External storage arrangements
– when storing 
large quantities (50 litres or more) ideally an external 
storage area will be provided that will include the follow-
ing considerations:
➤
Segregation from other processes and storage 
(fl ammable substances should be stored separately 
from other hazardous substances and materials 
such as oxidisers and LPG, etc.):
➤
By physical distance
➤
Fire 
wall
➤
Security against unauthorised access, locking 
mechanisms, physical walls and fences
➤
Positioned in a well-ventilated area and on impervi-
ous ground
➤
Take into account the potential heat on the con-
tainers from a fi re within or outside the premises’ 
boundary; and a fi re within the storage facility on 
buildings, plant and people inside or outside the 
premises
➤
Positioned away from sources of ignition (or where 
electrical supplies are intrinsically safe)
➤
Environmental protection arrangements:
➤
Bunded facility (110% of contents)
➤
Interceptors to capture potential release
The acknowledged safe separation distances are 
detailed in Table 8.3.
The arrangements for the storing of larger quantities 
(more than 300 kg) of LPG gas cylinders are very similar 
to those required for fl ammable liquids.
In addition to providing adequate levels of signage 
on site, formal systems of work will need to be 
Figure 8.16
External tank facility
Quantity stored 
Distance from occupied 
litres
 
building, boundary, process 
 unit, 
fl ammable liquid storage 
 
tank or fi xed ignition source 
metres
Up to 1 000 
2
1 000–100 000 
4
Above 100 000 
7.5