Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Figure 8.18
External storage arrangements for LPG
Figure 8.17
Example of a well laid out external storage facility for fl ammable chemicals – HSG 140
Maximum stack
capacity 300 000 litres
Note:
See Table 8.3 and the text
for minimum distances
shown by dashed arrows
Fire wall
Building
Retaining sill
Truck ramp
Fire-fighting
equipment
Building
Boundary fence

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Causes and prevention of fi re
153
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:
➤
Keep the quantities of fl ammable materials and LPG 
stored and used to an absolute minimum
➤
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
➤
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.