Fire safety storage cabinets

When storing hazardous substances, it is usually not a matter of an ordinary safe for documents or valuables, but rather a fire safety storage cabinet. Important requirements include sufficient fire resistance, leak containment, self-closing doors, ventilation options, clear hazard labelling, and suitability for the stored substances. For new fire safety storage cabinets, NEN-EN 14470-1 is the relevant standard.

NEN-EN 14470-1 is the European standard for fire safety storage cabinets for flammable liquids. The standard distinguishes between fire resistance ratings, for example 30, 60 or 90 minutes. For the professional storage of hazardous substances, this standard is important in order to be able to store them safely in a demonstrable manner.

A 60-minute fire-resistant cabinet is designed to withstand fire for 60 minutes under test conditions. This provides time to evacuate people and allow emergency services to intervene.

The fire safety storage cabinets from KOK Milieuopslagsystemen have a fire resistance of 90 minutes. This makes them suitable for the indoor storage of smaller quantities of hazardous or environmentally harmful substances. The correct application always depends on the substances, quantities and location.

The permitted quantity depends on the cabinet, the fire resistance, the substance properties and the regulations that apply to your situation. KOK's fire safety storage cabinets are intended for smaller quantities and have a maximum storage capacity of 250 kg of hazardous substances. If in doubt, have it assessed which storage facility suits your substances and quantities.

A fire safety storage cabinet can be used to store many packaged hazardous substances, such as flammable liquids, solvents, paint products, cleaning agents and certain ADR or CMR substances. Not all substances may simply be placed together. The layout must be aligned with the hazard properties of the products.

That depends on the substances and the design of the cabinet. With KOK fire-safety storage cabinets, every shelf acts as a drip tray. As a result, a different ADR or CMR class can be stored on each shelf, provided the substances can be safely combined with one another. Always check the safety data sheets and applicable regulations.

Drip trays collect leaked liquids and prevent hazardous substances from entering the floor, soil or working environment. This is important for safety, the environment and compliance with storage regulations. In the case of fire safety storage cabinets, drip trays are therefore an essential component of the cabinet.

Yes, many CMR substances can be stored in a suitable fire safety storage cabinet. CMR substances are substances that can be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. Because these substances carry extra risks, careful storage, clear labelling and a good working procedure are important.

Not always. A standard fire safety storage cabinet is often intended for flammable liquids and chemical substances. Lithium-ion batteries present different risks, such as thermal runaway, smoke emission and toxic gases. For batteries or lithium-ion batteries, therefore, a specific lithium storage solution is often required.

That is not necessarily wise. Lithium-ion batteries require a storage solution that suits the risk of the batteries, the quantity, the state of the batteries and any charging activities. For larger quantities or commercial storage, the requirements for lithium storage, such as PGS 37-2, must be considered.

A fire safety storage cabinet is intended for the indoor storage of smaller quantities of hazardous substances in small packaging. A walk-in vault is an accessible indoor or outdoor storage space with greater capacity and more options for layout, product containment and customisation. The choice depends on the quantity of substances, the packaging and the daily working method.

A fire safety storage cabinet is compact and often suitable for indoor storage of smaller quantities. A storage container is larger and intended for greater volume, such as pallets, IBCs or larger packaging. For larger storage needs, a PGS 15 container or custom storage is often more appropriate.

Yes, fire safety storage cabinets are placed indoors, for example in a workshop, warehouse, laboratory or production area. However, the placement must be safe. Pay attention to accessibility, ventilation, escape routes, distance from ignition sources and the substances stored in the cabinet.

Ventilation may be required when vapours can be released from the stored substances. Whether natural or mechanical ventilation is necessary depends on the substance properties and the application. In the case of flammable vapours, explosion safety and ignition sources must also be considered.

Yes, KOK Milieuopslagsystemen helps think through the safe storage of smaller quantities of hazardous substances. This involves looking at fire resistance, product containment, segregation of substances, location and practical use. This results in a storage solution that suits the substances and the working environment.