Last Revised: September 23, 2022
Revised 9/23/2022
Flammable liquids storage cabinets that meet the construction requirements of NFPA 30-4.3.3, or are custom built and tested in accordance with section NFPA 30-4.3.3(a) or meet the requirements of UL 1275 are acceptable. Where custom built cabinets are used, the test report showing compliance with section 4.3.3(a) must be sealed by a Professional Engineer.
Number of cabinets and storage capacity per lab
The number and size of cabinets required is dictated by the size of the laboratory and the type of research conducted. A thorough needs assessment should be conducted by the design professional to ascertain the proper number, size and location of cabinets.
When designing a generic biomedical research lab or generic physical science lab (Chemistry, Nanotech, Materials Science and research involving organic synthesis) design professionals shall use the following criteria:
- Biomedical (generic)
- Total aggregate storage per lab is equal to 10 gallons per bench (double sided bench)
- Minimum capacity of 40 gallons per lab room.
- Physical science labs (generic)
- Total aggregate storage per lab is equal to 20 gallons per bench (double sided bench)
- Minimum capacity of 60 gallons per lab room.
Cabinet size and style
Cabinets shall be no larger than 45 gallon capacity.
Doors shall be swing open.
Doors shall be self closing per fire code requirements.
Wall mounting is permissible but cabinet may not be mounted more than 1 foot above floor level.
Cabinet Placement
Cabinets should be located under the fume hood or near fume hood alcoves.
Cabinet shall be grounded.
Labeling
Cabinets shall be marked “Flammable-Keep Fire Away”.
Venting
Cabinets located under fume hoods shall be vented into the plenum of the hood using manufacturer supplied vent kits. Air should be removed from the bottom vent opening of the cabinet.
Free standing cabinets in biomedical labs shall not be vented. Bungs shall be used to seal vent openings.
Free standing cabinets in physical science labs (Chemistry, Nanotech, Materials Science and research involving organic synthesis) may be vented into the fume hood exhaust system or a dedicated system for hazardous materials exhaust. Venting of cabinets is recommended in labs with intensive chemical use such as synthetic chemistry labs. Replacement air for vented cabinets shall be ducted into the cabinet in such a way as not to compromise the specified performance of the cabinet. This may be achieved by installing a thermally-actuated vent damper such as the Safe-T-Vent from Justrite. A detail illustrating how the cabinet will be vented shall be submitted to the Offices of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety and University Engineer for approval.
For more information, see What is a Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet?