Flammable Liquids Storage

Overview

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that the quantity of liquid that may be located outside of an inside storage room or storage cabinet in a building, or in any one fire area of a building, must not exceed:

1. 25 gallons of Category 1 flammable liquids in containers;
2. 120 gallons of Category 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquids in containers; or
3. 660 gallons of Category 2, 3 or 4 flammable liquids in a single portable tank.

29 CFR 106(d)(3) and NAPA 30.4 – 30.7.1 require that the storage cabinet be constructed of double- walled 18 gauge metal or 1 inch wood cabinets with 2 inches sill and conspicuously labeled “FLAMMABLE KEEP FIRE AWAY.”

Flammable liquid – any liquid having a flashpoint at or below 199.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Flammable liquids are divided into four categories as follows:

1. Category 1 must include liquids having flashpoints below 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit and having a boiling point at or below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Category 2 must include liquids having flashpoints below 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit and having a boiling point above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Category 3 must include liquids having flashpoints at or above 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit and at or below 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit is heated for use to within 30 degrees Fahrenheit of its flashpoint, it must be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Category 4 must include liquids having flashpoints above 140 degrees Fahrenheit and at or below 199.4 degrees Fahrenheit. When a Category 4 flammable liquid is heated for use to within 30 degrees Fahrenheit of its flashpoint, it must be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 3 liquid with a flashpoint at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. When liquid with a flashpoint greater than 199.4 degrees Fahrenheit is heated for use to within 30 degrees Fahrenheit of its flashpoint, it must be handled in accordance with the requirements for a Category 4 flammable liquid.