Cole-Parmer carries a wide selection of safety storage and handling options, including safety cans, safety cabinets, and safety storage cabinets. Many of the products we offer will help you comply with OSHA requirements and are FM approved. Look for these designations on the individual products.
Safety Cabinets
Safety cabinets provide a convenient and secure means of storage for flammables, corrosives, acids, paints, and ink. To properly assess your storage needs, you must determine the quantity and class of the chemicals you need to house, and ascertain whether they have any special storage requirements. Refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet or container label for the specific requirements of each chemical. Additional guidelines on storing hazardous materials are available from your local fire marshall or OSHA office. These regulations will help determine the size and type of storage cabinet you require.
Proper segregation of stored chemicals is necessary to prevent incompatible materials from inadvertently coming into contact, in which case fire, explosion, violent reactions, or toxic gases could result. A physical barrier and/or distance, as provided by safety cabinets, is effective for proper segregation. You must also consider the compatibility of the chemical with the cabinet. For example, strong acids and caustics will corrode untreated, metal cabinets. It is best to store these chemicals in non-metallic wood or HDPE cabinets, or in epoxy-coated cabinets designed to prevent rapid deterioration caused by corrosive fluids or vapors.
Safety cabinets serve several critical functions, including:
- Reducing the risk of fire posed by hazardous chemicals, protecting both personnel and facilities
- Helping you identify, organize, and segregate dangerous liquids
- Providing compliance with federal OSHA regulations and state and local fire codes
- Improving efficiency by allowing solvents to be stored near points of use
- Improving security with keyed locking mechanisms
Safety Cans
Safety cans are designed to permit safe handling, storage, transport, or disposal of flammable liquids or waste by controlling any flammable vapors that may be present.
Safety Requirements
To meet OSHA requirements, a safety storage can must:
- Have a flame arrester
- Be leakproof
- Automatically vent vapor
- Self-close after filling or pouring
- Have a maximum containment volume of 5 gal (18.9L)
In addition, any portable safety can containing flammable liquids with a flash point at or below 26.7C (80F) must also be emblazoned with a yellow band or stenciled identification marker.
Need help in selecting the best safety can or safety cabinet for your requirements? Let our highly trained Application Specialists provide you with additional product specifications, guide you through safety cabinet selection and maintenance, and offer support throughout the life of the safety cabinet you purchase. They are thoroughly schooled on the products we sell and can answer the most challenging questions.