Flammable safety cabinets are crucial for safely storing hazardous materials in workplaces, laboratories, and chemical storage areas. These cabinets are typically delivered on pallets, often moved into place with a forklift for convenience. However, keeping a flammable safety cabinet on a wooden pallet after it’s been delivered is highly inadvisable. Not only is it unsafe, but it can also violate safety regulations. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons why you should never store a flammable safety cabinet on a wooden pallet and the safety hazards associated with this practice.
One of the main reasons you should never store a flammable safety cabinet on a wooden pallet is that it violates important safety regulations, specifically OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106e(9). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has strict guidelines on the proper installation of flammable storage cabinets to ensure they function as intended and do not pose a risk to safety. Storing the cabinet on a pallet undermines the integrity of these regulations and could result in penalties or fines if discovered during an inspection.
Flammable safety cabinets must be installed according to the manufacturer's guidelines for proper functionality. This includes ensuring the cabinet is level, especially when used to store liquids in containers. An uneven surface can distort the cabinet structure, impair the function of the doors, and even make it difficult to close them properly. Unfortunately, pallets often provide an uneven surface that prevents you from achieving the stability required for optimal performance.
Furthermore, wooden pallets can become damaged during transport, creating additional instability. The slatted design of most pallets makes them less reliable as a base, especially at the corners of the cabinet, where support is crucial. If the cabinet is placed on a pallet that is not solid or level, it can compromise the safety of the entire storage system.
Wooden pallets themselves are a fire hazard. In the event of a fire, the pallet can act as a fuel source, exacerbating the situation. If the pallet catches fire and collapses, the flammable safety cabinet could also be affected, falling over and potentially causing the fire to spread. This greatly increases the risk of fire damage to both the cabinet and its contents, which could lead to hazardous chemical reactions or worse.
Safety cabinets are designed and tested based on specific installation methods. When placed on a wooden pallet, the temperature beneath the cabinet rises faster than expected in the event of a fire. This can cause the cabinet to fail in its protective role, endangering the stored chemicals. Without proper testing in this setup, the cabinet’s fire-resistant capabilities could be severely compromised.
Flammable safety cabinets are designed with leakproof sumps that are capable of containing any spills or leaks that may occur. According to the International Fire Code (5704.3.2.1.4), the bottom of a safety cabinet must be liquid-tight to at least a height of 2 inches. This built-in containment system means that you don’t need to elevate the cabinet off the ground to monitor for leaks—its sump provides sufficient protection.
In addition, grounding a safety cabinet is a critical safety measure, especially when dispensing chemicals that may build up static electricity. Proper grounding helps prevent sparks, which can lead to fire or explosion. However, placing a cabinet on a wooden pallet complicates this process. The wooden pallet makes it more difficult to ensure a proper ground connection, which undermines the safety of your storage system.
