Forms

1) Classification and Definition of Liquids

Flammable Liquid: Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below 100° F (37.8°C)

Class IA: Liquids that have flash points below 73° F (22.8°C) and boiling points below 100° F (37.8°C)

Class IB: Liquids that have flash points below 73° F (22.8°C) and boiling points at or above 100° F (37.8°C)

Class IC: Liquids that have flash points at or above 73° F (22.8°C) but below 100° F (37.8°C)

Combustible Liquid: Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point at or above 100° F (37.8°C)

Class II: Liquids that have a flash point at or above 100° F (37.8°C)

Class IIA: Liquids that have a flash point at or above 140° F (60°C)

Class IIIB: Liquids that have a flash point at or above 200°F (93°C)

2) When are flammable liquid storage cabinets required?

NFPA 45 Table 2-2(a) In sprinkled laboratories, a maximum of 10 gallons of Class I flammable liquids per 100 sq.ft. of laboratory space are allowed outside of an inside flammable liquid storage room. Combinations of Class I, II, and IIIA may not exceed 20 gallons. An additional 10 gallons maximum of Class I flammable liquids may be stored in a flammable liquid cabinet. Combinations of Class I, II, and IIIA may not exceed 40 gallons in a flammable liquid storage cabinet.

3) Where can a cabinet be located?

NFPA 45 2-1: Anywhere within the laboratory unit. This means it can not be located in a hallway or any means of egress.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(ii)(b): The quantity of flammable 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 shall not exceed:

25 gallons of Class IA liquids in containers.
120 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids in containers.
660 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids in a single portable tank.

4) Options to flammable liquid storage in corridors:

Move cabinet to another location.
Do a careful inventory of what's on hand and compare to what's really needed.
Where allowed, swap cabinet for a less hazardous item now in the laboratory.
Move cabinet into laboratory.
Reduce quantity of flammable liquids on-hand so a cabinet is not required.
Purchase smaller quantities when ordering flammable liquids.
Dispense flammable liquids from central location in daily use quantities.
Store permitted quantities of flammable liquids on shelves in lab.
Share flammable liquid cabinets among several labs.
Find alternatives to flammable liquids.

	Flammable Liquid Storage in Laboratories
	1) Classification and Definition of Liquids Flammable Liquid: Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below 100° F (37.8°C) Class IA: Liquids that have flash points below 73° F (22.8°C) and boiling points below 100° F (37.8°C) Class IB: Liquids that have flash points below 73° F (22.8°C) and boiling points at or above 100° F (37.8°C) Class IC: Liquids that have flash points at or above 73° F (22.8°C) but below 100° F (37.8°C) Combustible Liquid: Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point at or above 100° F (37.8°C) Class II: Liquids that have a flash point at or above 100° F (37.8°C) Class IIA: Liquids that have a flash point at or above 140° F (60°C) Class IIIB: Liquids that have a flash point at or above 200°F (93°C) 2) When are flammable liquid storage cabinets required? NFPA 45 Table 2-2(a) In sprinkled laboratories, a maximum of 10 gallons of Class I flammable liquids per 100 sq.ft. of laboratory space are allowed outside of an inside flammable liquid storage room. Combinations of Class I, II, and IIIA may not exceed 20 gallons. An additional 10 gallons maximum of Class I flammable liquids may be stored in a flammable liquid cabinet. Combinations of Class I, II, and IIIA may not exceed 40 gallons in a flammable liquid storage cabinet. 3) Where can a cabinet be located? NFPA 45 2-1: Anywhere within the laboratory unit. This means it can not be located in a hallway or any means of egress. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106(e)(2)(ii)(b): The quantity of flammable 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 shall not exceed: 25 gallons of Class IA liquids in containers. 120 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids in containers. 660 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, or III liquids in a single portable tank. 4) Options to flammable liquid storage in corridors: Move cabinet to another location. Do a careful inventory of what's on hand and compare to what's really needed. Where allowed, swap cabinet for a less hazardous item now in the laboratory. Move cabinet into laboratory. Reduce quantity of flammable liquids on-hand so a cabinet is not required. Purchase smaller quantities when ordering flammable liquids. Dispense flammable liquids from central location in daily use quantities. Store permitted quantities of flammable liquids on shelves in lab. Share flammable liquid cabinets among several labs. Find alternatives to flammable liquids.