Internal Solvent Storage in the UK and BS EN 14470-1 plus hazardous materials workplace
01 July 2014
In the UK it is recommended ths.at no more than 50 litres of highly flammable solvent be stored in a single workspace using cabinets referred to in such documents as DSEAR 2002 (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations) and HSG 51 from the Health and Safety Executive (Storage of Flammable Liquids in Containers.) These normally refer to single skinned metal cabinets manufactured according to BS 476.
Cabinets designed and built to comply with BS EN 14470-1 offer vastly superior protection over single or double wall steel cabinets to BS476.
These cabinets minimise the risks associated with storing flammable substances by protecting the contents for a known and tested length of time (fire rating). For the first time consideration has been given to the time required not only for personnel to leave the room/area in the case of a fire, but also for the emergency services to gain access to the workplace before stored flammable materials contribute to an uncontrollable blaze.
Fire resistance is defined as the time taken for the temperature inside a cabinet to increase by 180K at any measured internal point. As a result each cabinet can be classified as Type 15, Type 30 or Type 90. During the design process all cabinets offered by Labtex have been successfully tested in accordance with BS EN 14770-1 and certified by an independent materials testing institute.
Asecos cabinets are available in numerous sizes and configurations with folding doors, wing doors, shelves and drawers.
Labtex also acts as official service and maintenance partner for asecos. Regular service checks are essential to make sure that a fire rated cabinet is stable, level and that all parts are working correctly in order for it to provide the protection you expect if the worst happens.
We also offer hazardous material workplaces.
How does the Asecos hazardous material workplace work ?
Efficient, secure retention of the pollutants can only be achieved through a balanced combination of inlet and exhaust air. High air speeds are required in the area of the frontal opening in order to capture pollutants and drive them towards the rear of the workplace. The exhaust air must interact with the inlet air to prevent any pollutants ‘rebounding’ from the rear wall and being forced out of the work place.
A fresh air curtain keeps the user safe from gases, smoke, vapours and airborne hazardous material and a tested air flow pattern, which utilises the framework of the unit, ensures an atmosphere that remains well within safe limits as specified in part 3 of the European standard EN 14175.
Working surfaces are available in melamine resin, stainless steel or ceramic (offering maximum resistance to many acids and alakalis) making asecos hazardous material workplaces suitable for use in a wide variety of industrial applications such as cleaning, assembly (with adhesives), weighing, decanting and vessel filling.
The EX line is available for safe chemical handling in potentially explosive areas in Zone 1.
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