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fouldsyfoulds  
#1 Posted : 06 November 2009 10:18:57(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
fouldsyfoulds

Hi fellow safety people,

Just need some pointers, following an external audit of my warehouse the report has made some recommendations around improved storage of flammable liquids based on quantities.

The liquids in questions are Class IB, (UN1993 hazard class 3 packing group II) all in limited quantities in plastic containers.

The audit company are american and are using quotes from the NFPA30 guide about maximum storage in an unprotected warehouse, is there an equivilent UK guidance or HSE Acop?

Thanks for any help.

Mike
Clairel  
#2 Posted : 06 November 2009 10:33:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

It may have changed recently but I am not aware of it. Anyway, a couple of years ago I looked into this extensively for a client.

The HSE won't say what they believe is the maximum amount that can be stored in a warehouse before you have to start implenting the segregation, seperation etc etc (there is an HSE publiucation on this HSG71). There is also HSG76 on warehousing, which includes information on this subject.

They talk of small and minimal quantities but won't say what those quantities are!

I came across an organisation that does give guidance on this but they wanted me to pay over 50 quid for the information. I can't remember the organisation. But I thought if the HSE aren't telling then tough!

Sorry, I can't be of more help. It's down to that old 'risk assessment'.
androo  
#3 Posted : 06 November 2009 10:46:27(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
androo

Are the flammable liquids held in the warehouse as stock or for use in the warehouse?

If the latter then DSEAR would apply and guidance can be found in INDG227.
fouldsyfoulds  
#4 Posted : 06 November 2009 12:44:30(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
fouldsyfoulds

Thanks for your replies, I have checked the HSG 76, 71 and 51 and it gives no quantity guideance on maximum quantities for finished product.

The NFPA says that the maximum total quantity is 5200 litres.

Unsure where to go now?

M
bleve  
#5 Posted : 06 November 2009 14:11:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bleve

In the UK & Wales the maximum amount of storage depends on the size of building compartment as dictated by Approved Document B (amount stored based on floor area multiplied by height of compartment).

The philospophy is based on life safety rather than property protection.

NFPA 30 is a US guidance code that may or may not be followed in the US but would be percieved as being best practice and so is largely adhered to.

With regard to your particular issue, you can ignore NFPA 30 and demonstrate compliance with UK building regs or attempt to apply it.

If your warehouse is a detached or stand alone building (even without sprinkler protection) There is NO maximum storage limit applicable to the total amount of flammable liquids. However, the limit of 5200 Litres applies to any single pile or any single storage rack section.

ONLY in the case that your warehouse is not a detached building with the overall restriction of 5200 Litre apply. In such instances you are restricted to single pile single rack storage.


phargreaves04  
#6 Posted : 19 November 2009 13:24:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
phargreaves04

Hi, I had a similar problem with the storage of Limited Quantities Class 5.1 & 5.2.
There is little guidance when storing small volumes i.e limited Quantity, so I carried out my own assessment, using the Risk phrases from the MSDS. My thoughts being that if in Road & Sea Transport you can carry LQ without any or very little restrictions then why not use part of this principle for the storage of LQ where the risks are a lot lower than transporting it on the road, (assuming the correct control measures are in place) i.e. prevent impact from FLT, control of ignition, training etc.
Of course I would refer to the DSEA Regulations. And if the products were over 25 tonnes the Dangerous Substances (Notification & Marking of sites) Regs.

I suppose by finding the Risk Phrase for the given product will give you a starting block to work from, also a contributing factor will be how much similar products are stored with the same Risk Phrase.
Safety Smurf  
#7 Posted : 19 November 2009 15:07:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

bleve wrote:
In the UK & Wales the maximum amount of storage depends on the size of building compartment as dictated by Approved Document B (amount stored based on floor area multiplied by height of compartment).




Hi Bleve, do you happen to know where in ADB this is as I can't find it
bleve  
#8 Posted : 19 November 2009 15:19:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bleve

SS
AD B, Volume 2, Page 74, B3, Table 12

Regards
Safety Smurf  
#9 Posted : 19 November 2009 15:39:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Safety Smurf

Found that but can't see where it says anything limiting the amount of storage for a given size?
bleve  
#10 Posted : 19 November 2009 16:37:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
bleve

SS
AD B provides a limit for compartment size, logic dictates that the maximum amount that could be stored (M^3) is the volume of the maximum permited compartment less allowances for aisles between storage and access/egress routes.
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