hi Steve Have you checked the BAMA requirements - the use of mesh used to be standard practice, but it depends on lots of things, especially the size of warehouse etc. Try this link though I think that the documents are not free unless your company is a member. http://www.bama.co.uk/

Amazing what you can learn here!

Like stevie40 I too have made this requirement on behalf of the property insurers. Regardless of whether the warehouse is sprinklered (if not, why not?), the reasons for wanting the aerosols to be contained are valid. Many years ago I recall a fire at a car products warehouse which was visible from my house some 5 miles away. Also I was present at a demo by a sprinkler Co demonstrating the quantities of water needed to deal with aerosols in a fire (non-combustible contents with non-flammable propellant = OK; non-combustible contents with flammable propellant = not so OK; combustible contents with flammable propellant eg hair lacquer = gigantic quantity of water needed over a considerable period of time). De-icer is probably alcohol with hexane propellant. The lessons I learned there were valuable: aerosols are very dangerous in a fire situation. Whilst I would expect your personnel to be well clear of any aerosol fire by the time they start going bang, you may well be advised to take a look at your risk assessment and emergency procedures to see that the risk to life is properly addressed. Steve, your insurers should be able to provide a specification for the meshing. Why not use this as the basis of a tender process for local contractors.

Hi In a previous life the Warehouse I worked at started to store aerosols, although not caged the racking did have sprinklers as previously mentioned. Other things to keep in mind - depending on the volume you intent to store; 1. You may fall under the COMAH regs if you have sufficient amount (life of me I can remember how much). 2. You may want to look at gas detectors on the racking, on the MHE (if using trucks) and when unloading vehicles. 3. A system for dealing with leaking or damaged canisters - ours went to cage outside to sit and vent. 4. Our trucks had to be AMEX rated - to ensure that no spark was caused if the forks went through some stork or ran over them etc - but again we did store a lot. As someone else has mentioned the BAMA is your best source of information.

Its lethal - no really. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Blanc_Tunnel

You are all right when discussing containment within a meshed area, and sprinkler systems and their limitations, but please remember prevention is far far better than cure. Ensure your fire prevention is spot on and keep your canisters well away from possible fire/ignition hazards. If you can also separate the canisters away from combustible materials that will also help. If you can store them in fresh air as well outside the building no need to worry about the sprinkler system ???????????