Rank: Forum user 
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Could anyone tell me how much Solvent (litres) is allowed to be stored in a building (storeroom) and how it should be stored, please?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Your "piece of string" could do with trimming as there are varying regulations for very minimal quantities up to Major Accident Hazard sites with bulk tanking. What type of building? What use is the solvent put to? What packaging does it come in? What facilities do you have in place e.g. bunded storage, quench systems, fire water catchments If you are following COSHH correctly the ultimate answer should be none.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Your "piece of string" could do with trimming as there are varying regulations for very minimal quantities up to Major Accident Hazard sites with bulk tanking. What type of building? What use is the solvent put to? What packaging does it come in? What facilities do you have in place e.g. bunded storage, quench systems, fire water catchments If you are following COSHH correctly the ultimate answer should be none.
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Rank: Super forum user
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JDOwen On the basis of your profile I assume that you are in Saudi Arabia, so you would have to look at 1. Local regulatory requirements 2. Any requirements of the location that might be based on other regulatory requirements - e.g. EU, UK or OSHA and then check that these provide at least as great a level of protection as Saudi standards. There are two key issues with your question: (a) Chemical properties, most probably the key being flammability (b) Health risks associated with the solvents So, to start the ball rolling, if the solvents are flammable, you wouldn't want to store them alongside incompatible materials such as oxidising agents. Then in the UK different standards would kick in depending on volume stored.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Also what are they stored in 2.5 litre Winchesters or 200 litre drums? Do you allow people to decant the solvent in the store into smaller containers? Is the room well ventilated? Are there pressure relief panels built into the roof etc. Is there an inert gas fire suppression system? How well trained are the staff working in the room? What sort of electrics have been installed? And the list goes on… If you have the right set up, then there is no limit to how much you can store but if the controls are inadequate then you can’t keep any!
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks to everyone for your replies. There are about 200 tins (20gk each) of Acetone and MEK solvent stored in a room. The room is in a building that sells paints to the general public. I have been told that there isn't any ventilation in the room.
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Rank: Super forum user
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I am assuming that MEK refers to methyl ethyl ketone, also known as butanone. This is highly flammable substance as is acetone. Are far a solvents go I work by volumes, so 20 kg of acetone or MEK is about 25 litres( recommended maximum volume for a work room is 50 litres) . I am not sure what you mean by a tin( baked bins come in tins) but it is substantial drum and as you are calling it a tin I assume it is made of steel. Do people buy whole drums or do you decant smaller volumes. If the drums are just sitting, there and are being sold as drums them the main risk is posed if you drop a drum and it splits releasing it contents. What are the general fire precautions like in this area eg is smoking banned? Have a look at this https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg51.pdf for more detailed information.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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Many thanks for your responses. The containers are steel (around 25L). I would say there are around 150 containers stacked on shelving units. There seems to be very little ventilation in the room. There is no fixed fire suppression installed. Should flameproof lighting/emergency lighting also be installed?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Franki - suggest you look at the sources that AK has pointed you to. If you follow HSG51 you probably won't go far wrong as long as the Saudi or other local regulatory requirements are not more stringent. All good for your CPD! Edited by user 10 August 2021 13:23:59(UTC)
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Rank: Forum user
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Thank you for the help and advice. It is very much appreciated.
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Rank: Forum user
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this is something I've highlighted that I'm looking into. Its become apparent that we use paint (1 & 5 L cans) and 5L cans of thinners in the training area, however as they are recruiting and doing more training, the amount of stock they hold has now increased to match which it wasnt at the start of the year. The products are stored in COSHH cabinets and theres a fixed alarm system installed (no sprinklers). I've highlighted that we need to have more spill kits available and monitor any hot works, but I'm not sure if theres a "limit" we can store on site in the warehouse, and if we need to advise the local fire station if we are holding about x amount. This is a little out of my normal comfort zone so looking for advice as well.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The legal limits are set out in COMAH and they are so huge that unless you have an enormous storage or substantial amounts of more toxic stuff, you are very unlikely to be anywhere near them. The fire service will proactively make appointments to visit premises that they see as significant in their area, either because of their hazardous operations or their high occupancy. On that visit they will ask for an inventory of hazardous substances and where in the building they are, along with a lot of other questions. At least that's my experience. There is no requirement for you to contact them, only to cooperate with them. Nothing to stop you asking them for advice of course.
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