The activities of some employers involve the storage of hazardous and flammable materials. The law does not prohibit the storage of such substances, but it is necessary to remember about their appropriate protection. Safety cabinets, one of whose characteristic features is fire resistance, turn out to be useful. There is no shortage of models on the market prepared for storing, among others, gas cylinders, acids or bases.
Production companies, pharmaceutical enterprises, laboratories, technical universities or workshops – these are only some of the places, where safety cabinets prove extremely useful. This is where dangerous and flammable materials such as flammable liquids, acids, poisonous substances or water contamination are stored. Today, the law does not allow hazardous and flammable materials to be stored in the workplace without adequate protection, but the wide range of products on the market means that storing such substances does not have to be a problem. Of course, if you make the right choice, taking into account individual needs and current regulations.
One of the characteristic features of safety cabinets is their fire resistance. For selected models it is 30 minutes, for others – 90 minutes according to the PN-EN 14470-1 standard. It allows them not only to escape from a given place, but also to safely organise and carry out a firefighting and rescue operation.
Safety cabinets use self-closing doors in the event of a fire. They are removed from their hinges and locked. In addition, an air inlet and outlet are used to protect the interior against fire. You may come across models with fire valves for the air vent. Manufacturers also use earthing – this solution aims to avoid the risk of ignition due to electrostatic charge. The advantages of an active carbon filter, on the other hand, can be demonstrated during a fire. In such a situation, it is primarily intended to provide protection against temperature rise and also to prevent explosions.
The structure is made of high quality steel as standard. This serves to maintain greater resistance to mechanical damage, including impacts, scratches or abrasions. Some cabinets are designed to be mounted on a wall, e.g. above a workbench. On the market there are also models which use under-counter space and those which can be freely placed both under the workbench and placed on other furniture.
Doors in safety cabinets are single or double-leaf. Some of them are equipped with a system which keeps them in an open position. This allows items to be inserted and removed from the cupboard easily with two hands.
In many such "furniture" there is a plinth, thanks to which easy transport with a pallet truck is possible. In addition, manufacturers provide adjustment in the base of the wardrobe, which means that it can also be quickly and easily set up on uneven ground.
Fire resistant models are only part of the safety cupboard catalogue. Depending on the purpose, customers can choose acid and alkali cabinets, gas cylinder cabinets or chemical cabinets. The latter are for both outdoor and indoor use. The size varies, but even owners of 40- or 50-litre gas cylinders will find interesting proposals.
Acid and alkali cabinets have pull-out shelves with sump trays and plastic seals to prevent vapours escaping. If non-flammable, hazardous or corrosive substances are present, a chemical cupboard is the ideal solution.
Employers should consider their choice in terms of individual needs. In your analysis, you should not only focus on the current situation, but also look to the future. The fact that today all substances fit into model X does not mean that in a few years' time the situation will not change. Some entrepreneurs are therefore opting for larger models.
