I caution that for a flammable storage cabinet to be "approved" (as in allowed by the AHJ to be used to increase the amount of flammable liquid storage) then the manufacturer has to submit to a third party approval process. This involves supplying several (2-3 is typical) units that are tested to destruction (or at least their limits). So custom kits and modifications often are not approved and are likely to be considered a code violation that is going to be cited by the fire inspector it they see it.
I would be very cautious about these units and demand to see the documentation showing that what you got was what they have had tested. Sadly not all vendors are as knowledgeable about this area as they should be.
Richard Palluzi
PE, CSP
Pilot plant and laboratory consulting, safety, design,reviews, and training
www.linkedin.com/in/richardppalluzillc/
Richard P Palluzi LLC
72 Summit Drive
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
rpalluzi**At_Symbol_Here**verizon.net
908-285-3782
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Yaritza Brinker
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2019 11:23 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] possible conversion of under-hood acid cabinet to flammables?
This set up sounds like the one I have in my lab. I worked with the manufacturer directly when specifying my unit because it wasn't an advertised option. Turns out they sell this particular configuration quite often, but don't advertise it.
In mine, I have two separate stand-alone steel units (left and right). Although they are two separate units, the manufacturer made them look like a single integrated unit by ensuring the doors "meet" in the middle and by having a single piece kick plate.
My recommendation if that you contact the manufacturer directly and speak with their design engineers. They may already have a retrofit kit, but don't advertise it. At the very least, they will be able to tell you what can and can't be done based on the design of these particular units.
Thank you,
Yaritza Brinker
260.827.5402
Hi, all,
I am searching on behalf of a lab that does a significant volume of fundamental organic synthesis. As a result, they need to store so many 4-L bottles of flammable solvent near their work space that they are using the acid storage cabinets for flammables. (Under each hood there is one acid storage cabinet and one flammables storage cabinet.)
The acid storage cabinets are distinguishable by the vents on the doors and the PTFE lining of the walls and floor inside the cabinet. The flammables storage cabinets are designed with no vents (specifically on the cabinet doors) and ~1" of material mounted in a metal sheeted case on each side of the cabinet, presumably something flame resistant or retardant. So I am wondering if others have experience with a conversion of this sort. (Replacing the whole cabinet would be excessively disruptive and cost prohibitive.)
For example it is it within acceptable practice to just replace the doors to the cabinet so that flammables storage does not have vents? Or to be up to fire code, would one be required to also change the lining of the cabinet (also prohibitive)?
Thanks for any experience on this matter you might be willing to contribute,
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