CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDINGS
OUTDOOR LOCKERS AND
PESTICIDE SHEDS & VAULTS

HOW TO SELECT A CODE COMPLIANT
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STORAGE BUILDING

Chemical Storage buildings are specific purpose structures that are intended for the safe, secure and segregated storage of hazardous materials. Usually these buildings are prefabricated (as opposed to being site-built) and provide secondary containment to achieve compliance with U.S. Regulatory agencies like EPA, OSHA, etc. Hazmat Storage Building design prevents the accumulation of hazardous or flammable vapors, and a generous sump capacity insures against soil or groundwater contamination.

It is important to note that currently no environmental regulations govern the construction of such buildings; the structures simply provide certain features that allow the users to achieve regulatory compliance as prescribed by the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 264.175). However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Standards for Pesticide Storage states that all commercial applicators of hazardous and labeled pesticides, herbicides and fungicides must be compliant in their storage by 2009 to avoid penalties and fines. Also, any storage of over 50 gallons of flammables, combustibles or gases must meet buildings codes for each state. Segregation is also very important because unsafe mixing of poisons, gases and other chemicals can cause injury or death.

Why is there a need for chemical storage buildings (also called lockers)?

Chemical storage buildings are designed to storage hazmat in safe, segregated and secure areas, and to prevent chemicals from leaking out into the environment in case of a spill. The term secondary containment refers to the sump area in the bottom of the building. The sump is what differentiates the chemical storage building from other storage buildings. The sump is usually a 6-inch deep steel well that is designed to collect liquids through the steel grate flooring.

Do I need a fire-rated building?

There are two types of buildings to consider: Fire Rated and Non-Fire Rated steel buildings. First identify the materials to be stored and then group them by hazard. A good preliminary step is to refer to the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets that are required by OSHA, and get in touch with your local fire marshall. A more detailed analysis can then be made by the Code of Federal Regulations.

Can I store all my materials together, or do they need to be segregated? Click here for information from ScienceLab.com on
proper chemical segregation.

After you identify your hazardous materials to be stored, the
substance compatibility should then be determined so that the
number of buildings (or the need for partitions within one building)
can be established.

What size do I need?

Size is usually expressed in terms of the number and size of the containers to be stored. The containers might be 30/55-gallon steel drums or 5/15-gallon buckets. Keep in mind that regulations limiting the stacking of containers will affect the amount of floor space required.

What about the shelves? Are containment
or "sump" shelves better?

Most manufactured shelves are Galvalume ™ Steel 16" or 18" containment sump shelving with a 2" lip. It can be hand-welded to be leak proof so you can meet Codes and Standards, or it may be tack welded. If it is expensive - makes sure it is continually welded properly. This lip will prevent small spills from entering the sump in the floor.

Will location affect the type of building I need?

Location of the building can be either inside another building or outside to fit your needs. The distance from an occupied building will determine the amount of fire rating needed. Again, the best thing to do is to check with your local fire Marshall If you have flammables or combustibles, and you can locate your building 75' (seventy five) feet or more from an occupied building, you usually will not be required to have a fire rated building.

Active Storage vs. Inactive Storage

How will the building be used? Will it be a permanent structure or a temporary storage location? Will there be frequent movement of materials in and out of the building? Will chemicals be handled inside of the building?

Answers to these questions will dictate fire rating as well as need for mechanical ventilation or explosion relief panels. Call your fire Marshall, and you will get the answers you need.

Construction Features

Again, local codes, standards and regulations should be the most important guide during the selection of building features. Chemicals classified as 1-A Flammable by the National Fire Protection Association( NFPA), for example, may require mechanical venting, explosion relief panels and alarms.

Building Options

Most Chemical Storage Manufacturers offer both pre-designed and custom engineered options to properly protect the contents of your building. Options included heating and air conditioning, fire suppression systems, alarms, interior and exterior lights, floor grates, industrial grade sump shelving and custom door systems. We also offer you a wide selection of colors so your building will match existing structures. 90% off these "components" are bought aftermarket and added to your unit, so you have a lot of room to request specific brands or designs.