Hazardous Materials Storage Lockers are manufactured for specialized used of holding hazardous materials. They can be stored inside or outside, but are often used for additional storage outside of buildings
Special regulations for these type of units are found in NFPA 30, the Flammable & Combustible liquids codes.
Pertinent requirements include:
The chapter does not explicitly call out that the units shall be sprinklered, but it does mention that they shall meet “all applicable local, state, and federal regulations (14.4.1).
Technically, by the definitions in the building code, these are still “buildings” and shall be treated as such.
Therefore, if exceeding the MAQs in these hazmat lockers, depending on the local AHJ, sprinklers may be required.
Flammable liquid storage cabinets, like the kind shown below, are recognized in the IBC, IFC, and NFPA 30. They are often used in facilities that need a modest amount of flammable liquids in an occupancy that does not normally contain them. They often have some level of fire resistance, although not rated like fire barrier walls, and provide a higher level of safety keeping flammables separated from other potential ignition sources. These are usually meant for indoor use.
MAQ Doubling:
Storing flammable liquids inside these cabinets allow you to double the MAQs, per IFC table 5003.1.1(1) footnote e. This is cumulative to sprinkler doubling exceptions too. So, in a sprinklered building, you can double the 240 gallons allowed to store up to 480 gallons inside approved cabinets. In an unsprinklered building, you can double the 120 gallons allowed to 240 gallons.
Certain features required for these cabinets include:
Additional requirements for liquid storage cabinets can be found in 2021 IFC Section 5704.3.2
We don’t see the usage of these types of storage lockers/ cabinets too often in distilleries, but occasionally they can help in specific situations.
Article by: Matthew Taylor-Rennert
