Venting Flammable Storage Cabinets
Key Takeaways
- Area surrounding cabinet must be kept cleared
- The venting of cabinets may depend on the number, amount and type of flammables in storage
- Venting specifications are discussed
General
There are some instances where it is beneficial to vent flammable storage cabinets for health and safety reasons. Properly vented cabinets help with the elimination of odorous vapors by venting them outside. This results in the decreased exposure to everyone in the area, specifically the individuals who open the cabinet.
Cabinet Condition
Any cabinet that will be vented by Physical Plant must be emptied of all flammable and combustible materials by laboratory personnel. In addition, the general area around the cabinet must be kept clear so to reduce hazards for the personnel working on the cabinet.
Materials
Rigid steel or other metal tubing is required for the proper venting of flammable storage cabinets. The metal tubing must have an internal diameter that is no smaller than the vent on the cabinet.
Venting
- The metal bungs are required to be removed when venting flammable storage cabinets.
- The flash arrester screens must remain in place.
- The top opening serves as the fresh air inlet while the bottom one is connected to the tubing.
-
- Venting from the bottom is the preferred method.
- When connecting the tubing to the cabinet it is important that nothing is done to affect the integrity of the cabinet.
- Cutting, drilling, welding, or riveting the cabinet could affect the cabinet integrity and fire rating.
- If the tubing cannot be threaded, then use an appropriate length of treaded pipe, and then attach the rigid metal tubing to it. It is recommended that the total run of the vent does not exceed 25 feet.
-
