Flammable and Combustible Liquid Safety
Understand hazards and OSHA storage limits for flammable and combustible liquids.
Flammable and Combustible Liquid Safety
Flammable and combustible liquids are common in our society. Use caution when handling, using, or storing.
• A COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID such as fuel oil, kerosene, linseed oil, etc., must exceed 100° Fahrenheit to ignite.
• A FLAMMABLE LIQUID like gasoline, lacquer thinner, alcohol, and some paint thinners, are much more dangerous and can ignite below 100° Fahrenheit.
Respect the dangers of working with and around flammable and combustible liquids:
• NEVER store flammable or combustible liquids in glass bottles or in any other type of unapproved container.
• NEVER refuel engines that are running or hot.
• NEVER misuse a fuel such as gasoline for cleaning purposes.
• NEVER smoke near any fueling or storage areas.
• NEVER store extra gasoline containers in your trunk.
• NEVER improperly store or use these liquids inside buildings.
Be aware of these dangers. Just ten ounces of gasoline contains as much explosive force as a stick of dynamite. Here are a few storage tips:
• OSHA limits indoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids to 25 gallons, unless approved storage cabinets are used, in which case 60 gallons of flammable, or 120 gallons of combustible liquid may be stored. Never store any flammable or combustible liquids in stairways, passageways, or exit areas.
• Outside, portable, above ground, flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks should be located no closer than 20 feet from any building.
• The ground under the tanks must be appropriately protected from spillage.
• Tanks should be grounded to prevent static sparks.
• ‘DANGER – NO SMOKING’ signs should be posted.
• A minimum 10B rated fire extinguisher must be mounted within 50 feet of flammable storage locations.