Outdoor drum storage

The safest manner in which bulk flammable liquids can be stored is in underground tanks, or properly constructed flammable liquid stores. However, many industrial undertakings use a variety of flammable liquids in varying quantities, often making underground storage or provision of stores impractical. Local authorities should be consulted. They generally require certain safety measures to be in place in relation to location, maximum quantities and protection of outdoor storage.

SABS Code of Practice

The following extracts are from the SABS Code of Practice 089 : Part I – 1983, as amended 1988, The Handling, Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products.

5.4.8 Storage

Packages must be stored only in the building or other space allocated specifically for this purpose. From the time the packages are received empty until they are sent out, they should be subject to a regular cycle of operations so planned as to eliminate any unnecessary handling.

Where full packages of Class 1 or 2 petroleum products are stacked, they should be arranged that leakage from any individual package can be readily detected and the spillage removed. They should be regularly inspected and the contents of packages found to be leaking should be immediately decanted into sound containers.

When high stacks of packages are built up, they should be properly and adequately checked to ensure that there is no danger of collapse of the stack.

The number of tiers of drums should not be such as to impose an excessive load on those in the bottom tier. Within this limitation, the number of tiers may be extended to the safe capacity of the mechanical handling equipment used, except that where the pyramid method of stacking full drums on the roll is adopted, the number of tiers should be limited to three. All drum stores on the roll should be secured to prevent accidental movement.

Empty packages of any size may be restored to suit operational requirements and package design limitations, provided that packages, which have held Class 1 or 2 petroleum products, are treated as a fire hazard and the appropriate safety precautions are observed.

5.4.9 Handling

When packages are being handled in a dangerous area, adequate precautions must be taken to avoid the risk of sparks from movement of either the packages or ancillary equipment.

5.4.10 Mechanical handling equipment

It conveyors, forklift trucks, or other similar mechanical handling devices are used, the safe permissible working loads should be marked on them and must not be exceeded.

All such appliances, lifting gear and chains used with them should be in good working order and should be regularly examined and tested with records being kept of the tests.

Petrol- or diesel-driven forklift trucks or similar mechanical handling devices

(a) must have the exhaust pipes and an intake fitted with efficient flametraps

(b) may only be used for handling packed products inside a closed building if there is adequate ventilation inside the building.

(c) may be used in the open or in areas having roof covering only for handling all packed products of all types

(d) must not have the fuel tank filled or the engine started up inside a storage building (both these operations should take place in a safe area)

The use of battery-driven equipment in a dangerous area should not be permitted unless all electrical equipment, including battery boxes, is certified “flameproof” (see SABS 089 : Part II). The re-charging of batteries should be allowed only in a safe area; limitations given in (b) and (c) above also apply to battery-driven equipment.

Reference should also be made to SABS 050.

Note: Packages, in terms of this code range in size from small containers of a few millilitres to steel drums of 225ℓ capacity or larger.

Recommended Storage Practices

The following recommended storage practices are based on advice by the Factory Mutual Engineering Corporation of the USA.

Drums stored in yards may become exposed to fires, causing extensive damage not only to drums and their contents, but also to nearby buildings and equipment.

Well-arranged outdoor storage lots are preferred to indoor locations, particularly for Special Group liquids.

1. Whenever possible, position drum-storage lots at least 23m from important buildings. The number of drums per lot and distance between lots should be as specified in Table 1. Lesser quantities may be stored within 23m of buildings as indicated, greater quantities if exposed openings in buildings are protected.
2. Position and arrange drum-storage lots so that spilled or burning liquid will run off without endangering buildings, equipment or other lots. The ground should slope to a safe location; if not, low ramps and dykes and underground trapped drains may be necessary to divert flow safely.
3. Use areas for storage purposes only. Dispensing should be done in a separate area at least 8m away, provided for that purpose alone and with the number of drums in it kept to a minimum.
4. One-high storage is preferred. On-side storage in steel racks and other storage arrangements are acceptable. Liquids in the Special Group should be sheltered from the direct rays of the sun by canopies of non-combustible construction. Use skids or dunnage to prevent direct contact between drums and ground.
5. Make frequent careful leakage inspections. Any flammable liquid on the ground should be promptly flushed away. Leaking, corroded, or damaged drums should be removed and the contents transferred to tight containers.
6. Keep the area clear of grass, weeds, and other foreign combustibles. The use of crushed stone in the drum-storage area will assist in controlling vegetation, as well as in reducing the intensity of any spill fires. Smoking and use of open flames must be prohibited. In some locations, such as open city property, the area should be surrounded by a man-proof fence to prevent entry by unauthorised persons. Avoid locations near yard incinerators or near railway tracks used by coal-fires locomotives or cranes.
7. Provide hydrants and completely equipped hose houses within 60m of all drum-storage lots. Equipment should include spray nozzles and, for large storage areas, sufficient 63mm fire hoses for at least two jets.
8. Train fire brigades at the plant in the prompt use of hose streams for cooling exposed drums and flushing away burning or escaping liquid.

Published by
Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa
(Incorporated Association not for Gain)
(Reg. No. 73/00022/08)
P O Box 15467
Impala Park
1472

Outdoors drum storage.pdf

People in Risk

Marcel Wood

Marcel Wood heads Etana’s risk management division. Before starting in insurance he worked for the fire department, rescuing people and (literally) putting out fires. He’s passed through Munich Re and Santam, and has designed the only risk management tool aimed specifically at the insurance industry – ARQ. Marcel is a mean guitarist, a brilliant vocalist and an accomplished soccer player with the personal motto: “Do your best all the time”.