HOW TO SELECT YOUR HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS STORAGE BUILDING

U.S. 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.

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).

Why is there a need for chemical storage buildings?

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?

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?

Our shelves are Galvalume ™ Steel 16" containment sump shelving with a 2" lip. US Chemical Storage Shelving is 100% hand-welded to be leak proof so you can meet Codes and Standards. 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, for example, may require mechanical venting, explosion relief panels and alarms.

Building Options

U.S. Chemical Storage offers 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. Click here for the accessories page!