EHS Focus: Building Your Case To Procurement
Procurement and EHS can work hand-in-hand to achieve the goals of chemical safety.
When a prefabricated chemical storage building shows up in a capital request, EHS is often brought in to “review for compliance.”
By that point, however, many of the most important decisions have already been shaped by budget discussions, timelines, and vendor relationships.
If you are an EHS leader in manufacturing, construction, energy, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, or chemicals, your role is not simply to approve or reject a structure. It is to ensure the organization avoids regulatory exposure, operational disruption, and reputational risk.
Preparing for conversations with procurement and the C-suite requires reframing the discussion from “a building purchase” to “a risk management investment.”
Here is how to approach it strategically.
First, anchor the conversation in compliance risk.
Prefabricated buildings used for chemical or hazardous material storage must align with applicable fire codes, local building codes, zoning requirements, and often NFPA standards. Depending on the materials stored, fire ratings, ventilation design, spill containment, explosion control, and electrical classifications may be required.
When speaking with procurement, be specific. Be sure to have the following ready:
- Are the drawings PE stamped?
- What fire rating is required for our jurisdiction?
- Does the design meet current NFPA and IFC expectations?
- Has the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) reviewed similar structures from this manufacturer?
With executives, translate this into business language: failed inspections, forced retrofits, and operational shutdowns are significantly more expensive than specifying correctly at the start.
Second, shift the focus from purchase price to total cost of ownership.
Procurement teams are measured on cost control. EHS leaders are measured on incident prevention and compliance. Those priorities can align if you introduce total cost of ownership into the conversation.
Lower upfront cost may mean:
- Shorter structural lifespan in harsh environments
- Higher maintenance requirements
- Inadequate corrosion resistance
- Limited scalability as chemical volumes increase
- A purely transactional engagement without support
Frame the discussion around lifecycle risk. A properly engineered building reduces the probability of fire events, environmental releases, OSHA citations, and insurance complications. That perspective resonates at the C-suite level.
Third, clarify operational realities before design decisions are finalized.
Many chemical storage buildings in the marketplace fail operationally, not structurally. Consider:
- How materials will be delivered and removed
- Forklift access and door or structural clearance
- Segregation of incompatible chemicals
- Ventilation appropriate to vapor density
- Emergency response access
EHS should walk through real-world use scenarios before procurement locks specifications. This prevents costly change orders and retrofits later.
Fourth, evaluate the supplier as a risk partner, not just a vendor.
A prefabricated chemical storage building is a compliance asset. The manufacturer should be able to provide:
- Engineering documentation
- Code references
- Fire test data where applicable
- Installation guidance
- Ongoing support
- A solid warranty
- A solid business structure with fiscal responsibility
Ask whether they have experience working with AHJs and whether they understand your specific industry risks. Procurement may focus on lead time and price. EHS should assess technical competence and documentation depth.
Fifth, prepare executive-level messaging in advance.
When presenting to senior leadership, avoid technical overload. Focus on impact:
- Regulatory exposure: Non-compliance risks fines and shutdowns.
- Business continuity: Fire or chemical incidents halt production.
- Insurance and liability: Properly engineered buildings support defensible risk management.
- Brand protection: Visible safety investment strengthens stakeholder confidence.
Executives respond to risk mitigation, financial protection, and operational continuity.
Finally, get involved early.
The most effective EHS leaders engage before an RFP is finalized. Early involvement allows you to:
- Influence specification language
- Define performance requirements
- Align on code compliance expectations
- Avoid redesign costs
Prefabricated chemical storage buildings are not generic structures. They are engineered controls within your facility’s broader safety strategy.
When EHS enters the procurement discussion prepared—armed with regulatory clarity, lifecycle cost framing, operational foresight, and executive-level messaging—you move from being the final checkpoint to being a strategic advisor.
That shift protects the organization long before the building is delivered to site.
Links:
NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (National Fire Protection Association) NFPA 30 Overview (National Fire Protection Association)
OSHA Regulations on Chemical Storage (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration). OSHA Chemical Storage Requirements (OSHA)