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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: clio222 on November 28, 2007, 02:53:57 PM
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After some Fire Safety advice in relation to the storage of large quantity of oil drums ( appropriately bunded for environmental reasons ) all of which are stored within a vehicle maintenance workshop.
Some of the oil drums are feed into an oil Dispenser, which purpose is for the maintenance of several diffent types of vehicles and as such there are different types of vehicle oils. My question is there a limit to the amount that may be stored on premises ( inside ) ???.
The premises also store a large quantity of waste oil ( All bunded for environmental purposes ) which are regularly disposed of however to anyones knowledge is there any limit to the amount which may be stored
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No limits are set for lubricating type oils. Not considered hazardous or highly flammable.
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Is it not the case such oils fall under DSEAR (Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002) and require an assessment as to the fire and explosion hazards?
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DSEAR regulations apply to prescribed hazardous chemicals listed in the CHIPS regulations. DSEAR - Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres Regs are all about the identification and mitigation of risk where a volatile flammable liquid or gas may result in an explosive atmospheres. Take a look at the excellent guidance available on www.hse.gov.uk.. In addition to the guidance on DSEAR theres an excellent document aimed at general safety in vehicle repair workshops.
Petrol, LPG, acetone, are examples of such hazardous substances. Lubricating oils are pretty inert things that have a very high flash point and at normal temperatures give off no flammable vapours- indeed you would struggle to set it on fire without help of a very large- and deliberate - ignition source.
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It should be risk assessed of course as a fire loading from an ignition source starting a fire elsewhere and becoming involved if the fire is not extinguished early.