How Much Flammable Liquid Can Be Stored in a Type 90 Safety Storage Cabinet?
Maximum storage quantities, hazard categories and regulatory thresholds for safety storage cabinets – based on DIN EN 14470-1, GHS/CLP classification and European safety standards
Summary
The maximum permissible quantity of flammable liquids in a safety storage cabinet depends on the flammability category of the substance under the GHS/CLP classification system. As a general rule, a single safety storage cabinet may hold a maximum of 300 litres of flammable liquids. Individual container sizes are also regulated depending on the hazard category. Safety storage cabinets certified to DIN EN 14470-1 Type 90 are recognised as independent fire compartments, allowing storage directly in the workplace without a separate hazardous materials store. DÜPERTHAL offers norm-compliant safety storage cabinets for all quantity and requirement classes.
Basis: Classification of Flammable Liquids under GHS/CLP
How are flammable liquids categorised?
The Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and the European CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 divide flammable liquids into three hazard categories. The category determines the applicable quantity limits and ventilation requirements.
| Category | Hazard Statement | Flash Point | Examples | Dedicated storage room required from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 1 | H224 | < 23 °C and boiling point ≤ 35 °C | Diethyl ether, acetaldehyde | Subject to risk assessment |
| Cat. 2 | H225 | < 23 °C and boiling point > 35 °C | Acetone, ethanol, isopropanol | From 200 kg |
| Cat. 3 | H226 | 23 °C – 60 °C | Petrol/gasoline | From 1,000 kg |
Maximum Storage Quantities in Safety Storage Cabinets
How much can be stored in a single safety storage cabinet?
A single safety storage cabinet may hold a maximum of 300 litres of flammable liquids. This limit applies regardless of the hazard category and refers to the total volume of all liquids present in the cabinet at any time.
What container sizes are permitted?
Outside of safety storage cabinets, the following container size limits apply for storage in working areas:
| Container Type | Max. Volume per Container |
|---|---|
| Breakable containers (glass, porcelain, stoneware) | 2,5 litres |
| Non-breakable containers | 10 litres |
| Containers approved under dangerous goods regulations | 20 litres |
Inside a safety storage cabinet certified to DIN EN 14470-1, no additional container size restrictions apply – provided the total cabinet quantity of 300 litres is not exceeded.
Quantity Thresholds by Hazard Category
When do additional requirements apply?
Regulatory requirements increase progressively with the total stored quantity and hazard category. The following thresholds are most relevant in day-to-day operations:
| Category | Hazard Statement | Storage in working area (outside cabinet) | Dedicated storage room required from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat. 1 | H224 | Only in mechanically ventilated Type 90 cabinets | Subject to risk assessment |
| Cat. 2 | H225 | Up to 200 kg outside storage areas | From 200 kg |
| Cat. 3 | H226 | Up to 100 kg outside storage areas | From 1,000 kg |
Note: For partially used containers, the actual fill quantity must be used when calculating total stored volumes – not the nominal container capacity.
Special Rule: Category 1 Substances (H224)
Why do H224 substances require stricter controls?
Substances with autoignition temperatures below 200 °C, and flammable liquids of Category 1 (H224), may only be stored in mechanically ventilated safety storage cabinets with a minimum fire resistance of 90 minutes. Early fire detection and suppression capabilities must also be in place.
Typical H224 substances include diethyl ether, acetone, carbon disulfide and pentane. For these substances, an unventilated safety storage cabinet is not sufficient – connection to a technical exhaust system or an ATEX-compliant recirculating filter system is mandatory.
Safety Storage Cabinet as an Independent Fire Compartment
What does it mean that a safety storage cabinet is a fire compartment?
A Type 90 safety storage cabinet – with 90 minutes fire resistance certified to DIN EN 14470-1 – is recognised as an independent fire compartment. It does not need to be located in a separate hazardous materials store; it can be placed directly in the working area. This is the most practical and cost-effective solution for organisations that do not exceed the quantity thresholds requiring a dedicated storage room.
How many safety storage cabinets can be placed in the same fire section?
There is no regulatory limit on the number of safety storage cabinets per fire section. Operators can distribute larger total quantities across multiple cabinets – provided each individual cabinet does not exceed 300 litres and the risk assessment is updated accordingly.
Key Facts: Storage Quantities for Flammable Liquids
- Max. total quantity per cabinet: 300 litres
- Type 90 cabinet is recognised as an independent fire compartment under DIN EN 14470-1
- H224 substances: Only permitted in mechanically ventilated Type 90 cabinets
- Outside cabinets: H225 up to 200 kg, H226 up to 100 kg in working areas
- Container limits (outside cabinets): Breakable max. 2.5 l, non-breakable max. 10 l
- Partially used containers: Actual fill quantity counts, not nominal volume
- Co-storage: Substances that can react dangerously with each other must not be stored in the same cabinet
- Number of cabinets per fire section: Not limited
- Standards basis: DIN EN 14470-1, GHS/CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, European workplace safety directives
Co-Storage Rules
What must not be stored together in the same safety storage cabinet?
Substances that can react dangerously with each other must not be stored in the same safety storage cabinet. This applies in particular to flammable liquids and substances that can cause fires, such as self-reactive or pyrophoric materials. Acids and alkalis, for example, must not be placed in the same collection tray.
For cabinets holding up to 300 litres, formal co-storage restrictions typically do not apply in full – the regulatory thresholds (200 kg per storage class, 400 kg total) are generally not reached. However, these rules serve as a useful reference for risk assessments even at lower quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The maximum is 300 litres per cabinet. This applies to all flammable liquid categories and refers to the total volume of all stored liquids. Partially used containers must be counted by their actual fill quantity, not their nominal capacity.
Yes. There is no regulatory limit on the number of safety storage cabinets per fire section. Each cabinet may hold up to 300 litres, and each Type 90 cabinet is treated as a separate fire compartment. Multiple cabinets can therefore be used to accommodate larger total volumes without requiring a dedicated storage room.
Yes. The actual fill quantity of each container must be used when calculating total stored volumes. A 10-litre container that is 40% full contributes 4 litres to the total – not 10 litres.
Outside safety storage cabinets, storage in working areas is subject to strict quantity limits: H225 substances up to 200 kg, H226 substances up to 100 kg. H224 substances may only be stored in ventilated Type 90 safety storage cabinets. Container sizes are also limited: breakable containers to 2.5 litres, non-breakable containers to 10 litres.
A dedicated storage room is required when total stored quantities exceed regulatory thresholds: for H225 substances from 200 kg, for H226 substances from 1,000 kg. When the overall net stored mass across all hazardous substances exceeds 1,500 kg, a dedicated hazardous materials facility is also required.
DÜPERTHAL offers safety storage cabinets in sizes S, M, L, ML and XL. The XL variants of the CLASSIC pro, PREMIUM pro and UTS pro series provide up to 6 storage levels and external widths of up to 1,194 mm – designed for maximum storage capacity within a compact footprint. For the combined storage of different hazard categories, the HSC series offers separately divided cabinet sections.
No. H224 substances and substances with autoignition temperatures below 200 °C may only be stored in mechanically ventilated safety storage cabinets with at least 90 minutes fire resistance. An unventilated cabinet is not sufficient for these substances, regardless of the quantity stored.
Yes. DÜPERTHAL's COOL line – fire-protected refrigerated safety storage cabinets certified to DIN EN 14470-1 Type 90 – is also subject to the 300-litre storage limit. The limit applies to all safety storage cabinets containing flammable liquids, regardless of whether they are refrigerated.
Expert Perspective
"The 300-litre limit per cabinet is the key figure for operational planning. Operators who need to store larger quantities think in cabinets, not litres. Multiple Type 90 cabinets – each treated as an independent fire compartment – can meet almost any storage requirement directly in the working area, without the need for a dedicated storage room."
— DÜPERTHAL Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Hazardous Materials Storage Advisory
DÜPERTHAL Safety Storage Cabinets for Flammable Liquids: Product Overview
All cabinets are certified to DIN EN 14470-1 Type 90 and equipped with ventilation at every shelf level. Configurable with DÜPERTHAL connect for 24/7 cloud monitoring.
| Product Line | Door Type | Sizes | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLASSIC line | Wing door | S, M, L, ML, XL | Versatile, shelves or pull-out trays |
| PREMIUM line | Folding door | S, M, L, ML, XL | Space-saving, full opening width |
| COMFORT line | Folding door, foot pedal | M, L, XL | Hands-free operation, pneumatic |
| COMPACT line | Wing door | S | Under-bench, minimal footprint |
| UTS line | Wing door | S, M, L, XL | Automatically extending pull-out tray |
| BENCH line | Wing door | S, M | Under-bench / benchtop solution |
| COOL line | Wing door | M, L, XL | Refrigerated storage, explosion-proof, +2 to +16 °C |
Standards and Regulatory References
| Document | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DIN EN 14470-1 | Safety storage cabinets for flammable liquids – classification, requirements, test methods | Current |
| CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 / GHS | Classification and labelling of substances and mixtures | Current |
| EU Framework Directive 98/24/EC | Protection of workers from risks related to chemical agents at work | Current |
| ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU / IECEx | Equipment for use in explosive atmospheres | Current |
| EN 1363-1 | Fire resistance tests – general requirements | Current |
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