It Could Really Happen to You

  Hüseyin Ünlüyol, Asecos Manager for Turkey and Middle East Region, explains how accidents can be prevented when handling hazardous substances in the workplace and how a secure storage cabinet with 90 minutes fire resistance protects your employees, company and environment in the best possible way. The use of hazardous and flammable materials is part of daily routine in most laboratories – inevitably! Improper storage of such materials causes great harm to people, the environment and structures every day. As illustrated in the following example, the worst scenario can happen to anyone: A small fire breaks out as a result of a minor accident in a laboratory. The quantity of flammable materials stored on the wrong shelf accelerates the spread of the fire. In such situations, evacuation and fire suppression times prove insufficient and result in potential injuries and structural damage. In such cases, negligent use and storage of hazardous materials has serious consequences. Due to inadequate safety measures and failure to take sufficient precautions against fire risk, situations can arise where insurance does not cover the damage, and additionally laboratory managers and company managers may face criminal prosecution due to their responsibilities. Significant costs arise from building demolition or renovation, resulting in immeasurable production losses. Moreover, the company may lose its reputation. For this reason, hazardous materials remain a highly current issue for every industry. To prevent accidents and protect employees in the best possible way, hazardous materials must be stored in the proper storage area, for example in a secure storage cabinet. In this case, hazardous material storage regulations must be strictly observed. When hazardous materials are used and stored, the rules and laws of the relevant country must be applied. If there is a gap in this regard, global regulations (e.g. GHS Globally Harmonized System), laws, directives and European Union rules may apply. The most important regulation in this context is TS EN 14470-1. Secure storage cabinets with an approved and tested fire resistance class according to TS EN 14470-1 enable much safer and less risky storage of toxic, flammable or potentially explosive materials within the working area in modern laboratories. In our country, the "Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings," which came into force in 2002 by Cabinet Decree, is in effect. This regulation has undergone many amendments and was updated to its current most recent version in 2015. The Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings is mandatory by law in terms of compliance, implementation and inspection. The Fire Regulation contains provisions regarding the storage, filling, use, production and sale of hazardous materials. Information related to the use of secure storage cabinets is also contained in the regulation. However, no information has been provided regarding the characteristics and standard of the cabinets. The Turkish Standards Institute (TSE) Fire Special Permanent Committee has established the standard "TS 10661 - Storage of Explosive and Flammable Liquids in Buildings." Within this standard, it is clearly stated that the storage of liquids in laboratories must comply with the TS EN 14470-1 standard, which also describes the standards that define the characteristics of the cabinets and their fire resistance periods that are tested. In Turkey, the purpose of Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety is to regulate the duties, authorities, responsibilities, rights and obligations of employers and employees to ensure occupational health and safety in workplaces and to improve existing health and safety conditions. According to this law, the duties and responsibilities of employees, employers and all stakeholders are clearly defined. In case the requirements and conditions of Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety are not met, work stoppage and administrative fines are also applied.

What Happens to a Secure Storage Cabinet in a Fire?

A secure storage cabinet manufactured according to TS EN 14470-1 provides a series of safety measures that protect stored hazardous materials against fire. First and foremost, in case of fire, drawers and doors are automatically released and closed depending on temperature increase. If no door hold-open system is used, doors must close automatically from every position when released. Doors close at a maximum of 122°F (approximately 50°C) and closure is completed within 20 seconds regardless of the door position. Automatic closing works using a fusible link. These fusible links are found in the door hold-open system, ventilation unit and drawers. In case of fire, all mechanisms consequently close automatically. After drawers and doors close at the moment of fire, the ventilation ducts will also close automatically. Subsequently, the cavities of the secure storage cabinet become completely airtight through special sealing protection strips that become airtight to prevent heat from entering the cabinet when exposed to fire. The aforementioned special strips swell with heat, ensuring complete sealing of the cabinet. The steel body, together with the insulation, prevents a critical temperature rise inside the cabin. The steel body alone provides no protection (it is actually a strong conductor). Beneath the solid steel surface is multi-layered fireproof mineral fiber insulation material (calcium sulfate), and these insulation panels prevent temperature rise in the cabinet. An asecos secure storage cabinet is fire resistant for a period of 90 minutes. Despite prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding 1000°C, storage containers used for flammable liquids and hazardous materials are kept safe and in perfect condition. Only these cabinets allow sufficient time for personnel to safely evacuate the building and for firefighters to evacuate the building and begin fire suppression activities.

Now available free of charge: Hazardous Materials Guide – Flammable Chemicals – Turkey Important Information

Unfortunately, we tend to underestimate the dangers associated with the use of hazardous materials in the workplace. This is why workplace accidents occur every day. Companies are responsible for the safety of their employees and emergency response teams and are obligated to take necessary precautions. Criminal proceedings are taken against those who do not comply with the rules in accordance with the occupational health and safety law. This information brochure highlights the importance as well as the legal aspects of hazardous material storage that the occupational health and safety law and standards demonstrate, and legally provides everything you need to know: Hüseyin Ünlüyol / Country Manager Turkey / Asecos GmbH   1. Fire Regulation, 2. TS 10661/T1, 3. TS EN 14470-1, 4. Pressurized Gas Cylinders, 5. TS EN 14470-2, 6. Occupational Health and Safety Law, 7. Management Responsibility.