US EPA

3118432 

Technical Report 

Fire Hazards of Flammable Liquids in Small Containers 

Siddle, JF 

1986 

NIOSH/00175772 

Hazards IX 

97 

Hazards IX 

Fire test results demonstrating the hazards associated with packaging of flammable liquids in plastic containers were reviewed and recommendations for safe storage arrangements, segregation and protection were presented. In the first test flammability of paint thinner stored in 180 polyethylene (PE) receptacles of 3.8 liter capacity, packaged in cardboard boxes and stacked on a pallet, was tested. The fire activated 42 ceiling sprinklers with 12.7 millimeter (mm) orifice and 138 degrees-C rating. The gas temperature reached 1246deg and roof steel temperature exceeded 538 degrees. In the second test with the same liquid there were two pallets each with 216 receptacles in 36 cartons. The fire opened 42 sprinklers, rated 71 degrees and with a 16.3mm orifice, within 3 minutes. A large pool fire of high intensity developed. Neither of the paint thinner fires was controlled by the sprinklers. A total of 545 liters of hairspray and 820 liters of isopropanol, each in two pallet loads, were tested in 0.25 liter plastic pump type containers and 3.8 liter PE receptacles, respectively. The 12.7mm sprinklers controlled the fire of hairspray, but failed to do so with isopropanol. In a test with corn-oil, using the same set up as for isopropanol, leakage of oil from the receptacles was noticed but the oil did not ignite until ventilated and the fire was controlled by the sprinklers. The author concludes that larger receptacles spill more liquid into the fire than smaller ones, and that petroleum and alcohol products are a greater hazard than aerosols. The author recommends storing flammable liquids in small receptacles in detached buildings separated by 15 meters from other structures, with sprinklers if the building exceeds 23 square meters, and that storage height should be limited to one pallet.