Dangerous Goods Warehouse / Hazardous Materials Warehouse

Description of dangerous goods warehouse

Dangerous goods warehouse (also known as hazardous materials warehouse or hazmat warehouses) represents a storage area that allows to store "dangerous goods" (e.g. mixtures, solutions, substances) that are so classified according to the legal regulation. A "dangerous good" is classified in different dangerous goods classes or storage classes. The improper or even illegal storage of "dangerous goods" can have serious consequences for a company.

Roughly speaking, the regulations on the storage of hazardous substances are regulated in the resolution Technical Rule on Hazardous Substances (TRGS 510 Storage of Hazardous Substances) and in the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances. TRGS 510 applies to hazardous substances in mobile containers, including during storage and retrieval, in the course of transports within the warehouse, and also when spilled hazardous substances have to be removed. All other activities, such as transferring and filling, are expressly excluded from the scope.

What are dangerous / hazardous materials?

Substances and preparations can be depending on their chemical, physical, physiological, toxicological and radiological properties:

All of these hazards can play a role in storage and require separate measures. When determining which measures must be taken for the respective group of substances, the quantity to be stored is the decisive factor.

Hazardous goods are materials that have one of the above hazardous properties and thus pose a danger to public safety or order or to important common property, as well as endangering the life and health of persons, animals and others.

A further distinction is made between hazardous goods and hazardous materials.

• Hazardous goods: According to the dangerous goods regulations, this includes substances and objects that pose a danger in the event of accidents or improper action.
• Hazardous materials: Here, the hazardous substances law regulates that persons working with the respective substances do not come to harm.

Most hazardous materials are also considered hazardous goods during transport.

Requirements for a dangerous goods warehouse / hazardous materials warehouse

Differentiation from a technical and organisational point of view:

• from a technical point of view, e.g.
  
  • Sufficient attack routes for the fire brigade
  • Size of fire compartments
  • Fire-retardant / -resistant walls and ceilings, doors and gates
  • Fire detection
  • Fire fighting e.g. fire extinguishers, stationary or semi-mobile (semi-stationary) extinguishing systems with extinguishing agents adapted to the stored goods
  • Fire water supply, if necessary, storage of water
  • Fire water retention
  • Floor sealing
  • Resistant collection areas for leaking liquids
  • Explosion protection equipment
  • Gas warning system
  • Ventilation system
  • Smoke and heat extraction system

• from an organisational point of view, e.g.
  • Regulation of access by unauthorised persons
  • Prohibition of common storage
  • Marking of storage rooms
  • Storage list (hazardous substances register)
  • Operating instructions
  • Training and instruction
  • Proof of maintenance and servicing
  • Compliance with the deadlines for periodic inspections (expert inspection)
  • Safeguarding against risks by taking out insurance, such as fire insurance, business interruption insurance, water damage liability insurance, environmental damage liability insurance

Storage of dangerous goods

The construction of a dangerous goods storage facility thus requires high financial investments and the operation requires far-reaching organisational measures. The economic risk is additionally increased by possible claims for damages under civil law, fines or even criminal consequences that may result from mistakes or violations of legal requirements.

Three cases can be distinguished when storing dangerous materials:

1. The dangerous materials may be stored together
2. The dangerous materials must be stored separately
3. The dangerous materials must be stored in separate dangerous goods storage facilities.

First case: It does not pose an additional problem.

Second case: Hazardous substances must be stored separately if an increased hazard results from storing them together.

Examples:

• different extinguishing agents required for fire-fighting operations
• different temperatures at which the hazardous substances are stored
• hazardous substances that form flammable or toxic gases together
• or fires that may occur as a result of the combination

Separation is said to occur when the spatial distance between the storage spaces is large enough or the storage spaces are separated by barriers (e.g. walls, non-flammable liquids and solids). Also in the case of storage in different rooms.

Third case: Storage in different or separate dangerous goods storage areas.

The following table describes the three cases:

Dangerous goods classes

Small quantity regulations for dangerous goods

A small quantity is defined as the storage of a total of no more than 50 kg net. Separate warehouses are not required for dangerous goods in this quantity band; they may also be stored in other rooms, including workrooms.

However, some additional requirements are imposed on certain dangerous goods:

• Flammable liquids must be stored in a steel cabinet if they exceed 5 litres.
• For more than 20 litres, storage should be in a cabinet with a fire resistance rating of more than 15 minutes. In addition, the containers must be placed in drip pans and must be earthed in the event of the possible occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.
• A maximum of 50 applies to compressed gas cartridges and aerosol dispensers.
• Toxic, very toxic and carcinogenic substances must always be kept under lock and key.
• Oxidising substances must not be stored in the immediate vicinity of acutely toxic and flammable substances.