How Do Flammable Safety Cans Work?
Gasoline, solvents, and other flammable liquids can release vapors that create serious fire hazards when stored or handled improperly. Flammable safety cans are specially designed containers that help reduce these risks while providing a safer way to store, transport, and dispense certain flammable liquids. Unlike an ordinary plastic jug or metal container, an approved safety can incorporates features designed specifically for flammable-liquid hazards. OSHA defines a safety can as an approved container with a capacity of no more than five gallons that has a spring-closing lid and spout cover and is designed to safely relieve internal pressure when exposed to fire.
What Makes a Safety Can Different?
The effectiveness of a flammable safety can comes from several features working together. Depending on the can and applicable standard, these can include self-closing lids, pressure-relief mechanisms, flame arresters, leak-resistant construction, and controlled dispensing systems. These features address some of the primary hazards associated with storing and handling volatile liquids, including spills, vapor release, internal pressure, and ignition.
Self-Closing Lids Help Keep the Container Sealed
One of the most recognizable features of a safety can is its spring-loaded, self-closing lid. When the user releases the lid after filling or pouring, it automatically closes. This helps keep the container sealed when it isn't actively being used, reducing opportunities for liquid to spill or vapors to escape. A spring-closing lid and spout cover are specifically included in OSHA's definition of a safety can.
Pressure Relief Helps Protect the Container
Temperature changes and fire exposure can cause pressure to build inside a closed container. Safety cans are designed to relieve excessive internal pressure rather than simply trapping it inside. The ability to safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure is another defining characteristic of an OSHA-recognized safety can. This feature is one of the major differences between a purpose-built safety can and an ordinary storage container.
Flame Arresters Help Stop Flashback
Many safety cans incorporate a flame arrester inside the opening. This component is designed to help prevent an external flame from traveling through the opening and igniting the flammable vapor inside the container. Flame-arresting screens are specifically addressed in the federal construction standard's definition of a safety can, while requirements can differ between standards and approvals.
Type I Safety Cans: A Type I can typically has one opening used for both filling and dispensing. These cans provide a straightforward solution for storing and pouring flammable liquids and can be paired with an appropriate funnel for dispensing into smaller openings.
Type II Safety Cans: Type II cans typically have two openings, one for filling and another for dispensing. Some incorporate a flexible hose and a handle or trigger that allows the user to control liquid flow, which can make pouring into smaller containers, tanks, or equipment openings easier. Both styles are intended to provide safety features beyond those of an ordinary container. The better choice depends on how frequently the liquid is handled and how it needs to be dispensed.
What Liquids Can Be Stored in a Safety Can?
Safety cans are commonly used for flammable liquids such as gasoline, solvents, and other compatible chemicals, but not every safety can is appropriate for every liquid. Always check the can's intended application, material compatibility, approval, capacity, and manufacturer instructions before use. OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.106 contains requirements governing the storage and handling of flammable liquids in general-industry workplaces.
Safety Cans Are Only Part of Safe Flammable-Liquid Storage
Even a properly selected safety can needs to be used and stored correctly. Facilities should keep containers closed when they're not in use, control ignition sources, address spills promptly, and store quantities of flammable liquids according to applicable requirements. Depending on the quantity and type of liquids being stored, a facility may also need to consider flammable storage cabinets or other approved storage arrangements.
A Safer Way to Handle Flammable Liquids
Flammable safety cans are more than heavy-duty containers. Their specialized features are designed to address hazards associated with storing and dispensing volatile liquids. By combining automatic closure, pressure relief, and, where applicable, flame-arresting and controlled-pouring features, safety cans can provide an important layer of protection for workshops, garages, construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and other workplaces that routinely handle flammable liquids.
Choosing an approved safety can that's compatible with the liquid and using it as part of a broader flammable-liquid safety program can help facilities manage everyday fire and spill risks more effectively.