che_february-2025 - 39

signed for situations
requiring
direct
handling
of materials.
To protect all
personnel,
buildings
these
feature
enhanced safety
measures like advanced
fire protection,
special
spill-containment
trays and dedicated
dispensing
FIGURE
3. For larger-scale storage capacity of flammable materials, firerated
buildings can be installed onsite to help meet safety standards. Such
structures can be designed for indoor or outdoor use
zones. In contrast, 90-minute firerated
cabinets offer greater flexibility
and allow for placement directly
in workspaces. They also reduce
transport times and improve operational
efficiency.
Understanding the full scope of
fire-safe cabinet functions, features,
and potential pitfalls helps chemical
processing facilities make informed
choices to prioritize safety, ensure
compliance and safeguard both
people and property.
Fire-rated buildings
Fire-rated buildings, containers and
lockers manage large-scale hazardous-substance
storage (Figure 3).
Designed to meet stringent safety
standards and to be used indoors
or outdoors, fire-rated buildings offer
robust fire protection, secondary spill
containment and controlled environments
for hazardous materials. They
come in two primary types: nonoccupancy
buildings and walk-in
storage facilities.
Non-occupancy
buildings are
designed to minimize personnel
exposure during storage and retrieval.
They feature full-face opening
doors to allow forklift access
and simplify movement of large
containers, such as drums or intermediate
bulk containers (IBCs).
These buildings can be strategically
placed indoors or outdoors
and often include climate-control
options for temperature-sensitive
materials. Non-occupancy designs
prioritize efficiency and safety by
reducing the need for workers to
enter the storage area.
Walk-in storage facilities are deareas.
Because
workers must
enter the storage
space, walkin
facilities meet
higher safety standards than nonoccupancy
buildings. While non-occupancy
buildings focus on protecting
materials and the surrounding
environment, walk-in designs prioritize
worker safety due to the higher
risk of exposure.
When selecting a fire-rated building,
there are some key things to
consider. Fire ratings give information
on a structure's ability to provide
protection. Many buildings are
designed to provide two-hour fire
protection or more, depending on
setback distances. Segregating
incompatible materials increases
safety and involves the use of physical
barriers or separate compartments
that prevent hazardous reactions.
Spill containment systems
can provide added back up protection.
They must accommodate
10% of the total stored volume
or 100% of the largest container,
whichever is greater, to manage
leaks and prevent the spread of
hazardous substances.
Ventilation systems are fundamental
to managing hazardous vapors
and supporting a safe atmosphere.
For temperature-sensitive chemicals,
climate-controlled options ensure
that materials remain stable, reducing
the likelihood of spontaneous
ignition or decomposition. Fire-rated
buildings are designed to address
many regulations, such as OSHA,
EPA and NFPA standards, to ensure
compliance and operational safety.
These buildings are a helpful part
of site plans designed to securely
contain hazardous substances to
reduce risk.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
FEBRUARY 2025
Lithium battery safety
Lithium batteries pose a risk of fire
and pressure release if not handled
or stored correctly. When mishandled,
these batteries can overheat,
catch fire or release pressure, leading
to costly damage and potential
harm to workers. Understanding
the hazards, using proper storage
solutions and having the right tools
can all contribute to fire prevention.
A primary danger associated
with lithium batteries is thermal
runaway. Thermal runaway occurs
when cells overheat from thermal
stress, damage or defects. Such
occurrences can produce intense
heat, flammable gases and oxygen,
which can lead to fires. In
some cases, electrolyte fluid vaporizes,
creating more combustible
gases that can ignite and
make the fire worse. Deep discharge
is another risk. If batteries
discharge completely and are then
recharged, the electrolyte fluid can
break down, generating flammable
gases and increasing the likelihood
of a fire. Mechanical damage, such
as drops, collisions or deformations,
can also cause internal short
circuits and fires.
To mitigate these risks, facilities
should use fire-rated storage
buildings or cabinets specifically
designed for lithium batteries.
These provide fire resistance from
both inside and outside, which allows
more time to contain a fire
and evacuate the area. They are
equipped with liquid-tight spill
sumps to contain leaks from defective
batteries and smoke extraction
ventilation systems to manage
to reduce heat and gas buildup.
Fire-rated storage buildings offer
expanded capacity and enhanced
features, such as pressure-relief
and climate-controlled options.
There are effective emergencyresponse
tools
for
dealing
with
battery fires. Since these fires generate
their own oxygen, traditional
fire extinguishers aren't effective.
Instead, facilities should stock specialized
suppression powders or
granules designed to combat Class
D fires involving burning metals.
These granules work by displacing
oxygen, absorbing heat and
forming a barrier to prevent further
combustion. In addition, damaged
39
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