Chemical Storage Cabinets: Flammable and Corrosive Liquids

Flammable liquids and corrosive substances each bring their own storage risks, and acids and alkalis can react if they meet. Safe Work Australia's guidance on flammable liquids says to store them in a flammable liquids cabinet where practicable.

What the national guidance says

Safe Work Australia's guidance says flammable liquids must be kept at the lowest practicable quantity for the workplace. It recommends keeping them away from ignition sources and storing them in a flammable liquids cabinet where practicable.

The model Code of Practice says hazardous chemicals should be physically separated from anything incompatible, by distance, barriers or both. The flammable liquids guidance adds that barriers can include flame-proof cabinets.

The code points to AS 1940, The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, for information on storing and segregating flammable liquids. Safe Work Australia recommends specialist advice for large (manifest) quantities.

Flammable liquid cabinets and AS 1940

WorkSafe WA says whether a site needs a storage cabinet or a dedicated flammable liquid storage area depends on the type of workplace, the floor space available and the type of liquid stored. Where a cabinet is used, it must be built to meet AS 1940.

The maker states that the 30L flammable liquid cabinet holds up to 30L of Class 3 flammable liquids and complies with AS 1940.

Using a flammable cabinet

WorkSafe WA sets out how a flammable liquid cabinet should be used and marked. The points below follow its wording.

Topic	WorkSafe WA guidance
Cabinet floor	The bottom is designed to hold spills and should not be used for storage
Contents	Only flammable and combustible liquids, unless other dangerous goods are confirmed compatible
Doors	The self-closing mechanism should be in good working order
Labels	A Class 3 Flammable Liquid label, the words 'No Smoking, No Ignition Sources within 3 m' and the maximum amount that can be stored
Containers	Must be closed
Ventilation	May be required for highly volatile, toxic or corrosive substances; where fitted it must discharge outside the building
Location	Not impeding emergency exits, and 3 m or more from ignition sources other than ceiling lights

Corrosive substance cabinets and AS 3780

Corrosive substances are either acidic or alkaline, and the code of practice says acids should never be stored with alkaline chemicals because some reactions rapidly generate large amounts of gas. It points to AS 3780 for corrosive substances, AS 1940 where a corrosive is also a flammable liquid, and AS/NZS 3833 for mixed classes.

The code also says eyewash and safety showers should be readily accessible where corrosives are handled or transferred. See the class 8 corrosives page for the class itself.

The maker states that the 30L corrosive substance cabinet is made for indoor use with Class 8 corrosive substances and complies with AS 3780.

Colour, trays and signs

The maker's flammable cabinets are yellow and its corrosive cabinets blue, so the two are easy to tell apart. Its corrosive cabinets carry poly corrosion-resistant trays to protect the cabinet from acids and alkalis.

Safe Work Australia's guidance also gives signs at the entrance to storage areas, warning people not to bring in ignition sources, as an example of an administrative control.

Before you buy

Safe Work Australia advises checking the Safety Data Sheet for each chemical for its storage requirements, and says incompatible chemicals should never share the same bunding or drainage. ChemMan, from Lupin Systems, keeps safety data sheets in one place and works out signage and PPE from what you store.

WorkSafe WA notes the bottom of a flammable cabinet is designed to hold spills. Spills elsewhere on site fall under the code's spill containment duty. The spill kit page covers kit types and sizing, and the dangerous goods classes page covers the classes.

The gear we stock

Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinet, 30 L Corrosive Substance Storage Cabinet, 30 L Hazchem Spill Kit, Small Bag, Absorbs 26 L

Signs for the same area

Flammable materials sign Corrosive sign Class 3 flammable liquid placard Class 8 corrosive placard Chemical storage sign

Common questions

Do I need a flammable liquids cabinet?

Safe Work Australia's guidance says to store flammable liquids in a flammable liquids cabinet where practicable. WorkSafe WA says the choice between a cabinet and a dedicated storage area depends on the workplace, the floor space and the type of liquid.

What signs go on a flammable liquids cabinet?

WorkSafe WA says the cabinet must carry a Class 3 Flammable Liquid label, the words 'No Smoking, No Ignition Sources within 3 m' and the maximum amount that can be stored.

Can corrosives go in a flammable liquids cabinet?

WorkSafe WA says to store only flammable and combustible liquids in the cabinet, and no other dangerous goods unless you have confirmed they are compatible.

Can acids and alkalis share a cabinet?

The model Code of Practice says acids should never be stored with alkaline chemicals, because of the potential for harmful reactions.

Does a flammable liquids cabinet need ventilation?

WorkSafe WA says ventilation may be required for cabinets storing highly volatile, toxic or corrosive substances, and a risk assessment will help decide. Where fitted, it must discharge to the outside of the building.

Where should a flammable liquids cabinet go?

WorkSafe WA says the cabinet should be located so it does not impede emergency exits, and 3 m or more from ignition sources other than ceiling lights.

Sources

Checked against the sources above on 2026-10-21.

General information, not advice for your site. What protection a job needs comes from the Safety Data Sheet, the task and your risk assessment. The statements on this page are taken from the sources listed below and were checked on the date shown. Check the source, or ask your regulator.