FAQ - BUILDINGS

ARE THERE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR STORAGE BUILDINGS?
Factory Mutual (FM) is the best-known and most widely used standard for storage buildings. Securall ® Chemical Storage Buildings are FM Approved. All electrical installations are U.L. Approved and compliant to 1999 & 2002 NEC.

WHAT ARE CHEMICAL STORAGE BUILDINGS USED FOR??
Chemical Storage Buildings are used to store flammable liquids, chemicals and hazardous waste in a safe, secure storage area. The buildings have a leak-tight sump area at the bottom, designed to prevent leaky containers from contaminating the area.

WHAT SIZE BUILDING DO I NEED?
Usually the size is determined by how many 55 gal drums you want to store in the building. For example, Securall offers Hazmat Storage Buildings with capacities for 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64 and 80 drums. Our Agri-Chemical models are designed for storage of various sized containers and include galvanized shelving. We can also custom-design a building to accommodate any type of container or equipment, which requires storage.

IS THERE A MAXIMUM SIZE FOR A LOCKER/BUILDING?
The NFPA states that the floor area shall not exceed 1,500 sq. feet.

HOW ARE THE BUILDINGS SHIPPED??
The buildings are shipped pre-assembled. Buildings up to 12-drum capacity can be delivered in standard common carrier trailers, while larger buildings are shipped on flat bed trucks.

HOW ARE BUILDINGS OFFLOADED AT MY SITE?
If you have a forklift truck, you will be able to offload buildings of up to 12-drum capacity. Larger buildings may require multiple forklifts or a crane. As an option, Securall can arrange to have the buildings offloaded for you.

WHERE SHOULD BUILDINGS BE PLACED?
Please check with your local authority having jurisdiction for setback requirements and correct wall/roof rating needed.

WHEN DO I NEED A FIRE RATED BUILDING?
Fire-Rated Storage Buildings carry the Factory Mutual System Approval label and have an FM Approved Fire Rated Wall & Roof Design. Wall and Roof are Tested at Intertek Testing Laboratories. Securall Fire-Rated Storage Buildings are constructed based upon UL Fire Resistance Ratings classification criteria. Standard Buildings are available with 2-hour and 4-hour fire ratings upgrade. Wall ratings are either 2 or 4 hour fire rated . Roof ratings are either 1.5 or 3 hour fire rated. Check with your local authority having jurisdiction for correct wall/roof rating needed. In addition, all Fire-Rated Buildings come with hydraulic operated self-closing, fire-rated doors and fire damper protected vents.

HOW MANY DOORS DOES A BUILDING HAVE?
2 and 4 drum capacity models have a single 42" wide x 62" high door. 6, 9, and 12 drum models have a single 42" wide x 80" high door, with an optional upgrade to a 60" wide x 80" high double door. Buildings of 16 drum capacity and larger have a 60" wide x 80" high double door. Additional doors can be added if required. Overhead doors are also available on most models.

WHICH MATERIALS REQUIRE STORAGE IN A BUILDING?
All Class 1 Flammable & Combustible Liquids in drums in an outside location must be stored in a chemical storage building. Other hazardous materials stored outside that may leak and cause contamination should also be contained in a storage building.

WHAT IS THE CLASSIFICATION FOR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS?
Class IA and Class IB Flammable Liquids are defined in NFPA Code 30, 2003 Edition, Section 1.7.3.2 as:
Class 1A: those liquids that have flash points below 73°F (22.8°C) and boiling points below 100°F (37.8°C)
Class 1B: those liquids that have flash points below 73°F (22.8°C) and boiling points at or above 100°F (37.8°C)
You can order the complete NFPA Code 30 from the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org.

DO I NEED AN EXPLOSION RELIEF PANEL? Explosion relief panels are required for buildings that store and dispense Class IA liquids and that dispense Class IB liquids. Otherwise, an explosion relief panel is not required.

WHAT PAYMENT OPTIONS DOES Securall OFFER? We extend options for credit with Net 30 Payment Terms, Cash, Money Order, Credit Card or Full Wire Transfer. For applicable payment terms, please contact our accounts receivable department: sales@Securallproducts.com , or fill out and submit a complete Credit Application and a Sales Representative will be in contact with you in the next 48 hours. Additional fees may also apply.

HOW LARGE SHOULD THE EXPLOSION RELIEF PANEL BE? The explosion relief panel should be one square foot in size for every 50 cubic feet of interior volume and should release at an explosion pressure of 20 psf. The explosion relief panel should NOT be placed on the roof because snow and debris may prevent its proper release. The relief panel is usually placed on the rear wall.

CAN I STORE SEVERAL DIFFERENT MATERIALS IN THE SAME BUILDING? You should classify the materials you intend to store according to hazard. Those that are compatible can be stored in the same building. Incompatible materials should be stored in separate buildings or as required by OSHA.

HOW SHOULD I STORE INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS?
Buildings can be designed with a separation wall allowing you to store incompatible materials. Safety cabinets can also be installed inside the building to separate the different materials. Contact the proper authority having jurisdiction, usually the local Fire Marshal, to determine the appropriate solution for your situation.

SHOULD DOORS ALSO BE FIRE RATED?
A 4-hour fire rated building requires a 3 hour rating on the door. A 2-hour fire rated building requires a 1 1/2 hour rated door. All active fire rated doors are hydraulically operated, self-closing doors.

ARE THE VENTS FIRE RATED?
All fire rated buildings come with fusible link activated vents. Per FM specifications, 2 hour rated buildings have a 1 1/2 hour rated vent, and 4 hour rated buildings have a 3-hour rated vent.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION?
Securall Chemical Storage buildings are constructed out of 16 gauge galvannealed steel for buildings up to 12 drum capacity. Larger buildings are constructed of 12 gauge galvannealed steel.

WHAT ARE THE FM WIND LOAD AND SNOW LOAD REQUIREMENTS?
Buildings must withstand a minimum of 90 mph wind load and 70 psf snow load.

WHAT VOLUME OF LIQUID IS THE SUMP DESIGNED TO CONTAIN?
The sump must contain at least 25% of the liquid storage capacity of the building. For example, a building designed to store four 55-gallon drums should have a sump that can contain 55 gallons.

DO I NEED A NON-METALLIC LINER FOR THE SUMP?
The standard sump is constructed of heavy gauge steel with leak tight seams, and the interior of the sump is coated with corrosion resistant material. An high-density polyethylene sump liner can be provided as a option.

IS THERE A MAXIMUM SIZE FOR A BUILDING?
A building floor area should not exceed 1500 square feet.

DO I NEED A HEATER FOR MY BUILDING?
If you are storing a liquid that may freeze, and in the process expands causing its container to burst, then an explosion proof heater should be used. If you need a heater, we recommend that you also buy an R-11 insulation package.

DO I NEED AN AIR CONDITIONER FOR MY BUILDING? If you are storing a liquid that has a low flash point and the weather conditions in your area may result in a high internal air temperature of the building, you should add an explosion proof air conditioning unit to your building. If you need an A/C, we recommend that you also buy an R-11 insulation package.

WHAT TYPES OF FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE?
Many types of fire suppression are available: Dry Chemical or Water Sprinkler systems are 2 standard options. Your choice depends upon the type of material you are storing. Water may not extinguish all types of fires.

WHAT TYPES OF LIGHTING OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Hazmat Storage Buildings are available with explosion proof interior and exterior lighting as options. Agri-Chemical Storage Buildings include a dust-proof, fluorescent interior light with a weatherproof switch, and a vapor-resistant exterior light with photocell as standard features.

WHICH BUILDING CODES AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS ARE RELEVANT TO STORAGE BUILDINGS?
The following Building Codes are met: UBC, SBC, UFC, NEC and CAC. The following Industry Construction Standards are met: NFPA, BOCA, AWS, AISC, ANSI, ASTM and USPC. The following Federal Regulations are pertinent: EPA and OSHA.

IS SHELVING AVAILABLE IN THE BUILDING?
Adjustable galvanized steel shelving is available as an option in Hazmat Storage Buildings. You can specify the number of linear feet of 14" deep galvanized steel shelving you need, as well as the number of tiers of shelving you require on each wall. Shelves have a 2" lip. Generally, shelving is not placed on the wall on which the door is situated. Shelving cannot be placed over the explosion relief panel, usually located on the rear wall of the building. All Agri-Chemical Storage Buildings include galvanized shelving as a standard feature.