Collection: Safety Cabinets for Flammable Liquids

Certified EN 14470-1 cabinets are designed to "isolate" completely and independently, without the need for electricity or external stimuli. In case of a fire, two passive safety barriers are activated:

• Fire-Resistant Devices:During daily work, the cabinet doors can be kept open to facilitate product passage. However, if the room temperature rises and reaches approximately 50°C - 60°C , a metallic thermosensitive element (the fuse) instantly melts. This unlocks the door arms, which close automatically due to gravity or integrated springs.
• Expanding Seals (Intumescent): I am positioned along the entire perimeter of the door seals and on the ventilation duct outlets. When the temperature near the cabinet reaches 100°C - 120°C, these seals react chemically, expanding up to 10-15 times their original thickness.

The result: The cabinet seals perfectly hermetically. This reaction blocks the entry of heat and flames inside the cabinet and, at the same time, prevents the vapors of stored liquids from escaping and feeding the fire outside.

Yes, the connection to the company's electrical grounding network is a statutory obligation resulting from the risk assessment (ATEX Directive and Title XI of Legislative Decree 81/08)

The main danger related to flammable liquids (such as solvents, diluents, or alcohols) is not just the liquid itself, but the invisible cloud of vapors that generates inside the cabinet every time a container is opened or a transfer is performed.

Daily operations (e.g., wiping a plastic pipe or moving containers on shelves) accumulate static electricityon the metal structure of the cabinet. If this charge is not discharged to earth, the first time the door is opened, an invisible electrostatic spark can ignite the saturated vapors and cause an immediate explosion.

• What to do in practice:Every cabinet certified for flammable liquids is born equipped with a specific grounding or screw (usually marked with the international symbol of earth). A qualified electrician must physically connect it to the building's earth system and release the conformity declaration.

The placement of a flammable storage cabinet responds to rigid safety logics. It cannot be placed wherever it suits, but must respect the following installation constraints:

• Prohibition on exit routes:It is strictly forbidden to place safety cabinets along evacuation corridors, near safety exits, fire stairs, or in points that, in the event of an incident, could block the escape of personnel.
• Distance from ignition sources:It must be installed away from direct heat sources, such as main electrical panels, thermal machinery (ovens, welding machines), open flames, or windows that receive direct sunlight for many hours.
• Accessibility and maneuverability:The surrounding area must always be clear. The cabinet doors must be able to open fully (at least 90°) without hitting obstacles, allowing operators to insert and retrieve containers safely, minimizing the risk of collisions or container falls.
• Safety Signage:The installation area must be clearly marked by affixing signs on the door of the room or in the immediate vicinity, mandatory fire safety signs (e.g. "Danger Flammable", "No Smoking and Free Flame Use"),

The "Type 90" certification only guarantees that the cabinet will withstand external fire for 90 minutes, but does not resolve the daily problem of toxic or flammable vapor accumulation inside.

According to the guidelines of the Fire Brigade and the D.Lgs. 81/08 (chemical risk assessment and ATEX), the obligation to ventilate depends on use:

• The general rule:If the cabinet contains solvents, paints, hydrocarbons, or substances that easily evaporate at room temperature,Forced mechanical ventilation (continuous air extractor) becomes practically mandatory. The system must aspirate air from the bottom of the closet (where flammable vapors accumulate, which are heavier than air) and redirect it outside the building to a safe area.
• The alternative (Active Carbon Filters):If it's not possible to drill a hole in the wall to vent the air outside, ventilation circulation groups equipped with certified active carbon filters are used, positioned above the closet, which constantly purify the air by retaining solvents.active carbon filters certified, positioned above the closet, which constantly purify the air by retaining solvents.
• What happens without ventilation?If the closet remains completely sealed and unventilated, the internal area becomes saturated with flammable vapors. As a result, every time an operator opens the closet door, they will be exposed to a hazardous gas blast for their health and create a temporary potential explosive atmosphere in the workplace.