Flammable and explosive goods

Permitted quantity per fire compartment

A fire cell may consist of one or more laboratory rooms.

• A maximum of 50 litres may be stored in ventilated cabinets with spill trays.
• Of this amount, no more than 10 litres may be stored openly in the laboratory.

Storage in a fire-separated area

The requirements apply to cabinets or rooms where only flammable liquids are stored and which are connected to mechanical ventilation.

• EI30: up to 1,000 litres
• EI60: over 1,000 litres

What is a flammable liquid?

A flammable liquid has a flash point of no more than 100 °C. Examples include petrol, white spirit and ethanol.

The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to ignite in air in the presence of an ignition source, such as a spark or flame.

The lower the flash point of a liquid, the greater the risk of flammable vapours forming at normal temperatures.

Please note: Liquids such as lighter fluid and cooking oil can burn but are not classified as flammable liquids because their flash point is above 100 °C.

Permitted quantities per fire compartment

A fire compartment may comprise one or more laboratory rooms.

• A maximum of 5 litres may be stored openly in the laboratory.

Storage in a fire-separated area

The requirements apply to cabinets or rooms where only flammable gases are stored and which are connected to mechanical ventilation.

• EI30: up to 250 litres
• EI60: up to 1,200 litres

What is a flammable gas?

A flammable gas can ignite in air at a temperature of 20 °C and an atmospheric pressure of 101.3 kPa. Liquefied flammable gases are also classified as flammable gases.

Examples include liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methane (biogas and natural gas), hydrogen, dimethyl ether, ammonia and acetylene.

Aerosol containers

In aerosol containers, or spray cans, it is usually the propellant that is flammable, most commonly LPG or dimethyl ether. The contents may also be flammable.

All aerosol containers are regarded as flammable gases, regardless of whether it is the propellant or the contents that are flammable.

Always keep full and empty gas cylinders separate.

Explosives include explosive substances, mixtures and articles. This also includes substances, mixtures and articles intended to produce an effect by means of an explosion or pyrotechnic effect.

The following are also classified as explosives:

• substances, mixtures, and articles classified as explosive under the EU CLP Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008
• substances, mixtures and articles belonging to Class 1 under the regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods (ADR/RID)
• substances and mixtures that produce a positive result in Test Series 2 under the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria for the classification of dangerous goods.

Storage requirements

• Hazard class 1.1: Store in accordance with security class 3, to the security level specified in EN 1143-1, edition 2, with a minimum rating of Grade III.
• Hazard class 1.2: Store in accordance with security class 3, to the security level specified in EN 1143-1, edition 2, with a minimum rating of Grade III, or security class 2, to the security level specified in SSF 3492.

Fire-reactive goods can cause or intensify a fire even if they are not flammable liquids, flammable gases or explosives.

Fire-reactive goods may, for example, have

• oxidising properties
• self-reactive properties
• a high energy content.

Recommended handling

• Store the goods at room temperature.
• Store them in tightly sealed containers.
• Do not expose them to heat sources.
• Do not expose them to impact.
• Do not expose them to damp environments.

Specific regulations for fire-reactive goods

Ammonium nitrate

Ammonium nitrate is used primarily in the manufacture of explosives and as a nutrient in fertilisers.

The regulations cover products containing more than 80 per cent ammonium nitrate, such as technical-grade ammonium nitrate and certain types of fertiliser.

Ammonium nitrate emulsions, suspensions and gels (ANE)

ANE is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of bulk explosives, for example in large-scale blasting work in tunnels and mines.

ANE consists of ammonium nitrate and combustible substances. It normally becomes an explosive only when it is sensitised in connection with charging blast holes.

Flammable cinematographic film

Flammable cinematographic film may contain nitrocellulose. Such film ignites easily and can burn rapidly even without an external air supply. The regulations cover cinematographic film containing nitrocellulose.

Low-nitrated nitrocellulose

Low-nitrated nitrocellulose is used in the manufacture of certain lacquers and adhesives, as well as in nitrated yarn, fuse yarn, fire doors and similar applications.

The regulations cover nitrocellulose with a nitrogen content of no more than 12.6 per cent that is wetted with at least 25 per cent water or alcohol, or plasticised with at least 18 per cent plasticiser.

Organic peroxides

Organic peroxides are used as initiators in the plastics industry to start polymerisation reactions and as curing agents when using plastics or fillers, for example on boats.

Depending on their degree of hazard, organic peroxides are divided into different groups; see Chapter 3 of the regulations. The group classification determines which requirements apply.

This information can sometimes be found in the safety data sheet. If it is not provided, contact the supplier.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is used for purposes including bleaching, disinfection and water treatment. It can also be used as an oxidising agent.

The regulations cover hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 20 per cent and above, as well as all manufacture of hydrogen peroxide, regardless of concentration.

The requirements apply if there is a risk of an explosive atmosphere forming, for example when

• handling flammable gases
• handling flammable liquids with a flash point below 30 °C
• handling flammable liquids with a flash point above 30 °C that are heated to within 5 °C of the liquid's flash point.

The requirements do not normally apply to

• aerosol containers
• unconnected, sealed disposable gas containers
• factory-sealed packages containing flammable liquids
• individual unconnected gas cylinders, for example on a welding trolley.

The head of department or equivalent has overall responsibility for the work environment at the department or equivalent operation.

The head of department is responsible for

• appointing a manager for flammable goods
• appointing a flammable goods controller
• allocating and documenting tasks.

Operations that are subject to a permit requirement and handle flammable goods must appoint one or more managers.

The manager must work to ensure that flammable goods are handled safely and in compliance with legal requirements.

Who can be appointed?

In most cases, it is appropriate to appoint someone who works within the operation, but an external manager may also be appointed.

The same competence requirements apply regardless of whether the manager is an employee or an external appointee.

How many managers are required?

An operation may have one or more managers. If several managers are appointed, their areas of responsibility must be clearly allocated and documented. There must be no gaps in responsibility.

If different parts of the operation affect one another, the managers must coordinate their work.

Tasks of the manager

The manager must, among other things,

• adapt the operation so that risks are eliminated or reduced
• immediately stop any handling that does not comply with applicable regulations or is considered to pose a risk of an accident
• ensure that up-to-date, clear and sufficient instructions are available for handling flammable goods
• ensure that relevant staff, including external parties, have the training, information and competence required for safe handling
• inform the permit issuer of the risks before a hot-work permit is issued for areas where flammable goods are handled or stored
• report accidents and incidents to the responsible manager and notify the central fire safety function
• regularly inform the responsible manager about how the handling of flammable goods is functioning, once or twice per semester
• contact the central fire safety function when support or advice is required.

Competence of the manager

The manager must have the required knowledge and competence regarding the operation, the flammable goods, the facility and the regulations governing the handling.

This includes knowledge of

• the manager's role, responsibilities and authority
• the regulations governing the handling of flammable goods
• the properties and risks of the flammable goods
• how instructions are prepared and how the facility is operated and maintained
• how risks are identified, assessed and prevented
• why, when and how explosion protection documents with hazardous area classification plans must be prepared and kept up to date.

There is no requirement to complete a specific training course. However, training for managers of flammable goods can be an appropriate way to acquire the required competence. The training should be adapted to the scope of the operation and the flammable goods being handled.

Distribution of tasks

The head of department allocates the tasks using the form. The department is responsible for storing the completed form in the “Delegation och kontaktuppgifter” folder in Box.

Distribution of tasks – Manager for flammable goods (pdf, 124.2 kB)

Stockholm University has the role of flammable goods controller to support systematic safety work.

The controller regularly follows up to ensure that flammable and explosive goods are handled and stored in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations issued by the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, and Stockholm University's governing documents, checklists and procedures.

The inspections are carried out using the checklist provided by the central fire safety function.

Checklist for inspection of flammable goods (Word, 232.4 kB)

Tasks of the controller

Twice a year, the controller must

• carry out inspections of the handling
• document the results
• report the results to the manager for flammable goods.

Rectifying non-compliance

If the controller identifies non-compliance during an inspection, an action plan must be drawn up.

The plan must specify

• the measures required
• who is responsible for each measure
• when the measures must be completed.

Distribution of tasks

The head of department allocates the tasks using the form. The department is responsible for storing the completed form in the “Delegation och kontaktuppgifter” folder in Box.

Distribution of tasks – Flammable goods controller (pdf, 122.9 kB)