Flammable liquids

During a project called : "Storage of flammable products at sales facilities" a series of tests were conducted with flammable liquids in plastic bottles and aerosol cans. The project involved tests with heat exposure of various bottle types, tests with exposure to fire, sprinkler tests with the products stored on pallets and when stored in various cabinets.

The results of the tests show that an ordinary sprinkler system designed for sales facilities is not sufficient to control or extinguish a fire in a pallet of flammable liquids. Petroleum based products are sold in thin plastic bottles. These bottles are made of plastics that shrink due to heat exposure thus creating an over pressure in the bottle. When the bottles melt the petroleum based flammable liquids escapes under pressure and ignite, causing a very fast fire spread. Alcohol based products are sold in thicker plastic bottles and have not the same behaviour as the petroleum based products.

The experience is that a cabinet designed for storage of flammable liquids can be used for safe storage of these products.