Drum cabinets for outdoor storage

Drum cabinets for outdoor storage are enclosed structures designed for the safe storage of drums containing liquids, chemicals or other potentially polluting or flammable products, protecting them from the elements and minimising the risk of accidental spills.

They are fitted with an integrated spill pallet to collect any leaks and are available in various configurations, capacities and materials to suit the different requirements of warehouses, industrial sites, workshops and production areas.

The choice of material depends mainly on the type of substance to be stored and the environment in which it will be used.

• Polyethylene: particularly suitable for acids, bases and corrosive chemicals thanks to its high resistance to chemicals and lack of corrosion.
• Painted steel: suitable for storing oils, lubricants and numerous industrial liquids in standard environments.
• Galvanised and painted steel: offers greater resistance to weathering and corrosion than painted steel alone, making it particularly suitable for outdoor installations.

Before making a choice, it is always advisable to check the material’s compatibility with the substances to be stored and with the environmental conditions of use.

Yes, but only models specifically designed for this purpose. Drum cabinets intended for flammable liquids are fitted with ventilation openings (slats) that promote natural ventilation of the structure, helping to limit the build-up of potentially flammable vapours inside the unit. This feature is in line with fire prevention principles, which require adequate ventilation in areas designated for the storage of flammable substances.

For the storage of non-flammable liquids, however, models without these specific features may also be used, provided they are compatible with the substances contained within.

It is the customer’s responsibility to verify that the chosen storage facility is suitable for the substances to be stored and complies with applicable regulations, considering the product safety data sheets (SDS), the classification of the substances and any requirements set by the relevant authorities.

The storage of drums containing liquids must comply with current regulations on health and safety at work and environmental protection. The main relevant legislation in Italy includes:

• Legislative Decree 81/2008, concerning health and safety in the workplace;
• Legislative Decree 152/2006, concerning environmental protection and the prevention of pollution.

Depending on the type and quantity of substances stored, further specific provisions may also apply, and it is the user’s responsibility to verify the relevant requirements. For use in other countries, it is recommended to check local laws.

No. In Italy there is no mandatory certification for drum cabinets for outdoor storage equivalent to the UNI EN 14470-1 standard, which instead applies to fire-resistant safety cabinets intended for installation inside buildings for the storage of flammable liquids.

For this reason, it is important not to confuse the two types of product: drum cabinets for outdoor storage and fire-resistant cabinets are designed for different purposes and are subject to different technical requirements.

Outdoor storage units are normally supplied with a declaration of conformity issued by the manufacturer, which sets out the technical standards and references used in the design and manufacture of the product.

It depends on the model. Some drum cabinets for outdoor storage are designed with sufficient internal space to allow tapping directly inside the structure, avoiding the need to move the drum during transfer operations. Other models, however, are intended solely for storage and do not have the necessary space to carry out this operation. The same applies to the placement of drums on pallets.

Drum cabinets for outdoor storage offer more comprehensive protection than a spill pallet alone. As well as collecting any accidental spills, it allows you to:

• protect the drums from rain, sun and the elements;
• restrict access to stored products thanks to the lock;
• keep the storage area tidier and safer;

For this reason, it is a particularly suitable solution for the outdoor storage of drums containing industrial liquids or potentially hazardous substances.