What is an Aerosol Cage?

What is an Aerosol Cage?

Aerosol’s and volatile chemicals represent unique challenges for storage, warehouse, and distribution centers. Spray cans are filled with a pressurized propellant and containers holding volatile chemicals may themselves be under pressure, because the nature of a volatile substance is to vaporize at relatively low temperature.

In storage situations, unpredictable events can occur. If the central air in a facility fails on a hot day, temperatures could rise to the point where a container explodes. In mass manufacturing, a small percentage of containers will be weakened or damaged, perhaps able to safely handle standard pressures, but certain to fail in an unusual situation.

A hot day is one thing, but a fire is another. A fire can quickly raise temperatures to the point of failure for even the most well-manufactured, pressurized containers.

Of course, temperature is only one factor that can cause problems. Aerosol cans and pressurized containers may be damaged in transit, dented or pierced in handling, or be jostled from shelving by a badly handled pallet jack.

An aerosol cage has one purpose, to contain and minimize potential accidents with aerosols and volatiles. An exploding can or container is a little like a hand grenade, potentially filling the immediate area with shrapnel. A well-designed wire mesh aerosol cage contains a potential explosion.

Aerosol Accidents are More Common Than You Think

Accidents with aerosols, spray cans, and volatile substances account for a variety of workplace accidents injuries. These include facial injuries, burns, and exposure to toxic chemicals and gasses for workers. Facilities risk property damage and fire from accidental container discharges and explosions, as well as liability for environmental contamination.

Records compiled by the EPA’s National Compliance Initiative, show that about 150 catastrophic accidents occur annually at chemical storage facilities, resulting in fatalities and health and environmental threats.

You can rely on Security Caging to provide the right aerosol caging solution for your storage facility.  Would you like to learn more?

Call Security Caging at 919-742-3132 or use our online Contact Form today.

Does OSHA Require Aerosol Storage?

OSHA (under standard 1910.126) defines an aerosol as “a low-density gas which has been liquefied under pressure, which is dispensed from the container with the use of kinetic energy (such as by shaking or vigorously agitate) and at room temperature.”

An aerosol is considered a Category 1 flammable liquid if it contains flammable propellants, and the use of flammables is so common that the assumption is always that the propellants used in stored aerosol cans are flammable. This concept is important, because most often it is the aerosol propellant that is considered the danger, not the other contents of the can.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), during an inspection it will be assumed that all aerosols and volatiles will be considered flammable, and that even “incidental” quantities of aerosols should be stores properly.

The proper storage of aerosol cans not only protects your business from a potential citation but also keeps your employees and your facility safe.

Increased Safety, Excellent Design

At Security Caging, our aerosol storage products are offered as customized storage solutions to fit your facility, your operation, and the risks posed by the types of aerosols and volatile chemicals you work with.

From floor to ceiling, we consider the best placement of entry doors, shelving, and integration with lighting and security systems.  We can provide turnkey, stand-alone solutions from scratch, or design wire mesh perimeters for existing shelving.

Getting the best solution is easy. You just need to make the call to our responsive  support staff here at Security Caging. 919-742-3132 or use our online Contact Form today.