Hazardous Material Storage

Correct hazardous substance storage protects people, property and the environment from the serious risks posed by dangerous chemicals, flammable liquids and other regulated materials. Businesses hold a legal duty of care to store hazardous substances safely and to carry out suitable risk assessments before deciding how and where they are held. Improper hazardous storage can lead to spillage, contamination, fire or exposure incidents, each carrying significant financial, legal and reputational consequences. 

Choosing the right hazardous material storage products, from bunded pallets to fire-rated cabinets, is therefore a fundamental part of any workplace risk assessment. DENIOS supplies a comprehensive range of hazardous substance storage products designed to help facility managers meet their regulatory responsibilities with confidence.

DENIOS is the leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of environmental protection products, hazardous materials storage products and health and safety products for the industrial workplace. We offer a spectrum of different equipment types while providing professional advice, giving you real value for your money.

Our very diverse group of products for storing hazardous substances provides the correct solution for environmental protection, tackling virtually every problem posed by hazardous materials that industrial companies must deal with. 

We also provide specialised engineering services to assist in addressing issues facing individual customers in the area of hazardous material storage technology, and we are dedicated to developing custom solutions for our customers' unique operational requirements.

Not all hazardous substances carry the same level of risk. Several factors determine how they should be stored:

• Hazard Classification: Flammable, oxidising, toxic, corrosive or water-polluting substances each carry different risks and require different containment. A flammable solvent, for example, demands fire-rated containment and ventilation, while a corrosive acid requires chemical-resistant materials and spill protection.

• Quantity and Environment: Storage requirements also vary according to the quantity being held and whether storage takes place indoors or outdoors.

• Matching Equipment to Substance: Selecting storage equipment suited to the specific classification and behaviour of each substance is essential for maintaining compliance and minimising risk across the site.

Selecting the right hazardous substance storage relies on four key considerations:

• Hazard Classification: Establish whether you are dealing with a hazardous substance, defined by its chemical properties and associated risks such as flammability, toxicity or corrosiveness, or a hazardous material, a broader term covering any item, container or product capable of causing harm. This distinction shapes which regulations apply and which type of storage equipment is required.

• Storage Volume: Facilities holding small quantities of chemicals in laboratories or workshops have very different needs from sites managing bulk drums or IBCs. Storage systems should be sized to match actual throughput rather than theoretical maximums; undersized hazardous storage increases the likelihood of overfilling and spillage, while oversized systems waste valuable floor space.

• Indoor or Outdoor Storage: The right choice depends on the substances involved, available space and fire safety requirements. Outdoor storage, such as hazardous material depots, can reduce fire loading within a building and free up internal space, while indoor storage may suit temperature-sensitive or frequently accessed substances.

• Compliance and Regulations: COSHH and DSEAR set out requirements for containment, signage, ventilation and separation distances. Regular risk assessments, staff training and correct product selection help keep storage compliant as operations and stored volumes change over time.

DENIOS provides bunded storage solutions that are ideally designed for storing small containers and lesser numbers of drums. They offer efficient safety and protection in a relatively small space and are perfect for outdoor installations. Their compact size makes them well-suited to collecting volumes of up to 1,250 litres. These storage solutions are available in painted or galvanised versions for storing flammable liquids or in polyethylene for storing acids and alkalis.

For storing hazardous substances, DENIOS UK offers a broad range of chemical safety cabinets for a large variety of stored chemicals. Our product line of chemical storage products includes a dispensing cabinet, a flammable storage cabinet, a paint storage cabinet and an acid storage cabinet. These storage cabinets are optimally designed for use in warehouses, stores, laboratories and anywhere else where it is necessary to store hazardous materials securely and safely. 

We manufacture our chemical storage cabinets using only the highest quality materials, and we provide many options, including lockable hinged doors, pull-out shelves and height-adjustable shelves.

Compressed gas cylinders present distinct risks that must be carefully managed:

• Explosion and Pressure Release: Damaged or incorrectly stored cylinders can lead to an explosion or the rapid release of pressure, and flammable or toxic gases carry additional fire or exposure hazards.

• Segregation: Incompatible gases must be kept apart and stored at a safe distance from ignition sources, occupied buildings and other hazardous materials.

• Security: Lockable cages and cabinets help prevent unauthorised access and reduce the risk of tampering or theft.

Whether gas bottle storage is built into a building or positioned outdoors, sufficient distance from other sources of danger must be guaranteed, along with adequate ventilation to prevent the build-up of leaked gas. 

DENIOS always offers the right products for gas cylinder storage, whichever option best suits the site, including gas cylinder cabinets, gas bottle storage with fire protection and accessories for transport.

Spill prevention is a critical element of storing hazardous substances safely, reducing the likelihood of leaks reaching drains, watercourses or soil. Businesses have a responsibility to prevent pollution incidents, and inadequate containment can result in significant penalties, clean-up costs and reputational damage. Bunded and spill-resistant flooring forms a key line of defence, capturing leaks and spillages before they can cause environmental harm.

DENIOS offers a range of spill protection to suit different environments and materials:

• Bunded Spill Flooring: Galvanised steel flooring with galvanised grids, suitable for storing materials of all water hazard classes and flammable liquids across large areas or entire rooms during transfer and filling operations. Each model of collecting tray is also available in stainless steel.

• Plastic Spill Decking: High resistance to oils, alkalis and acids, with a particularly low-profile design. Features a spill pallet made of polyethylene, with a galvanised grid or a polyethylene grid.

• Spill Pallets and Trays: A large range for securely and safely storing waste chemicals, fuels, oils and other hazardous liquids, ideal for smaller amounts of hazardous materials in garages, factories and work areas.

All DENIOS hazardous material storage containers are made in the UK and deliver legally compliant hazardous material storage at an excellent ratio of price to performance.

• Drum and IBC Storage Containers: Provide an outstanding solution for storing pallet goods, drums and IBCs while only requiring minimal storage space. Every IBC and drum storage container is also available in heat-insulated models for substances that are sensitive to frosting.

• Walk-In Chemical Stores: Designed for speciality applications including storing, dispensing and regulating the temperature of products, with peak flexibility in terms of customisation and size, and floor areas ranging from 2 m² to 21 m². Custom-designed alternatives are also available alongside standard chemical storage containers.

• Fire-Rated Storage Containers: Provide safe, legally compliant storage for poisonous, oxidising and flammable hazardous materials, with up to 120 minutes of protection from internal and external fires. These can be installed indoors or outdoors and equipped with ramps, ventilation, one or two doors, a heating system and a door locking system.

• Gas Cylinder Storage Products: A complete range of high-quality, regulation-compliant options, including cylinder cages, gas bottle storage containers and fire-resistant gas cylinder cabinets.

All hazardous substance storage products by DENIOS come with up to a 4-year warranty, free delivery and a 30-day returns policy, as detailed in our terms and conditions. This ensures that every storage investment is backed by a robust quality assurance system, giving facility managers and operatives confidence in both the product and the supplier behind it.

Our technical support team and engineers are on hand to answer any questions concerning hazardous substance storage, from initial product selection through to installation and maintenance. For further guidance, read our Space Optimisation for Hazmat Storage: Strategies for Warehouse Managers article, or download our free Storing Hazardous Materials Safely brochure for practical, expert advice.