Proper fire-rated storage isn’t just “nice to have” — it’s a critical part of safe operations when storing hazardous goods. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the storage of flammable liquids in containers must be managed to control fire and explosion risks under Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). Link: HSE

Fire-rated cabinets, rooms or containers help to:

• Delay fire spread, giving occupants and responders time to act. Link: denios.co.uk+1
  
• Contain vapours and spills from flammable or reactive materials. Link: denios.co.uk+1
  
• Meet regulatory/insurance requirements around hazardous storage.

• Cabinets and stores are fire-rated using durations such as 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes (e.g., “90 min fire-resistance”) to meet performance tests. Link: denios.co.uk+1
• For flammable liquids: The HSE’s HSG51 guidance covers containers up to 1,000 L and addresses design & spill/ventilation requirements. Link: HSE+1
  
• For hazardous chemical warehousing: HSG71 and other guides cover classification, segregation, handling and compatibility. Link: BSIF
  
• For explosion-prone zones (ATEX/EX atmospheres): must consider zoning (Zone 0/1/2) for gases and ignition sources. Link: thefpa.co.uk
  
• For battery/lithium-ion storage: Special fire-rated rooms and cabinets are increasingly required, due to risk of thermal runaway.
  
• Materials, building location, bunding/spill containment, ventilation and safe separation distances all matter. For example, IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) of flammable liquids are addressed in depth by risk-consulting firms. Link: Allianz Commercial

Below you’ll find specialist storage solutions tailored by material type and hazard class.

1. Identify the hazard type & quantity – what are you storing (battery, liquid, chemical), how much, what flashpoint or hazard class?
   
2. Determine fire-rating required – highly flammable liquids often require cabinets rated for 30–60 min if <50 L; larger volumes or external stores may need 90–120 min.
   
3. Check explosion/zone classification – is your environment hazardous (ATEX/EX)? Does your storage need explosion relief or special lighting?
   
4. Check spill, bunding and ventilation needs – e.g., for liquids, IBCs, ensure containment and prevention of pool fires.
   
5. Placement & separation – consider separation distances, location relative to other buildings, ignition sources, safe escape routes.
   
6. Maintenance & inspection – fire-rated cabinets must be maintained (door auto-close, seals, ventilation); danger of degradation over time.
   
7. Future-proof your choice – consider modular or scalable solutions (especially for battery storage) as your volumes and hazard profile may change.

The fire-rated storage industry is full of big, established brands—but most of them make your buying decision harder, not easier.

Some specialise only in cabinets, others only in outdoor stores, and many don’t address modern risks like lithium-ion battery fires or ATEX-rated explosive environments.

That means customers are often left comparing incomplete solutions, inconsistent fire-ratings and confusing compliance claims. We take a different approach.

Our range is designed to cover every major hazard—flammable liquids, chemicals, lithium-ion batteries and explosive-risk zones—so you get a single, trusted source for fully compliant, fire-rated protection. Instead of pushing one type of product, we focus on helping you choose the right solution for your site, your volumes and your regulatory requirements.

Clear options, clear guidance, and products engineered to outperform typical “big brand” alternatives—this is hazardous storage made simpler, safer and built around you.

So, why choose us?:

• High-quality, fully tested fire-rated storage solutions engineered for the UK/EU market.
• Full range: battery storage rooms, walk-in chemical stores, drum/IBC fire-rated units, ATEX-compliant cabinets.
• Expert consultation available to help you select correct fire-rating, zoning and compliance.

These are big, international manufacturers covering almost everything: fire-rated cabinets, walk-in hazardous stores, drum/IBC storage, gas-cylinder stores and increasingly lithium-ion rooms.

• Typical examples: DENIOS, Chemstore, Safety Storage (US)
  
• Strengths: very broad catalogues, strong engineering, lots of certifications, complex turnkey projects.
  
• Weaknesses: can feel expensive, slow and “corporate”; smaller clients may feel underserved.
  

Safety-cabinet pure-play brands

These focus mainly on EN 14470 / NFPA safety cabinets for flammables, chemicals, acids/alkalis and, more recently, lithium-ion.

• Typical examples: asecos, Justrite, European/US lab-cabinet makers.
  
• Strengths: deep expertise in standards, lab & industrial cabinets, big distribution networks.
  
• Weaknesses: less focus on bespoke external stores or full site solutions.
  

Lithium-ion / battery-specific specialists

A newer wave of manufacturers built around battery risks (thermal runaway, off-gassing, fire containment).

• Typical examples: CellBlock FCS, Loxxer, battery-cabinet OEMs rebranded by resellers.
  
• Strengths: strong technical story around Li-ion, often with detection/suppression, specialist media, monitoring.
  
• Weaknesses: narrower offer (mainly batteries), sometimes less proven in wider chemical/flammable contexts.
  

Site & construction-focused storage brands

These come from the site box / tool storage world and now offer fire-resistant or battery-charging units.

• Typical examples: Armorgard and similar.
  
• Strengths: robust, secure, very practical for contractors and hire fleets; well known on construction sites.
  
• Weaknesses: often more about security & practicality than full hazmat compliance; not always optimised for chemical segregation or ATEX.
  

Modular buildings & container specialists

These provide prefabricated fire-rated buildings/containers for chemicals, flammable liquids and sometimes EX areas.

• Typical examples: larger hazmat-building manufacturers in EU/US.
  
• Strengths: ideal for large drum/IBC volumes, external siting, bunded floors, long fire-ratings (60–120+ minutes).
  
• Weaknesses: higher capital cost, longer lead times, more like construction projects than “products”.
  

Regional / low-cost OEMs (Asia, Eastern Europe, etc.)

Numerous manufacturers produce EN-style cabinets and stores that are re-branded by distributors.

• Strengths: aggressive pricing, simple standardised ranges.
  
• Weaknesses: variable documentation, after-sales and technical support; harder for end-users to assess quality and long-term compliance.

Contact us today for a quote or to get expert advice on the right fire-rated storage for lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, flammable liquids, or ATEX/EX zones.

Your safety, compliance and peace-of-mind matter.

The following links provide official guidance and regulations relevant to fire-rated storage, hazardous materials, flammable liquids and explosive atmospheres. Always consult local authorities or a competent safety professional for site-specific advice.

United Kingdom (UK)

• Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)
  Link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/dsear.htm
• HSG51 – Storage of Flammable Liquids in Containers (HSE)
  Link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg51.htm
• HSG71 – Chemical Warehousing: The Storage of Packaged Dangerous Substances
  Link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg71.htm

European Union / EN Standards

• EN 14470-1 – Safety Storage Cabinets for Flammable Liquids
  Link: EN 14470-1 standard overview
• EN 14470-2 – Safety Storage Cabinets for Pressurised Gas Cylinders
  Link: EN 14470-2 standard overview
• ATEX – Explosive Atmospheres (Directives 2014/34/EU and 1999/92/EC)
  Link: EU information on explosive atmospheres (ATEX)

United States

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106 – Flammable Liquids
  Link: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.106
• NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
  Link: NFPA 30 on nfpa.org
• NFPA 70 (NEC) / NFPA 70E – Electrical Safety in Hazardous Locations
  Link: NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)

International / General References

• ILO – Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work
  Link: International Labour Organization – hazardous work & chemicals
• UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
  Link: UN Model Regulations – Dangerous Goods

Disclaimer: These links are provided for general information only and may change or be updated by the issuing bodies. Always refer to the latest official publications and consult competent professionals when designing your hazardous storage strategy.

1. Alliance Insurance - “Flammable/Combustible Liquid Storage in Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC)” — Allianz Risk Consulting Tech Talk Vol 30. Link: Allianz Commercial+1
2. Alliance Insurance - “Business risk support” resources — covering lithium‐ion batteries, storage & use of flammable/ explosive materials. Link: Allianz Insurance
3. Health & Safety Executive (HSE) — “The law, legislation and directives” (chemicals/manufacture/storage) : Link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/chemicals/law.htm HSE
4. Health & Safety Executive (HSE) — Storage of flammable liquids in process areas, workrooms … (under Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)) : Link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/storageflammliquids.htm HSE
   
5. Fire Protection Association (FPA) + UK insurer working-groups — “RC56: Recommendations for fire safety in the storage …” (industry/insurance best-practice) : Link: https://www.thefpa.co.uk/resource-download/357 The FPA
   
6. Insure24 — “Storage Facility Fire Safety Insurance: Comprehensive Protection for Self-Storage and Warehouse Operations” (insurance-industry guidance for storage facilities) : Link: https://www.insure24.co.uk/blog/storage-facility-fire-safety-insurance-comprehensive-protection-for-self-storage-and-warehouse-oper insure24.co.uk
   
7. Insure24 — “Complete Warehouse Insurance Guide: Protecting Your Storage and Distribution Business” (insurer/warehouse focus) : Link: https://www.insure24.co.uk/blog/complete-warehouse-insurance-guide-protecting-your-storage-and-distribution-business/ insure24.co.uk

This page provides general information only and does not replace professional fire-safety or compliance advice for your specific premises. Always refer to applicable regulations (such as DSEAR, HSG51, HSG71, EN 14470) and consult qualified fire-safety professionals for your site. Link: BSIF+1