EN 14470-1:2023 Safety Cabinet FAQ – Type 30, Type 60 and Type 90

When storing flammable liquids in laboratories, industrial facilities and other working areas, selecting the right safety storage cabinet is an important part of hazardous material management.

EN 14470-1:2023 is the current European standard for fire safety storage cabinets designed for flammable liquids. It defines performance requirements for the cabinet's construction and its ability to resist fire conditions from outside, and establishes a classification system based on fire-resistance performance demonstrated through type testing.

This FAQ explains the most common questions about EN 14470-1:2023 safety cabinets, including Type 30, Type 60 and Type 90 classifications, ventilation, spill containment, testing and installation.

Important: The appropriate cabinet depends on the chemicals being stored, storage quantity, installation environment, applicable national regulations and project requirements. Always verify the technical documentation for the specific cabinet model.

1. What is EN 14470-1:2023?

EN 14470-1:2023 is a European product standard for fire safety storage cabinets used for flammable liquids.

The standard specifies requirements relating to the construction of fire safety storage cabinets and their ability to resist fire conditions from outside the cabinet. It also provides a classification system according to the level of fire resistance demonstrated by the cabinet during the applicable type test.

The current British adoption is BS EN 14470-1:2023, published in July 2023. The previous BS EN 14470-1:2004 edition was withdrawn on 12 July 2023.

The 2023 edition applies to cabinets with a total internal volume of not more than 2 m³ and covers cabinets that may be freestanding, restrained to a wall, or mounted on a plinth or castors.

2. What does Type 90 mean?

Type 90 is a fire-resistance classification for a safety storage cabinet.

The classification is based on the cabinet's performance during the applicable fire test. A Type 90 cabinet is designed and tested to provide the corresponding level of fire resistance under the specified test conditions.

The term “90” should therefore be understood as a tested fire-resistance classification, rather than a guarantee that every stored chemical or container will remain unaffected by fire for exactly 90 minutes in every real-world situation.

When purchasing a Type 90 cabinet, buyers should request documentation relating to the specific tested model and configuration.

3. What is a Type 30 cabinet?

A Type 30 safety cabinet is a cabinet with a 30-minute fire-resistance classification under the applicable EN 14470-1 requirements.

Type 30 may be suitable for applications where the required fire-resistance classification is 30 minutes.

The appropriate classification should be determined according to the chemical inventory, storage quantity, workplace risk assessment, local regulations and project specifications.

4. What is the difference between Type 30, Type 60 and Type 90?

The main difference is the fire-resistance classification demonstrated during testing.

The appropriate classification depends on the requirements of the facility and the applicable regulations.

A Type 90 cabinet should not automatically be considered necessary for every application simply because it has a higher classification. Buyers should evaluate the actual storage conditions and regulatory requirements.

5. What liquids can be stored in an EN 14470-1 cabinet?

EN 14470-1:2023 specifically addresses safety storage cabinets for flammable liquids.

Depending on the chemical and application, examples may include:

Flammable solvents

Laboratory reagents

Certain cleaning liquids

Paint-related liquids

Industrial process liquids

Other flammable liquids stored in closed containers

However, EN 14470-1 does not determine chemical compatibility between every possible liquid.

Before storage, users should check the chemical's Safety Data Sheet (SDS), storage instructions and compatibility requirements.

Corrosive, oxidizing or otherwise incompatible chemicals may require dedicated storage arrangements.

6. Does an EN 14470-1 cabinet require ventilation?

Ventilation is an important consideration when storing flammable liquids because vapours may be released from containers.

The cabinet design should provide appropriate ventilation arrangements where required. The exact configuration depends on the cabinet design, installation conditions and applicable requirements.

Some safety cabinets may have protected ventilation openings and may be connected to an appropriate extraction system.

Users should follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and applicable local requirements. Ventilation should not be modified without considering its effect on the cabinet's tested safety characteristics.

7. What is an intumescent seal?

An intumescent seal is a heat-reactive material used in some fire-resistant cabinet designs.

When exposed to elevated temperatures, the material expands and helps close gaps around doors or other openings.

In a fire-resistant safety cabinet, seals form part of the overall construction designed to control the passage of heat and flames.

The exact seal material and construction vary according to the cabinet manufacturer and tested design.

8. What is a fire-resistant spill sump?

A spill sump is a containment area located at the bottom of the safety cabinet.

Its purpose is to retain liquid if a stored container leaks or spills.

Spill containment is an important part of hazardous-liquid storage because it can help prevent a liquid release from spreading outside the cabinet.

When selecting a cabinet, buyers should check:

Sump capacity

Sump dimensions

Sump material

Removable or fixed construction

Chemical compatibility

The cabinet's actual technical specification should be checked before use.

9. How is the fire resistance of an EN 14470-1 cabinet tested?

EN 14470-1:2023 uses type testing to evaluate the fire-resistance performance of safety storage cabinets.

The standard specifies requirements for the cabinet's construction and its ability to resist fire conditions from the outside. It includes a type test for determining the fire-resistance classification.

The standard also makes clear that these are type tests, meaning the classification is based on the tested cabinet design and configuration.

For procurement, buyers should therefore ask for the test documentation applicable to the specific model rather than relying only on a general statement such as “90-minute fireproof cabinet.”

10. How should an EN 14470-1 safety cabinet be installed?

An EN 14470-1 safety cabinet should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the requirements applicable to the facility.

Important considerations may include:

Suitable and stable floor

Adequate access to the cabinet

Door clearance

Ventilation requirements

Exhaust connection where applicable

Safe shelf loading

Spill containment

Protection from impact

Appropriate environmental conditions

For larger cabinets, transportation and positioning should also be considered.

Any modification to the cabinet should be reviewed with the manufacturer if it could affect the tested configuration or fire-safety characteristics.

Key Features of an EN 14470-1:2023 Safety Cabinet

The exact construction varies between manufacturers and models, but a fire safety storage cabinet may incorporate several safety-related features.

Fire-Resistant Construction

The cabinet is designed and tested to provide a defined level of resistance to fire conditions from outside the cabinet.

Fire-Resistant Doors

The door construction forms part of the cabinet's overall fire-resistance design.

Self-Closing Mechanism

Depending on the cabinet design, doors may incorporate a self-closing mechanism intended to close the cabinet under specified conditions.

Protected Ventilation

Ventilation openings form part of the cabinet's safety design and may incorporate fire-protection components.

Spill Containment

A bottom sump provides containment for accidental liquid leakage.

Adjustable Shelves

Adjustable shelves allow the internal space to be configured for different container sizes.

Shelf capacity must always remain within the manufacturer's specified load limit.

What Should Buyers Check Before Purchasing an EN 14470-1 Cabinet?

A professional purchasing evaluation should consider more than the words “Type 90” or “90-minute fireproof.”

We recommend checking the following information:

This approach allows buyers to compare cabinets based on documented technical characteristics rather than marketing terminology.

EN 14470-1:2023 vs General Chemical Storage Cabinets

Not every chemical storage cabinet is an EN 14470-1 safety cabinet.

EN 14470-1:2023 specifically addresses fire safety storage cabinets for flammable liquids.

A general chemical cabinet may instead be designed primarily for chemical organization, segregation and containment.

The correct storage solution depends on the hazard of the material.

For example:

Flammable liquids → Consider an appropriate flammable-liquid safety cabinet.

Corrosive acids → Consider a chemically compatible corrosive storage cabinet.

Lithium batteries → Consider a cabinet specifically designed for lithium battery storage or charging.

Drums and IBCs → Consider dedicated drum or IBC storage and spill containment solutions.

Is EN 14470-1:2023 Applicable to All Chemical Storage Cabinets?

No.

The standard's scope is specifically for fire safety storage cabinets used for flammable liquids. It does not automatically apply to every cabinet used for chemicals.

For example, a polypropylene cabinet designed for corrosive acids should be evaluated primarily according to its chemical compatibility and the requirements applicable to that storage application.

Similarly, a lithium battery cabinet should not automatically be described as an EN 14470-1 cabinet simply because it is fire resistant.

The applicable standard or test method should always match the intended storage application and actual product design.

EN 14470-1:2023 and National Regulations

EN 14470-1:2023 is a product standard, but the standard itself points users toward applicable national regulations concerning the storage of flammable liquids.

This means that purchasing an EN 14470-1 cabinet does not, by itself, replace the need to check local requirements.

For an international project, buyers should consider:

Country-specific regulations

Fire authority requirements

Workplace safety requirements

Chemical storage rules

Building requirements

Insurance or project specifications

For U.S. projects, for example, other requirements such as OSHA, NFPA and local authority requirements may also need to be considered.

EN 14470-1:2023 Safety Cabinets from SUPER

SUPER CO., LTD. manufactures chemical storage safety equipment for laboratories, industrial facilities, warehouses and hazardous material applications.

Our product range includes:

EN 14470-1 fire-resistant safety cabinets

Flammable storage cabinets

Corrosive chemical cabinets

Lithium battery storage and charging cabinets

Drum storage systems

IBC storage systems

Spill containment products

Outdoor dangerous goods storage units

For EN 14470-1 cabinet projects, available configurations may include different cabinet dimensions, shelf arrangements, door configurations, ventilation options and spill containment designs, depending on the selected model.

Customers can request technical datasheets, product drawings and applicable test or conformity documentation for the specific product configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EN 14470-1:2023 the current version?

Yes. BS EN 14470-1:2023 is listed by BSI as the current version. The previous BS EN 14470-1:2004 edition was withdrawn on 12 July 2023.

Is Type 90 always better than Type 30?

Type 90 represents a higher fire-resistance classification, but the appropriate classification depends on the application, risk assessment and applicable requirements. A higher classification is not automatically required for every installation.

Can an EN 14470-1 cabinet store corrosive chemicals?

EN 14470-1:2023 specifically addresses flammable liquids. Corrosive chemicals should be evaluated separately according to their chemical compatibility and the material and design of the storage cabinet.

Can an EN 14470-1 cabinet be used outdoors?

Not automatically. The suitability of a cabinet for outdoor installation depends on its specific design and environmental protection. An indoor safety cabinet should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for outdoor use.

Can an EN 14470-1:2023 cabinet be customized?

Some product features, such as dimensions, colors, shelf configurations, labels and accessories, may be customizable depending on the product.

However, modifications to a fire-tested cabinet may affect its tested configuration. Any structural customization should therefore be evaluated before production.

Conclusion

EN 14470-1:2023 provides an important technical framework for fire safety storage cabinets intended for flammable liquids.

When selecting a Type 30, Type 60 or Type 90 safety cabinet, buyers should evaluate the fire-resistance classification together with the cabinet's construction, ventilation, spill containment, storage capacity, installation requirements and supporting documentation.

The most reliable approach is to evaluate the specific cabinet model, tested configuration and applicable technical documentation, rather than relying only on general terms such as “fireproof” or “90-minute cabinet.”

For laboratory, industrial and project applications, the final cabinet selection should also take into account the chemicals being stored and the national regulations applicable to the installation.