Flammables Cabinet

Have you got finishing supplies
scattered all over your shop? Concerned
that they’re a fire hazard? Organize
them into this cabinet built out of
one sheet of plywood and you’ll sleep
better at night.

The basic purpose of a flammables
storage cabinet might come as a surprise
to you. I always thought the cabinet
was supposed to contain a fire.
Not so.

The real purpose of a flammables
cabinet is to keep fire away from
flammable liquids as long as
possible, both for your benefit
and for firefighters.

This cabinet is designed to keep flames away from your
flammables for 10 minutes so you have time to escape a fire.

Keeping all your finishing supplies in one highly visible
spot allows firefighters to quickly isolate a danger zone and
have more time to fight the fire.

This cabinet is cheap insurance.While a commercial
metal safety cabinet this size could set you back about
$400, the total cost for our wooden version is about $150,
$75 for the plywood, $45 for the optional fire-retardant
paint, $12 for the sign, and $10 for the hardware.

Flammables cabinets are required in most professional
shops.Why not set the same standard at home?

Note: This flammables storage cabinet has been designed to meet the code
requirements of the National Fire Protection Association. For more information
about fire protection contact the NFPA at nfpa.org or call 617-770-3000.

Sources

(Note: Product availability and costs are subject to change since original publication date.)

"Flammable-Keep Fire Away" sign:

EMED Co., emedco.com, 800-442-3633
#33591-B-VA.

Fire Retardant Paint:

Your local paint retailer

Benjamin Moore (Retardo), benjaminmoore.com, 855-724-6802, Super Spec Latex Flat Fire Retardant Coating.

Sherwin Williams, sherwin.com, 800-4-SHERWIN.

This story originally appeared in American Woodworker October 2000, issue #82.

October 2000, issue #82

Purchase this back issue.

Click any image to view a larger version.

Cutting List

Shopping List

Fig. A: Exploded View of Flammables Cabinet

Fig. B: Plywood Cutting Diagram

Fig. C: Door Detail