EN 14470 – The New European Standard Explained

EN 14470 – The New European Standard Explained

Introduced in January 2005, EN 14470 is the New European Standard governing the internal storage of Highly Flammable substances. EN 14470-1 governs the storage of Highly Flammables Liquids while 14470-2 governs the storage of Flammable Gases.

These standards provide clear guidance or the testing required and implications for the manufacturers in term of spot check to ensure that the highest standards are maintained at all times.

The New Standard ensures that compliant Safety Cabinets will:

• • Minimise the fire risks associated with storing flammable substances and protecting the cabinet’s contents in the event of fire for a known (tested) minimum length of time (fire rating).
  • Minimise the amount of vapour released into the working environment.
  • Ensure the retention of accidental spillages within the cabinet.
  • Reduce the risk of explosion through greater temperature protection and ensure fire fighters have adequate time to fight the fire since the standard takes into account time both for personnel to evacuate the area safely and for fire fighters to minimise site damage.

Fire Resistance Requirements

• • Testing in a suitable fire chamber as a free-standing single cabinet.
  • The entire cabinet must be exposed to the same heating conditions.
  • Flame exposure according to standard temperature curve of EN 1363-1.
  • The temperature rise is measured inside the cabinet (measuring points on surfaces and in the air).
  • The cabinet must then be classified as Type 15, 30, 60 or 90. This is the time measured before the temperature rises more than 180 K at any measuring location.

Door Requirements

• • Must close completely, starting from any position (closing time max. 20 seconds).
  • Immobilising equipment fitted must release the locked doors at a temperature of 50 (-10)°C.

Air Extraction Requirements

• • The cabinets must have air inlet and outlet openings.
  • The ventilation openings must close automatically at a temperature of 70°C.

Shelves and Drawers Requirements

• • The shelves or drawers must be able to support the loading specified by the manufacturer over the period of the test in the fire chamber.

Spill Containment Sump Requirements

• • The spill containment sump must retain its ability to function after the fire resistance test.
  • Visual check (filling spill containment sump with water).

Information To Be Supplied

• • Operating manual including e.g. information about maximum load capacities of shelves and the cabinet itself, sump capacity, recommendations for regular inspections and maintenance, the supplier’s declaration of conformity or certificates of conformity from an authorised material testing institute.

Marking and Labeling Requirements

• • Advice that the doors must remain closed after every use.
  • Appropriate sings ‘Caution: risk of fire’ and ‘Fire: open Flame and Smoking forbidden’   according to ISO 3864.
  • The fire resistance according to BS EN 14470-1 specified in minutes.
  • Name and/or trademark of the manufacturer.
  • Model number and year of manufacturing.