Are “safety cans” created equally? Nope, and which UL standard they meet will dictate how much “safety they provide.”
OSHA’s 1910.106 defines a “safety can” as
| Safety can shall mean an approved container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure. |
NFPA has a slightly different definition:
| Safety Can – A listed container of not more than 5.3 gal (20 L) capacity having a screen or strainer in each fill and pour opening and having a spring-closing lid and spout cover designed to safely relieve internal pressure when exposed to fire. |
But the big difference is that some safety cans are NOT metallic.
ANSI/UL 30, Standard for Metal Safety Cans
ANSI/UL 1313, Standard for Nonmetallic Safety Cans for Petroleum Products
How it matters?
The IFC 5003.9.10 allows for BOTH types of safety cans; however, when a facility uses safety cans to SAFELY “increase” the MAC per Control Area; those “safety cans” must be the UL 30 – METAL safety cans.
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IFC 5003.9.10 Safety cans shall be listed in accordance with UL 30 as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code where used to increase the maximum allowable quantities per control area of flammable or combustible liquids in accordance with Table 5003.1.1(1) of this rule. Safety cans listed in accordance with UL 1313 as listed in rule 1301:7-7-80 of the Administrative Code are allowed for flammable and combustible liquids where not used to increase the maximum allowable quantities per control area and for other hazardous material liquids in accordance with the listing. |