How to Handle and Store Motor Oil | Eagle (2024)

Regulations for Storing and Handling Flammable Liquids

Classification of Flammable Liquids

Motor Oil Storage and Handling Solutions

Find the Storage and Handling Equipment that is Right for You

Motor oil is an important part of the vehicles and equipment we use everyday and one of many petroleum derived by-products used in a variety of industrial and manufacturing facilities. It is technically referred to as a lubricating oil.

According to the Department of Energy'sEnergy Information Administration(EIA), which researches, collects and disseminates information on energy topics, lubricating oil is designed to reduce the friction between moving parts of a machine. In any facility where vehicles and heavy equipment are used in the creating, building, manufacturing, and maintaining process, lubricating oil is almost certainly present. Because lubricating oils are so widely used, it is essential to implement storage methods that are designed to comply with regulatory requirements and keep personnel safe.

Eagle is the industry leader in flammable liquid safety equipment. To help you find the motor oil storage and handling equipment that is right for your facility, here is an overview of the regulations and classifications concerning flammable liquids and the equipment designed to offer protection and compliance.

According to theOccupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) and theNational Fire Protection Agency(NFPA), flammable liquids must be stored and handled in such a way as to minimize the risk of fire. There are a variety of potential ignition sources in industrial and commercial work areas, including open flames, sparks created by tools and metal shavings from welding operations.

OSHA general industry standard1910.106(a)(29)and construction industry standard1926.152(a)(1)requires that facilities take adequate precautions to prevent the ignition of flammable and combustible liquids. Eagle safety cans and safety cabinets are uniquely designed to satisfy OSHA and NFPA code 30 requirements. By storing flammable liquids in approved containers, facilities can minimize the risk to personnel and property, and achieve regulatory compliance.

There arethree classes of flammableand combustible liquid according to the NFPA. A flammable liquid is defined as any liquid with a flashpoint—the lowest temperature that produces vapors—of below 100°F (38°C) and a vapor pressure no greater than 100 °F (38°C). A combustible liquid is any liquid with a flashpoint that is higher than 100°F (38°C).

Class I technically refers to flammable liquids, while Classes II and III refer to combustible liquids. According to OSHA general industry standard1910.106(d)(3)(i)and construction industry standard1926.152(b)(3), no more than 60 gallons of a category I, II or III flammable liquid may be stored in a single safety cabinet, and no more than three safety cabinets can be housed in any facility. Because motor oil has a flashpoint that falls between 250-450°F (121-232°C), it is considered a Class IIIB combustible liquid by the NFPA. Please review Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties of your Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for exact flashpoints of your chosen fuel products.

Type I safety cansfrom Eagle feature a single opening for filling and pouring liquids. These cans are constructed of 24-gauge hot-dipped galvanized steel with an environmentally sustainable baked-on powder coat finish for maximum durability and chemical resistance. The spring-closing lid and neoprene gasket on these cans enables them to vent at five psi of internal pressure automatically. Eagle Type I safety cans are the only safety cans on the market that feature a deep-drawn, seamless quality construction.

The flame arresters of the Type I can are designed to offer flashback protection and the optional funnel makes it easy to pour liquid into smaller openings and prevent spills, so no messy clean-up. For motor-oil storage, thegreen FM-approved safety canwill allow users to identify motor oil in industrial and commercial facilities quickly.

Eagleis the industry leader in flammable and combustible liquid storage and handling products. We supply facilities all over the world with the equipment they need to store dangerous materials and meet regulatory compliance safely. Eagle’s line of metal safety cans and flammable liquid safety cabinets offer solutions for a variety of applications. In addition to providing regulatory compliance, Eagle’s safety cans and cabinets are designed to keep your personnel and facilities safe, secure, and protected.

Whether you are looking for a safety can or flammable liquid safety cabinet, Eagle has the equipment you need to store a range of potentially flammable and combustible materials safely. Please take a look at our extensive line offlammable and combustible liquid storage and handling productsand find the solution that is best suited to your needs.

This guide for the proper storage and handling of motor oil from Eagle is intended for reference only. It is not a substitute for the user clearly understanding the nature and proper application of flammable and combustible liquids and the laws regulating their use.

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