Fire safety

[Jeff Clode]

I am new to the forum and generally watch the turners threads but I started wondering about what people really do in their shops regarding storage of flammable compounds - so this seemed more appropriate to this section. Became more of interest with all the fires burning in the West this season...what do members do in their shops with all the flammable products- paints, stains, acetone, mineral spirits, gas for the mower, propane for the grill, brake cleaner etc etc etc. I know the experts say you should use a fire locker but does anyone actually do that?
just curious
Jeff

[Jim Becker]

I don't have many flammables in my shop, but the few I do keep are in a metal cabinet. I also have a fire extinguisher readily available (near the door) I do not keep anything in my shop related to motor vehicles, although those things are in the adjacent garage bay at the end of the building in normal "approved" containers.

[John K Jordan]

I am new to the forum and generally watch the turners threads but I started wondering about what people really do in their shops regarding storage of flammable compounds - so this seemed more appropriate to this section. Became more of interest with all the fires burning in the West this season...what do members do in their shops with all the flammable products- paints, stains, acetone, mineral spirits, gas for the mower, propane for the grill, brake cleaner etc etc etc. I know the experts say you should use a fire locker but does anyone actually do that?
just curious
Jeff

Most of what I use are smaller metal cans in a metal cabinet near the lathes. Gallon cans are stored elsewhere. Gasoline for the weed whackers/chainsaws/leaf blowers is stored outside on a metal rack. Full cans of fuel are stored in a concrete bunker away from the barn or in a fuel tank made for that. Spray cans of brake cleaner, etc. are stored on a shelf.

I have multiple fire extinguishers in house, barn, and shop. I've probably spent $1000 on commercial fire extinguishers - don't waste money on little disposable non-refillable extinguishers from Home Depot.

Fire safety: turn off air compressor when leaving the shop. A friend's shop burned when a problem caused the big compressor to run continuously while he was away.

JKJ

[Bill Dufour]

I think an old refrigerator would make a pretty good flammable storage locker. Especially an old one with all metal interior and no plastic.
BillD

[glenn bradley]

Flammables are stored in a metal cabinet. Not fire-rated but, better than in the open. This also allows protection from light as I mix a lot of my own finishes and store them in mason jars.

A fire extinguisher at every exit. I figure if I get to the extinguisher and decide I am over-matched, I want to be by the exit

gas for the mower, propane for the grill, brake cleaner etc etc etc.

None of these are allowed in the shop. I have heard that some people keep motor cycles, ride on mowers, snowmobiles and even cars in their garages . . . madness!!!

[John K Jordan]

A fire extinguisher at every exit. I figure if I get to the extinguisher and decide I am over-matched, I want to be by the exit

That's a good point. I've never thought of it that way but mine are right by the doors too.

Another thing about shop safety, not necessarily related to fire, though: emergency lighting fixtures are cheap, at least at my local supplier. Those I have connect to shop wiring and turn on bright lights if the power fails. (Might not be much use to those who turn off the maid breaker when they leave the shop.)

[mike holden]

Put a fire extinguisher at the far end from the door, not so much to put out the fire, but to get YOU out!

[glenn bradley]

Put a fire extinguisher at the far end from the door, not so much to put out the fire, but to get YOU out!

Mike makes a great point. I have exits at each end so I'm covered. For those of you that have a "far end" without an exit, I would definitely follow Mike's advice.

[John K Jordan]

For those of you that have a "far end" without an exit, I would definitely follow Mike's advice.

Yikes, I can't imagine designing a building with a "far end without an exit". Unless the far end is underground perhaps an emergency exit window could be added.
My 62' long shop has man-doors at both ends, several rollup doors, and in the middle has two double steel doors to the exterior.

[Van Huskey]

............................

[Mike Cutler]

I have a used Flammable materials cabinet that is not in the shop. I only have flammable materials in the shop when I am using them. Nothing flammable is in my shop.
Soaked rags are the bigger concern. They always hang outside on a metal frame until they're dry. Then I soak them in water and put them in a sealed zip lock bag for disposal.

[Stan Calow]

For those of you who keep large containers outside, are high summer temperatures a problem? I would think the heat makes them more dangerous, even if not in direct sun, but also causes deterioration.

[Jim Becker]

Yikes, I can't imagine designing a building with a "far end without an exit". Unless the far end is underground perhaps an emergency exit window could be added.
My 62' long shop has man-doors at both ends, several rollup doors, and in the middle has two double steel doors to the exterior.

My shop is relatively small, but I still have multiple exits available...the main "man door", a "man door" into the adjacent one remaining garage bay, the double "material/nice day" doors in the shop and a door to the outside from the upstairs. These are all normally secured for obvious reasons, but easily opened from the inside should a quick departure be necessary. I believe that every shop space should, where possible, have at least two egress points, even if one is a large window that can be opened or destroyed to get out in an emergency. "Stuff happens"...

[Thomas Crawford]

Most of what I use are smaller metal cans in a metal cabinet near the lathes. Gallon cans are stored elsewhere. Gasoline for the weed whackers/chainsaws/leaf blowers is stored outside on a metal rack. Full cans of fuel are stored in a concrete bunker away from the barn or in a fuel tank made for that. Spray cans of brake cleaner, etc. are stored on a shelf.

I have multiple fire extinguishers in house, barn, and shop. I've probably spent $1000 on commercial fire extinguishers - don't waste money on little disposable non-refillable extinguishers from Home Depot.

Fire safety: turn off air compressor when leaving the shop. A friend's shop burned when a problem caused the big compressor to run continuously while he was away.

JKJ

What fire extinguishers do you use?

[Darcy Warner]

I have 6 in my shop on all posts, wet sprinklers, emergency lighting above doors. I am bouncing if the sprinklers go off, out.