Description

AS 1940 – The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

AS 1940 sets out requirements and recommendations for the safe storage and handling of flammable liquids of dangerous goods Class 3, as classified in the UN Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods—Model Regulations and listed in the ADG Code.

AS 1940 also provides requirements and recommendations for the storage and handling of combustible liquids, as defined in Clause 1.4.9.

AS 1940 provides minimum acceptable safety requirements for storage facilities, operating procedures, emergency planning and fire protection. It provides technical guidance that may assist in the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids in accordance with the risk management requirements of Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice, Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace and legislation which underpins that document.

This Standard provides requirements for commonly used flammable and combustible liquids such as hydrocarbons and industrial solvents. Some flammable and combustible liquids have other physical and chemical properties that require additional precautions and design considerations. Examples of these are—

(a) liquids that can polymerize;
(b) liquids that require blanketing with inert gas;
(c) liquids that are heated; and
(d) liquids that are assigned a subsidiary risk.

Any special precautions and considerations necessary for the safe storage and handling of such liquids are additional to the requirements and recommendations provided in this Standard.

For the storage and handling of dangerous goods of another class but having a Class 3 subsidiary risk, this Standard is relevant to their flammability aspects.

NOTE: Fuel blends that contain biofuel (e.g. ethanol) have physical and chemical properties that require additional precautions and design considerations.