How to Store Flammable Liquids Legally (DSEAR)
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How to store flammable liquids legally (DSEAR)
Petrol, solvents, thinners, paints — if you keep flammable liquids at work, DSEAR sets out how to store them safely and legally. Here's what the regulations actually ask of you, in plain English.
By the Cocus team · 7 min read
The short version
- DSEAR 2002 requires a risk assessment wherever flammable or dangerous substances are used or stored.
- Keep workroom quantities low — as a rule of thumb, up to 50 litres in a fire-resistant cabinet; bulk goes in a separate store.
- Control the three things a fire needs: fuel (contain it), air (ventilate vapour), ignition (remove sources).
- Bunding, ventilation, segregation and signage are the practical must-haves.
What DSEAR actually is
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) deal specifically with the fire and explosion risk from dangerous substances — flammable liquids, gases, and combustible dusts. It sits alongside COSHH (which covers the health risk) and, in practice, asks you to do two things: carry out a risk assessment, and then put proportionate control measures in place.
There's no single magic number that makes you "DSEAR compliant". It's about understanding your risk and controlling it sensibly — which, for stored flammable liquids, almost always comes back to one simple idea.
The idea behind every control: the fire triangle
A fire needs three things at once — fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition. Take away any one side and there's no fire. Every DSEAR storage control maps onto one of those three sides, which makes it a useful way to sense-check your set-up.
The practical storage rules
Turning that into a day-to-day storage set-up, here's what good looks like:
| Control | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Limit the quantity | Keep only what you need in the workroom — as a rule of thumb, up to 50 litres in a fire-resistant cabinet. Bulk stock goes in a separate store. |
| Fire-resistant cabinet | Store flammables in a purpose-built cabinet (fire-resistant, often FM-approved or built to EN 14470-1), not on open shelving. |
| Bunding | A sump in the base that holds at least 110% of the largest container, to catch leaks and spills. |
| Ventilation | Vents (often with flame arrestors) so flammable vapour can't accumulate inside the cabinet or room. |
| Segregation | Keep flammables away from oxidisers and other incompatible substances. |
| Signage & ignition control | Flammable warning signage, no smoking / no naked flames, and no ignition sources nearby. |
Keep the workroom leanThe single most effective control is simply storing less. Keep a small working quantity in the cabinet and hold the rest in a separate, ideally external, bulk store.
Mind hidden ignition sourcesIt's not just flames. Static discharge, hot surfaces, and non-spark-proof electrical equipment near flammable vapour are all ignition risks your DSEAR assessment should account for.
Frequently asked questions
How much flammable liquid can I store without a licence?
As a general workplace rule of thumb, up to 50 litres can be kept in a workroom in a fire-resistant cabinet. Petrol specifically has its own licensing regime, and larger or bulk quantities need separate storage and controls — your DSEAR risk assessment sets the limit for your site.
Do I need a fire-rated cabinet for flammable liquids?
It's strongly expected. A fire-resistant cabinet contains the fuel and buys time to react and evacuate in a fire — open shelving does neither. Look for cabinets built to a recognised standard such as EN 14470-1.
What is a DSEAR risk assessment?
It's an assessment of the fire and explosion risk from the dangerous substances you use or store — identifying the hazards, who's at risk, and the control measures needed. It's the foundation the rest of your DSEAR compliance is built on.
Do flammable cabinets need to be ventilated?
Where volatile substances are stored, yes — ventilation stops flammable vapour building up. Many flammable cabinets have ventilation ports fitted with mesh flame arrestors for exactly this reason.
What signage do I need?
Flammable-substance warning signage on the cabinet or store, plus "no smoking" and "no naked flames" signage in the area. Clear labelling of contents helps both safety and emergency response.
Store flammables the right way
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