Chemstore supplies hazardous material storage solutions to power generators, utilities, renewable-energy operators, grid infrastructure and energy-service companies across Ireland. Energy sites may store fuels, oils, treatment chemicals, compressed gases, flammable liquids and lithium-ion batteries. Irish workplaces must manage hazardous chemical risks under the Chemical Agents Regulations and HSA guidance. Chemstore provides bunded, fire-rated, gas, battery, temperature-controlled and bespoke storage systems designed around each site’s materials and operating conditions.
The materials held at an energy facility depend on the technology, processes and maintenance activities carried out there. A conventional power-generation site, renewable-energy facility, grid compound, utility depot or engineering workshop can each have very different hazardous-material requirements.
Typical materials that may require controlled storage include:
The correct storage method depends on the hazardous properties of the substance, the amount being stored, the type of container and the way the material is used on site.
Safety Data Sheets should be reviewed when determining storage requirements because they provide information on the hazards associated with a chemical, safe storage conditions, stability, reactivity and measures to take following an accidental release.
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations apply to Irish workplaces where hazardous chemical agents are used or generated. This includes activities involving the handling and storage of hazardous substances.
Energy-sector employers should identify the hazardous chemicals present on their sites and assess the risks arising from their use and storage. The assessment should consider the properties of the chemicals, the quantities present, information provided in the Safety Data Sheet and the ways employees could be exposed.
The Health and Safety Authority also publishes guidance on hazardous chemical storage covering issues such as chemical compatibility, segregation, secondary containment, ventilation, spill control and the management of flammable substances.
The applicable requirements can vary significantly between energy facilities, so the storage arrangement should be based on the actual substances and processes present rather than applying a single specification across the sector.
Where flammable gases, vapours or combustible dusts can create a potentially explosive atmosphere, the site’s risk assessment may also need to consider the Irish workplace requirements relating to explosive atmospheres.
ATEX is particularly relevant where flammable substances are stored or used and an explosive atmosphere could develop. Depending on the risk assessment, this can affect the zoning of areas, control of ignition sources and selection of electrical and mechanical equipment.
A hazardous-material store should therefore not be specified in isolation where it is intended for flammable substances. The location, ventilation arrangements, electrical equipment and activities taking place around the store also need to be considered.
Some energy, fuel and industrial facilities hold larger quantities of dangerous substances. Where the substances and quantities present exceed the relevant thresholds, the Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 may apply.
The COMAH Regulations implement the Seveso III Directive in Ireland and use a tiered system based on the dangerous substances and quantities present at an establishment.
Whether a particular site falls within COMAH cannot be determined simply from its industry sector. The substances present and their quantities must be assessed against the thresholds in the regulations.
Energy sites often require several different types of hazardous-material storage because fuels, process chemicals, gases, batteries and maintenance materials present different risks. Chemstore can provide individual storage systems or manufacture a larger bespoke solution around the requirements of the facility.
Drums and IBCs containing oils, lubricants, treatment chemicals and other hazardous liquids may require secondary containment so that a leak or damaged container can be contained within the storage area.
Chemstore’s Hazvault range provides bunded storage for drums, IBCs and packaged hazardous liquids. Units can be configured around the quantities being stored and the space available at the energy facility.
Fuels, solvents and other flammable liquids can require additional fire protection depending on their properties, quantities and the proposed location of the storage area.
The Firevault range provides fire-rated and bunded storage for flammable materials, with solutions available for drums, IBCs, pallets and walk-in storage requirements.
Water treatment, maintenance and other processes can involve acids, alkalis and aggressive chemicals. The materials used for the store and its containment system must be compatible with the substances being held.
Chemstore’s Corvault range is specifically designed for corrosive chemical storage and can incorporate corrosion-resistant containment and finishes appropriate to the chemicals present.
Compressed gases may be used across energy facilities for engineering, maintenance, calibration, welding, laboratory work and specialist technical processes.
The Gasvault range provides secure and ventilated gas-cylinder storage. Units can be configured around different quantities and site layouts, with bespoke solutions available where a standard gas cage is unsuitable.
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly important within the energy sector. Batteries may be used in tools, communications equipment, monitoring systems, backup equipment and other electrical assets, while damaged or replacement batteries may also need temporary controlled storage.
Chemstore’s Electrovault range provides dedicated lithium-ion battery storage and charging solutions that can be configured around the batteries, equipment and operational requirements of the site.
Energy organisations reviewing existing battery-storage or charging arrangements can also use Chemstore’s Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Site Survey to review the location, fire controls, charging arrangements and emergency planning associated with battery use.
Some chemicals, process materials and specialist products require protection from high or low temperatures. Where those materials are also hazardous, the storage system needs to address both chemical containment and environmental conditions.
The Thermovault range provides insulated, bunded storage with heating and cooling options for temperature-sensitive hazardous materials.
Yes. Energy infrastructure can contain electrical, communications, monitoring and control equipment that needs protection from fire, weather and harsh operating environments, even where the equipment itself is not a hazardous chemical.
Chemstore can design and manufacture bespoke equipment enclosures around the dimensions, access requirements and environmental conditions of the equipment being protected.
This can be particularly useful at remote infrastructure locations, utility compounds and energy facilities where standard buildings or cabinets do not meet the required specification.
Chemstore has supplied hazardous-material storage solutions to organisations operating with compressed gases and other high-hazard industrial materials in Ireland. BOC has previously featured within Chemstore’s Irish customer and project reference material.
Industrial-gas operations share several storage challenges with the wider energy sector, including the secure storage of gas cylinders, segregation of different materials, controlled access and the need to consider the consequences of leaks, fire and other abnormal events.
Previous project experience is used as evidence of Chemstore’s ability to work in technically demanding environments rather than as a standard specification for another site. Each energy facility should be assessed according to its own substances, quantities, processes and layout.
Oils, fuels and treatment chemicals can cause significant workplace and environmental problems if a drum, IBC or other container fails. Secondary containment provides an additional barrier so that a release can be controlled within the storage area.
The containment system must also be compatible with the substances being stored. A bund material that is appropriate for an oil or fuel may not necessarily be suitable for a corrosive chemical.
Where different chemical groups are stored at the same facility, segregation should also be considered so that incompatible substances cannot mix if more than one container leaks.
Battery storage should be based on the type, quantity, condition and use of the batteries present. New batteries awaiting installation, batteries being charged, used batteries and damaged batteries can present different risks and may require different storage arrangements.
The risk assessment should also consider the location of charging activities, nearby combustible materials, fire detection, emergency procedures and how batteries can be isolated if they are damaged or suspected of developing a fault.
Dedicated storage can provide greater control than allowing batteries and chargers to accumulate in general-purpose workshops, control rooms or maintenance areas.
The process begins by identifying the substances being stored and understanding their hazards. Chemstore engineers can review Safety Data Sheets and assess factors including hazard classification, flash point, compatibility, quantities, container types and required storage conditions.
The proposed location also needs to be considered. Energy facilities can include restricted compounds, live electrical infrastructure, vehicle routes, pipework, process equipment and areas that must remain accessible for maintenance and emergency response.
A storage solution therefore needs to take account of site operations as well as the physical properties of the hazardous materials.
Where flammable substances are present, the site assessment can also identify whether the proposed location or equipment requires further consideration under the site’s explosive-atmosphere risk assessment.
A Chemstore site assessment allows an engineer to review the hazardous materials, existing storage arrangements and physical layout of an energy facility before recommending an appropriate solution.
Depending on the site, the assessment can consider:
Following the assessment, Chemstore can recommend an appropriate standard product or develop a bespoke hazardous-material or equipment-storage solution around the requirements of the facility.
Yes. Energy infrastructure often presents constraints that cannot be addressed by a standard storage unit. Sites can have restricted footprints, security requirements, live equipment, difficult access, remote locations or a need to maintain minimum distances from other infrastructure.
Chemstore can manufacture units with bespoke dimensions, containment systems, internal layouts, access arrangements, ventilation, electrical equipment, heating and cooling and other site-specific features where required.
This allows the storage system to be engineered around the facility rather than requiring the site to accommodate an unsuitable standard unit.
Whether you operate a power-generation site, renewable-energy facility, utility depot, grid compound or other energy infrastructure, Chemstore can assess the hazardous materials and equipment on your premises and recommend an appropriate storage solution.
Book a Chemstore Site Assessment or contact our team to discuss hazardous material storage for your energy-sector facility.
061 327 792
