Chemstore supplies hazardous chemical storage solutions to pharmaceutical manufacturers, laboratories and research facilities across Ireland. Pharmaceutical sites commonly store flammable solvents, corrosive acids and alkalis, laboratory reagents and temperature-sensitive materials. Irish workplaces must manage these risks under the Chemical Agents Regulations and related HSA guidance. Chemstore provides fire-rated, bunded, corrosion-resistant and temperature-controlled storage systems tailored to each site.
The materials stored on a pharmaceutical site vary considerably depending on the processes carried out there. Production areas, laboratories, utilities, engineering departments and waste-handling areas can all have different storage requirements.
Typical hazardous materials found within pharmaceutical environments can include:
The correct storage solution depends on more than the quantity being stored. Chemical compatibility, flash point, container type, storage temperature, ventilation requirements and the location of the store all need to be considered.
Safety Data Sheets should form an important part of this assessment because they provide information on the hazards associated with each substance and the conditions required for safe handling and storage.
Hazardous chemicals used or stored in Irish workplaces are subject to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations. These regulations apply to work activities involving hazardous chemical agents, including their production, handling, storage, transport and disposal.
Employers must identify the hazardous chemical agents present in the workplace and assess the risks arising from the activities in which those chemicals are used or stored. The assessment should consider the hazardous properties of the material, information provided in the Safety Data Sheet, the quantity present and the way employees may be exposed.
The Health and Safety Authority also publishes guidance covering the storage of hazardous chemicals in workplaces, including both relatively small quantities found in laboratories and larger quantities stored in warehouses.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers may also operate within a Good Manufacturing Practice environment. In Ireland, the Health Products Regulatory Authority carries out GMP inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing sites. Hazardous material storage therefore often forms part of a wider site-management system covering safety, quality, environmental protection and operational control.
There is no single storage system suitable for every hazardous material on a pharmaceutical site. Chemstore engineers assess the properties of the substances being stored before recommending an appropriate solution.
Flammable solvents and other combustible liquids may require dedicated fire-rated storage, particularly where larger quantities are being stored or where the proposed location creates additional fire risk.
The Firevault range provides fire-rated, bunded hazardous material storage and can be configured for drums, IBCs, palletised materials and walk-in applications.
For general hazardous liquids, Chemstore’s Hazvault range provides secure secondary containment for drums and IBCs. Units can be manufactured in different sizes and configurations depending on the quantity of material being held and the available space on site.
Acids, alkalis and other aggressive chemicals require materials that are compatible with the substances being stored. The Corvault range is designed specifically for corrosive chemical storage and can incorporate corrosion-resistant containment and finishes appropriate to the materials being held.
Some pharmaceutical raw materials, chemicals and process substances need to remain within a specified temperature range. Chemstore’s Thermovault range provides insulated, bunded storage with heating and cooling options for temperature-sensitive materials.
Pharmaceutical facilities can also use compressed gases within laboratories, production processes, utilities and maintenance activities. Gas cylinders should be stored securely and with appropriate ventilation, segregation and protection from damage.
Chemstore manufactures dedicated Gasvault gas cylinder storage systems in standard and bespoke configurations.
Chemstore has a long history of supplying hazardous material storage equipment to Ireland’s pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. LEO Pharma has previously been listed among Chemstore’s pharmaceutical and healthcare customers in Ireland.
Public environmental documentation for LEO Pharma’s Cork manufacturing facility also illustrates the range of hazardous substances that may need controlled storage on a pharmaceutical site, including sodium hypochlorite, caustic soda, hydrogen peroxide, IPA, acetic acid and hydrochloric acid.
The requirements of every pharmaceutical facility are different, so previous project experience is used as a reference point rather than applying the same specification to every site.
Selecting a chemical store begins with understanding the materials rather than simply choosing a unit based on its capacity. Chemstore engineers can review the Safety Data Sheets for the substances being stored and consider their hazard classifications, compatibility, container sizes and quantities.
The proposed location is also important. Access routes, nearby buildings, boundaries, ignition sources, personnel movement, delivery arrangements and emergency access can all influence the final specification.
Where different classes of hazardous material are being stored, the design may also need separate containment areas or segregation to prevent incompatible substances coming into contact following a leak or spill.
A Chemstore site assessment allows an engineer to review the hazardous materials being stored, the existing storage arrangements and the physical layout of the facility before recommending a solution.
Depending on the site, an assessment can consider:
Following the assessment, Chemstore can recommend a standard product or develop a bespoke storage system around the requirements of the facility.
Yes. Pharmaceutical sites frequently have restrictions that cannot be addressed using a standard off-the-shelf unit. These may include limited available space, specific storage capacities, segregation requirements, temperature control, restricted access routes or integration with existing production and warehouse areas.
Chemstore can manufacture hazardous material stores to suit individual site requirements, including different dimensions, internal layouts, doors, access arrangements, bund configurations, ventilation systems and temperature-control options.
If you are planning a new storage area, expanding production or reviewing an existing chemical store, Chemstore can assess the hazardous materials on your site and recommend a suitable storage solution.
061 327 792
