SciMatCo

What is the difference between wood and metal flammable cabinets?

While the benefits of a wooden Acid/Corrosives cabinet (no rust) are immediately obvious, the benefits of the SciMatCo wooden flammables cabinet are far less obvious, but equally as important.

Although both cabinets’ construction are recognized by OSHA, NFPA, and UFC (with self-closing doors) as meeting the standards for a flammables cabinet, we think the choice is obvious. Wood is the best alternative for protection against the heat and flame of a fire. Why not get more protection? You have the protection you deserve with a SciMatCo flammables cabinet.

Wood vs. Metal

A wooden flammables cabinet? Is it possible? Yes, not only possible, but better. Below are a few comparisons between wooden and metal flammable cabinets and their performance during a fire.

 

Wood

Metal
Protection from the Flames of a Fire
Yes wood burns, but a cabinet constructed with 1” plywood using specifications developed by both OSHA, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) , and the UFC (Uniform Fire Code) will meet all the requirements for a flammables cabinet. The question is, how long will the wooden flammables cabinet protect the materials inside from flame? The answer; just as long as a metal flammables cabinet. Metal does not burn and will protect against the flame of a fire very well.
Possible Structutral Damage Sustained in a Fire
Wooden flammables cabinets do not distort or bend when involved in a fire. The only way for the fire to get inside is to burn all the way through. Metal flammables cabinets can bend and distort in a fire, opening themselves and the contents to the flames.
Protection from the High Temperature of a Fire
A wooden flammables cabinet is a thermal insulator. The rapid rise in temperature due to a fire will have little or no impact on the inside temperature of the cabinet, thus protecting the contents from the high temperature of a fire. Metal is a heat conductor. Metal flammables cabinets can and will pass the rapid rise in temperature on to the contents in the flammables cabinet. Glass bottles in a metal flammables cabinet have been known to break, releasing their vapors and liquids. Metal containers can pop their lids due to high temperatures experienced during a fire. Metal cabinets become ovens when involved in a fire.