"Flammable storage cabinet" and "COSHH cabinet" are often used as if they mean the same thing, and plenty of suppliers list them together. They overlap, but they are not identical — and specifying the wrong one can leave incompatible substances stored side by side. This guide explains what each cabinet is for, the key difference between them, what the colours signify, and what UK law actually expects, so you can choose the right cabinet for what you store.
What is a COSHH cabinet?
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. A COSHH cabinet is a lockable steel cabinet for the safe, segregated storage of substances that are hazardous to health — solvents, acids, cleaning chemicals, adhesives, paints, pesticides and similar. The defining feature is containment: welded steel construction, a liquid-tight sump in the base (and usually spill-retaining shelves) to catch leaks, a secure lock to keep substances away from unauthorised people, and clear hazard labelling. "COSHH cabinet" is the broad, catch-all term for hazardous-substance storage.
What is a flammable storage cabinet?
A flammable storage cabinet is a type of COSHH cabinet built specifically for flammable and highly flammable liquids and aerosols — petrol, thinners, white spirit, certain paints and adhesives, and gas aerosols. Beyond basic containment, a flammable cabinet is designed to resist fire and contain a leak of liquid that could ignite. UK flammable cabinets are typically made from 1.2mm sheet steel to HSG51 (the HSE guidance on storage of flammable liquids in containers) and CS19, with a return flange around the door to help retain flame, a liquid-tight sump, and bright warning labelling. Many carry Factory Inspectorate certification. For larger volumes or where a fire-resistance rating is required, fire-rated cabinets tested to EN 14470-1 provide a defined period of fire protection (for example 30 or 90 minutes).
The key difference
The simplest way to put it: every flammable cabinet is a COSHH cabinet, but not every COSHH cabinet is a flammable cabinet. A general COSHH cabinet safely contains and segregates hazardous substances. A flammable cabinet does that and is built to resist ignition and contain a flammable-liquid fire. If what you store can catch fire, you need the flammable specification — a standard COSHH cabinet is not a substitute.
Red vs yellow cabinets — what the colours mean
Colour is a widely used convention rather than a strict legal code, but in UK industry it carries a consistent meaning that helps staff grab the right thing quickly:
- Yellow cabinets are conventionally used for flammable substances.
- Red cabinets are typically used for highly flammable liquids and fuels.
- Other colours (often grey or white) are used for general COSHH/chemical storage, with some sites using specific colours to separate acids, pesticides or agrochemicals.
The point of colour-coding is segregation: keeping incompatible substances apart and making the right cabinet obvious at a glance. Whatever colours you use, label each cabinet clearly with its contents and hazard pictograms.
Is a COSHH or flammable cabinet a legal requirement?
There is no single law that says "you must buy a cabinet". The duty is risk-based. Under COSHH 2002 you must assess the risk from hazardous substances and control exposure; under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) you must control the risks from flammable and explosive substances; and HSG51 sets out good practice for storing flammable liquids in containers. In practice, for almost any workplace holding meaningful quantities of hazardous or flammable substances, a compliant cabinet is the reasonable, expected control measure — secure, contained, segregated storage that your risk assessment can point to. Quantity matters too: HSG51 advises keeping only small working quantities of flammable liquids in the workroom, with the bulk in a dedicated store. (This is general guidance, not legal advice — always work from your own COSHH and DSEAR risk assessments.)
What to store in each
Use a flammable cabinet for: petrol and fuels, solvents and thinners, white spirit, flammable paints and lacquers, adhesives with flammable carriers, and gas aerosols. Use a general COSHH cabinet for: non-flammable cleaning chemicals, water-based paints, acids and alkalis (ideally in a dedicated acid cabinet), pesticides and agrochemicals (in a dedicated pesticide cabinet), and similar health hazards. Never store flammables and oxidisers, or acids and alkalis, in the same cabinet — segregation is the whole point.
How to choose
Work through four questions: What are you storing? If anything is flammable, specify a flammable cabinet (or fire-rated for larger volumes). How much? Size the cabinet to your working quantities and leave room for segregation — under-bench units suit small workshop volumes, floor-standing cabinets suit larger stores. What needs segregating? Buy separate cabinets for incompatible groups rather than crowding one. Where will it live? Site cabinets away from ignition sources, escape routes and drains, and make sure the sump capacity meets the usual rule of thumb (at least 110% of the largest container, or 25% of the total stored, whichever is greater).
Frequently asked questions
Is a flammable cabinet just a yellow COSHH cabinet? No. The colour signals the intended contents, but a true flammable cabinet is built to a flammable specification (HSG51/CS19, return flange, fire resistance). Don't rely on colour alone.
Can I keep flammables in a normal metal cupboard? No — a general office or tool cupboard offers no fire resistance or proper sump, and won't satisfy a DSEAR risk assessment.
Do cabinets need to be vented? Many designs include vents with flame arrestors. Whether you open or blank them depends on your risk assessment and what you store; follow the manufacturer's guidance.
How much can I keep in the workroom? HSG51 advises keeping only the small quantity needed for the day's work in the workroom, with the rest in a dedicated store.
Browse our hazardous storage range for both general COSHH and flammable cabinets, see the dedicated flammable cabinets and COSHH cabinets sub-ranges, and read our COSHH cabinet requirements guide for the full UK compliance picture.