Does a cabinet used for the storage of laboratory chemicals need to be vented?
A1. Part 4 of the Fire Code does not specifically require a cabinet to be vented, as venting has not been demonstrated to be necessary for fire protection purposes. However, when cabinets are vented for other reasons such as health and safety, the openings shall be protected to ensure that the temperature rise inside the cabinet will not exceed the value (139oC) specified in the ULC standard under external fire exposure. The Fire Code does not place any restrictions on the use of a fan to ventilate the cabinet, nor which vent opening may be used for such ventilation. However, if a fan is used, it must meet the electrical classification based on the environment in which it is placed as per Article 4.1.4.1. Cabinets permitted by the Fire Code for storing flammable and combustible liquids are tested with the ventilation openings closed to meet the ULC- C1275. Therefore, these openings must be protected with material that will maintain its integrity under fire exposure in order to meet the
