A flammable storage cabinet inspection is mostly about approval, marking, and quantity. The cabinet has to be listed and approved for the class of liquid stored, stenciled FLAMMABLE — KEEP FIRE AWAY, and built to the construction standard in 29 CFR 1910.106. Beyond that it is a counting exercise: no more than ten gallons outside a cabinet, no more than three cabinets in a process area, and no more than a single day's supply near spray operations.
Readers asked this on CheckMyRegs and CheckMyAFI 17 times — this page answers it from the official catalogs and the publications’ own text.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | DAFMAN 91-203 Current Chapter 22 covers flammables, combustibles and storage cabinets | 2026-02-24 | Official link |
| Coast Guard | COMDTINST M5100.47D Current Approved-locker and ignition-source requirements | 2021-07-27 | Official link |
| Army | AR 385-10 Current Army Safety Program | 2023-07-24 | Official link |
| Navy | OPNAVINST 5100.23H Current Navy safety and occupational health program | 2020-06-05 | Official link |
| Marine Corps | MCO 5100.29C VOLUMES 1-9 w/CH-2 Current Marine Corps safety management system | 2022-02-08 | Official link |
| DoD-wide | DoDI 6055.01 Current DoD-level occupational safety policy | 2014-10-14 | Official link |
Every flammable or combustible storage cabinet must be listed or approved for the specific class of liquid stored, and metal and wooden cabinets alike must be constructed to the 29 CFR 1910.106 standard.
“22.7.3. Storage Cabinets. All flammable/combustible storage cabinets will be listed/approved for the specific class of storage. (T-0) Refer to 29 CFR § 1910.106 and NFPA 30 for additional information. Note: Metal storage cabinets and wooden cabinets will be constructed IAW 29 CFR § 1910.106(d)(3)(ii). (T-0)”
Storage is in metal cabinets stenciled FLAMMABLE — KEEP FIRE AWAY; a metal wall locker satisfies the cabinet requirement when it carries that marking.
“22.7.7.2. Storage will be in metal cabinets stenciled, “FLAMMABLE —KEEP FIRE AWAY” (metal wall lockers meet this requirement). (T-0)”
The aggregate held outside storage cabinets in a laboratory cannot exceed ten gallons — anything beyond that goes into an approved cabinet or approved storage room, and there must be a published working-supply list.
“22.7.8.1. A list of working supplies and operating instructions on handling flammable and combustible liquids will be published. (T-0) The aggregate total outside of storage cabinets in any laboratory will not exceed 10 gallons. (T-0) All quantities of flammable and combustible liquids in one laboratory more than 10 gallons will be stored in an approved storage cabinet or in an approved storage room. (T-0) Flammable or combustible liquids will not be stored or transferred from one vessel to another in any exit way, corridor, or passageway leading to an exit. (T-0) A minimum of one approved storage room will be available within any building housing a laboratory which regularly maintains a reserve storage capacity exceeding 300 gallons. (T-0) Refer to NFPA 45 for additional guidance.”
Near spraying operations, keep only the minimum needed and never more than one day's supply, with no more than three approved cabinets in a single process area absent approval from the authority having jurisdiction.
“27.6.1. Storage. Limit the quantity of paints, lacquers, thinners, solvents, and other flammable and combustible liquids kept near spraying operations to the minimum required for operations, but not to exceed one day’s supply. (T-0) Storage in process areas will be no more than three approved flammable liquids storage cabinets in any single process area without the approval of the authority having jurisdiction. (T-1) Storage will be listed or designed and constructed to meet the requirements of NFPA 30. (T-0) Any single cabinet will contain a total of no more than120 gallons (454 liters) of Class I, Class II, or Class IIIA liquids. Only no more than 60 gallons (227 liters) will be Class I and Class II liquids. (T-0) Bulk storage of these liquids will be in a separate detached building or in rooms specifically designed and constructed to meet flammable storage requirements, e.g., inside”… (paragraph continues in the PDF)
Containers stored outdoors must be shielded from heat sources that could pressurize and rupture them, with no open flame or smoking within fifty feet.
“22.8.3. Outside Storage. All containers having flammable or combustible materials will be protected from heat sources to prevent the content expanding and pressurizing the container, which could rupture the container. (T-0) Open flame or smoking will not be permitted within 50 feet of flammable or combustible liquid storage areas. (T-0)”
Ignition sources are prohibited wherever these liquids are stored or handled, signage is posted, and the liquids go back into approved lockers at the end of the workday.
“b. All sources of ignition shall be prohibited in areas where flammable and combustible liquids are stored, handled and/or processed. Appropriate “NO SMOKING, MATCHES, or OPEN FLAME” signs shall be posted in all such areas as required. c. Flammable and combustible liquids shall not be used in areas where open flames or heating devices are present and shall be properly stored in approved lockers at the end 18-5 of the workday. Flammable and combustible liquids shall not be stored in areas used for exits, stairways or safe passage of people.”
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Updated 2026-08-01. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.