Safe, Compliant, and Efficient Paint Storage Areas with Prefabricated Solutions
August 05, 2025 – US Hazmat Storage Editorial Team
When managing paints, coatings, varnishes, thinners, and solvents on-site, ensuring safe and compliant storage isn’t just about convenience—it’s a matter of federal law and environmental responsibility. Whether you’re a manufacturer, contractor, or industrial facility manager, improper paint storage can lead to OSHA violations, fire hazards, and major insurance liabilities.
US Hazmat Storage specializes in prefabricated paint storage area solutions that are fully compliant with OSHA, EPA, and NFPA standards, providing an efficient and cost-effective way to safely store flammable and combustible liquids in both permanent and temporary settings.
What Is a Paint Storage Area?
A paint storage area is a designated, secure location specifically constructed or configured for the storage of paints and associated flammable or combustible substances. These include:
- Oil-based paints
- Water-based paints
- Solvents
- Thinner
- Varnishes and lacquers
- Aerosol coatings
Each of these materials presents different storage risks and must be stored according to EPA and OSHA regulations, including temperature controls, secondary containment, and fire suppression systems.
Learn more about our Paint and Flammable Storage Lockers
Compliance Requirements for Paint Storage Areas
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106: Flammable and Combustible Liquids
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates how flammable liquids like paint and thinner must be stored. Key requirements include:
- Approved storage cabinets for quantities under 60 gallons
- Fire-rated storage buildings for larger volumes
- No smoking signage and proper placards
- Ventilation to prevent vapor buildup
- Bonding and grounding for flammable liquid containers
Full OSHA regulation: 29 CFR 1910.106
EPA 40 CFR Part 264: Hazardous Waste Storage
The Environmental Protection Agency governs the handling of paint waste and hazardous materials. EPA compliance includes:
- Secondary spill containment
- Impervious flooring
- Stormwater protection
- Proper labeling and waste tracking
Full EPA rule: 40 CFR Part 264 Subpart I
NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 30 sets the benchmark for design, construction, and use of facilities storing flammable and combustible liquids, such as paint and solvents.
Read: NFPA 30 Flammable Liquid Code Summary
Speed and Cost Efficiency: Prefabricated Storage Buildings
Prefabricated paint storage buildings by US Hazmat Storage offer unmatched speed and cost efficiency. Unlike traditional construction, these modular units have been designed and deployed in countless commercial and industrial applications, warehouses, storage facilities and integrated into a wide array of workflow processes with complete operational safety and compliance.
Our experienced engineering team can work with your existing facility design, accessibility needs, and your storage compliance requirements to ensure complete integration within your operation. This experience expedites local approvals, permitting, and allows our teams to from initial contact, design, fabrication, and delivery more quickly than any custom-built or traditional construction process. Allow you to more efficiently mange your inventory of paints, coatings, and solvents at your facility much quicker than traditional construction.
- Experienced EH&S Engineering
- Over 40 years steel manufacturing and fabrication experience.
- Access to industry’s best component and accessories specific to hazardous storage environments
- Storage Buildings Ship fully assembled and ready to deploy and activate
- Arrive prewired with lighting, ventilation, alarms, fire-suppression, and climate control options
- Include fire-rated wall assemblies
- Each storage building is forklift-ready to easily mange IBC Totes, and Palletized Drums, Buckets, Pails, or Small Materials
- Crane-liftable designs allow for quick and easy installation
- Require minimal site prep—set up on gravel, asphalt, or concrete
Average installation and setup time for our Prefabricated Flammable Storage Units: Just 1 Day
Cost savings: 25–40% lower than custom-built structures
Time savings: 30–60% quicker than traditional construction storage areas
Explore Prefabricated Chemical Storage Buildings by US Hazmat Storage
Ready-to-Deploy Compliance
Every paint storage building from US Hazmat Storage is engineered to meet…
- OSHA 1910.106 standards for flammable materials
- EPA 40 CFR regulations for secondary containment
- NFPA 30 guidelines for fire-rated enclosures
This means faster permitting, easier site approvals, and fewer project delays. Our units are fabricated in-house and undergo quality control inspections before delivery.
Versatile Storage Options for Any Environment
We offer flammable storage buildings designed for every use case:
✅ Versatile Inside Existing Facility Installation
Modular fire-rated buildings can be installed inside warehouses or manufacturing plants to isolate paints and coatings from work areas without expensive fire walls or HVAC upgrades. This also allows workflow process managers and operations workers quick access to stock inventory to continue operations.
✅ Outside Facility Installation
Durable and weatherproof, these units are built for long-term exterior use. They include:
- 2- or 4-hour fire-rated walls
- Explosion-proof electricals
- Climate control for temperature-sensitive materials
- Bunded leak-proof secondary spill containment sumps
✅ Remote Jobsite Operation
Our rugged hazmat buildings and flammable storage units can be installed by field crews and mobile operation. Storage buildings are perfect for remote job sites without existing containment areas. These mobile units are engineered for:
- Crane lifting and truck transport
- Level deployment on concrete, gravel or even bare ground
- Ventilation, Segregated Containment
- Spill containment
- Climate-controlled storage
- Quick removal or relocation when necessary
Remote Jobsite Storage Solutions
Climate-Controlled Paint Storage
Temperature and humidity swings can ruin paint inventory and create unsafe vapor conditions. Our optional climate control packages help:
- Prevent product degradation in high heat or cold
- Mitigate VOC (volatile organic compound) vapor pressure
- Maintain safe working conditions for nearby personnel
- Available systems include:
- Split-unit HVAC
- Dehumidification modules
- Insulated panel construction (R-11 to R-21)
- Explosion-proof heaters
Learn More: Temperature-Controlled Storage
Built-In Safety & Workflow Optimization
Our designs focus on safety and accessibility to improve workflow:
- Wide swing or roll-up doors for forklift access
- Drum racks, tote storage, or pallet shelving systems
- Spill containment sumps under each bay
- Interior LED lighting and explosion-proof electrical design
- Fire suppression systems
- Remote Monitoring & Alarm Systems when needed
- Optional eye-wash stations and other accessories
No matter your layout, we can help create a dedicated paint storage area that meets regulations and keeps your team efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1 What is the best way to store paint safely?
Store paint in a cool, dry, and ventilated space away from ignition sources. For quantities above 60 gallons, use a compliant flammable storage building like those from US Hazmat Storage.
2 Are prefabricated paint storage buildings compliant with OSHA and EPA?
Yes. Our buildings meet OSHA 29 CFR 1910.106, EPA 40 CFR, and NFPA 30 codes. Each unit includes secondary containment, signage, ventilation, and grounding as required.
3 Can I install a paint storage unit inside my current warehouse?
Absolutely. We manufacture indoor-rated fire-rated buildings that can be placed within existing facilities to create a code-compliant internal paint room.
4 Do you offer temperature-controlled paint storage?
Yes. Optional HVAC and insulation packages are available for climate-sensitive paints and solvents to prevent degradation and vapor buildup.
5 Are these buildings relocatable?
Yes. All US Hazmat Storage paint storage buildings are designed to be portable, stackable, and removable, depending on your needs.
6 What types of paints and chemicals can be stored?
Our buildings are suitable for:
- Oil-based and water-based paints
- Primers and coatings
- Solvents and thinners
- Lacquers and varnishes
- Flammable adhesives and aerosols
7 What kind of fire protection is included?
Units can include:
- Up to 4-hour fire-rated storage area compliance
- Explosion-proof lighting
- Fire suppression systems
- Smoke detectors
- Exhaust ventilation
Why Choose US Hazmat Storage?
With decades of experience and U.S.-based fabrication, US Hazmat Storage is your partner in compliant, long-term storage. We help:
- Identify the right storage model for your materials
- Navigate regulatory codes and permitting
- Deliver and install your unit nationwide
- Support custom designs for complex operations
Get a Quote Today
Related Pages:
Paint & Flammable Storage Lockers