Typically, many people don’t associate hazardous materials with anything other than construction zones and job sites.
The reality, however, is that hazardous materials are ubiquitous and part of our everyday lives. From custom car garages and hospitals to service stations where you pump your gas on the way home from work, volatile and poisonous materials must be accounted for and properly stored.
While considering hazardous materials, your mind did not likely wander to the assumed safe confines of your community’s local school. Despite an increase in mass shootings, schoolhouses remain one of society’s few remaining sanctuaries. Classrooms are one of our last reprieves from the harsh realities of adulthood and the dangers that come with it. Despite the secure nature of schools, danger abounds. Schools remain one of the leading locations for hazardous material responses in the nation.
Two-hour and four-hour fire rated protection properly stores popular cleaners
Unfortunately, silent killers are lurking around every corner, including our schools, where our most important commodity – children – go-to for learning and nurturing. Schools must be cleaned and disinfected daily. An influenza or norovirus outbreak drives home the importance of sanitary conditions in not only the classroom, but also the cafeteria and bathrooms.
Harmful toxins and viruses must be quickly neutralized and killed before their spread knocks the entire facility out of commission. A schoolhouse is likely any other well-oiled machine. Attentive care must be given daily to ensure smooth operation. Lapses in proper cleaning can render a facility useless if students and teachers alike fall prey to these dangerous viruses. To eliminate their spread, industrial strength cleaners – and we’re not just talking Lysol either – must applied generously to every desk, doorknob and table-top.
U.S Hazmat Storage lockers protect schools from negligence lawsuits
While these cleaners are necessary in keeping the doors open and the lights on, how do you keep them from contaminating other sensitive areas of the school, including the direct exposure to students? Harmful irritants can result in costly hazardous material responses from rescue crews and firefighters. In turn, such incidents can make school systems fall under the auspices of larger governing bodies that can leverage penalties and fines for improper storage. And let’s not even mention the word “lawsuit” while discussing about injury that was the direct result of negligence.
To properly store such cleaners, consider our two-hour and four-hour fire rated storage lockers. These steel-welder storage containers can easily accommodate and compartmentalize all industrial strength cleaners. You won’t have to worry about spills either as our spill sump containers with grated flooring are an excellent stopgap for accidents while waiting for the proper authorities to arrive to eradicate the threat. A superior fire suppression system complements the wealth of safety features on these units.
And what about shop or auto body classes? Again, U.S. Hazmat Storage has you covered with both fire-rated and non-fire rated options for the proper storage of fuels, paints, accelerants and these units can even securely store tools and machinery for the opportunists lurking in the background.
Proper storage of cleaners are just a fraction of the overall arsenal of threats that challenge teachers and administrators daily. Acids, bases and other reactive chemicals and precursors are commonplace in any chemistry lab. While hands-on learning is a must for this style of learning, it must be conducted in a safe and controlled environment.
Better safety through chemistry….
For those classroom chemicals that don’t pose a fire threat, consider our non-flammable chemical and pesticide containment solutions. Our non fire-rated line of ChemSAFE™ storage is the standard for hazardous chemical storage and spill containment. When you need to store non-flammable chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, paints, or solvents, US Hazmat Storage can help.
These units would be great for storing peroxides, acids and carbonates, as well as any other common chemical found in a high school chemistry lab. Storage of these units would also require proper ventilation so that the chemical integrity of the substances is not compromised. Proper storage of chemicals must adhere to individual compatibility. Our unique storage compartments can isolate and quarantine dangerous substances from accelerant and other reactive chemicals.
Hazmat lockers can also store tools, valuables
Proper security is also crucial in any classroom setting. Could you imagine what would happen if these dangerous chemicals fell into the wrong hands, especially a renegade student? Chaos would surely ensue! Rest assured with our safe and secure lockable units that can, and will, prevent the unexpected.
Any of these units would also be perfect for renovation projects. Our drop-over buildings are ideal for adding existing classrooms and structures while not interrupting the quiet and intense nature of classroom study and lecturing. When you need to build around or over a job site or equipment that would be hazardous or costly to move, these drop-over buildings work wonders. Using Drop-over Hazardous Construction buildings for full OSHA Compliant Equipment Protection will save you time and money. These models are just part of the full spectrum of custom chemical storage solutions US Hazmat Storage offers.
Don’t delay protection for students
We strongly urge you to consider U.S. Hazmat Storage for the proper storage of all dangerous chemicals inside and outside the classroom. You owe it to your children. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!