Storing chemicals, fuel or flammables in a container? Read this before you do it.

Storing Hazardous Materials: Shipping containers are famously tough — secure, steel-built and practically indestructible. It’s why they’re so popular for storing tools, machinery, equipment and… more sensitive stuff. But when it comes to hazardous materials, the rules change.

You can’t just chuck a few cans of paint, a stack of gas canisters and a rogue drum of something vaguely flammable into a box and call it job done. Not unless you fancy a knock on the door from the HSE — or worse, a container fire caused by a hot August afternoon and some leaking fumes.

This week, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about safely storing hazardous substances inside shipping containers — whether for construction, farming, manufacturing or home use.

From solvents and fertilisers to petrol and pesticides, hazardous materials are a fact of life in many industries. And while shipping containers seem like a logical storage solution (strong, sealed, secure), they must be adapted to handle volatile, flammable, or corrosive substances safely.

At Cubus, we’re often asked: “Can I store chemicals in a container?”
The answer? Yes — but only with the right setup. You need to comply with:

• UK HSE regulations
  
• COSHH guidelines
  
• Fire safety and ventilation standards
  

And most importantly, you need to keep people, property and the environment safe.

This guide will walk you through:

• The kinds of hazardous materials that need special attention
  
• What your container must have (spoiler: bunding is key)
  
• How to ventilate properly
  
• The importance of signage and spill response
  
• UK legal considerations and best practices
  

Whether you’re running a site, storing fuel for machinery, or just safeguarding some “substances of concern”, this guide is your practical, no-fluff starting point.

1. What Counts as a Hazardous Material?

Per HSE and COSHH, hazardous materials include:

• Flammable liquids (petrol, diesel, solvents)
  
• Gases (LPG, propane, acetylene)
  
• Corrosives (acids, alkalis)
  
• Explosives (small quantities of fireworks, ammo)
  
• Toxic materials (pesticides, bleach, cleaning agents)
  
• Oxidisers (fertilisers, pool chemicals)
  

📦 If it has a warning symbol on it — it probably needs careful storage.

---

2. What Features Should a Hazardous Storage Container Have?

Bare steel isn’t enough. You’ll need:

Feature	Why it matters
Spill bund/floor tray	Captures leaks, prevents groundwater contamination
Ventilation	Reduces fume build-up, explosion risk
Non-sparking floors	Safer for flammable materials
Internal/external signage	Legal requirement under COSHH
Fire resistance	Required for many chemical types
Secure locking	Prevents unauthorised access (H&S + insurance)

💬 Cubus offers purpose-built HAZMAT units — already fitted with bunds and airflow systems.

3. Ventilation: The Lifesaving Upgrade

Hazardous containers must be ventilated — ideally with:

• High/low louvre vents
  
• Passive air movement (natural convection)
  
• Active ventilation (fans) for heat-prone contents
  

Ventilation reduces:

• Build-up of flammable vapours
  
• Condensation and corrosion
  
• Pressure in sealed drums
  

🔥 Don’t trap fumes in a hot steel box. That’s how fires (or worse) start.

4. Fire Safety Tips

Containers should include:

• Internal and external fire extinguishers
  
• No-smoking signs
  
• Fire-retardant internal coatings
  
• Fire break gaps if multiple units are placed together
  

🔥 Position containers at a safe distance from structures, fuel lines or electrical cabinets.

5. Spill Response & Containment

Things to include:

• Absorbent pads
  
• Neutralising granules
  
• Spill kits
  
• Drip trays
  
• Emergency wash stations (if staff are entering the unit)
  

🧴 COSHH requires immediate containment measures if substances are spilled or leak into the ground.

6. Legal Responsibilities (UK)

In the UK, you must comply with:

• COSHH 2002 Regulations
  
• The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR)
  
• HSE Storage of Flammable Liquids in Containers
  
• Local fire authority codes
  

Failure to comply can lead to:

• Fines
  
• Business closure
  
• Criminal liability in extreme cases
  

📋 Good record-keeping, signage and safety plans go a long way.

7. Can You Convert a Standard Container?

Yes — but it’s better to buy a pre-converted hazardous unit unless you know exactly what’s required.

Converting requires:

• Welding bund trays
  
• Drilling vent holes
  
• Sealing internal gaps
  
• Applying specialist coatings
  
• Certified electrics (intrinsically safe)
  

💡 Tip: Let Cubus customise your unit. It’s faster, safer, and usually cheaper than retrofitting.

Case Study: “A Safer Way to Store Site Fuel” (500 words)

Paul runs a landscaping business in Kent. With petrol, chainsaw oil, pesticides and fertiliser on site, he needed secure, compliant storage.

Cubus supplied a 10ft hazardous materials container with:

• Steel bunded floor
  
• Louvered vent system
  
• Fireproof lining
  
• Lockbox + signage
  

Paul says:

“It’s compact, safe and ticks all the boxes. The council were happy, and I don’t worry about storing fuels anymore.”

“A steel box is strong — but only a properly modified container is safe for hazardous goods. Don’t cut corners with chemicals.”

Need to store hazardous materials safely?
Let’s make sure it’s done right.
✅ Bunded floors
✅ Ventilation and signage
✅ COSHH-compliant units

👉 Get a quote for a hazardous goods container