1910.106(d)(3): Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets
Employers must limit storage cabinets to not more than 60 gallons of Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquids, or not more than 120 gallons of Category 4. Cabinets must keep internal temperature to not more than 325 degrees F in a 10-minute fire test and be labeled "Flammable - Keep Fire Away."
Key takeaways
- 1910.106(d)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 65 times in the last 3 years, in 64 inspections, with $91,772 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (10), CA (9), MN (6).
- Related part: 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage (357 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.106(d)(3) ("Design, construction, and capacity of storage cabinets") is one requirement inside 1910.106 Flammable liquids, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(3) Design, construction, and capacity of storage cabinets — 65 citations
(i) Maximum capacity. Not more than 60 gallons of Category 1, 2, or 3 flammable liquids, nor more than 120 gallons of Category 4 flammable liquids may be stored in a storage cabinet. Open (d)(3)(i) 6 citations
(ii) Fire resistance. Storage cabinets shall be designed and constructed to limit the internal temperature to not more than 325 °F. when subjected to a 10-minute fire test using the standard time-temperature curve as set forth in Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, NFPA 251-1969, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. All joints and seams shall remain tight and the door shall remain securely closed during the fire test. Cabinets shall be labeled in conspicuous lettering, “Flammable—Keep Fire Away.” Open (d)(3)(ii) 59 citations
(a) Metal cabinets constructed in the following manner shall be deemed to be in compliance. The bottom, top, door, and sides of cabinet shall be at least No. 18 gage sheet iron and double walled with 11⁄2-inch air space. Joints shall be riveted, welded or made tight by some equally effective means. The door shall be provided with a three-point lock, and the door sill shall be raised at least 2 inches above the bottom of the cabinet.
(b) Wooden cabinets constructed in the following manner shall be deemed in compliance. The bottom, sides, and top shall be constructed of an approved grade of plywood at least 1 inch in thickness, which shall not break down or delaminate under fire conditions. All joints shall be rabbetted and shall be fastened in two directions with flathead woodscrews. When more than one door is used, there shall be a rabbetted overlap of not less than 1 inch. Hinges shall be mounted in such a manner as not to lose their holding capacity due to loosening or burning out of the screws when subjected to the fire test.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.106.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: VA (10), CA (9), MN (6), IL (5), CT (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOCORRO, CITY OF, VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT | SOCORRO, NM | $10,125 |
| ROCK RIVER LUMBER AND GRAIN CO. | STERLING, IL | $7,448 |
| THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY | DANVILLE, VA | $7,025 |
| FONTAINE MODIFICATION CO. | DUBLIN, VA | $6,797 |
| HOLLAND, L.P. | UNIVERSITY PARK, IL | $6,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.106(d)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification on the intermingling of flammable and combustible liquids in a storage cabinet. (2011-10-26)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.106(d) Container and portable tank storage 357 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2) Design, construction, and capacity of containers 125 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(i) General 83 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4) Design and construction of inside storage rooms 67 citations
- 1910.106(d)(3)(ii) Fire resistance 59 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5) Storage inside building 55 citations
- 1910.106(d)(2)(iii) Size 39 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(i) Construction 26 citations
- 1910.106(d)(7) Fire control 23 citations
- 1910.106(d)(4)(iv) Ventilation 22 citations
- 1910.106(d)(6) Storage outside buildings 22 citations
- 1910.106(d)(5)(i) Egress 20 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How much flammable liquid can a cabinet hold?
Not more than 60 gallons of Category 1, 2 or 3 flammable liquids, nor more than 120 gallons of Category 4.
What label must the cabinet have?
Conspicuous lettering reading "Flammable - Keep Fire Away."
What are the metal cabinet construction specs?
At least No. 18 gage sheet iron, double walled with 1 1/2-inch air space, a three-point lock, and a door sill raised at least 2 inches.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.106 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.