Aerosol Spray Paint Storage
General Information
Aerosol Spray Paint cans are widely used for spray painting, recycling, up-cycling, general building and wall maintenance, touch ups, model spraying, car spraying, completing building coating work and many other bespoke architectural and design works which colour our everyday lives.
Aerosols in general require correct storage, correct usage and correct disposal. They are stored in general purpose warehouses, store rooms, retail outlets, and in workplaces where they are usually stored in cupboards and open shelves. When exposed to fire, aerosol cans will either violently rupture or produce burning jets of flame.
Aerosol cans consist of steel or aluminium containers fitted with a plastic valve designed to discharge their contents as a fine mist, spray or stream. They usually contain liquid or powder product and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) propellant. The propellant creates the pressure necessary to eject the liquid or powder product in the desired form and is flammable. In many cases the liquid content is also flammable. Aerosol containers are designed to contain the pressure generated by the LPG at temperatures below 54°C. When exposed to flame, aerosol containers experience temperatures and pressures significantly higher than they were designed to resist, causing them to rupture violently into large fire balls if the pressure is not vented. Some aerosol containers have a valve designed to melt in a fire and vent the pressure; these types of containers produce flaming jest that can last for several minutes.
Many building owners use fire safety cabinets with a capacity to hold up to 250 litres. These cabinets are not mandatory but do provide an extra level of safety and assist in keeping the dangerous goods in one area. Aerosols, tins of paint and corrosive products can be stored in the same cabinet provided they have their own spill trays and are not placed above aerosol cans.
Regulations and Standards – Aerosol cans are classified as Dangerous Goods under Class 2, with a listed international reference number of UN1950. They are mainly identified with a red flammable gas diamond or in some cases, a flammable liquid diamond on the can.
Specific to Your Spray Paints Aerosol Spray Paint Canisters
- Temperature resistant to 170°C.
- Store between 5°C – 25°C.
- When not in use, cans must be kept sealed & cleaned appropriately to ensure the nozzle doesn’t get blocked through dry paint.
- Our custom coloured spray paints have a long life until used and then 12-24 months from usage, if they are properly cleaned and stored.
- Always read and follow SDS, TDS and label instructions for the correct paint type.
If in any doubt speak Your Spray Paints Customer Service Department on (0800) 530 0375
Disposing of Aerosol Spray Paint Canisters
All trade business should transfer their used aerosols to a suitable container and arrange for collection by specialised disposal company.
Aerosol cans are made up of around 60% tinplated steel and 40% aluminium, both of which are recyclable metals. With an estimated 600 million aerosols being used in the UK each year, aerosols are evidently a big opportunity in the recycling world!
For the normal consumer, DIY enthusiasts etc. we need to understand how we can contribute to the worlds recycling needs and dispose of our spray paints responsibly.
Here are a few tips for disposing of aerosols safely:
1. Before throwing your aerosol can straight into the rubbish bin, take the time to ensure that it is completely empty. If it is your aerosol can may go into the normal recycling for cans/tins.
Aerosol cans that are either partially or completely full need to be separated from your other recyclables and general waste as they are considered hazardous waste. Most councils collect aerosols via household collection, otherwise, they can be taken to your local recycling facility and put into the correct banks.
2. Do not modify the aerosol can in any way – e.g. do not pierce, crush or flatten the aerosol, as this may increase the risk of it exploding.
If there are any detachable or loose parts to the aerosol, such as a plastic lid, remove them and dispose of these separately within the appropriate recycling.
If you have any queries regarding the safe disposal of aerosols or have any other general questions regarding waste disposal, discuss with you local council.
This information relates only to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other materials or in any process. Such information is to the best of the manufacturers knowledge and belief accurate and reliable. However, no representation, warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy, reliability or completeness. It is the user’s responsibility to satisfy themselves as to the suitability and completeness of such information for their own particular use. For professional use only.