There is no single “dangerous goods container code” that makes every container suitable for every hazardous substance. In New Zealand, compliant storage starts with identifying the substances involved, reading their safety data sheets, understanding the relevant hazard classifications, and designing the storage area for the risks on your site.
For flammable liquids, AS 1940 is a key reference standard. GHS 7 helps classify hazardous substances and communicate their hazards. Other requirements may apply depending on what you store, how much you store, where the container is located and whether the substances are being transported or stored at a fixed site.
This guide explains the practical questions to work through before buying, converting or using a container for dangerous goods storage.
Start with the product, not the container
A shipping container can provide a secure starting point for a purpose-built dangerous goods store, but an ordinary container is not automatically appropriate for hazardous substances.
Before considering container size, doors or delivery access, make a list of every product that will be stored. This includes fuel, solvents, paints, agrichemicals, cleaning chemicals, oils, gases, batteries and waste products. The same container may need different controls for different substances.
For each product, obtain the current safety data sheet, usually called an SDS. Pay particular attention to:
- the product name and intended use;
- the GHS hazard classifications in Section 2;
- the UN number and transport class in Section 14, where assigned;
- recommended storage conditions in Section 7;
- incompatible materials and substances;
- spill, fire and first-aid information; and
- disposal requirements for damaged stock, empty packaging and contaminated absorbents.
This information drives the storage design. It also helps avoid a common mistake: selecting a container based on the label “dangerous goods” without checking whether it is suited to the actual products and quantities on site.
GHS 7: what it means for New Zealand businesses
GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. New Zealand’s hazardous substance classification framework is based on the seventh revised edition of GHS, often referred to as GHS 7, with New Zealand-specific settings.
GHS classifications describe the nature of a hazard. For example, a substance may be flammable, toxic, corrosive, harmful to the environment, an oxidising substance or a compressed gas. The classification supports consistent labels, pictograms and SDS information.
For storage planning, GHS 7 is useful because it tells you what can go wrong. A flammable liquid may create a fire or vapour ignition risk. A corrosive product may need protection from leaks and incompatible metals. An oxidiser can intensify a fire and may need to be kept away from fuels and other combustible materials.
However, GHS classification alone does not tell you everything needed for a storage decision. You must also consider the quantity held, packaging type, site layout, nearby people and buildings, emergency access, ignition sources and the product manufacturer’s storage directions.
GHS hazard classes and transport classes are not interchangeable
It is easy to confuse GHS categories with dangerous goods transport classes. They serve related but different purposes.
GHS information is primarily used for hazardous substance classification, labels and workplace communication. Dangerous goods transport information is used to manage risks while products are carried by road, rail, sea or air. A product’s SDS may contain both sets of information, but they should not be treated as the same thing.
If you move dangerous goods, separate transport requirements can apply. If you store them at your yard, farm, workshop, construction site or business premises, stationary storage and workplace requirements become the main focus. Some operations need to manage both.
Where AS 1940 fits in
AS 1940 is the Australian Standard covering the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids. It is widely used as a practical reference for designing and operating storage for products such as petrol, diesel, solvents, thinners and some paints.
The standard is particularly relevant when flammable liquid storage is more than a small, incidental cupboard or shelf arrangement. It addresses matters such as storage locations, separation, ventilation, spill containment, ignition control, electrical equipment, fire protection and emergency planning.
AS 1940 is not a universal dangerous goods standard. It does not remove the need to assess other types of hazardous substances, including gases, toxic chemicals, corrosives, oxidisers, agrichemicals or lithium batteries. Depending on your products, other standards, regulations, codes of practice and specialist advice may be relevant.
Use the current applicable edition and confirm how it applies to your site. Standards, regulations and accepted compliance methods can change, so do not rely on an old project specification or a container layout used at another business.
What a dangerous goods container may need
The right features depend on the risk assessment and the substances to be stored. A suitable dangerous goods storage container may need purpose-designed modifications rather than a standard general storage container.
Common considerations include:
- Spill containment: A bunded floor or other containment arrangement may be needed to retain a leak and prevent it reaching soil, drains or waterways.
- Ventilation: Flammable vapours and some chemical fumes can accumulate in enclosed spaces. Ventilation needs to suit the substances, the storage arrangement and the location.
- Ignition control: Flammable substances need to be kept away from ignition sources. Electrical equipment, lighting, charging equipment and nearby hot work all need careful consideration.
- Segregation: Incompatible substances must not be stored together simply because there is room in the container.
- Security: Restricted access can reduce the risk of theft, tampering and untrained people entering the store.
- Signage: Signs should identify the hazards and support emergency responders, while matching the substances actually stored.
- Fire response: Fire protection and emergency equipment must be selected for the hazards present and maintained properly.
- Safe access: Workers need a clear way to load, inspect and remove stock without climbing over drums, containers or pallets.
- Drainage and location: The storage area should be planned so a spill cannot readily enter stormwater, surface water or sensitive ground.
A container with a bunded floor is not automatically compliant either. The containment capacity, internal storage layout, liquid volume, rainfall exposure where relevant, drain arrangements and compatibility of materials all need to be assessed for the job.
Segregation: do not store every chemical in one box
Space is often tight on farms, worksites and trade yards. That can make a lockable container seem like an easy answer for all chemicals. In practice, mixing incompatible substances in one enclosed store can increase the consequences of a leak, fire or accidental damage.
Examples of combinations that require particular care include flammables near oxidisers, acids near alkalis, chemicals near food or animal feed, and incompatible agrichemicals. Gas cylinders also have their own storage and handling considerations.
The SDS should identify known incompatibilities, but it is worth getting competent advice where the product range is broad or quantities are significant. Separate storage areas, physical barriers or a different stock layout may be needed.
Choose the container around the site plan
Before ordering a dangerous goods container, map the proposed location. Consider vehicle movements, forklift access, delivery and collection areas, neighbouring properties, public access, drainage, buildings, staff amenities, fuel tanks, generators and hot-work areas.
Also consider what happens during an emergency. Can emergency services identify the storage area? Is there safe access? Would a spill move towards a drain, stream, bore, stock water supply or neighbouring land? Is there a practical place for responders to work?
For construction sites, temporary storage still needs proper controls. For farms, the store may need to account for livestock, water supplies, fertiliser, agrichemicals and changing seasonal stock levels. For workshops, the main issue may be solvents, paints, waste oils and battery charging in close proximity.
Workplace duties, council rules and emergency planning
Businesses and organisations that manage hazardous substances have duties under New Zealand health and safety and hazardous substances rules. The exact obligations depend on the substances and quantities involved. A person conducting a business or undertaking should identify the risks, provide suitable controls, train workers and maintain appropriate emergency arrangements.
At certain thresholds, additional requirements may apply, such as certified handler requirements, location compliance certification, hazardous substance inventory obligations, emergency response plans or controls on particular substances. Thresholds and terminology should be checked against current official guidance and the products on your SDS register.
Planning, building, fire safety and environmental requirements can also affect the container location and installation. Council requirements vary between districts and can depend on the site, zone, building work and proposed use. This article is general information only, not legal, planning or engineering advice.
A practical pre-purchase checklist
- List every substance, its maximum quantity and packaging type.
- Collect current SDS documents and identify GHS hazards, UN transport information and incompatibilities.
- Confirm whether the products are for storage, transport, or both.
- Assess your location, drains, access routes, neighbouring activities and ignition sources.
- Work out whether substances must be separated into different stores.
- Identify the required containment, ventilation, signage, security and fire controls.
- Check current regulatory, council and certification requirements for your quantities and site.
- Provide the container supplier with a clear brief rather than asking for a generic dangerous goods container.
Get the right container brief before you request a quote
A useful quote request should explain what you will store, the likely maximum quantity, the site location and any features identified through your risk assessment. Include whether you need bunding, ventilation, shelving, access changes, signage provision or other specific modifications.
SEA Containers / Container Shop can then help you start a more informed conversation about a container solution. The final storage design should always be checked against the substances, site conditions and applicable requirements.
Need a dangerous goods storage container for a farm, workshop, worksite or commercial yard? Request an estimate with your product list and storage requirements so the container can be considered for the job you actually need it to do.
