Fire resistant cabinets for liquids and aerosols in shops

Fire resistant cabinets for flammable liquids and aerosols in shops

What does a fire resistant shop cabinet do?

The cabinet protects the goods from a fire in the shop for a certain time, so flammable liquids and spray cans do not make the fire worse. It also works the other way: if a fire starts inside, the self-closing door shuts and the fire dies out.

Shop cabinets are tested to SP method 2369, developed by the Swedish research institute RISE for storing factory-sealed packages at points of sale. It is not the same as EN 14470-1 for laboratory cabinets.

Can liquids and aerosols be stored in the same cabinet?

Only in cabinets certified for it. Flammable liquids may normally not be stored together with spray cans and gas containers, since a fire in the liquid can make the containers explode.

Cabinets tested to SP method 2369 edition 6 and certified are accepted for co-storage by the Swedish authority, according to its handbook for shops. They are recognised by the label, which should carry the text SPCR 102:2019 or SP Metod 2369 version 6.

• Older cabinets, tested to edition 5 or earlier and marked klass 1, may be used for either liquids or aerosols, but not both at once.
• Cabinets with no certification label are not covered by the authority's recommendation.

How much may stand on the shelf and in cabinets?

In Sweden it depends on the shop's sales area. The authority's handbook for shops gives example quantities. The figures are litres, and the cabinet quantity comes on top of the shelf quantity.

What may stand on the shelf can always be moved into a cabinet. A smaller quantity of one kind does not make room for more of another. For spray cans, the volume marked on the can counts.

Distances in the shop

On open shelves the authority recommends 6 metres between flammable goods and easily ignited material such as paper, textiles and plastic bags, between liquids and escape routes, and between liquids and spray cans.

In a fire resistant cabinet none of those distances are normally needed. That is why the cabinet can stand where the goods are sold.

Liquids standing outside the cabinet should however be at least 6 metres from it, so burning liquid cannot run in under the cabinet.

Which packages may customers reach?

• Gas: at most 5 litres per container. Larger cylinders such as a Swedish P11 must be kept out of customers' reach, for example in a locked cabinet outdoors.
• Liquids, recommended: at most 1 litre in glass, 5 litres in plastic and 20 litres in metal.
• Liquids with a flash point up to 30 °C in packages over 5 litres must be kept out of reach of anyone but staff.

Packages of 50 ml or less are not covered by the placement recommendations.

Does the shop need a permit?

In Sweden a shop counts as public premises, including its storeroom. The quantities in the shop and in the storeroom are added together. Above the limits a permit from the municipality is required, usually the fire and rescue service.

With a permit, a risk assessment and a responsible manager are also required. The assessment can refer to the authority's handbook for shops, and is then often brief.

Placing and looking after the cabinet

• The door must close by itself and seal tightly, also on an older cabinet.
• Nothing combustible under the cabinet, and no liquid that can run in under it. Keep this in mind when a smaller cabinet stands in a shelf.
• No special ventilation is needed for unopened packages, according to the authority.
• Signs: if more than 30 litres of flammable gas is stored, the shop must have signs for no smoking or open flames, flammable goods and gas under pressure.
• Open flames are forbidden in shops with flammable goods, candles included.

Which rules apply?

The Swedish rules were checked in September 2026. Other countries have their own rules.

Chapter 2 of the handbook is general advice to the regulations for both gas and liquids. The regulations are issued by the Swedish Agency for Civil Defence (MCF), known as MSB until 2026. Older references to SÄIFS 2000:2 for flammable liquids no longer apply.

Size and capacity

Measure the space and filter on Outer height in mm, Outer width in mm and Outer depth in mm. Remember that the doors need room to open.

How many packages the cabinet holds is counted in 1-litre bottles. Filter on Capacity number of 1l bottles and compare with the quantity table above. The cabinets are heavy, and the floor needs to take the weight shown on the product page.

How to use the filter

Start with the dimensions: Outer height in mm, Outer width in mm and Outer depth in mm.

Then choose Capacity number of 1l bottles according to how much the shop will display.

Can't find the right one? Call us on +46 770 22 01 22. We would rather help before you buy than after.