{"id":1286,"date":"2025-07-22T10:33:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qubus.le-an.net\/?post_type=q-blog-beitrag&#038;p=1286"},"modified":"2026-09-22T11:23:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T11:23:36","slug":"safety-measures-and-explosion-protection-requirements-in-the-paint-store","status":"publish","type":"q-blog-beitrag","link":"https:\/\/qubus.le-an.net\/en\/q-blog\/sicherheitsvorkehrungen-und-explosionsschutz-anforderungen-im-lacklager\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety measures and explosion protection requirements in the paint store"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column q-kasten is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key points at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Solvent vapours from paints form explosive mixtures with oxygen in the air; a single ignition source is sufficient.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The employer must carry out a risk assessment, namely the explosion protection document.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ventilation, explosion-proof equipment, and earthing and equipotential bonding are the key technical measures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A paint store must be secured in such a way as to minimise the risk of fire and explosion. Specific requirements apply in terms of environmental, fire and occupational safety, as highly flammable and potentially hazardous substances are often stored there. In companies that work with paints, varnishes, hardeners or solvents, paint and solvent storage areas are a key part of operational processes and should be secured accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"die-wichtigsten-fragen-rund-um-ein-sicheres-lacklager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key questions regarding the safe storage of paint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why are specific safety precautions required for paints?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paints and varnishes consist of binders, pigments, additives and solvents. Solvents generally consist of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which evaporate at certain temperatures. When the flash point is reached, flammable vapours are formed. When combined with atmospheric oxygen, this can lead to explosive mixtures. These vapours can, in turn, cause an explosion when combined with an ignition source (e.g. sparks, flames, hot surfaces).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can explosion risks be identified?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The risk of explosion depends on the physical properties, known as the explosion limits (LEL, UEL as specified in section 9 of the safety data sheet). These describe the concentrations at which a substance forms an explosive mixture with air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>UEG<\/strong> (Lower explosive limit) = the lowest concentration at which an explosive atmosphere is present<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>OEG<\/strong> (Upper explosive limit) = the highest concentration at which an explosion is still possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This information forms an important basis for the classification of Ex zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How are hazardous substances assessed correctly?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The GHS (Globally Harmonised System) classifies and labels chemicals. In the EU, this is implemented through the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulation. Since the switch to this system, the pictogram (GHS 02) alone no longer indicates how hazardous a substance or mixture actually is, as the same symbol is always used. The following substance properties are therefore crucial for a correct assessment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Flash point (FP)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boiling point or vapour pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>H-phrases on the label and in the safety data sheet (SDS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the legal framework in Germany?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following apply to paint storage areas and other areas at risk of explosion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV) \u2013 Requirements for operation and inspections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technical Rules for Operational Safety (TRBS)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regulation on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances (TRGS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are an employer\u2019s obligations?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A risk assessment must be carried out and protective measures defined in accordance with the requirements. This specific risk assessment is also referred to as an explosion protection document. The relevant inspections (in accordance with the BetrSichV) must also be specified therein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"klassifizierung-der-gefaehrdungsbereiche\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Classification of hazard zones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A key step in explosion protection is the division into zones, whereby the hazardous area is classified into three zones for gaseous substances, depending on the occurrence of hazardous explosive atmospheres:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table q-tabelle-zebra\"><table><thead><tr><th>Zone<\/th><th>Occurrence of an explosive atmosphere<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Zone 0<\/td><td>an explosive atmosphere that is present continuously or for a long period (e.g. inside containers)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zone 1<\/td><td>occasional explosive atmospheres (e.g. near mixing tanks, when cleaning spray guns)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Zone 2<\/td><td>Explosive atmospheres occur rarely and, when they do, only for a short time (passive storage)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column q-wichtig is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have the exclusion zones been defined in your organisation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We assess substances and work areas on site and classify the zones in a transparent manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#projekt-besprechen\">For advice<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"massnahmen-und-vorkehrungen\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Technical measures &amp; organisational arrangements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most important technical measures include ventilation systems, explosion-proof electrical equipment or work equipment, and adequate equipotential bonding. Detailed descriptions of the individual measures can be found below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All staff working in or near the paint store must receive appropriate training. This includes recognising potential hazards and malfunctions, being familiar with the safety precautions, and thus knowing how to act correctly in an emergency. This should be set out in a set of operating instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"technische-massnahmen\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Setting up a secure paint storage facility \u2013 with these technical measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ventilation systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adequate ventilation is crucial for keeping the concentration of flammable vapours below the explosion limit. A distinction is made between forced and natural ventilation. For paint storage facilities, forced ventilation is generally required to replace the air at regular intervals. Outdoors, where storage is purely passive, natural ventilation via ventilation slots may sometimes be sufficient. However, paints may usually only be stored within defined temperature ranges. It is also important to ensure that solvent vapours are captured close to the floor, as they are heavier than air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explosion-proof equipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All electrical equipment used in a potentially explosive atmosphere must comply with explosion protection requirements (ATEX approval). This means that they are designed in such a way that they do not generate sparks or hot surfaces that could trigger an explosion. This depends on the relevant zone classification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Earthing and equipotential bonding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The movement of liquids can give rise to static electricity. This can act as a spark and become a source of ignition. It is therefore essential that all metal parts in the paint store are earthed and interconnected, and that plastic components are electrically conductive. Flexible cables with terminals attached to containers are therefore important. The floor must also be conductive (grating or conductive coating).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"tipps\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for operators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list q-check\">\n<li>Maintaining a register of hazardous substances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take into account factors relevant to the mixture (H-statements, flash point, LEL\/UEL)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compile the necessary documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For new substances, clarify their classification and, where necessary, take any implications into account<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also observe the requirements regarding notification and inspection (BetrSichV, Water Legislation\/AwSV)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regular inspections of the hazardous substances storage facility to identify any damage at an early stage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seek expert advice and have your systems checked regularly<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explosive mixtures can form rapidly in paint and solvent storage areas. We show how to assess hazardous substances correctly, classify explosion-hazard zones and safeguard storage areas with ventilation, explosion protection and equipotential bonding.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":1287,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_seopress_titles_title":"Explosionsschutz im Lacklager | QUBUS","_seopress_titles_desc":"In Lack- und L\u00f6semittellagern entstehen schnell explosionsf\u00e4hige Gemische. 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