Launceston Distillery: Controlling Flammable Spirit spill risk

As a multi award-winning distillery located within an historic local landmark, Launceston Distillery is well-known for its superb hand-crafted single malt whisky and unique cellar door experience. So, it was only natural that they contacted another local Tasmanian business, when looking for the best way to control flammable liquid spill risk during the distilling process.

As Launceston Distillery is situated in a heritage-listed building, its operations must respect and maintain the hangar's history and integrity. Therefore, the production equipment and utilities are essentially portable, capable of being removed at any time to return the hangar to its original state and preserve its history.

Throughout the various stages of the distilling process, flammable spirits are stored in stainless steel vats. However, due to their volatile nature and high concentrate of flammable vapours, these vats required secondary spill containment to minimise any fire risk in the event of a spill.

Distilleries and other alcoholic beverage makers are particularly vulnerable to the ignition of flammable liquids, as static electricity — from clothing, electricity or even the transfer of liquids — can easily ignite vapours.

Flammable vapours are often undetected, and they can travel distances quickly. This means that fire or flashback can occur, which leaves staff, product, place and the environment at risk when a fire does break out.

To control the possibility of ignition during beverage making processes, it’s important to handle and store flammable liquids correctly. It also means that spill containment must be provided, to mimimise the likelihood and impact of flammable spirits creating a fire risk through an accidental release.

Storemasta steel spill bunds provide the necessary secondary containment in this situation, allowing staff to work with these flammable spirits without risking a spill and the release of flammable vapours into the wider workplace. Storemasta’s steel bunding is also completely portable — so the distillery can continue to respect the history hangar in which they operate, easily repositioning the bunds without any alterations to the building.

#workplacesafety #dangerousgoods #flammableliquids #distillery #tasmania