Essential Storage Solutions for Chemicals: Investing in Safety for Outdoor Businesses

The Importance of Chemical Storage for Golf Courses and Outdoor Businesses

Golf courses, landscaping companies, and other outdoor-focused businesses often require the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals to maintain their properties. While these materials are essential for turf management and pest control, they come with strict storage requirements to protect the environment, employees, and patrons. Investing in a purpose-built chemical storage building is a proactive solution to ensure compliance, safety, and long-term sustainability.

Key Regulations Impacting Outdoor Businesses

Outdoor businesses that store and use chemicals must comply with guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The main regulations include:

  • EPA’s FIFRA Regulations: These ensure that pesticides are stored safely to prevent contamination and accidental exposure.
  • OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS): Requires proper labeling, signage, and secure storage for all hazardous materials.
  • Local Environmental Regulations: Many states and municipalities have additional requirements, especially for businesses near water sources or residential areas.

Failing to comply with these regulations can result in fines, environmental harm, and potential liability issues, making proper storage a top priority.

Why Specialized Storage Buildings Are Ideal for Chemical Storage

1. Built for Safety and Durability

Purpose-built chemical storage buildings are designed to protect against fires, leaks, and contamination. These buildings come with essential features like:

  • Fire-Resistant Walls: Protects stored chemicals and nearby structures in case of fire.
  • Secondary Containment Systems: Prevents leaks from seeping into soil and groundwater.
  • Temperature and Ventilation Control: Essential for chemicals that are sensitive to heat or produce fumes.

Investing in a compliant storage building minimizes risk and helps ensure your business meets local and federal guidelines.

2. Preventing Environmental Contamination

For golf courses and other outdoor venues, protecting the environment is paramount. Many of these sites are close to water features, residential areas, or natural habitats, which can easily be impacted by chemical leaks or spills. Specialized storage buildings:

  • Contain Spills Efficiently: Built-in containment and drainage systems prevent spills from affecting surrounding soil and waterways.
  • Offer Isolation from Sensitive Areas: Purpose-built storage can be strategically located to reduce risks to environmentally sensitive zones.

3. Secure and Compliant Storage for Hazardous Materials

Chemical storage buildings provide a secure, restricted environment for pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. This is particularly important for outdoor businesses where access needs to be controlled and monitored. Benefits include:

  • Enhanced Security Features: Lockable units and controlled access reduce the chance of theft or tampering.
  • Protection Against Unauthorized Access: Only trained personnel can access stored chemicals, reducing risks of mishandling.

Best Practices for Chemical Storage in Specialized Buildings

Organize and Label Properly

Inside the storage building, ensure all containers are clearly labeled and organized according to compatibility guidelines. This minimizes the chance of accidental reactions and promotes easy access for employees.

Separate Chemicals by Hazard Class

Separate incompatible chemicals within the storage unit to prevent dangerous reactions. For instance:

  • Pesticides and Fertilizers: Store these separately, as fertilizers can interact with pesticides.
  • Flammable and Non-Flammable Materials: Segregate flammable chemicals to avoid fire risks.

Regular Inspections and Emergency Planning

Routine inspections help identify and address any potential issues within the storage building. Inspections should cover:

  • Container Integrity: Look for signs of leaks or corrosion on chemical containers.
  • Label and Documentation Checks: Ensure that all labels are clear and up-to-date, with accessible Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each material.
  • Ventilation Systems: Verify that ventilation systems are functioning effectively to prevent fume buildup.

Additionally, establish an emergency response plan and conduct training drills with staff to handle spills or leaks safely and efficiently.

Key Benefits of Using Purpose-Built Chemical Storage Buildings

  1. Compliance and Safety Assurance: Purpose-built storage buildings simplify regulatory compliance and reduce risks to employee safety.
  2. Environmental Protection: Specialized containment features help prevent contamination of soil, water, and surrounding ecosystems.
  3. Secure, Organized Access: Lockable units and controlled access provide additional security and peace of mind for business owners.
  4. Long-Term Investment in Risk Reduction: Investing in a storage building reduces potential liabilities associated with accidental exposure, contamination, or environmental damage.

Please visit our website for more information and pricing on safe and compliant storage solutions.

Business Protections Against Fire | Cannabis Facilities

By Shelley Swearingen | September 29, 2020


Coastal Pacific states are currently battling raging wildfires. These western states are no stranger to fire, but the losses don’t always have to be catastrophic. Protecting cannabis dispensaries, pharmacies, growers, producers, and secure transporters from natural disasters is possible; it just takes planning.

Records Protection


Most states have laws requiring the digital tracking of product from seed to sale. Many states also require customer databases be kept & maintained to abide by quantity limits. This data is pertinent to stay within compliance and safeguards must be in place to protect this data. It’s also important to select servers that protect against fire AND water. A unit should be able to withstand the fire and the efforts to put out the fire.  



The ioSafe protects data from fire and water. It can withstand temperatures up to 1550°F for 30 minutes, and water submersion at 10 ft for up to 72 hours.  The internal capacity maxes out at 16TB, and it it’s compact in size: 12 inches high and weighs less than 30lbs.


Businesses, no matter how tech savvy they may be, will always need to store some hardcopies. For this reason, a traditional fire-safe file cabinet should be procured.


FireKing manufactures the best fireproof filing options available. Other brand names only offer half the fire safe protection. These cabinets are available in legal or letter size and multiple drawer options.

Chemical Storage

The cannabis industry is highly regulated. Growers & producers must abide by traditional guidelines for the safe storage of insecticides, pesticides, and other chemicals as well as cannabis specific regulations just to stay in compliance. 

Fire or other natural disasters can cause hazardous chemicals to turn deadly. If not stored properly, fire could cause ignition and explosion. The acquisition of proper storage can prevent against additional damage.

The AG400 is the best choice for the storage & safe handling of chemicals. This unit is rated to meet OSHA requirements and withstand up to 4 hours of fire.

Product Storage

Cannabis regulators are primarily concerned with safeguarding citizens against the proliferation of marijuana on the black market. For this reason, many businesses will implement security provisions that prevent surreptitious entry but may not prevent against mother nature.


There are various safes and vaults that can be manufactured to tailor to the specific needs of your business. Protect product from natural forces as well as theft.


Vault doors protect cash and product from diversion as well as natural disasters. Fallen trees could compromise the integrity of a traditional locked door thus enticing those that may wish to profit from your misfortune.  

For smaller quantities of product, a high security safe may suffice. This featured safe is manufactured with narcotic storage in mind – sure to pass compliance inspections. It’s also fire tested to 1850°.

No matter the scale or size of your operation…

KL Security can help facilitate compliance and protection. We’ve helped numerous cannabis facilities nationwide assemble license applications, maintain compliance standards, protect against diversion, and drive revenue. Our consultants are knowledgeable, experienced, and ready to assist.

Call 866-867-0306 or email [email protected]

Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. The information contained in this site is provided for informational purposes only.