Pesticide storage Cancel The title field is required!

1. Chad Shafer

   

   2 posts
   
   1/23/2013 9:01 PM

   I am wondering how many superintendents out there have a dedicated building for pesticide storage? If you don't how do you store your chemicals? We are looking to maybe purchase a dedicated pesticide storage building what would you recommend ?

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   1/24/2013 5:01 AM

   I've done it all kinds of ways. We currently have a room built into the end of our building that is set up for chemical storage. Has explosion proof lighting, sealed floor, curb at the door and ventilation. Our other maintenance shop has a pre-fabricated, dedicated chemical storage building.
   
   My other course down south of here has a pre-fab building I bought for them a few years back. I went through Grainger. This is what I bought them: https://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DENIOS-Storage-Building-5NTR5?Pid=search. Grainger also has larger models available. I went through Grainger because they offered the best price and free shipping. You will need a large forklift or loader with forks to unload it though.
   
   I've seen smaller courses, including some park facilities, that use the simple yellow safety cabinets for chemicals. You can get these pretty cheap and if you need more room, just buy another one.
   
   Just check with any local laws before you buy.

   
   
   
   
3. Ryan Sears

   

   1 posts
   
   1/24/2013 7:01 AM

   When you say "check your local laws" regarding chem. storage and containment....... I feel like its not a good idea to wake a sleeping dog by asking the authorities for fear of them checking out the facility and writing fines for not already having the proper set up. I would rather find in writing what the city requires. Currently finding it difficult to locate this info. Any thoughts

   
   
   
   
4. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   1/24/2013 7:01 AM

   I have always found it easier to work with the ag inspector.They are just trying to keep you safe.

   
   
   
   
5. Michael Vogt

   

   2 posts
   
   1/24/2013 8:01 AM

   Chad:
   
   I can tell you that the number of golf maintenance facilities that have a dedicated storage area for chemicals and fertilizers is woefully small. And I can also say that superintendents put themselves in a precarious situation when the facility is not as good as it could be.
   
   Public opinion has already labeled golf and superintendents as "the great polluters and water wasters". That being said, I have attached a small booklet, I wrote, on facility planning that might be of interest to you or others. I would recommend you and superintendents that have need to secure chemicals and fertilizers to be proactive and have a dialog with your local regulatory agencies and your board, GM, owners or whoever makes decisions at your business and plan accordingly before a situation could become troublesome.
   
   Good luck Chad,
   My best, Mike

   
   
   
   
6. Chad Shafer

   

   2 posts
   
   1/24/2013 8:01 AM

   Mike
   Thank you for that download
   and information that really helps. One question I do do have is I was on
   the EPA website and could not find any thing about a specific law stating that you must have a chemical storage place. They just gave general recommendations like good ventilation, locks on door, signage, etc. is there a federal law and if so were do I find that information?
   Thanks
   Chad

   
   
   
   
7. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   1/24/2013 8:01 AM

   Chad, I used to work in California which has some of the strictest laws and yet seen areas of a shop fence off with chicken wire and a metal cabnet that were legal.Here in Virginia the collage is the leading resource and the facility at the course at Viginia tech is not much more than a plywood shack.I am sure most of us would like to have dedicated , heated storage facilitys with contianed wash off pads and a shower ect. but if you check with your local ag advisor he or she could tell you what your legal requirements are.

   
   
   
   
8. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   1/24/2013 10:01 AM

   Generally speaking, a secure, contained space with minimal inventory is what is required from the Ag inspectors standpoint. They discourage wooden shelves here in Florida, but painted wooden shelves is okay. Our county fire code states we must also have explosion proof electrical since it is considered "hazardous materials storage".
   
   I've found the best method is being very upfront with your inspector. Show them a willingness to learn and improve and they will work with you. I've also found that if you keep the place clean, no evidence of spills, unlabeled jugs, etc...they aren't so uptight. It's not expensive by any means to be up to code, and in fact you are probably already doing what is required. Follow the BMP's for storage, and you should be fine.
   
   When we built this shop, our room was up to code. For very minimal, less than $150, we poured the curb at the door and sealed the floor and 12" up the wall. We get inspected almost annually, and because of our willingness to improve and work with the inspector, we are praised on our facility.
   
   Page 86 of the Florida Golf BMP Handbook covers pesticide storage. Again, check with locals laws covering this, but basically these BMP's will cover all bases.

   
   
   
   
9. Michael Vogt

   

   2 posts
   
   1/24/2013 3:01 PM

   Chad:
   
   These other two articles I wrote may be of some help in your decision process, any questions, give me a call at (800) 365-2498.
   
   http://mcmahongroup.blogspot.com/2009/0 ... x-and-load
   
   http://mcmahongroup.blogspot.com/2009/1 ... -wash-pads
   
   My best, Mike

   
   
   
   
10. Chad Shafer

    

    2 posts
    
    1/24/2013 5:01 PM

    Thank you everyone for the comments this is really helpful.
    Chad