# Safety Can Guide: Type I vs Type II, Oily Waste Cans and Storage for Canadian Sites

> How to choose a safety can: Type I vs Type II, flame arresters, oily waste cans, plunger cans and cabinet storage, with the Justrite range ERE carries.

- **URL:** https://www.ereinc.com/blogs/field-notes/safety-can-guide-type-i-vs-type-ii-oily-waste-cans-and-storage-for-canadian-sites

A safety can is a closed, approved metal container for carrying and pouring flammable liquids, and the choice comes down to three decisions: Type I or Type II, the liquid class, and whether you also need a separate can for oily rags. This guide covers each decision and shows the Justrite safety cans, plunger cans, dip tanks and oily waste cans ERE carries for Canadian shops, labs and field crews.

**Key takeaways**
- **Type I has one opening, Type II has two.** Type II adds a flexible hose so you can pour into a small opening without lifting the can high.
- **A safety can is for liquid, an oily waste can is for rags.** They are different products and they are not interchangeable.
- **Check the approval marks.** The Justrite AccuFlow Type II line is listed as FM approved and UL/ULC listed on ERE's product record.
- **Cans go in a cabinet.** CCOHS says hazardous chemicals belong in closed metal containers or safety cans, and open cans or buckets are not permitted in a flammable storage cabinet.

**In this guide**
- [What is a safety can used for?](#what)
- [What is the difference between a Type I and a Type II safety can?](#type)
- [Which features matter on a safety can?](#features)
- [How do you stop static from igniting the vapour when you pour?](#static)
- [Do you need an oily waste can as well?](#oily)
- [When is a plunger can or dip tank the better tool?](#special)
- [Where should safety cans be stored?](#storage)
- [How do you choose a safety can, step by step?](#choose)
- [Which safety cans does ERE carry?](#ere)
- [Frequently Asked Questions](#faq)

## What Is a Safety Can Used For?

A safety can holds and dispenses small quantities of flammable liquid such as fuel, solvent or thinner at the point of use, with a self-closing lid that limits vapour and spills. It replaces the open pail or the plastic jug that is the usual cause of a flash fire at a bench or a pump.

The hazard is the vapour, not the liquid. [CCOHS](https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/howto/flame.html) notes that the vapour of most flammable liquids is heavier than air, so it can travel a long way along the floor and ignite at a distant spark or flame, then flash back to the container. A can that closes by itself when you let go keeps that vapour inside.

## What Is the Difference Between a Type I and a Type II Safety Can?

A Type I safety can has a single opening that is used for both filling and pouring, while a Type II safety can has two openings: one to fill and a second, with a flexible hose or spout, to pour. That is how the two types are normally defined, and ERE's product records follow it: the Type I range takes a replacement funnel, the Type II range takes a flexible hose.

 | Question | Type I | Type II

 | Openings | One, for fill and pour | Two, one to fill and one to pour

 | Best for | Open pouring into a funnel or wide opening | Pouring into small openings, generators, equipment tanks

 | Accessory on ERE's range | [Replacement funnel](/products/justrite-replacement-funnel-for-steel-type-1-safety-cans) for 1 US gallon (4 L) cans and above | [5/8 in. O.D. flexible hose](/products/justrite-flexible-hose-for-type-ii-safety-cans) and a [1 in. flexible hose](/products/justrite-replacement-1-flexible-hose-for-type-ii-safety-cans)

If you are not sure, pick Type II when the destination is a small opening and Type I when the can only ever sits on a bench and feeds a wide container.

## Which Features Matter on a Safety Can?

Four features separate a good safety can from a plain metal jug: a self-closing lid, a pressure-relief vent, a flame arrester and a controlled pour. The [Justrite AccuFlow Type II steel safety can](/products/justrite-accuflow-safety-cans-type-ii-steel-fm-approved-ul-ulc-listed) lists all four in the product record:
- **Safe-Squeeze trigger** for smooth flow and accurate pouring
- **Auto-venting pressure relief cap** and a leak-proof, self-closing, gasketed lid that controls vapours and spills
- **Stainless steel flame arrester** that dissipates heat and prevents flashback ignition
- **Large identification zone** with the warning in three languages, to reduce misuse
- **FM approved, UL/ULC listed** with a 10-year limited warranty

For transport, the [D.O.T. AccuFlow 5 US gallon Type II can](/products/justrite-d-o-t-accuflow-safety-cans-type-ii-steel-5-us-gal-red-fm-approved) (about 19 L) adds a hold-down bracket with a tightening screw to prevent vapour release and spills in a vehicle, heavy roll bars that protect the spout, and a fusible link that melts at 165°F (75°C) to prevent dangerous pressure build-up. The lid vents automatically between 3 and 5 PSIG, and the can is listed as D.O.T. compliant and FM approved.

## How Do You Stop Static From Igniting the Vapour When You Pour?

You bond and ground the container and the receiving equipment when the situation calls for it, and you pour slowly. [CCOHS](https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/howto/flame.html) explains that static charge builds when flammable liquids are poured, pumped, filtered, agitated or flow through pipes, and its release can ignite the product. It also says it is sometimes necessary to ground and bond the container and receiving equipment, and that you must understand when and how to do it.

In practice that means metal-to-metal contact between the can and a metal receiving tank, no pouring into an ungrounded plastic container, and no pouring while a heater, pilot or hot surface is in the room. Your site's hazard assessment, not this article, sets the exact rule for your liquid and your equipment.

## Do You Need an Oily Waste Can as Well?

Yes, if solvent-soaked rags or wipes are used anywhere on site. Oily rags can heat and ignite on their own, so CCOHS tells workers to remove combustible materials such as oily rags from the work area and to dispose of them in approved containers. A safety can does not do that job, because it has no wide opening and is not built for rags.

The [Justrite oily waste cans](/products/justrite-oily-waste-cans-fm-approved-ul-listed) are galvanized steel, FM and UL approved, with a self-closing cover that reduces the oxygen supply, and a round body on a raised bottom that circulates air to disperse heat and prevent rust. They come in 2, 6, 10, 14 and 21 US gallon sizes (about 7.6 to 79 L), in red and yellow, with silver in the 10 and 21 US gallon sizes.
- **Bench or parts-washer:** the [mini bench-top oily waste can](/products/justrite-mini-bench-top-oily-waste-cans-fm-approved-0-45-us-gallon-red) holds 0.45 US gallon (1.7 L), with a lid that opens to a maximum of 60 degrees and closes by itself.
- **Hands-free:** the [hand-operated 21 US gallon oily waste can](/products/justrite-hand-operated-oily-waste-can-fm-approved-ul-listed-21-us-gal-red) keeps the lid closed when not in use and carries a 10-year warranty.

## When Is a Plunger Can or Dip Tank the Better Tool?

Use a plunger can when the job is wetting a cloth or swab with solvent, and a dip tank when parts must be soaked. Both reduce open-container exposure compared with a bucket and a rag.
- [Justrite plunger cans](/products/justrite-plunger-cans) dispense flammable liquids onto cloths or swabs without waste or exposure. Pressing the plunger fills the upper pan, and surplus liquid drains back into the can. They come in 1 pint, 1 quart and 1 US gallon, with brass pump parts that resist corrosion, and are FM approved.
- [Justrite dip tanks](/products/justrite-dip-tanks) are 1 US gallon steel tanks in 24-gauge coated steel. The cover stays open for access and snaps shut through a self-closing mechanism with a fusible link that melts at 165°F in a fire. A polyethylene liner is available for harsh, corrosive chemicals.

## Where Should Safety Cans Be Stored?

Store them closed, in a flammable liquid storage cabinet where the quantity or the fire code requires one. [CCOHS](https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/safety_cabinets.html) says to keep hazardous chemicals in closed metal containers, safety cans or anti-static plastic containers, to put all containers in secondary containment such as a tray, and that open-topped cans or buckets are not permitted in the cabinet. It also warns not to keep used or oily rags on top of or near the cabinet.

Cabinet rules depend on the liquid class. CCOHS lists Class IA and IB liquids with a flash point below 22.8°C, Class IC from 22.8°C to below 37.8°C, and Class II from 37.8°C to below 60°C, and says local fire codes set the standard a cabinet must meet. In all jurisdictions except Prince Edward Island that standard is ULC/ORD C1275, and the National Fire Code of Canada sets the quantities. Confirm the limits with your fire authority. ERE's [flammable and hazmat storage](/collections/flammable-hazmat-storage) range covers the cabinet side.

## How Do You Choose a Safety Can, Step by Step?
- **Name the liquid and its class.** Check the SDS for the flash point and the hazard class.
- **Pick the type.** Type II for small openings and engine or generator tanks, Type I for bench use with a funnel.
- **Pick the size.** Match the can to the amount you pour in one job; a can you can carry with one hand is used, a can that is too heavy is left on the floor.
- **Check the approvals.** Look for FM approval and UL/ULC listing, and D.O.T. compliance if the can rides in a vehicle.
- **Add the accessories.** Funnel for Type I, flexible hose for Type II.
- **Add the waste can.** If rags are used, add an oily waste can sized to the shift.
- **Plan storage.** Cans in a cabinet, grounding where required, labels per WHMIS.

## Which Safety Cans Does ERE Carry?

ERE stocks the Justrite range in the [Safety Cans collection](/collections/safety-cans): [Justrite steel safety cans](/products/justrite-safety-cans) (the range that takes the Type I funnel), the AccuFlow Type II line, the D.O.T. AccuFlow can, plunger cans, dip tanks, oily waste cans and the replacement funnels and hoses. The AccuFlow and Justrite steel can product records list several part numbers without stating capacity in the listing, so tell us the size and liquid and we will confirm the part number before you order. For wider site cover, see our guides to [spill kits](/blogs/field-notes/spill-kit-guide-oil-only-universal-and-hazmat-kits-for-canadian-sites), [spill containment pallets](/blogs/field-notes/spill-containment-pallets-sump-capacity-hardcovers-and-drum-handling-for-canadian-sites) and the [drum pump](/blogs/field-notes/drum-pump-how-to-choose-a-hand-pump-for-55-gallon-drums-in-canada), and the [eyewash station guide](/blogs/field-notes/eyewash-stations-plumbed-self-contained-or-bottle-what-15-minutes-of-flushing-requires-in-canada) for the emergency side of solvent handling.

**Need help choosing a safety can?**

ERE Inc. has supplied safety and environmental equipment to Canadian industry for 30+ years. Tell us the liquid, the quantity and where you pour it, and we will match the can, the accessories and the oily waste can.

 [**→ Request a Quote**](/pages/request-a-quote) | [1-888-287-EREC](tel:+18882873732) | [Browse Safety Cans](/collections/safety-cans) | [sales@ereinc.com](mailto:sales@ereinc.com)

## Frequently Asked Questions

## What is a safety can?

A safety can is an approved, closed metal container with a self-closing lid and a pressure-relief vent, used to carry and pour flammable liquids such as fuel and solvents. It limits vapour and spills compared with an open pail or a plastic jug.

## What is the difference between a Type I and a Type II safety can?

A Type I can has one opening for filling and pouring. A Type II can has two, with a flexible hose or spout for pouring into small openings. Type II is easier to use with equipment tanks and generators.

## Can I store gasoline in a plastic jug instead?

Not if you want the protection of an approved safety can. A safety can adds a self-closing lid, a relief vent and, on the AccuFlow line, a stainless steel flame arrester. Check your fire code and provincial rules for approved portable containers where you work.

## What is an oily waste can?

An oily waste can is a self-closing steel can for solvent-soaked rags and wipes. It cuts off the oxygen that lets oily rags heat and ignite on their own, and it is a different product from a safety can that holds liquid.

## Do safety cans need to go in a flammable storage cabinet?

Often, yes. CCOHS says to keep hazardous chemicals in closed metal containers or safety cans and to place them in secondary containment, and the fire code sets how much flammable liquid may sit outside a cabinet. Confirm the limits for your liquid class with your fire authority.

## Related articles
- [Spill Kit Guide: Oil-Only, Universal and Hazmat Kits for Canadian Sites](/blogs/field-notes/spill-kit-guide-oil-only-universal-and-hazmat-kits-for-canadian-sites)
- [Spill Containment Pallets: Sump Capacity, Hardcovers and Drum Handling](/blogs/field-notes/spill-containment-pallets-sump-capacity-hardcovers-and-drum-handling-for-canadian-sites)
- [Drum Pump: How to Choose a Hand Pump for 55-Gallon Drums](/blogs/field-notes/drum-pump-how-to-choose-a-hand-pump-for-55-gallon-drums-in-canada)
- [Eyewash Stations: Plumbed, Self-Contained or Bottle](/blogs/field-notes/eyewash-stations-plumbed-self-contained-or-bottle-what-15-minutes-of-flushing-requires-in-canada)

*Lire en français : [Bidon de sécurité : type I ou type II, bidons à chiffons huileux et stockage au Canada](/blogs/perspectives-securite/bidon-de-securite-type-i-ou-type-ii-bidons-a-chiffons-huileux-et-stockage-au-canada)*