Chemical Storage Procedures

Chemical Storage
Consult the SDS, Labels, Supervisors or EHS if you are unsure of proper storage of chemicals.
• Flammable Liquids – Flammable liquids are required to be stored in flammable liquid storage
cabinets approved by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or flammable liquid
storage rooms meeting OSHA requirements in 29 CFR 1910.106. OSHA's requirements include
ventilation, dikes, explosion proof lighting, intrinsically safe wiring, grounding and bonding.
Oxidizers, acids and other incompatible chemicals are prohibited from being stored in these
areas. Do not permit sources of ignition in or near storage areas.
• Corrosives – Corrosives can be acidic or basic. Acids and bases should never be stored together.
Corrosives should not be stored with flammable or combustible materials. Spill trays should be
used to contain leaks.
• Oxidizers – Store in an isolated area away from flammable or combustible materials. These
agents may react at room temperature producing fire or explosions. Do not mix strong oxidizers
with combustible materials. Some are even explosive on contact with organic materials.
Examples include perchloric acid, chromic acid, and hydrogen peroxide.
• Toxic and Poisonous Materials – Store in isolated areas, Do not store with acids or flammable
materials.
• Cryogenic Liquefied Gases – Store in cool, well ventilated areas. Cryogenic gases boil off at room
temperatures and must be vented to prevent dangerous excessive pressure build up. This
vented gas can displace oxygen in enclosed or unventilated areas. The liquid form will instantly
cause cold-contact burns to living tissue upon contact.
• Water Reactive Compounds – Store in isolated location away from any water sources.
• Pyrophoric Compounds – Store in isolated location under nitrogen.
• Peroxide Forming Compounds – Do not store with organics or solvents. Store in airtight
containers in a dark, cool but not freezing, and dry area. Do not permit sources of heat, friction,
grinding, or impact near storage areas. Date upon receiving and opening all incoming peroxide
forming chemicals and dispose of them immediately upon reaching their expiration date. Some
example of peroxide forming compounds are: diethyl ether, vinylidene chloride, sodium amide,
styrene, tetrahydrofuran, and dioxane.
• Special Compounds – Follow specific storage instructions from chemical manufacturers. Check
for moisture in the bottle of explosive chemicals that must be stored wet or in solution. Date all
incoming shock sensitive explosive chemicals and dispose of them immediately upon reaching
their expiration date. Both picric acid and benzoyl peroxide must be kept wet. If the solution
dries, the crystals form very sensitive explosive compounds. Any shock or friction could set
these off. Some chemicals like diethyl pyrocarbonate must be refrigerated to remain stable.
Once unstable, removing the cap could cause an explosion. Do not mix combustibles with
perchlorates. Many perchlorates become explosive when mixed with combustibles. Examples
include: silver perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate, and potassium
perchlorate. Organic perchlorates like methyl perchlorate are self-contained explosives.
• Compressed Gas Cylinders – Compressed gas cylinders must be secured in an upright position
away from excessive heat, highly combustible materials, and areas where they might be
damaged or knocked over. A chain, bracket or other restraining device shall be used to secure
the cylinder at all times to prevent them from falling. The cylinder status as to "full" or "empty"
must be indicated on the cylinder and the valve cap must be in place whenever the cylinder is
not connected for use.
• Cylinders must be stored in ventilated areas. Closets and lockers are not acceptable storage
locations. Hallways, corridors, stairwells or near elevators are also unacceptable. Additionally,
cylinders of oxygen and other oxidizers must not be stored within 20-feet of fuel-gas or other
combustible materials unless separated by a specific barrier, e.g., a noncombustible wall, not
less than 5-feet high, having a fire-resistance rating of ½-hour. Securing devices can be
purchased from any laboratory safety supply company, or the Sheet Metal Shop can develop a
restraining system.
Additional Safety Procedures – Maintain small inventories of chemicals. Large inventories are more
dangerous and usually result in more wastes being generated. Store all items on secure shelves below
eye level and large containers on low shelves. Never store chemicals on the floor. Storage areas should
be cool, dry, ventilated and well lit. Appropriate chemical spill kits and fire extinguishers should be kept
near storage areas. Containers must be sealed, capped and in good condition. Keep the outside of
containers clean of chemical residue. When applicable, handling and storage procedures, outlined on
SDS, should be incorporated into your Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Prior to working with
chemicals, training on proper use and storage must be provided. If you are unsure of the correct safe
handling procedures for any chemical, please contact EHS for assistance.
Other sources of Chemical Information
• Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials,
• Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards,
• The Merck Index, and
• The International Technical Information Institute's Toxic and Hazardous Industrial Chemicals
Safety Manual,
• ToxNet (http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/), and
• HazMap (http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/)
Chemical Spills
Hazardous substances used in laboratories require preplanning to respond safely to chemical spills. The
cleanup of chemical spills should only be done by knowledgeable and experienced personnel. Spill kits
with instructions, absorbents, reactants, and protective equipment should be available to clean up
minor spills. A minor chemical spill is one that the laboratory staff is capable of handling safely without
the assistance of safety and emergency personnel. All other chemical spills are considered to be major.
See the Arkansas State Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan. Chemical spill cleanup kits,
including instructions for use, are available from various laboratory safety supply vendors.
Chemical Compatibility Chart
Note: Identify class to which a specific compound belongs, read unsafe combinations with other classes
both horizontally and vertically