Chemicals storage considerations

Considerable variety is available in the types, styles, and applications of eye and face protection. For the conditions which exist in most chemical storage facilities, where packaging remains sealed, eye protection will be dictated by the presence of physical hazards. Many warehouse operators require safety spectacles in warehouse and maintenance areas. Persons who wear prescription lenses should wear protective eyewear fitted with prescription lenses or protective devices worn over prescription eyewear. 

Local population density and sensitivity, land use and environmental considerations should play an important role in the decision to build, use or continue operation of a warehouse for chemical storage. Local conditions such as high population density, nearby schools or hospitals, or highly sensitive plant and animal species can magnify the problems associated with a chemical release. Natural perils such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes should be considered as they may precipitate chemical releases. Exposure from nearby industries, such as warehouses, flammable liquid storage or processing facilities should be evaluated. Additionally, the potential for riot and civil commotion, the adequacy of emergency responders, and the adequacy and reliability of utilities such as electricity and water supply should also be addressed. 

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are compiled and available for all chemicals. These documents explain the inhalation and contact health risks, as well as the flammability and toxicity of the chemical they describe. They also outline special handling and storage considerations. When handling a new chemical, it is prudent to examine its accompanying MSDS. 

NFPA 430, 2.6.2 4.1.2.2 Approval (see definition) of chemical storage areas shall take into consideration the potential for large quantities of smoke and toxic fumes, especially as storage affects... 

This reaction has an obvious lesson for chemical storage don t assume that the most common use of a chemical (e.g., nitric acid as an acid) limits its ability to function otherwise. Storing these two acids together, which at first might seem reasonable, presents a considerable hazard. This is discussed more in Sections 8.1.1 and 8.3.4. 

Which categories of chemicals require special storage considerations ... 

Table 7-1 Common liquid chemicals used in water treatment 77 Table 7-2 Liquid water treatment chemicals—special storage considerations...

Another consideration is that it is necessary first to destroy the stockpiled Mustard -Lewisite mixtures stored in high tonnage containers. Two factors underlie this decision (1) munitions with thick walls provide relatively much safer chemicals storage than the relatively less thick walled high tonnage containers (2) In case of an unforeseen accident, the amount of chemical released from one high tonnage container will exceed by 100 to 1000 times the amount released from a munition. 

We conclude this section by noting an extreme case of chain transfer, a reaction which produces radicals of such low reactivity that polymerization is effectively suppressed. Reagents that accomplish this are added to commercial monomers to prevent their premature polymerization during storage. These substances are called either retarders or inhibitors, depending on the degree of protection they afford. Such chemicals must be removed from monomers prior to use, and failure to achieve complete purification can considerably affect the polymerization reaction. 

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