Storage, chemicals flammable

If flammable chemicals are stored in base cabinets, in the U.S. the cabinets must comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards 30 and 45 for flammable chemical storage (322,324). Venting, while not required, is also advisable. 

Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., Liquefied Flammable Gases— Storage and Handling, Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Birmingham, UK, 1970. 

Substances may be heated to their flash points by other substances with lower flash points burning in close proximity. Storage of flammable chemicals, therefore, needs careful consideration. 

Substances that are peroxide formers will often have an inhibitor or stabilizer added to prevent peroxidation. They are often not easily identifiable as peroxide formers by using MSDSs or ICSCs. Rather, they are frequently identified by another characteristic, such as flammability, for storage and shipping purposes. Examples of peroxide formers include 1,3-butadiene, 1,1-dichloroethylene, isopropyl ether, and alkali metals. Johnson et al. (2003) tabulate other chemical structures susceptible to peroxide formation. 

The greatest safety hazard in chemical engineering operations is without question caused by uncontrolled chemical reactions, either within the chemical reactor or when flammable chemicals escape from storage vessels or pipes. Many undergraduate students are never exposed to the extremely nonlinear and potentially hazardous characteristics of exothermic free radical processes. 

Chemicals should be stored properly. For example, flammable chemicals (e.g ethanol, methanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, petroleum distillates, toluene, benzene, and other materials labeled flammable) should be stored in approved flammable storage cabinets, and flammable chemicals requiring refrigeration should be stored in explosion-proof refrigerators. Oxidizers should be segregated from other chemicals, and corrosive acids (e.g., sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, perchloric, and hydrofluoric acids) should also be stored in a separate cabinet, well-removed from the flammable organics. 

Cabinets designed for the storage of flammable chemicals should be properly used and maintained. Read and follow the manufacturer s information and follow these safety practices ... 

As with any potentially flammable material, the best storage facility is a well-ventilated, fire-resistant building, suitable for flammable chemicals, that is away from main buildings and offices. 

Mercaptans are flammable. Normal precautions used in handling any flammable chemical are applicable. Flares used to burn vapors to reduce pressure on a storage tank should be situated as far away from the general storage area as practical. The flare should have a suitable flame arrestor. All potential sources of fire, flame, and sparks in the immediate area should be sought out and eliminated. 

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. 

DISPOSAL AND STORAGE METHODS mix with a flammable solvent (such as alcohol) and bum in chemical incinerator equipped with afterburner and scrubber store in a cool, dry location outside storage preferred inside storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage room or eabinet isolate from oxidizing materials, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. 

A busy laboratory utilizes large quantities of chemicals for sample preparation and processing. The chemical storage facility should stand alone from the main facility and be used to store and segregate hazardous materials such as flammables, acids and bases (see Fig. 13.6). Chemicals in these different categories should never be stored in the same room because inadvertent mixing could result in an explosion or Are. 

NFPA 432,4.11.3.1 4.5.3 Incompatible materials and flammable liquids shall not be stored within 25 ft. of organic peroxide formulations in chemical storage areas. [NOTE Organic peroxide formulations that are also classified as flammable liquids may be stored with other organic peroxide formulations.]... 

AU chemicals must be stored properly, according to compatibility. AU chemicals which pose a special hazard or risk shaU be limited to the minimum quantities needed for the short-term need of the research program, and materials not in actual use shaU be stored imder appropriate safe conditions. For example, flammables not in use shaU be kept in a flammable material storage cabinet, or excess quantities of explosives shall be stored in magazines, away from the immediate... 

There should be some basic emergency equipment and supplies readily available to every laboratory usirrg hazardous chemicals. It is essential that some items be available within the laboratory itself For example, in any laboratory in which flammables are stored, OSHA standards (19 10.106(dX7)(b)) require that at least one 12-B portable fire extinguisher be located not less than 10 feet nor more than 25 feet from a flammable material storage area within a building. If other types of chemicals are in use, other types of fire extinguishers should be available, such as class D units if reactive metals are stored or in use or pressurized water units if there are substantial amounts of ordinary combustible materials present. 

Flammable chemicals are to be stored only in Zone 2 or Zone 3 of the HCF in approved storage containers. The quantity of flammable chemicals in storage in the HCF is limited to 20 kg (5 gallons) for each chemical, in containers no larger than 4 liters. 

Refrigerators used for storage of flammable chemicals must be explosion-proof, laboratory-safe units. Materials placed in refrigerators should be clearly labeled with water-resistant labels. Storage trays or secondary containers should be used to minimize the distribution of material in the event a container should leak or break. It is good practice to retain the shipping can for such secondary containers. 

There should be no potential sources of electrical sparks on the inside of a laboratory refrigerator where volatile or flammable chemicals are stored. Only refrigerators that have been Unda-writers-approved for flammable storage by the manufacturer should be used for this purpose. If this is not possible, aU new or existing manual defrost refrigerators... 

If your facility uses inside storage rooms to store flammable chemicals, make sure the rooms are constructed to meet the required fire-resistive rating for their use. The test specifications that must be followed are set forth in the Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials, NFPA 251-1969. 

Using inside storage rooms to store flammable chemicals. 

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