STORING FLAMMABLE AND CORROSIVES

Preview This section introduces the storage of flammable and corrosive chemicals in the laboratory. 

It is usually difficult for people to change behaviors until an event occurs. This event reminds us that we have to change that mindset. 

A chemical storage cabinet was homemade of thin plywood and particle board shelves and these were held together by a pressed paperboard back panel. The cabinet was used to store organic chemicals. The bottom shelf collapsed but since it only dropped a few inches, there were no broken bottles. 

INCIDENT 8.2.1.2 CONCENTRATED ACETIC ACID BOTTLE BREAKS  

What lessons can be learned from these incidents  

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Hazard Spontaneous decomposition at room temperature releases flammable and corrosive products dangerous fire hazard explodes on heating. Store in open containers at low temperature with adequate ventilation. 

Minimize the risk of handling flammables and corrosives by storing them in proper cabinets. 

Can flammable and corrosive chemicals be stored in the same storage cabinet ... 

The types of harm that chemicals have the capacity to cause (in other words their hazards) are qualitatively different and not commensurate with each other. At one extreme are effects that require reasonably high concentrations of the substance, are immediate and localized (for example flammability, explosivity, corrosiveness and acute toxicity). The causal relationship between a particular chemical exposure and such effects is usually obvious, or at least easy to demonstrate. Those affected generally include those who deal directly with the chemical and it is often possible to handle and store the chemical in such a way that harm is avoided. The existing European Union (EU) regulatory system, dating from the 1967 dangerous substances directive (Council Directive 67/548/EEC) was clearly set up with... 

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. 

The safe storage of adhesives and sealants that contain flammable, corrosive, or hazardous substances must also be considered. Many organic solvents are flammable, and certain adhesives will generate copious amounts of heat when reacted. For this reason, containers used for two- or three-part materials should be stored separately to prevent accidental mixing of the components in the case of spillage. 

Flammable Liquid, Corrosive, Poison SAFETY PROFILE A poison by skin contact and ingestion. Moderately toxic by inhalation. Ingestion of even small amounts can be fatal. A skin and severe eye irritant. Inhalation of a small amount can cause immediate lachrymation, coughing, choking, and respiratory distress. Death may result from pulmonar) edema which may not appear for several hours after exposure. A dangerous fire and moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat, spark, or flame. Self-reactive. Iron salts may catalyze a potentially explosive thermal decomposition. Incompatible with water, iron, metal salts, acids, alkalies, amines, alcohols. Stable under refrigeration below 20°, but one reference (1973) reports that it has exploded while stored in a refrigerator. Present-day formulations appear to be more stable. Temperatures above 20° can cause decomposition. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes. 

Formula (CH3)2CH0C(0)00C(0)0CH(CH3)2 Properties Colorless cryst. solid or liq. misc. with aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated hydrocarbons, esters, ethers pract. insol. in water m.w. 206.22 dens. 1.080 (15.5/4 C) m.p. 8-10 C rapid decomp. 63 F ref. index 1.4034 (20 C) Toxicology LD50 (oral, rat) 2140 mg/kg, (skin, rabbit) 2025 mg/kg mod. toxic by ing. and skin contact primary severe eye irritant TSCA listed Precaution Dangerous fire risk unstable above IOC impact- and heat-sensitive explosive spontaneous decomp. R.T. releases flamm. and corrosive prods. explodes on heating explodes on contact with amines or potassium iodide, possibly organics Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and fumes NFPA Health 0, Flammability 4, Reactivity 4 Storage Store in open containers low temps, with adequate ventilation Uses Low-temp, polymerization catalyst initiator for polymerization of unsat. monomers, PVC in food-pkg. adhesives polymerization catalyst in mfg. of paper/paperboard in contact with aq./fatty foods... 

Keep incompatible classes of gases stored separately. Keep flammables from reactives, which include oxidizers and corrosives. 

Commercial acrolein contains an inhibitor such as hydroquinone samples from which the inhibitor has been removed (e.g., by distillation) are extremely hazardous. Because of its corrosivity, flammability, and high acute toxicity, acrolein should be handled using the "basic prudent practices" of (Chapter 5.C, supplemented by the additional precautions for work with compounds of high toxicity (Chapter 5.D) and extremely flammable substances (Chapter 5.F). In particular, work with acrolein should be conducted in a fume hood to prevent exposure by inhalation, and splash goggles and butyl rubber gloves should be worn at all times to prevent eye and skin contact. Acrolein should be used only in areas free of ignition sources. Containers of acrolein should be stored in secondary containers in areas separate from amines, oxidizers, acids, and bases. 

Nonmetals and their compounds may be solids, liquids, or gases. Some may bum some are toxic and they can also be reactive, corrosive, and oxidizers. The largest quantities of hazardous materials encountered are made up of nomnetal (nonsalt) materials. These materials can also be divided into families. Hydrocarbon fuel is the most commonly encountered hazardous material. Products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and fuel oil are all used to power our vehicles or heat our homes and businesses. Propane, butane, and natural gas are also fuels, but are not mixtures they are pure compounds. They are transported frequently and stored in large quantities and can present frequent problems to responders. They form a family called the hydrocarbons because they are made up primarily of carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons are flammable, and may be toxic or cause asphyxiation by displacing oxygen in the air. 

Now that we have addressed the properties of chemicals that impact storage, let s look at physical requirements. Many specific requirements for storing flammable chemicals and corrosive chemicals are presented in Section 8.2.1. The comments here extend this discussion to other categories of chemicals. 

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