UCCS SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE
25. SAFE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE CHEMICALS
(For assistance, please contact Environmental Health & Safety)
Flammable and combustible chemicals are materials that, under standard
conditions, can generate sufficient vapors to cause a fire in the presence of an
ignition source. Materials that generate sufficient vapors to ignite at temperatures
below 100°F (38°C) are "flammables," whereas materials that require temperatures
above 100°F to provide sufficient vapors for ignition are "combustibles." Typical
flammable liquids, classes 1A, 1B, and 1C, are listed below.
Depending on density, vapor trails can rise, sink, or traverse horizontally to reach an
ignition source, which can result in a flashback fire. Fire can also result from reactions
between flammables or combustibles and oxidizers.
CABINETS
 Shall not be vented without prior approval by EH&S and Facilities Services.
 Are to be vented only with stainless steel piping with joints and seams
sealed such that they will not leak under fire conditions.
 Shall have the vent caps screwed securely in place, unless appropriately
vented. Shall contain no more than 60-gallons, or the rated capacity of
the cabinet, whichever is less.
USE
 Never use food containers, or containers that look like food
containers, for flammable liquid storage or use.
 Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames, hot surfaces,
operation of electrical equipment, and static electricity from areas in which
flammable materials are used.
 Ensure that there is proper bonding and grounding when transferring
between containers. Avoid the buildup of static electricity when transferring
between plastic containers by avoiding the “free-fall” of liquids -- pour carefully
in a steady stream down the sides of the container.
 Ensure that there is a functional fire extinguisher in the area where
UCCS.SOP 25 Flammables
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flammable liquids are used or dispensed. The fire extinguisher should be rated
at least "3B".
 Never heat flammable substances with an open flame. Preferred heat
sources include hot air, oil, salt, sand, steam, water, or wax baths; and heating
mantles.
 Keep containers tightly closed at all times when not in use. Transfers
should be carried out only in fume hoods or in other areas where ventilation is
sufficient to avoid a buildup of flammable vapor concentrations.
 Always provide secondary containment to prevent accidental
spillage and ignition.
 Spent or used flammable and combustible liquids should be kept in
containers essentially the same as the original
 When a hazardous waste is added to a container, it must be labeled as
hazardous waste at the time the first drop of hazardous waste is added to the
container and the label must be dated.
 Hazardous Waste labels will be used on all waste containers. The
container must clearly be labeled with the fully written chemical name and
generator’s name. If the collection container contents contain a mixture, all
components must be listed by percent or volume on the hazardous waste label.
STORAGE
 A maximum of one gallon of flammable liquid per room can be in
“normal storage” (shelves or countertops) in “common containers” (glass,
plastic, metal). Quantities greater than one gallon located outside of a
flammable liquid storage cabinet must be contained in a self-closing flammable
container (“safety can”).
 Quantities 10 gallons and over will be stored in flammable liquid
storage cabinets that meet the design specifications of NFPA 30.
 Secondary containment – sufficient to hold the entire contents of the
storage container and impervious to the material – must be used whenever a
glass or plastic container is used for flammables. It is highly recommended in
all cases.
 Flammable and combustible liquids in glass containers shall not
exceed 1 liter. When chemical purity must be protected, up to 4 liter
quantities are permissible, and EH&S must be notified.
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 Flammables that do not meet the above requirements, and flammables
used outside the laboratory setting, must be stored in approved safety
cans or the original container.
 Segregate flammables from oxidizing acids and oxidizers.
 Replace caps on containers immediately following dispensing.
 Flammable and Combustibles should be placed under a hood, or
other well ventilated area, as soon as practical considering the required
process.
 DO NOT EVAPORATE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS (EVEN IN A FUME HOOD) AS A MEANS OF
DISPOSAL.
 This is an illegal act – a violation of numerous regulations.
 Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames, hot surfaces, electrical
equipment not certified for use with flammables, and static electricity from
areas in which flammable or combustible materials are stored.
 Post conspicuous "No Smoking" signs in the vicinity of flammable
storage & operations. Even though campus buildings are smoke-free facilities
this serves as a valuable reminder to employees, students, and visitors.
 Flammable liquids requiring cooling must be stored in refrigerators or
freezers that meet the design specifications of NFPA 45 9-2.2. The
manufacturer prominently labels such devices to indicate that the unit is
suitable for such use.
 Ensure that there is proper bonding and grounding when transferring
between containers for dispensing a flammable liquid from a large container or
drum.
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FLAMMABLE LIQUID CLASSES
Class IA Flammable Liquids
Flashpoints below 73° F and a boiling point below 100° F
Acetaldehyde
Amylene
Butadiene
Butane
Butene
Cellulose Nitrate
Crude Oil
Dimethyl Amine
Dimethyl Propane
Dimethyl Sulfide
Dioborane 1,2Epoxy-3Phenoxypropane
UCCS.SOP 25 Flammables
Ethyl Chloride
Ethyl Ether
Ethyl Nitrite
Ethyl Vinyl Ether
Ethylamine
Ethylene Oxide
Furan
Hydrocyanic Acid
3-Methyl-1-Butene
Methyl Ether
Methyl Ethyl Ether
Methyl Formate
Methyl Mercaptan
Methyl Vinyl Ether
Monomethylamine
iso-Pentane
Pentane
n-Pentane
Petroleum Ethers
Phosgene Solutions in
Benzene
Propylene
Propane isoPropylamine
Trimethyl Amine
Vinyl Chloride
Vinylidene Chloride
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FLAMMABLE LIQUID CLASSES
Class IB Flammable Liquids
Flashpoints below 73° F and a boiling point at or above 100° F
Acetone
Acetonitrile
Acetyl Chloride
Acrolein
Acronitrile
Allyl Acetate
Allyl Alcohol
Allyl Amine
Allyl Bromide
Allyl Chloride
Amyl Alcohol
Amylamine
Amyl Mercaptan
Amyl Nitrate
Azirdine
Benzene
Benzotriflouride
iso-Butyl Acetate
tert-Butyl Alcohol
Butyl Amine isoButylamine nButyl Bromide nButyl Chloride isoButyl Formate nButyl Formate tertButyl Chloride
Butyl Mercaptan
Butyl Vinyl Ether
Isobutyl Methyl Ketone
n-Butylraldehyde isoButylraldehyde Butryl
Chloride
Carbon Disulfide
p-Chloro-m-cresol
Chloroprene
Cyclohexane
Cyclohexene
Cyclopentane
Dibutyl Peroxide
UCCS.SOP 25 Flammables
1,1-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethylene
1,2-Dichloropropane
1,1-Diethoxyethane
Diethylamine
Diethyl Ketone 2,4Dihydro-2H-Pyran
Diisopropyl Amine
Diisopropyl Ether
Dimethoxymethane
Dimethoxypropane
2,2-Dimethyl Butane
Dimethyl Carbonate
1,4-Dioxane
Ethoxy Acetylene
Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl Acrylate
Ethyl Benzene
Ethyl Crotonate
Ethyl Chloroformate
Ethylene Dichloride
Ethyl Formate
Gasoline
Heptane
Hexane
1-Hexene
2-Hexene
Isoprene
Lacquer Diluents
Methyl Acetate
Methyl Acrylate
Methyl Alcohol 2Methyl-1-Butene 2Methyl-2-Butene NMethylbutylamine
Methyl Butyrate
Methyl Cyclohexane
Methyl Chloroformate
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
4-Methyl Cyclohexene
2-Methyl Furan
Methyl Isobutyrate
Methyl Methacrylates
Methyl-n-Propyl Ketone
1-Methylpyrrole
Regular Naphtha
Octane
Piperidine
Piperylene
Propargyl Bromide
iso-Propenyl Acetate
Propionaldehyde
Propionitrile
Propionyl Chloride
iso-Propyl Acetate
n-Propyl Acetate
iso-Propyl Alcohol
Propylamine
Propyl Chloride
iso-Propyl Ether
iso-Propyl Formate
Propyl Nitrate
Pyradine
Pyrrolidine
Pyruvic Acid
Tetrahydrofuran
Thiophene
Toluene
Triethyl Aluminum
Triethyl Amine
Triisobutyl Aluminum
2,2,4-Trimethyl Pentane
Valeraldehyde
Unsymmetrical Dimethyl
Hydrazine
Vinyl Acetate
2,4,4-Trimethyl-2Pentane
Vinyl Ether
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FLAMMABLE LIQUID CLASSES
Class IC Flammable Liquids
Flashpoints at or above 73° F and a boiling point below 100° F
Allyl Chloroformate
n-Amyl Acetate
iso-Amyl Acetate
sec-Amyl Acetate
n-Amyl Alcohol
Amyl Bromide
iso-Amyl Formate
n-Butyl Acetate
sec-Butyl Acetate
n-Butyl Alcohol isoButyl Alcohol secButyl Alcohol Butyl
Hydroperoxide tertButyl Peracetate nButyronitrile
Cyclohexylamine
Chlorobenzene
Cyclopentanone Din-Butyl Ether 1,3Dichloro-2-Butene 1,3Dichloropropane
Endrin
Dicyclopentadiene
Ethanethiol
Ethyl Butyrate nEthylmorpholine
Hexyl Amine
Mesityl Oxide
Methyl Butyl Ketone
Methyl Hydrazine
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Naphtha, High Flash
Nitroethane
Nitromethane
Pentaborane
Paraldehyde
2-Pinene
1,3-Propanediamine
Propargyl Alcohol
n-Propyl Alcohol
Propyl Benzene
Styrene
Styrene monomer
Trichloroethylene
Triethyl o-Formate
Trimethyl Borate
m-Xylene
o-Xylene
p-Xylene
Last reviewed by Cynthia Norton on December 15, 2015
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