XV.
PROCEDURES FOR STORING CHEMICALS IN
LABORATORIES
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Every chemical in the laboratory must have a definite storage place and must be returned to that
location after each use. Please review MSDS or SOP’s or consult with EHRS at 2-2520 for
instructions on the use handling and storage of specific chemicals.
The quantities and volume of material stored in a lab must be kept to a minimum. Numerous
regulatory agencies are responsible for regulating the exact volume and quantities of material
allowed in one are. The Fire Marshal must be consulted in regards to limitations required for
chemical storage.
The storage of chemicals on bench tops is undesirable; in such locations, they are unprotected
from potential exposure to fire and are also more readily knocked over. Storage in hoods is also
inadvisable because this practice interferes with the air flow in the hood, clutters up the working
space, and increases the amount of materials that could become involved in a hood fire. All
chemicals must not be stored on the floor.
Prior approval and specific instruction are required when working with regulated materials.
Contact EHRS at 215-707-2520 for additional information. Regulated materials consist of
explosives, controlled substances (drugs), toxics, radioisotopes, etiologic agents, select agents
and carcinogens.
Storage trays or secondary containers should be used to minimize the distribution of material
should a container break or leak. Chemicals must be stored in approved storage cabinets (ex.
Corrosives cabinets). All incompatible chemicals must be physically separated.
Care must be taken to avoid exposure of chemicals to heat or direct sunlight and to observe
precautions regarding the proximity of incompatible substances. Approved laboratory
refrigerators are to be used for the storage of chemicals only; food must not be placed in them.
All containers placed in the refrigerator must be properly labeled (identification of contents and
owner, date of acquisition or preparation, and nature of any potential hazard) and, if necessary,
must be sealed to prevent escape of any corrosive vapors. Household grade refrigerators in labs
should be labeled: "No food or flammable liquid storage". Flammable liquids must not be stored
in laboratory refrigerators unless the unit is an approved, explosion-proof, fire proof or
laboratory-safe type (NFPA Standards 45 and 56D).
The chemicals stored in the laboratory must be inventoried at least annually, and unneeded items
must be given to EHRS for recycling or disposal. All chemical containers (including beakers
and flasks) must be labeled with contents and hazard information. Abbreviations and chemicals
formula are unacceptable. All chemical containers that have legible labels and chemicals that
appear to have deteriorated must be disposed of through EHRS. Funnels must not be left in
containers. All water reactive chemicals must be stored away from water and water vapor.
The Principal Investigator (PI) or chemical owner is required to ensure that all their chemicals in
their labs are examined annually for replacement, deterioration, expiration, container integrity
and overall condition of the chemical. This annual evaluation must be documented. The best
method of documentation is utilizing the evaluation function in CEMS. Other acceptable
documentation methods include writing the evaluation date on the chemical bottle itself or
1
2/3/2011
creating a log book or spreadsheet that list the every chemical present and the respective
evaluation date.
On termination, transfer, graduation, or such of any laboratory, the PI must submit Certificate of
Vacancy (EHRS Handbook 1.5) to EHRS.
Use common sense in planning chemical storage areas. Carefully read the label before storing a
hazardous chemical. The MSDS will also provide any special storage information and
incompatibilities. Do not store unsegregated chemicals in alphabetical order or incompatible
chemicals in close proximity to each other. The amount of space that can be placed between
different chemical classes depends on the amount of storage area available in the laboratories.
Do not segregate chemical classes into separate rooms unless they will only be used in that
room. Segregation that disrupts normal workflow or requires more frequent transport of
hazardous chemicals between labs will increase the probability of a chemical spill.
Store dry reagents, liquid reagents and solutions and compressed gases in separate areas. Within
each of these chemical forms, segregate the chemicals into hazard classes. Segregate dry
reagents as follows:
•
•
•
•
Oxidizing solids;
Flammable solids;
Water reactive solids; and
All others solids.
Segregate liquid reagents and solutions as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acid liquids;
Caustic liquids;
Oxidizing liquids;
Perchloric acid solutions;
Flammable or combustible liquids; and
All other liquids.
Segregate compressed gases as follows:
• Toxic gases;
• Flammable gases; and
• Oxidizing and inert gases.
Incompatibilities amongst the above mentioned hazards class can exist. Consult MSDS for
exceptions to the above mention hazard classes. Please review the table below for additional
guidelines on chemical compatibility
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Chemical Group
Inorganic acids
Organic acids
Caustics
Amines and alkanolamines
Halogenated compounds
Alcohols, glycols, glycol ethers
Aldehydes
2
Do Not Store With Group #’s
2-8, 10,11,13,14,16-19, 21-23
1,3,4,7,14, 16-19,22
1,2,5,7,8,13-18, 20,22,23
1,2,5,7,8, 13-18,23
1,3,4,11,14,17
1,7,14,16,20,23
1-4,6,8,15-17,19,20,23
2/3/2011
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Ketones
Saturated Hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Olefins
Petroleum Oils
Esters
Monomers, polmerizable esters
Phenols
Alkylene oxides
Cyanohydrins
Nitriles
Ammonia
Halogens
Ethers
Elemental Phosphours
Acid anhydrides
1,3,4,7,19,20
20
1,20
1,5,20
20
1,3,4,19,20
1-6,15,16,19-21,23
3,4,7,14,16,19,20
1-4, 16,23
1-2,7,8,13-17,20,23
3, 6-15,19,21,22
1-2,7,8,13-17, 20,23
3, 6-15,19,21,22
1,14,20
1-3,20
1,3,4,6,7,14, 16-19
Once separated into hazard classes, the compatible chemicals may be stored alphabetically.
Incompatibilities amongst segregated chemical can exist. For example, Nitric acid must be stored
separately away from all acids. Use approved storage containers and safety cans for flammable
liquids. Use spill trays under containers of strong corrosive reagents. Do not store liquids above
eye level. Dispose of old chemicals promptly. Ensure that all containers are properly labeled.
All hazardous chemicals received must be labeled with the date received, the date of initial
opening and, when available, expiration date. For more information on hazardous chemical
storage, contact EHRS at 2-2520.
FLAMMABLE & COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
The storage of flammable and combustible liquids in a laboratory must be kept to the minimum
amount needed for research and operations. Flammable-liquids storage cabinets are not intended
for the storage of highly toxic materials, acids, bases, compressed gases or pyrolytic chemicals.
All chemical storage cabinets must be compatible with the chemical stored within it. Storage of
flammable liquids outside of a storage cabinet should be avoided when possible. Flammable
liquids that are not in use should be stored in an appropriate cabinet. Flammable liquids should
not be stored in a refrigerator unless the refrigerator is UL approved for flammable liquid
storage. Storage of flammable liquids in household grade refrigerators is a fire hazard.
OSHA regulations for the laboratory storage of flammable and combustible liquids are not based on
fire prevention and protection principles but rather address the types and sizes of containers
allowable.
Whenever feasible, quantities of flammable liquids greater than 1 liter must be stored in metal
containers. Portable approved safety cans are one of the safest methods of storing flammable
liquids. These cans are available in a variety of sizes and materials. They have spring-loaded spout
covers that can open to relieve internal pressure when subjected to a fire and will prevent leakage if
tipped over. Some are equipped with a flame arrester in the spout that will prevent flame
propagation into the can. If possible, flammable liquids received in large containers must be
repackaged into safety cans for distribution to laboratories. Such cans must be properly labeled to
identify their contents.
3
2/3/2011
The storage of flammable materials in wooden cabinets in existing laboratories is prohibited. Other
considerations in the storage of flammable liquids in the laboratory include ensuring that aisles and
exits are not blocked in the event of fire; that accidental contact with strong oxidizing agents such as
chromic acid, permanganates, chlorates, perchlorates, and peroxides is not possible; and that sources
of ignition are excluded.
REGULATED MATERIALS
Regulated materials consist of explosives, controlled substances (drugs), toxics, radioisotopes,
etiologic agents, select agents and carcinogens. Regulated materials must be stored in ventilated
storage areas in unbreakable chemically resistant secondary containers. Access to regulated
materials must be secured and controlled. Select chemical agents require additional security
measures.
Storage areas for regulated materials must exhibit a sign warning of the hazard, have limited
access, and are adequately ventilated. Adequate ventilation is of particular concern for
hazardous materials that have a high vapor pressure (such as bromine, mercury, etc.). Prior
approval and specific instruction are required when working with regulated materials. Contact
EHRS at 215-707-2520 for additional information.
COMPRESSED GASES
Carefully read the label before using or storing compressed gas. The MSDS will provide any
special hazard information. Always use the minimum size cylinder required to perform the
work. Cylinders of compressed gases must be handled as high-energy sources. When storing or
moving a cylinder, have the cap securely in place to protect the stem. Use suitable racks, straps,
chains or stands to support cylinders. Care must be taken to keep them away from sources of
heat or ignition. Compressed gas cylinders pose a crush hazard to hands and feet. Do not expose
cylinders to temperature extremes. Do not store cylinders or lecture bottles with the regulator in
place. If the regulator fails, the entire contents of the gas cylinder may be discharged. Always
use the correct regulator. Do not use a regulator adapter. Oil or grease on the high-pressure side
of an oxygen cylinder can cause an explosion. Do not lubricate an oxygen regulator. Empty
cylinder must be labeled as such.
Cylinders of toxic, flammable or reactive gases should be stored and used in a fume hood or with
local ventilation. Never bleed a cylinder completely empty. Cylinder must be stored according
to their proper hazard class. Always leave slight pressure to keep contaminants out. Always
wear safety glasses when handling compressed gases.
A method for detecting an unintentional release of a gas from a compressed gas cylinder may
need be implemented. This may apply in an area where highly hazardous chemicals are present
or in an area where there is the potential (large volume of cylinders, gas generators, etc..) for a
cylinder to deplete the oxygen content in an area. Please contact EHRS for additional
information.
4
2/3/2011