Version
1
Date Reviewed By
16/09/15 SWW
Revision Details
Page 2 of 9 Guidance on the Safe Storage of Chemicals, Version 1, 31/07/2015

Guidance On The Safe Storage Of Chemicals In Laboratories
1.
Introduction
2.
Scope
3.
Responsibilities
4.
Values
5.
Procedures
5.1
Basic Principles of Chemical Storage
6.
Types of Specialised Storage
7.
Storage of specific chemicals
8.
Incompatibility of Common Laboratory Chemicals
Appendices
Table 1 Incompatibility of Common Laboratory Chemicals
Page 3 of 9 Guidance on the Safe Storage of Chemicals, Version 1, 31/07/2015

1.
Introduction
The information within this document is intended for use as guidance only. Staff are reminded of the availability and use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which are available for all chemicals.
2.
Scope
This guidance document has been produced as part of the Dangerous Substance and
Explosive Atmospheres Policy.
3.
Responsibilities
This guidance is applicable to all Faculties and Directorates who use chemicals, for the safe storage of Chemicals within Laboratories lies with all users.
4.
Values
The University is committed to the implementation of this policy in accordance with the
University values, which are:
 We encourage participation and openness;
 We encourage creativity and innovation;
 We support academic freedom and respect the right to express diverse points of view;
 We provide equal opportunities for all staff and students to achieve their full potential;
 We apply the best ethical standards in everything we do.
Implementation and Training
The policy will be uploaded onto Service Now.
The approval of the policy will be communicated in the weekly University staff briefing.
Line Managers are responsible for raising awareness of all new/updated policies through their normal Faculty/Directorate communication channels.
The HR department will ensure the provision of training, guidance and support to Line
Managers on the implementation of the policy.
Monitoring
The impact of this policy shall be reviewed by Health, Safety and Wellbeing in association with Faculties and Directorates
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5.
Procedures
5.1
Basic Principles of Chemical Storage
It is essential to segregate incompatible substances to prevent dangerous interactions.
All chemicals should have a label on them identifying their hazard category (e.g. flammable, corrosive, oxidising, toxic etc.). A list of commonly used chemicals that should be segregated is listed below to assist storage.
Only minimum amounts of chemicals should be brought into and stored in laboratories.
Any hazardous substances that are no longer used must be disposed of appropriately.
Breakable containers, particularly those containing liquids, should be stored below shoulder height. To reduce the risk of spillages, escape of fumes etc. it important that all containers are sealed correctly, this may be by means of ensuring a screw top lid is tight.
(N.B. if the chemical gives off a gas ensure a ‘breather cap’ is fitted to prevent an explosion).
Bottles containing chemicals must never be carried by its top, always carry Winchester bottles (2.5 litres) in carriers or baskets that offer support to the base of the bottle.
6.
Types of Specialised Storage
A number of different types of specialised cabinets are available for the specific use of chemical storage, these include:
 Acid Cabinets
These are made of acid resistant materials and should contain a tray, to contain any leakage or spillage.

Flammable Solvent Cabinets
These are made of fire resistant material with a minimum fire resistance of 30 minutes as required by British Standard 476. A metal spill tray is used to contain spillages.

Ventilated Cabinets
These are cabinets fitted with forced ventilation; the cabinets are designed to safely store chemicals that give off noxious fumes and smells. The fumes are extracted by forced ventilation. This type of cabinet should be used to store materials such as mercaptans and amines that have a strong smell; or lachrymators. In the absence of ventilated cabinets, noxious chemicals can be stored in sealed secondary containers, when stored in this manner the containers should only be opened in a fume cupboard.

Fume Cupboards
Fume cupboards are not designed or intended for the storage of chemicals. The working surfaces of fume cupboards should therefore be kept clear of materials and containers when these are not needed for the ongoing work activities. Excess storage of chemicals in fume cupboards disrupts the airflow resulting in a lower level of protection to users.
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7.
Storage of specific chemicals
7.1
Flammable Solvents - e.g. alcohols, toluene, hexane
The vapours given off by flammable liquid/solvents are often the main source of danger.
This vapour is very susceptible to ignition by naked flames, sparks from electric switches, motors etc. or from sparks produced electrostatically by friction. Precautions must therefore be taken to prevent contact between any of these and the concentrated vapours of flammable liquids.
Flammable solvents must be stored in specialised lockable metal flammable cabinets; these must be clearly labelled and positioned away from doors or other means of escape from the laboratory. It should be noted that no more than 50 litres of a flammable material may be kept in any one laboratory room to reduce the risk of a serious laboratory fire. Containers of flammable solvents used during teaching/research (i.e. those kept on the bench) should not exceed 500 ml (this volume can be easily contained should an accident/fire occur) and the solvent must be kept in a suitable closed vessel.
An exception to this is where the experiment being undertaken has a direct feed from a
Winchester.
Flammable solvents must not be stored in fume cupboards or vented cabinets, since the airflow will fan any fire and may also spread the fire to other parts of the building via the ventilation ducting.
Flammable solvents must never be stored with oxidising agents (e.g. sodium hypochlorite
– bleach, iodine and other halogens, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, potassium permanganate etc.) reducing agents (e.g. Sodium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride etc.) or concentrated acids (e.g. concentrated sulphuric or hydrochloric acids).
The MSDS should always be consulted if further information is required on storage and chemical incompatibilities of a particular chemical substance.
7.2
Chlorinated solvents (e.g. chloroform, dichloromethane (DCM) trichloroethylene)
Chlorinated solvents are best stored in ventilated cabinets separately from flammable
(non-chlorinated) solvents because violent reactions can result from the mixing of certain flammable and chlorinated solvents and toxic gases such as phosgene (as well has hydrogen chloride and chlorine) can be produced. They should not be stored with alkali metals such as lithium, potassium or sodium, since any mixing can cause an explosion.
They can be stored in metal containers if ventilated storage is not available.
7.3
Acids and Alkalis
Acids and alkalis are both corrosive substances and must be stored separately; any accidental mixing of concentrated materials may generate large quantities of heat and
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fumes. They can be stored in a vented or metal cabinet so long as they are in a containment tray to prevent any spillages. However consideration must be given to the effects of corrosive fumes on any metal in the fittings and construction of the container.
The use of ventilated cabinets are recommended where possible, allowing the removal of fumes at source. All containers/bottle tops must be suitably sealed to avoid unnecessary leakage of fumes.
7.4
Oxidisers (e.g. peroxides, perchlorates and nitrates)
Oxidising substances should be stored in metal cabinets and away from any organic matter such as wood and paper (N.B. oxidising agents should never be stored in a wooden cabinet!). Oxidising agents must never be stored with flammable solvents or reducing agents since fires and explosions can result after any spillage, even without a naked flame or heat.
Perchloric acid is an extremely strong oxidising agent particularly in concentrated form; this acid can react explosively with organic materials. It should ideally be stored separately on a metal tray of sand within a cabinet, away from organic materials or dehydrating agents such as sulphuric acid.
8.
Incompatibility of Common Laboratory Chemicals
Incorrectly stored or mixing of chemicals can result in violent reactions resulting in serious or devastating results. Below in Table 1 is a list of some incompatible laboratory chemicals. (Please note this list is not comprehensive and is issued as guidance only) You should always check with the MSDS if in doubt.
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Page 8 of 9 Guidance on the Safe Storage of Chemicals, Version 1, 31/07/2015

Appendix 1 Table 1 Incompatibility of Common Laboratory Chemicals