Standard Operating Procedure
for work with
Chemical name/class: Flammables and combustibles
CAS #: Various
PI:
Daniel Gauthier
Date: 6/15/10
Building: Physics
Room #: 178
1. Circumstances of Use:
Various.
In most laboratory situations, the main flammability concerns will be liquids and gases, but solids (especially finelydivided materials allowed to become airborne) may also be flammable.
2. Potential Hazards:
Flammability. Check MSDS of the material for other hazards and follow appropriate SOPs.
Definitions –
 Flammable gas – a gas that, at room temperature and pressure, forms a flammable mixture with air at a
concentration of 13% by volume or less OR that, at ambient temperature and pressure, forms a range of
flammable mixtures with air wider than 12% by volume, regardless of the lower limit.
 Flammable liquid – a liquid having a flash point below 100F.
 Flammable solid – a solid, other than a blasting agent or explosive, that is liable to cause fire through friction
absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, or which burns so vigorously and persistently as to
create a serious hazard.”
 Combustible liquid – a liquid having a flash point above 100F.
3. Engineering Controls:
Work in a chemical fume hood if air concentrations above 10% of the lower flammable limit may be reached.
4. Work Practice Controls:
 Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher before beginning work.
 Use in the smallest practical quantities for the experiment being performed.
 Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames, hot surfaces, and operation of mechanical and electrical
equipment that is not intrinsically safe.
 Ensure proper grounding and avoid creating static electricity. Be sure to ground metal containers when
transferring flammable liquids.
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE):
Wear standard nitrile laboratory gloves, lab coat, and safety glasses for all work with flammables. If working with
flammable liquids that may splash, wear chemical splash goggles. If a liquid flammable is also toxic, check glove
guide for appropriate gloves and/or minimize glove contact with the liquid.
6. Transportation and Storage:
 Transport flammables in secondary containment, preferably a polyethylene or other non-reactive
acid/solvent bottle carrier.
 Suitable fire control devices (such as fire extinguishers) must be available at locations where flammable or
combustible liquids are stored. Contact OESO Fire Safety at 684-5609 for installation of appropriate devices.
 Open flames shall not be permitted in flammable or combustible liquid storage areas. A “No Open Flames”
sign must be conspicuously posted in these areas.
 Flammable and combustible liquids must not be stored in a manner that hinders safe egress.
 If large quantities (>60 gallons) of flammable or combustible liquids are stored, a specially-designed storage
room may be required. See the Duke Safety Manual Hazardous Materials Policy or contact OESO Fire Safety at
684-5609 for more information.
 Store these materials in a separate room from water reactives.
 The total volume of flammable or combustible liquids outside of approved storage cabinets shall not exceed
5 gallons per 100 square feet.
 No more than 60 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids may be stored in any single flammable
storage cabinet. All such storage cabinets must meet NFPA 30 requirements.
 The total stored volume of flammable and combustible liquids in approved storage cabinets shall not exceed
20 gallons per 100 square feet, with a maximum of 10 gallons per 100 square feet being flammable liquid (per
definition above).
 Flammable liquids shall not be stored in unapproved or residential-type refrigerators. See the Policy
Supplement on Storage of Flammable Chemicals in Refrigerators for more information.
 Secondary containment is recommended for liquids.
 Avoid storing on the floor.
7. Waste Disposal:
Handle and store flammable wastes following the guidelines above while accumulating wastes and awaiting
chemical waste pickup. Waste must be disposed of following your laboratory-specific chemical hygiene plan and the
requirements of Duke University’s Chemical Waste Policy and the Laboratory Chemical Waste Management
Practices.
8. Exposures/Unintended contact:
Contact Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) at 684-3136 for medical advice on occupational
chemical exposures. For an actual chemical exposure, complete the work-related injury or illness report found at:
www.hr.duke.edu/forms/injury.html
9. Spill Procedure:
On the Durham campus, “large” spills of volatile or powdered hazardous materials must be referred to the OESO
spill response team by calling 911 from a campus phone or 684-2444 from any phone.
10. Training of personnel:
All personnel are required to complete the online General Lab Safety session thru the OESO website. This session
includes an introduction to general chemical safety. Furthermore, all personnel shall read and fully adhere to this
SOP when handling flammable materials.
“I have read and understand this SOP. I agree to fully adhere to its requirements.”
Last
First
Duke ID
Signature