Hazard Specific Storage Considerations

Acute Toxins

  • Separate acute toxins and poisons from other chemicals.

Corrosives

  • Store large bottles on a low shelf or in a corrosives cabinet.
  • Segregate oxidizing acids (ex. nitric acid, perchloric acid) from organic acids, flammables, and combustible materials.
  • Separate acids from bases and active metals.
  • Segregate acids from chemicals which can generate toxic gases on contact (e.g., sodium cyanide).
  • Isolate perchloric acid from reducing agents and organic compounds.
  • Store in chemical resistant trays.
  • Glacial acetic acid can be stored in flammables cabinet, away from oxidizing acids.

Reactives/Oxidizers

  • Store water-reactive chemicals in a cool and dry place, away from sources of water (e.g. not under a sink).
  • Store oxidizers away from flammables, combustibles, and reducing agents (zinc, alkaline metals, etc.).
  • Store peroxide-forming chemicals in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place.
  • Peroxide-forming chemicals should be disposed of in accordance with EH&S guidance.
  • Shock sensitive and detonable materials should be stored in a secondary container, large enough to hold entire contents in case of breakage.
  • Store liquid organic peroxides at the lowest possible temperature consistent with solubility and/or freezing points.

Flammables/Combustibles

  • Store flammable liquids in flammable storage cabinet.
  • Do not store flammable liquids in domestic refrigerators or freezers.
  • Store away from ignition and heat sources.
  • Stay within NFPA rules for volume of flammables: 
    • Maximum for any lab is 120 gallons.
    • With flammable safety cabinet: 10 gal/100 sq. ft. un-sprinkled or 20 gal/100 sq ft of sprinkled area.
    • Without flammable safety cabinet: 10 gallons in original container & 25 gallons in 2.5 gallon or smaller safety cans.

Gas Cylinders

  • Strap or chain individual cylinders securely to a stationary object (benchtop, wall, etc.).
  • Cap cylinders not in use.
  • Separate incompatible compressed gas cylinders (oxidizing gases separate from flammable gases).
  • Segregate empty cylinders from full ones.
    Chemical manufacturers include storage information on the label. This may be done with a color code or pictogram to indicate hazards.
  • Do not retain compressed gas cylinders for more than 10 years.