Chemical Storage Resources

A major concern in many laboratories is the proper storage of chemicals. The best approach to this issue will vary from to lab, depending on the chemical inventory of the lab, the storage space available and local regulatory requirements. However, some general advice can be found in a variety of resources. The following list provides guidance in establishing a hazardous chemical storage program.

Chemical Storage Systems

• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards, Updated Version (2011), Appendicies 3 and 4 for large chemical collections.
• Flinn Scientific Model Chemical Stores Area for small chemical inventories
  
• NFPA 45: Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals, Chapter 8.
  

Chemical Compatibility

The driving concern for chemical storage is assuring the compatibility of chemicals if they should inadvertently mix. To avoid dangerous conditions, separate incompatible chemicals from each other. These resources will help you identify chemical incompatibilities.

• “Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, 7th Edition”, Urben, P.G., Ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Newton, MA, 2000 (available on CD-ROM). This information is also available on line for individual chemicals in PubChem.
  
• NOAA's Chemical Reactivity Program (based on EPA's Hazardous Waste Compatibility Chart). Chemical Reactivity Worksheet - This is a free program to find out about the reactivity of substances or mixtures of substances. It includes reactivity information for>4,000 common hazardous substances. This worksheet is a free program you can use to find out about the reactivity of substances or mixtures of substances.
  
  

Peroxide Formers

Peroxide formers are a special concern for laboratory chemicals in storage. See these references for detailed information:

• Guidelines for Explosive and Potentially Explosive Chemicals Safe Storage and Handling
• SafetyNet #23 Peroxide Formation in Chemicals, University of California at Davis
• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards, Updated Version (2011) Section 4.D.3.2 Azos, Peroxides, and Peroxidizables