- Use containers that are compatiable with the contents
- Locate container on stable surface that prevents sliding or tilting. Never store chemicals on the floor, even temporarily.
- Store chemical in compatible chemical families Storage Guidelines
- The most common groups of segreation are flammables, oxidants, reducers, concentrated acids, concentrated bases, water reactives, extreme toxics, peroxide formers, pyrohorics, and bottled gas cylinders.
- The quantities of chemicals that are stored within a laboratory should always be mimized
- Bulk quantities of chemicals should be stored in a separate storage area.
- Transfer of flammable liquid from 5 gallon or larger metal containers should not be done in the laboratory.
- Chemicals must be stored at an appropriate temperature and humidity level. Chemicals should not be stored near heat sources, such as steam pipes, or laboratory ovens.
- Chemicals should be dated when received and when opened.
- Materials and their containers should be inspected routinely. Indications for disposal include:
- Cloudiness in liquids
- Material changing colors
- Evidence of liquid in solids or solid in liquids
- Signs of container leakage
- Indication of pressure build up within container
- Obvious container deterioration
- Chemical should not routinely be stored on the benchtops. Each chemical should have a specific storage location and be returned there after use. Only amounts needed should be kept on benchtops.
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Laboratory shelves should have a raised lip along the outer edge to prevent containers from falling
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Liquid or corrossive chemicals should never be stored on shelves above eye level
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Secondary containers or trays should be used for chemical storage to minimize the flow of material should a spill or rupture occur.
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Round bottom flasks must always be properly supported in cork rings or otherwise to prevent tipping.
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Security must be provided to prevent unauthorized access to hazardous chemicals.
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Flammable materials must never be stored in a domestic-type refrigerator. Only exposion proof or flammamble material refrigerators should be used for storage of laboratory chemicals.
- All containers stored in refrigerators should be properly labeled and tightly capped.
- Inventory the materials stored in your refrigerator frequently and defrost occasionally to prevent chemicals from becoming trapped in the ice formations.
- Before storing chemicals in a refrigerator determine if keeping the material chilled will serve any purpose.
- Never store peroxide formers (i.e., ether) in a refrigerator.
- Never store materials or chemicals in a fume hood. This will seriously impair the ventilating capacity of the hood.
- Gas cylinders must be securely strapped separately to a permanent structure (wall, lab bench, etc.)
- Gas cylinders must be capped when not in use.
