Procedure for Proper Chemical Storage
o All chemicals should have the Material Safety Data Sheet.
o All containers should be properly labeled with the identity of the hazardous
chemical(s) and appropriate hazard warnings.
o Segregate all incompatible chemicals for proper storage of chemicals by hazard
class. In other words, store like chemicals together and away from other groups
of chemicals that might cause reactions if mixed.
o Do not store chemicals alphabetically except within a grouping of compatible
chemicals.
o Avoid storing chemicals on the floor (even temporarily) or extending into traffic
aisles.
o All chemicals should be stored on secondary containments (either prefabricated,
concrete or both).
o The storage area (or do we mention secondary containment directly?) should
have the capacity to hold the contents Liquid chemicals if ever the container
breaks.
o All chemicals should be labeled and dated upon receipt.
o First aid supplies, emergency phone numbers, eyewash and emergency shower
equipment, fire extinguishers, spill cleanup supplies and personal protective
equipment should be readily available and personnel trained in their use.
o Keep all stored chemicals, especially flammable liquids, away from heat and
direct sunlight.
Regular inspections should be done to look for unusual conditions in chemical
storage area, such as:
Improper storage of chemicals
Leaking or deteriorating containers
Spilled chemicals
Temperature extremes (too hot or cold in storage area)
Blocked exits or aisles
Doors blocked open, lack of security
Trash accumulation
Open lights or matches
Fire equipment blocked, broken or missing
Lack of information or warning signs ("Flammable liquids", "Acids",
"Corrosives", "Poisons", etc.)
Chemicals should be segregated according to their chemical compatibility. This
information is obtained from the MSDS of every chemical.
Never store incompatible chemicals together.
Below are some examples of incompatible chemicals:
Column A Column B
Acetic acid acid, peroxides, permanganates
Sulphur Dyes acid
Flammable Ammonium nitrate, chromic acid, hydrogen
liquids peroxide, nitric acid, sodium peroxide, halogens,
other oxidizing agents
Hydrogen Copper, chromium, iron, most metals or their salts,
peroxide any flammable liquid (i.e., alcohols, acetone),
combustible materials, aniline,
Hypochlorites Acids
Potassium Glycerol, ethylene glycol, benzaldehyde, sulfuric
permanganate acid
Sulfuric acid Chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates
Basic Chemical Segregation
Hazard Class Recommended Storage Examples Incompatibilities
of Chemical Method
Compressed Store in a cool, dry area, Methane Hydrogen Oxidizing and toxic
gases - away from oxidizing gases. compressed gases, oxidizing
Flammable Securely strap or chain Acetylene Propane solids.
cylinders to a wall or bench.
Compressed Store in a cool, dry area, Oxygen Flammable gases
gases - Oxidizing away from flammable gases
and liquids. Securely strap or Chlorine
chain cylinders to a wall or
bench. Bromine
Compressed Store in a cool, dry area, Carbon monoxide Flammable and/or oxidizing
gases - away from flammable gases gases.
Poisonous and liquids. Securely strap or Hydrogen sulfide
chain cylinders to a wall or
bench. Nitrogen dioxide
Corrosives - Store separately in acid Acetic acid Phenol Flammable liquids, flammable
Acids storage cabinet. Segregate Sulfuric acid solids, bases, oxidizers
oxidizing acids (i.e., Chromic, Nitric acid
nitric, sulfuric, and perchloric Perchloric acid
acids) from organic acids Chromic acid
Hydrochloric acid
Corrosives - Store in separate corrosive Ammonium hydroxide Flammable liquids, oxidizers,
Bases storage cabinet. Store poisons, and acids
solutions of inorganic Sodium hydroxide
hydroxides in labeled
polyethylene containers. Calcium hydroxide
Flammable Store in flammable storage Acetone Benzene Acids, bases, oxidizers, and
Liquids cabinet and away from Diethyl ether Methanol poisons
sources of ignition. Store Ethanol
highly volatile flammable Toluene
liquids in an explosion-proof Glacial acetic acid
refrigerator.
Flammable Solids Store in a separate dry, cool Phosphorus Acids, bases, oxidizers, and
area away from oxidizers, Calcium carbide poisons
corrosives, flammable liquids Picric acid
Benzoyl peroxide
General Store on general laboratory Agar See specific MSDS.
Chemicals - Non- benches or shelving Sodium chloride
reactive preferably behind glass doors Sodium bicarbonate
and below eye level. Most non-reactive salts
Oxidizers Store in a spill tray inside a Ammonium persulfate Separate from reducing
chemical storage cabinet. Ferric chloride agents, flammables, and
Separate from flammable and Iodine combustibles.
combustible materials. Sodium hypochlorite
Benzoyl peroxide
Potassium permanganate
Potassium dichromate
(The following are
generally considered
oxidizing substances:
Peroxides, perchlorates,
chlorates, nitrates,
bromates, superoxides.)
Poisons/Toxic Store separately in vented, Aniline Flammable liquids, acids,
Compounds cool, dry area, in unbreakable Carbon tetrachloride bases, and oxidizers.
chemically-resistant Chloroform
secondary containers and in Cyanides
accordance with the Heavy metals compounds,
hazardous nature of the i.e., cadmium, mercury,
chemical. Oxalic acid See specific MSDS.
Phenol
Formic acid
Water-Reactive Store in dry, cool location, Sodium metal Separate from all aqueous
Chemicals protect from water fire Potassium metal solutions and oxidizers.
sprinkler. Lithium metal
Lithium aluminum hydride
Peroxide-Forming Store in air-tight containers in Diethyl ether See specific MSDS.
Chemicals a dark, cool, dry area. See Acetaldehyde
Table 3 for recommended Acrylonitrile
storage time limits.
Strong Reducing Store in cool, dry, well- Acetyl chloride See specific MSDS.
Agents ventilated location. Water Thionyl chloride
reactive. Segregate from all Maleic anhydride
other chemicals. Ferrous sulfide
