Laboratory & Research Safety

General Considerations for Chemical Storage Locations

  • Avoid storing materials on top of cabinets.  Clearance from the ceiling must be 18 inches for sprinklered labs and 24 inches for not sprinklered.
  • Chemicals should be readily accessible and to reduce accidents, materials should not be stored on shelves higher than 5 feet (~1.5m).
  • Ensure container weight does not exceed the load rating of the shelves.  Heavier items and larger containers should be stored on lower shelves.
  • Wall mounted shelving is not recommended for chemical storage.
  • Corrosive liquids and Particularly Hazardous Substances (PHS) shall be stored below eye level.
  • Do not store chemicals in fume hoods.
  • Provide adequate storage space for chemicals within your lab.
  • Keep chemicals away from sources of heat or direct sunlight.
  • Use secondary containment when possible.
  • Use properly rated and labeled refrigerators and freezers when storing flammable materials.

Basic chemical segregation

Corrosives-acids

  • Storage: Separate acid storage cabinet
  • Examples: Mineral acids, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid and chromic acid
  • Incompatibilities: Flammable liquids, oxidizers, poisons and bases

Corrosives-bases

  • Storage: Separate corrosive storage cabinet
  • Examples: Ammonium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide
  • Incompatibilities: Flammable liquids, oxidizers, poisons and acids

Flammable liquids

  • Storage: Grounded flammable storage cabinet
  • Examples: Acetone, benzene, diethyl ether, methanol, ethanol and toluene
  • Incompatibilities: Acids, bases, oxidizers and poisons

Flammable solids

  • Storage: Separate storage cage in dry, cool area
  • Examples: Phosphorus
  • Incompatibilities: Acids, bases, oxidizers and flammable liquids

General non-reactive

  • Storage: General shelving, preferably behind glass doors or below eye level
  • Examples: Sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate
  • Incompatibilities: Consult SDS

Oxidizers

  • Storage: Separate metal storage cabinet
  • Examples: Sodium hypochlorite, peroxides, perchlorates, chlorates, nitrates, bromates and superoxides
  • Incompatibilities: Flammables, combustibles and reducing agents

Poisons

  • Storage: Separate area that is cool and dry within unbreakable containers
  • Examples: Cyanides and heavy metal compounds such as lead, cadmium and mercury
  • Incompatibilities: Flammable liquids, corrosives and oxidizers

Water reactive

  • Storage: Separate area that is cool and dry in water-tight cabinet
  • Examples: Sodium metal, potassium metal and lithium metal
  • Incompatibilities: All water-based compounds and oxidizers