First-Some General Rules with Chemicals in the Laboratory

Exercise Prudence in Procurement

Bulk purchases of hazardous chemicals do not save the University money unless they can be shared or used within months of purchase. In fact, many chemicals will cost far more to dispose of than what is saved by purchasing larger than needed quantities.

The cost to dispose of chemicals that have become unstable, unusable, or have simply lost their label can easily exceed 10 times the original purchase price.

Stockpiling and recycling of hazardous chemicals has created very dangerous situations in our laboratories. We have contracted for High-Hazard chemists (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) several times in the past to stabilize and dispose of shock sensitive chemicals that were too dangerous to move. Such items put everyone at risk.

If you order too much product, find another laboratory that can use it while it is still pure and fresh; otherwise, arrange to return or dispose of it before the problem becomes worse.

Storage Cabinets

Flammables

Flammable Cabinet Requirements
(Per NFPA-30)

Flammable Cabinet Requirements

Cabinet construction must be either:

• Designed and tested to limit the internal temperature, one inch from the top, to less than 325°F (163°C) when subjected to 10 minute fire test. Joints and seams shall be tight and the door must remain closed throughout the testing period -or-
• Metal cabinets constructed of at least 18 gauge steel, double walled with at least a 1.5 inch air space separation. Joints must be made tight by welding, riveting, or similar means. Doors must latch in three points and be raised at least 2 inches from the base to contain spills -or-
• Wooden cabinets constructed of at least one inch thick exterior grade plywood that can withstand fire conditions. Joints must be rabbeted and fastened in two directions. Doors must overlap by at least one inch and have sufficient fire resistant latching. The sill must be raised, or a pan installed, to contain at least 2 inches of liquid within the cabinet bottom.

Self-closing doors and hold open devices with fusible links should also be used.

Flammable/Combustible Liquid Storage

Definitions, summarized from NFPA-30 (2003):

• Flash Point – the minimum temperature at which sufficient vapor is produced near the surface of a liquid to form an ignitable mixture in air, using specified equipment and protocols
• Flammable Liquids
• Class IA: flash point < 73°F, boiling point < 100°F
• Class IB: flash point < 73°F, boiling point ≥ 100°F
• Class IC: 73°F ≤ flash point < 100°F
• Combustible Liquids
• Class II: 100°F < flash point < 140°F
• Class IIIA: 140°F ≤ flash point < 200°F
• Class IIIB: flash point > 200°F

Special Note: All unstable liquids are treated as Class IA.

Individual Container Size Limits

Each liquid container must be limited to the following maximum quantities (liters), per NFPA:

NFPA also requires that potential spills be limited to 20 liters or 5 gallons, so FSU policy is to limit all laboratory storage containers to this maximum size. Larger containers must be kept in specially constructed storage rooms.

Laboratory Unit Chemical Storage

(Per Fire Code – NFPA 45, 2004)

Note: This determination is made during the planning phase of new construction or major renovation projects based on information provided to the design professionals at that time. Florida Building Code requirements, based on international codes, also apply, these have the same aim but are much more complicated and based on smaller “control area” categories.

The laboratory unit must meet additional requirements, and be formally approved by the AHJ for the appropriate higher level classification, before quantities can be increased above these levels.

The only way to ensure compliance with these limits is to have a real time chemical inventory for all spaces within the area.

Corrosives Cabinets

Ventilating Cabinets

Prior to venting any already installed cabinet, consult with EH&S to ensure that the installation will meet code requirements and not negatively impact existing system performance.

It is usually safest not to ventilate flammable storage cabinets however, this may be necessary when all other efforts to control fugitive emissions have failed.

The best candidates for ventilation are the permanently installed base cabinets under fume hoods. If you have a choice, use these for your problematic and noxious chemicals.

Be sure to verify vent lines are hooked up properly before removing bung plugs. Unfortunately, conditions such as shown in this picture are too often encountered.

Refrigerators & Freezers

Modifying Refrigerators & Freezers
(To meet Flammable/Combustible storage requirements per NFPA-45)

Equipment may be modified by a trained electrician to meet the same safety criteria as purchased certified equipment by ensuring:

• electrical components mounted inside the inner storage compartment (including on the door or door frame):
• meet Class I, Division I criteria per NFPA-70, Article 501.
• electrical components mounted outside of the inner storage compartment:
• meet Class I, Division 2 criteria per NFPA-70, Article 501
• are located above the storage compartment, or
• are located outside of the unit where vapor concentrations will be minimal.

Laboratory Work Areas

Laboratory Work Areas

Bulk containers (larger than 5 gallons in size) of flammable or corrosive chemicals shall be kept out of laboratory areas.

Highly flammable, combustible, toxic, or similarly hazardous materials should be purchased and stored in the smallest appropriate container, usually less than one liter.

When operations demand large volumes of chemicals used over short periods of time, provisions should be made to provide suitably designed storage areas nearby but outside of the laboratory work area.

Storage Rooms

Storage Rooms