An Overview for Safely Separating and Segregating Stored Chemicals Whenever storing chemicals of any kind it is important to consider which chemicals can be stored together and which should definitely be separated. There are a number of schemes for separating chemicals. Some with as many as fifteen different classifications. While this may be too complicated for most situations, it does illustrate the potential complexities in storing multiple chemicals. As a minimum, stored chemicals should be separated into the following categories: I. Flammables II. Oxidizers III. Corrosives IV. Acids V. Bases VI. Highly Reactives (such as organic peroxides) VII. Extreme Toxics VIII. Low Hazard While this system is simple to implement, it is important to take the actual hazards of the various chemicals into account when determining storage hierarchy. Many chemicals have multiple hazards. The required safety data sheet (SDS) should be consulted to determine the most severe hazard so the correct storage location can be determined. Flammability is the first component to consider. Flammables should always be segregated from other chemicals. In addition oxidizers and water reactives should be further segregated so they would not contribute to a potential fire and so any fire with common flammables can be extinguished using common suppression methods i.e. water. Attention should also be paid to any chemicals that have temperature sensitivity either high or low. This is especially true for organic peroxides some of which become unstable at normal ambient temperatures. Corrosives should be evaluated and separated accordingly. Acids and bases should be separated. Toxics should be evaluated more stringently. This is especially true in the case of a flammable toxic which should be isolated even within its storage area to prevent accidental release. Some chemicals do not fit neatly into a specific class but careful review of the SDS should give sufficient information to allow a measured decision as to how to segregate each chemical being stored. Common Incompatibles Do not store incompatible chemicals in close proximity to each other. In an earthquake, fire, or other spill, they could mix and react violently and/or release poisonous gas. Laboratory Material Incompatible with Alkali metals like calcium, potassium, and sodium water, carbon dioxide, carbon tetrachloride, other chlorinated hydrocarbons Acetic Acid Acetone Acetylene Ammonia, Anhydrous Ammonium Nitrate Aniline Bromine Chlorates Chromic Acid Chlorine Cyanides Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen Sulfide Hydrocarbons (general) Iodine Mercury Nitric Acid Oxygen Oxalic Acid Perchloric Acid Potassium Permanganate chromic acid, nitric acid, hydroxyl-containing, compounds, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid, peroxides, permanganates concentrated sulfuric or nitric acid mixtures copper (tubing), halogens, silver, mercury, and their compounds mercury, halogens, calcium hypochlorite, hydrogen fluoride acids, metal powders, flammable liquids, chlorates, nitrates, sulfur, finely divided organics or combustibles nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane, hydrogen, sodium carbide, turpentine, finely divided metals ammonium salts, acids, metal powders, sulfur, carbon, finely divided organics, combustibles acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor, alcohol, glycerine, turpentine, other flammable liquids or combustible materials ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, benzene, other petroleum fractions, hydrogen, sodium carbide, turpentine, finely divided powdered metals acids copper, chromium, iron, most metals or their respective salts, flammable liquids or combustible materials, aniline, nitro-methane nitric acid, oxidizing gases halogens, chromic acid, sodium peroxide acetylene, ammonia, chlorine acetylene, ammonia, lithium acetic, chromic, and hydrocyanic acids, aniline, carbon, hydrogen sulfide, flammable material, readily nitrated substances oils, grease, hydrogen; flammable materials silver, mercury, chlorites, strong oxidizers acetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys, alcohol, paper, wood, other organic materials glycerine, ethylene glycol, benzaldehyde, sulfuric acid Sodium Peroxide any oxidizable substances Sulfuric Acid chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates l a u n a M t a M z a H S O N E D I Call us: 905-551-9519 311