CLASS OF CHEMICALS

RECOMMENDED STORAGE METHOD

CHEMICAL EXAMPLES

INCOMPATIBLES

SEE MSDS IN ALL CASES

Compressed Gases - Flammable

Store in a cool, dry area, away from oxidizing gases.  Securely strap or chain cylinders to a wall or bench top.

Methane, Acetylene, Propane

Oxidizing and toxic compressed gases, oxidizing solids.  *Lecture-sized gas cylinders are not to be stored in cabinets with hazardous liquids*

Compressed Gases - Oxidizing

Store in a cool, dry area, away from flammable gases and liquids.  Securely strap or chain cylinders to a wall or bench top.

Oxygen, Chlorine, Bromine

Flammable gases.  *Lecture-sized gas cylinders are not to be stored in cabinets with hazardous liquids*

Compressed Gases - Poisonous

Store in a cool, dry area, away from flammable gases and liquids.  Securely strap or chain cylinders to a wall or bench top.

Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen sulfide

Flammable and/or oxidizing gases.  *Lecture-sized gas cylinders are not to be stored in cabinets with hazardous liquids*

Corrosives – Acids

   INORGANIC

Store in a separate, lined/protected acid storage cabinet, or in deep corrosion-resistant spill trays.  *DO NOT store acids directly on metal shelves*

Inorganic (mineral) acids - Hydrochloric acid, Hydrofluoric acid, Phosphoric acid, Sulfuric acid, Chromic acid, Nitric acid

Flammable liquids, flammable solids, bases, and oxidizers. Organic acids

Corrosives – Acids

    ORGANIC

Store in a separate, lined/protected acid storage cabinet, or in deep corrosion-resistant spill trays.  *DO NOT store acids directly on metal shelves*

Organic acids - Acetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid,  Lactic acid, Oxaly

Flammable liquids, flammable solids, bases, and oxidizers. Inorganic acids

Corrosives - Bases

Store in a separate storage cabinet or segregate with a deep, corrosion-resistant spill tray.

Ammonium hydroxide, Potassium hydroxide, Sodium hydroxide

Flammable liquids, oxidizers, poisons, and acids.

Explosives

Store in a secure location away from all other chemicals.  Do not store in an area where they can fall.

Ammonium Nitrate, Nitro Urea, Sodium amide, Trinitroaniline, Trinitroanisole, Trinitrobenzene, Trinitrophenol/Picric acid, Trinitrotoluene (TNT)

All other chemicals.  *Keep away from sources of ignition*

Flammable Liquids

Store in a flammable storage cabinet.  *Peroxide forming chemicals must be dated upon opening; e.g. Ether, Tetrahydrofuran, Dioxane*

Acetone, Benzene, Diethyl ether, Methanol, Ethanol, Hexanes, Toluene

Acids, bases, oxidizers, and poisons.  *Keep away from sources of ignition*

Flammable Solids

Store in a separate dry cool area away from oxidizers, corrosives.

Phosphorus, Carbon, Charcoal

Acids, bases, oxidizers, and poisons.  *Keep away from sources of ignition*

Water Reactive Chemicals

Store in a dry, cool location. Protect from water and the fire sprinkler system, if applicable.  Label location - WATER REACTIVE CHEMICALS-

Sodium metal, Potassium metal, Lithium metal, Lithium Aluminium hydride, Sodium Hydride

Separate from all aqueous solutions, and oxidizers.

Oxidizers

Store in a deep spill containment tray inside a non-combustible cabinet, separate from flammable or combustible materials and reducing agents.

Sodium hypochlorite, Benzoyl peroxide, Potassium permanganate, Potassium chlorate, Potassium dichromate.  The following are generally considered oxidizing substances: Peroxides, Perchlorates, Chlorates, Nitrates, Bromates, Superoxides

Separate from reducing agents, flammables, and combustibles and organic materials.

Reducing Agents

Store in a deep spill containment tray inside a non-combustible cabinet, separate from oxidizers.

Lithium Aluminum Hydride, Sodium amalgam, Sodium Borohydride, Diisobutyl Aluminum Hydride, Formic Acid, Oxalic Acid

Oxidizers, Arsenic, Selenides

Poisons/Toxic

Store separately in a vented, cool, dry, area in chemically resistant secondary containers.

Cyanides, heavy metal compounds, i.e. Cadmium, Mercury, Osmium

Flammable liquids, acids, bases, and oxidizers.

General Chemicals

-Non-Reactive

Store on general laboratory benches or shelving.

Agar, Sodium chloride, Sodium bicarbonate, and most non-reactive salts

See MSDS