UCCS SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE 25. SAFE STORAGE AND HANDLING OF
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE CHEMICALS
(For assistance, please contact Environmental Health & Safety)
Flammable and combustible chemicals are materials that, under standard conditions, can generate sufficient vapors to cause a fire in the presence of an ignition source. Materials that generate sufficient vapors to ignite at temperatures below 100°F (38°C) are "flammables," whereas materials that require temperatures above 100°F to provide sufficient vapors for ignition are "combustibles." Typical flammable liquids, classes 1A, 1B, and 1C, are listed below.
Depending on density, vapor trails can rise, sink, or traverse horizontally to reach an ignition source, which can result in a flashback fire. Fire can also result from reactions between flammables or combustibles and oxidizers.
CABINETS
Shall not be vented without prior approval by EH&S and Facilities Services.
Are to be vented only with stainless steel piping with joints and seams sealed such that they will not leak under fire conditions. Shall have the vent caps screwed securely in place, unless appropriately vented. Shall contain no more than 60-gallons, or the rated capacity of
the cabinet, whichever is less.
USE
Never use food containers, or containers that look like food containers, for flammable liquid storage or use.
Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames, hot surfaces, operation of electrical equipment, and static electricity from areas in which flammable materials are used.
Ensure that there is proper bonding and grounding when transferring between containers. Avoid the buildup of static electricity when transferring between plastic containers by avoiding the “free-fall” of liquids -- pour carefully in a steady stream down the sides of the container.
Ensure that there is a functional fire extinguisher in the area where
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flammable liquids are used or dispensed. The fire extinguisher should be rated at least "3B".
Never heat flammable substances with an open flame. Preferred heat sources include hot air, oil, salt, sand, steam, water, or wax baths; and heating mantles.
Keep containers tightly closed at all times when not in use. Transfers should be carried out only in fume hoods or in other areas where ventilation is sufficient to avoid a buildup of flammable vapor concentrations.
Always provide secondary containment to prevent accidental spillage and ignition.
Spent or used flammable and combustible liquids should be kept in containers essentially the same as the original
When a hazardous waste is added to a container, it must be labeled as hazardous waste at the time the first drop of hazardous waste is added to the container and the label must be dated.
Hazardous Waste labels will be used on all waste containers. The container must clearly be labeled with the fully written chemical name and generator’s name. If the collection container contents contain a mixture, all components must be listed by percent or volume on the hazardous waste label.
STORAGE
A maximum of one gallon of flammable liquid per room can be in “normal storage” (shelves or countertops) in “common containers” (glass, plastic, metal). Quantities greater than one gallon located outside of a flammable liquid storage cabinet must be contained in a self-closing flammable container (“safety can”).
Quantities 10 gallons and over will be stored in flammable liquid storage cabinets that meet the design specifications of NFPA 30.
Secondary containment – sufficient to hold the entire contents of the storage container and impervious to the material – must be used whenever a glass or plastic container is used for flammables. It is highly recommended in all cases.
Flammable and combustible liquids in glass containers shall not exceed 1 liter. When chemical purity must be protected, up to 4 liter quantities are permissible, and EH&S must be notified.
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Flammables that do not meet the above requirements, and flammables used outside the laboratory setting, must be stored in approved safety cans or the original container.
Segregate flammables from oxidizing acids and oxidizers.
Replace caps on containers immediately following dispensing.
Flammable and Combustibles should be placed under a hood, or other well ventilated area, as soon as practical considering the required process.
DO NOT EVAPORATE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS (EVEN IN A FUME HOOD) AS A MEANS OF DISPOSAL. This is an illegal act – a violation of numerous regulations.
Eliminate ignition sources such as open flames, hot surfaces, electrical equipment not certified for use with flammables, and static electricity from areas in which flammable or combustible materials are stored.
Post conspicuous "No Smoking" signs in the vicinity of flammable storage & operations. Even though campus buildings are smoke-free facilities this serves as a valuable reminder to employees, students, and visitors.
Flammable liquids requiring cooling must be stored in refrigerators or freezers that meet the design specifications of NFPA 45 9-2.2. The manufacturer prominently labels such devices to indicate that the unit is suitable for such use.
Ensure that there is proper bonding and grounding when transferring between containers for dispensing a flammable liquid from a large container or drum.
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FLAMMABLE LIQUID CLASSES Class IA Flammable Liquids
Flashpoints below 73° F and a boiling point below 100° F Acetaldehyde Ethyl Chloride Monomethylamine Amylene Ethyl Ether iso-Pentane Butadiene Ethyl Nitrite Pentane Butane Ethyl Vinyl Ether n-Pentane Butene Ethylamine Petroleum Ethers Cellulose Nitrate Ethylene Oxide Phosgene Solutions in Crude Oil Furan Benzene Dimethyl Amine Hydrocyanic Acid Propylene Dimethyl Propane 3-Methyl-1-Butene Propane iso- Dimethyl Sulfide Methyl Ether Propylamine Dioborane 1,2- Methyl Ethyl Ether Trimethyl Amine Epoxy-3- Methyl Formate Vinyl Chloride Phenoxypropane Methyl Mercaptan Vinylidene Chloride Methyl Vinyl Ether
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FLAMMABLE LIQUID CLASSES Class IB Flammable Liquids
Flashpoints below 73° F and a boiling point at or above 100° F Acetone 1,1-Dichloroethane 2-Methyl Furan Acetonitrile 1,2-Dichloroethylene Methyl Isobutyrate Acetyl Chloride 1,2-Dichloropropane Methyl Methacrylates Acrolein 1,1-Diethoxyethane Methyl-n-Propyl Ketone Acronitrile Diethylamine 1-Methylpyrrole Allyl Acetate Diethyl Ketone 2,4- Regular Naphtha Allyl Alcohol Dihydro-2H-Pyran Octane Allyl Amine Diisopropyl Amine Piperidine Allyl Bromide Diisopropyl Ether Piperylene Allyl Chloride Dimethoxymethane Propargyl Bromide Amyl Alcohol Dimethoxypropane iso-Propenyl Acetate Amylamine 2,2-Dimethyl Butane Propionaldehyde Amyl Mercaptan Dimethyl Carbonate Propionitrile Amyl Nitrate 1,4-Dioxane Propionyl Chloride Azirdine Ethoxy Acetylene iso-Propyl Acetate Benzene Ethyl Acetate n-Propyl Acetate Benzotriflouride Ethyl Acrylate iso-Propyl Alcohol iso-Butyl Acetate Ethyl Benzene Propylamine tert-Butyl Alcohol Ethyl Crotonate Propyl Chloride Butyl Amine iso- Ethyl Chloroformate iso-Propyl Ether Butylamine n- Ethylene Dichloride iso-Propyl Formate Butyl Bromide n- Ethyl Formate Propyl Nitrate Butyl Chloride iso- Gasoline Pyradine Butyl Formate n- Heptane Pyrrolidine Butyl Formate tert- Hexane Pyruvic Acid Butyl Chloride 1-Hexene Tetrahydrofuran Butyl Mercaptan 2-Hexene Thiophene Butyl Vinyl Ether Isoprene Toluene Isobutyl Methyl Ketone Lacquer Diluents Triethyl Aluminum n-Butylraldehyde iso- Methyl Acetate Triethyl Amine Butylraldehyde Butryl Methyl Acrylate Triisobutyl Aluminum Chloride Methyl Alcohol 2- 2,2,4-Trimethyl Pentane Carbon Disulfide Methyl-1-Butene 2- Valeraldehyde p-Chloro-m-cresol Methyl-2-Butene N- Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Chloroprene Methylbutylamine Hydrazine Cyclohexane Methyl Butyrate Vinyl Acetate Cyclohexene Methyl Cyclohexane 2,4,4-Trimethyl-2- Cyclopentane Methyl Chloroformate Pentane Dibutyl Peroxide Methyl Ethyl Ketone Vinyl Ether 4-Methyl Cyclohexene
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FLAMMABLE LIQUID CLASSES Class IC Flammable Liquids Flashpoints at or above 73° F and a boiling point below 100° F
Allyl Chloroformate Chlorobenzene Nitromethane n-Amyl Acetate Cyclopentanone Di- Pentaborane iso-Amyl Acetate n-Butyl Ether 1,3- Paraldehyde sec-Amyl Acetate Dichloro-2-Butene 1,3- 2-Pinene n-Amyl Alcohol Dichloropropane 1,3-Propanediamine Amyl Bromide Endrin Propargyl Alcohol iso-Amyl Formate Dicyclopentadiene n-Propyl Alcohol n-Butyl Acetate Ethanethiol Propyl Benzene sec-Butyl Acetate Ethyl Butyrate n- Styrene n-Butyl Alcohol iso- Ethylmorpholine Styrene monomer Butyl Alcohol sec- Hexyl Amine Trichloroethylene Butyl Alcohol Butyl Mesityl Oxide Triethyl o-Formate Hydroperoxide tert- Methyl Butyl Ketone Trimethyl Borate Butyl Peracetate n- Methyl Hydrazine m-Xylene Butyronitrile Methyl Isobutyl Ketone o-Xylene
Cyclohexylamine Naphtha, High Flash p-Xylene Nitroethane
Last reviewed by Cynthia Norton on December 15, 2015
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