Class of Recommended Storage Method Common Incompatibles. Chemicals and Additional Concerns Common Chemical Examples (Always Consult MSDS) An approved flammable storage cabinet Ethanol, Methanol, Acetone, Xylene, Toluene, and Flammable *Remember: peroxide-forming chemicals must be peroxide formers like *Diethyl Ether and Oxidizers, reactives, acids, bases Liquids dated upon delivery and opening (consult Peroxide *Tetrahydrofuran Forming-Chemical storage)
Flammable liquids, acids, bases, reactive, In a ventilated, dry, cool area in a chemically resistant Chloroform, Cyanides, Heavy Metal Compounds (e.g. Toxics oxidizers please consult EHS for secondary container Cadmium, Mercury) assistance
Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Phosphoric Corrosive Store in corrosives cabinet (marked ACID), or on acid, Chromic Acid, Nitric Acid* Flammable liquids, flammable solids, Acids- protected shelving and in secondary containment *Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent and bases and oxidizers, organic acids, Inorganic *Do NOT store acids on metal shelving should be stored by itself with secondary cyanides, sulfides containment Store in corrosives cabinet, on protected shelving, Flammable liquids, flammable Corrosive secondary containment away from inorganic acids Acetic Acid, Trichloroacetic Acid, Formic Acid solids, bases and oxidizers, inorganic Acids- Organic *Do NOT store acids on metal shelving acids, cyanides, sulfides
Corrosive- Store in corrosives cabinet, or on protected shelving Ammonium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Flammable liquids, acids, oxidizers, Bases- away from acids Sodium Hydroxide organic bases Inorganic
Corrosive Store in corrosive cabinet, and separated from acids and Hydroxylamine, Tetramethylethylamine Acids, oxidizers, hypochlorites, inorganic Bases-Organic inorganic bases Diamine, Triethylamine bases Flammable Cool dry area away from oxidizers and corrosives Carbon, Charcoal, Paraformaldehyde Acids, bases, oxidizers Solids Store in secondary containment with non- Flammables, combustibles and organic Oxidizers Perchlorates, Permanganates, Nitrates combustibles or inorganic material materials Store in a cool dry location. Protect from fire Aqueous solutions, oxidizers, Sodium, Lithium, and Potassium Metals, Sodium Water Reactive sprinkler system and sources of water. Label area water sources. Please consult EHS, and Borohydride for water-reactive storage MSDS for specific information Store in a secure location away from other chemicals, Explosives Trinitrophenol, Picric Acid, Diazoisobutylnitrile Please consult the MSDS and EHS. store in areas away from shock or friction General Stock Storage on laboratory benches, or shelves with like Sodium bicarbonate, Agar, Salt buffer See chemical-specific MSDS Chemicals chemicals A Combatable Organic bases
B Combatable Pyrophoric & water reactive C Combatable Inorganic Bases
D Combatable organic Acids
E Combatable Oxidizers including Peroxides F Combatable Inorganic acids not including Oxidizers or Combustibles G Not Intrinsically Reactive or Flammable or Combustible J Poison Compressed Gas
K Compatible Explosives or other Highly Unstable material L Non-reactive Flammables and Combustibles including Solvents X Incompatible with all other Storage Groups Storage Groups J, K and X needs consultation with OH&S Consult SDS for specific storage requirements If space does not allow storage groups to be kept in separate cabinets, the above scheme can be used with extra care taken to provide uncrowded and carefully monitored conditions.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards: Updated Version