Chemical Segregation

When certain hazardous chemicals are stored or mixed together, violent reactions may occur because the chemicals are unsuitable for mixing, or are incompatible. Classes of incompatible chemicals should be segregated from each other during storage, according to hazard class. Use the following general guidelines for hazard class storage.

CLASS OF CHEMICALS	RECOMMENDED STORAGE METHOD	EXAMPLES	INCOMPATIBILITIES SEE SDS IN ALL CASES
Oxidizers	Store inside a noncombustible cabinet, separate from flammable and combustible materials. Store inorganic oxidizers, organic peroxides, separate from each other via secondary containment. All oxidizers at GU should be considered shock-sensitive.	Inorganic oxidizers – sodium hypochlorite, ammonium nitrate Organic peroxides – methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, allyl compounds, haloalkenes, dienes, monomeric vinyl compounds, vinylacetylenes, unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbons	Separate from reducing agents, flammables and combustibles
Flammable Liquids	Store in grounded flammable storage cabinet.	acetone, benzene, diethyl ether, methanol, ethanol, toluene	Separate from acids, bases, oxidizers, and poisons.
Flammable Solids	Store in grounded flammable storage cabinet. Flammable solids must be segregated from flammable liquids via secondary containment.	phosphorus, lithium, sodium, potassium	Separate from acids and oxidizers.
Corrosives Acids	Store in separate acid storage cabinet. Within the acid cabinet store each of the following groups separately via secondary containment: oxidizing acids, flammable (organic) acids, and mineral acids.	Oxidizing acids – nitric acid, perchloric acid, chromic acid, picric acid, chromerge Flammable and organic acids – glacial acetic acid, trifloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, triflic acid Mineral acids – hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid	Separate from flammable liquids, flammable solids, bases, oxidizers.
Corrosives – Bases	Store in separate storage cabinet. Store inorganic bases separate from reducing agents via secondary containment.	Inorganic bases –sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide Reducing agents – lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride	Separate from oxidizers and acids.
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.	oxygen, chlorine	Separate from flammable gases.
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	Separate from oxidizing and toxic compressed gases, oxidizers.
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.	carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide (H2S)	Flammable and/or oxidizing gases.
Compressed Gases – Inert	Store in a cool, dry area. Securely strap or chain cylinders to a wall or bench.	nitrogen, helium, argon	See SDS
General Chemicals Non-reactive	Store on general laboratory benches or shelving preferably behind glass doors, or below eye level.	agar, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and most non-reactive salts	See SDS
Water Reactive Chemicals	Store in dry, cool, location, protect from water fire sprinkler. Note: Many water reactive chemicals are flammable solids. If flammable solid, store as such. If not, store separately from all other chemicals.	sodium metal, potassium metal, lithium metal, lithium aluminum hydride	Separate from all aqueous solutions, and oxidizers.
Poisons (Toxicological Hazard)	If poisons can be categorized as oxidizer, acid, or flammable, store as such. If non-reactive but highly toxic store separately from all other chemicals.	cyanides, heavy metals compounds (e.g., cadmium, mercury, osmium) methyl iodide, dimethyl sulfate, mercury	Flammable liquids, acids, bases, and oxidizers.