Chemical Storage Design based on MSDS Study

[somashekar]

First, I need a good understanding about the 4 square with colors and numbers mostly on the right top of an MSDS, which tells about Health, Fire, Reactivity and Personal protection. Is there any specific name for this color squares ? I refer to the www.sciencelab.com MSDS's
Second, how is the information in this MSDS, Section 10: Stability and Reactivity Data, concerning to 'Incompatibility with various substances' to be used in the seperation / barrier during storage. Would this lead to planning of seperate and several chemical stores (even designed suitably) in case the volume of any one chemical is assessed to be significant.
Does anyone have examples to share of incidents just due to improper storage of chemicals.

 

[samsung]

First, I need a good understanding about the 4 square with colors and numbers mostly on the right top of an MSDS, which tells about Health, Fire, Reactivity and Personal protection. Is there any specific name for this color squares ? I refer to the www.sciencelab.com MSDS's

Yes, it's called NFPA 704 'Fire Diamond'

Second, how is the information in this MSDS, Section 10: Stability and Reactivity Data, concerning to 'Incompatibility with various substances' to be used in the seperation / barrier during storage. Would this lead to planning of seperate and several chemical stores (even designed suitably) in case the volume of any one chemical is assessed to be significant.
Does anyone have examples to share of incidents just due to improper storage of chemicals.

This is all about ensuring the Chemical Compatibility of various substances so as not to store incompatible chemicals together. Please see the Chemical Compatibility Guide for further information.

 

[somashekar]

Dear Samsung.
Great inputs and thanks.
The compatibility with certain common metals, plastics and elastomers is nicely detailed. What about the inter chemical compatibility ?
A common rule is perhaps not to store acids and base closeby. Like this, when we make a study of the various solvents and chemicals in the 'Incompatibility with various substances' part of the MSDS, it seems to suggest that we have to seperate physically many of them.
Looking at some good practices followed in chemical storage.

 

[samsung]

Dear Samsung.
Great inputs and thanks.
The compatibility with certain common metals, plastics and elastomers is nicely detailed. What about the inter chemical compatibility ?
A common rule is perhaps not to store acids and base closeby. Like this, when we make a study of the various solvents and chemicals in the 'Incompatibility with various substances' part of the MSDS, it seems to suggest that we have to seperate physically many of them.
Looking at some good practices followed in chemical storage.

Physical separation of chemicals (and in particular 'incompatible' ones) is the best way to minimize the risk to an acceptable level.

Most lab chemicals are supplied either in solid/ dry powder or in liquid form. While purchasing, we do mention in the P.O. that the liquids shall, as far as possible, be supplied in plastic/ PET containers that do not break during handling and storage.

Next, we store all dry, non oxidizing and non flammable chemicals together in a cabinet. A chart showing the row & S.No. of each chemical is affixed on the cabinet.

Dry oxidizing chemicals (nitrates, nitrites etc.) packed either in glass or PET bottles, are preferably stored in secondary containment (usually plastic containers to contain the contents of the primary container) so that even if the primary container breaks, there's no hazard of explosion or any violent reaction. Another advantage is that you don't need extra space to store such chemicals. Secondary containment provides sufficient physical separation.

Acids & bases as well as oxidizers & organic materials or reducing agents are stored in separate cabinets.

 

[JaxQC]

Just to add a couple notes to round out the discussion. The content and information is not as well regulated as you might like or expect. Almost everyone is different with some general info spaced within. Note that there are actually (2) systems that you will see referenced to. HMIS (Rectangle) & NFPA (Diamond).

The most significant difference between the two has to do with the intended audience. HMIS was devised as an HCS compliance tool. It is intended for employees who must handle hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

The NFPA system was designed to alert fire fighters arriving on the scene of a fire to the hazards associated with materials present at that location. Thus the numbers assigned in the NFPA system assume that a fire is present. HMIS does not make that assumption. THEREFORE the numbers that are assigned to the flammability, health, and reactivity hazards may differ between the NFPA and HMIS labels for the exact same chemical.

You will find both used within MSDS's. Some show both, some just one or the other.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[maddie273]

All very good info. It is also important to vent the volatile components in your storage facility (something easier said than done). By the way, you might like my lighhearted parody of all things MSDS called The WHMIS Warble. It is on youtube.