Chemical Storage and Segregation

Store chemicals by hazard classification; avoid storing chemicals alphabetically unless they are compatible or already separated into appropriate hazard classes - this ensures that incompatible chemicals are segregated.

Accidental contact between incompatible chemicals can result in a fire, an explosion, the formation of highly toxic and/or flammable substances, or other potentially harmful reactions. If incompatible chemicals must be stored in the same cabinet, be sure to provide physical segregation (secondary containment).

Class of Chemicals	Recommended Storage Method	Examples	Incompatibles
Corrosives - Inorganic (Mineral) Acids	Store in a corrosive storage cabinet or in secondary containment in a cabinet.	Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid	Flammable liquids, oxidizers, bases and cyanides
Corrosives – Organic Acids	Store in a corrosive storage cabinet or in secondary containment	Acetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, lactic acid	Oxidizers, Bases and cyanides
Corrosive – Oxidizing Acids	Store in a corrosive storage cabinet or in secondary containment	Nitric Acid, Perchloric Acid	Organics, Flammable liquids, bases, cyanides,
Corrosives - Bases	Store in a corrosive storage cabinet or in secondary containment	Ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide	Acids
Explosives	Store in secure location (locked) away from all other chemicals	Acetone Peroxide, Trinitrobenzene	Flammable liquids, oxidizers, acids and bases
Flammable	Store in flammable storage cabinet or H room (in excess of 10 gal) within secondary containment	Acetone, benzene, ethanol	Oxidizers, peroxides strong mineral and oxidizing acids
Oxidizers	Store in secondary containment, separate from flammable, combustible, corrosive materials, or reducing agents	Sodium hypochlorite, silver nitrate, potassium chlorate, perchlorates peroxides, nitrates	Separate from reducing agents, flammables, and combustibles, corrosives
Water-Reactive	Store in dry, cool location, protect from water, devoid other flammables	Sodium, potassium metal, lithium metals. tert-Butyllithium	Separate from all aqueous solution, and oxidizers