Chemical Store Room

[Lis]

We have just moved to a new site and our chem store had to be refitted, could anyone tell me if there is specific regulations on shelf divisions, lips on the front of shelving, and storage trays, on shelves for all chems or is that mainly for corrosive solids and flammable solids, and if there is somewhere I can access this for my head teacher and Principal, I would really appreciate any info you have.
kind regards
Lisa

[hel]

Hi All,

We have just moved into new labs also & not fitted out our chem store yet. What timber for the shelving are people using out there. Apparently chipboard is a no-no. Stainless steel has been suggetsed but the cost, maintenance etc, wuld be inpractical. I am also interested in what other schools are using.

Thanks,
Helen

[PolyEster]

I have been trying to fix up I think one of the most neglected schools in Australia, So as to the shelving we have chipboard funny that! but I will be covering it with a plastic sheeting, But have talked the school into buying corrosive and flammable cupboards.

Poly Ester
Gayle

[lizzieb]

Am also concerned about the state of our Chemstore - size and fittings. The shelves on one side are old library moveable ones, not fixed properly, and very narrow. The other has old bookcases with fixed height shelves, also too narrow. There's a timber floor, no sump, inadequate ventilation. Only one flammables liquids cupboard in the school, and that's in the GA's shed. No other specialised cupboards either. At the conference in Sydney last year, in the session on chemical storage I attended (wonder why?) we were told to judge the size of your chemstore by the 'how many cats can you swing' method. I replied that I could swing a newborn kitten, with my arm straight up!

Ah, the challenges of the job!

Good Luck - please post all answers for us all to see.

Liz

[Timtam]

Hi All
I have just finished renovating our chemical store and had a Board of Studies inspection. This was very successful.
The shelving I found is great it is Gratnell's, the Storage Specialists. Email them and they will send you out a brochure.
Their details are: WALSH & CO P/L PO BOX 1781 BYRON BAY N.S.W. 2481
ph: 1800682155 email: geoff@geoffwalsh.com

I found this cheaper than three quotes for shelving in my store and prep rooms. I hope this helps everyone
Bye Tammy

[Miranda]

Hi everyone,

Last year we had a work experience student with us from the local Tafe, and she gave me an interesting document regarding the storage of chemicals. The document is some 30 pages long, however I shall cut and paste the relevant details for you. I hope it helps!

AS/NZS 2243.10:2004
Australian/New Zealand Standardâ„¢
Safety in laboratories
Part 10: Storage of chemicals

S E C T I O N 3 R E Q U I R E D F E A T U R E S F O R A
L A B O R A T O R Y , S T O R E R O O M O R S P A C E ,
C H E M I C A L S T O R A G E C A B I N E T S ,
L A B O R A T O R Y C U P B O A R D S , R A C K S A N D
S H E L V E S
3.1 SCOPE OF SECTION
This Section sets out requirements for features for a laboratory where chemicals including
gases are used, for a dedicated room or space where chemicals are stored, and for a room or
space where chemicals may be transferred from a package.
3.2 LABORATORY
A laboratory shall meet the requirements of AS/NZS 2982.1.
3.3 CHEMICAL STORAGE CABINETS
3.3.1 General
Chemical storage cabinets for the storage of dangerous goods are intended—
(a) to protect the contents against damage;
(b) to provide segregation between incompatible substances;
(c) to contain spillages; and
(d) in the case of fire, to allow at least 10 min for escape of persons or use of firefighting
equipment.
3.3.2 Cabinet storage capacity
Cabinets shall not exceed 250 L capacity.
3.3.3 Design
Cabinets shall comply with the design criteria in the relevant Standard for the storage of
dangerous goods or shall comply with the design requirements in AS 1940. Additionally,
for cabinets containing Class 5.2 dangerous goods, the cabinet door shall have a door
closing mechanism that allows the door to open and pressure resulting from accelerated
decomposition to be released, e.g. a magnetic lock or a friction lock.
For Classes 5.1 and 5.2, a chemically resistant lining should be considered for the entire
interior of the cabinet as spill trays may not be sufficient to prevent contact of spilled
material with parts of the interior of the cabinet.

NOTE: Bare metal, rust or corrosion may catalyze decomposition of the spilled material.
3.3.4 Ventilation
Cabinet ventilation should not normally be required unless determined as an essential risk
control measure. Cabinet ventilation is not an alternative to vapour-tight closure of all
stored containers.
If ventilation is an essential risk control measure (such as could be the case for volatile,
extremely toxic or corrosive substances), the cabinet shall be vented to the external
atmosphere, i.e. outside the building, in a manner that allows safe dispersal of vapours,
fumes or dust without any entering the room in which the cabinet is situated. The circular
vents that are installed in the sides of some cabinets allow toxic or flammable vapours to
escape into the adjoining area shall be kept closed in a manner that will not be breached by
pressure build-up within the cabinet.
Accessed by CHISHOLM INSTITUTE OF TAFE (VIC) on 18 May 2006
AS/NZS 2243.10:2004
COPYRIGHT
16
The ventilation ducting shall provide at least the same level of fire protection as the cabinet
walls, be resistant to the vapours, fumes or dust and prevent the accumulation of residues
(e.g. condensation or dust) in the ducting. The ventilation for each cabinet shall be
completely independent to prevent cross-contamination or fire flashover. Where flammable
vapours or gases could be released, including from Class 4.3 goods, an assessment shall be
made and a permanent record kept as to whether electrical equipment (e.g. the fan drive or
airflow failure switch) needs to be of an explosion-protected design complying with the
relevant Standard.
NOTE: Explosion-protected electrical equipment may need to show that it has been approved as
compliant with the appropriate Standard. Relevant regulatory requirements should be checked.
3.3.5 Location
Cabinets shall not be located—
(a) one above the other;
(b) where they can jeopardize emergency escape;
NOTE: A minimum of 3 m is recommended between any cabinet and escape doors.
(c) under stairs or in corridors; or
(d) closer than 3 m to ignition sources other than ceiling lights unless a hazardous zone
assessment has been carried out in accordance with AS 2430.1 if the cabinets contain
flammable liquids or substances that can release flammable or fire-promoting vapours
or gases (including dangerous goods of Classes 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2 or those with a
subsidiary risk of Class 3).
3.4 LABORATORY CUPBOARDS
Laboratory cupboards used for the storage of hazardous chemicals shall be compatible with
the chemicals held or shall be suitably protected from the chemicals.
NOTE: The use of particle or similar boards is not recommended as they may fail when subjected
to moisture.
Laboratory cupboards shall be provided with spill trays. Where necessary, ventilation of the
cupboard shall be provided in accordance with the relevant requirements in Clause 3.3.4.
NOTE: Labelling of cupboards to indicate their contents is recommended.
3.5 DISPLAY OF HAZARD IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION
The entrance to a room and the doors of a chemical storage cabinet where dangerous goods
are stored or handled shall display signage required for the goods determined from
National, State or Territory regulations.
NOTE: The information required may include class labels, packing groups and emergency contact
details.
3.6 STOREROOM OR SPACE
A dedicated room or space where chemicals are stored shall meet the appropriate
requirements of Section 5.
3.7 ROOM FOR OPENING PACKAGES
A room or space meant for transfer of contents of a package (see Section 7) shall meet the
requirements of Section 5.
3.8 SHELVES AND RACKS
Shelves and racks shall incorporate the features described in Clause 4.5.2.


4.5 METHOD OF KEEPING CHEMICALS
4.5.1 Enclosed storage
All chemicals should be stored in chemical storage cabinets or laboratory cupboards (see
Clauses 3.3 and 3.4).
4.5.2 Open storage
Chemicals kept on shelves or racks shall be subject to the following restrictions:
(a) For shelves over benches, chemicals shall not be stored on shelves higher than 1.5 m
from the floor.
(b) Shelving and its fixtures shall be compatible with the goods stored, or shall be
suitably protected from the goods.
NOTE: The use of particle or similar boards is not recommended as they may fail when
subjected to moisture or chemicals.
(c) The maximum holding capacity of the shelving systems shall not be exceeded.
To assist housekeeping, chemical packages should not be kept on the floor.
(d) Shelves used for chemical storage shall be restrained against lateral movement.
Liquids of any kind should not be stored above solids to reduce the risk of contamination.
Liquids should be stored as low as possible to reduce the risk of breakage and spillage.
4.5.3 Burettes
Where dilute reagents are in use for gravity feed burettes, the glass containers may be
stored on a higher shelf consistent with the operation. In such cases provision should be
made for spill control.

[MichPull]

Hello,

At my school I am both the Labbie and the workplace health and saftey officer.

With chemical storage there is a minimum storage requirement, eg flammables in a flammables cupboard and corrosives in a corrosive cupboard.

For general shelving a good option is using laminated pine or even heavy duty Plastic. If the shelfe is long be carful of bowing when loaded (add a supporting strut if you can).

Have your corrosive and flammable cupboards vented, or the corrosive one, if metal, will corrode (no suprise).

Don't foeget to seperate concentrated bases from acids and oxides from everything.

Try not to put plastic cover on the shelves unless it is science rated because it may cause problems with the chemicals which are placed upon it.

In Queensland we have a goverment manual with all the storage requirement on it, is there a NSW equivelent?

Regards
Michelle

[ELIZABETH]

Hi All, Welcome back to another year!
My big question about storage is - how does one segregate within a corrosives cabinet. When we renovated our labs a couple of years ago, we bought quite large cabinets (corrosive an flammable) and the architect assured me they complied with all regulations. Often seemingly incompatible substances need the same storage (eg, acids and bases), so what does one do? Likewise, how to store flammable solids and spontaneously combustibles! (not that I've ever seen one spontaneously combust!).
Elizabeth

[juliem]

Hi
the shelves here in the chemical store are 900mm[W] x450mm[D] made of a very dense particle board with a timber face. Some of the shelves are damaged from corrosive attack and designated for replacement.
To limit further damage I am using old McDonalds customer trays, I figure if they meet there criteria then they will be impervious to the chemicals we would subject them too. You could approach your local McDonalds to see if they will donate there unwanted trays or - new ones
regards Juliem

[ri]

Hi All,
we designed and moved into a new Science building last year. We used as a reference the "Guidelines for the storage of science chemicals" publication from the Victorian Department of Education, Employment and Training which is the only reference we could get hold of at the time of our researching into the subject of chemical storage regulations. In Part 3 it states that the regulations require in new or refurbished laboratories that they are constructed to the Australian Standard AS 2982. We found it extremely useful in the separation distances required when storing chemicals. I would be happy to send you a copy.
Chemwatch also are very useful in that, when they have access to your manifest if you subscribe online, will let you know where incompatibilies exist and these can be worked through.

Regards,
~Robyn

[Kathryn]

Hi

I also have the problem of having only one corrosives cupboard to store all corrosives in, although we also have an oxidising agent cupboard. So at the moment I have conc acids and bases together. I am having trouble with corrosion of the labels etc. I tried putting the HCL container in a plastic bag but this has just completely corroded leaving a mess throughout the cupboard. Any suggestions other than buying another cupboard?

Kathryn

[ri]

Gee, that's a hard one as Hydrochloric acid is so fuming, it seems to leak through anything including stoppers. There are some storage bottles that have an inner cap under the screw lid?
We only get about 10-12 years out of a corrosive cupboard because of the HCl. I don't know your storage circumstances - we used to store the bulk of our acids underneath the Science building in a steel cage to keep the students out, and just keep small amounts of concentrate (less than 500mL) in the fume cupboard.
Does anyone else have other ideas?
Ideally, Science head of staff have to realise that ideal chemical storage does cost money but the benefits are healthier staff and no OH&S issues.

[MichPull]

Hello,

We have only one corrosive cupboard for both acids and bases also.
In our case the bases are all available in solid form, so I store them in a normal cupboard within a PVA catch container. The corossive cupboard we use for the liquid acids.

Regards
Michelle

[JudyM]

We also had our chem store rebuilt last year & had a BOS inspection.

The builder used MDF but then coated the boards with chemical resistant paint. So far so good. The paint is called Dulux Luxepoxy 4 White primer & Luxepoxy 4 Finish ( 2 pack epoxy). He also fixed perspex edging to each shelf (extends ~2.5cm above the shelf). The original quote to provide chem resistant laminex was ~$13,000 but we got this done for $2,600.

Don't get white paint though if you can help it, you'll be forever dusting!