Laboratories are often places where some of these materials are incompatible with each other due to the storage of different chemicals, and combining them together may lead to fire or explosion. To minimize possible risks, it is necessary for people to meet certain conditions and characteristics.
For the risk-free storage of chemicals, it is necessary to pay attention to the following 3 rules:
1_ Chemical storage place
2_ Chemical storage container
3_ How to sort and arrange chemicals
Conditions for storing chemicals in the laboratory
In order to store chemicals in the laboratory, the following points need to be considered:
1_ Ventilation in laboratory and warehouse:
The laboratory must have a suitable air conditioning system. Storage of toxic chemicals requires proper ventilation.
2_ Having the necessary facilities before the fire:
The laboratory has fire extinguishers according to the characteristics of the materials
Powder fire extinguishers are generally used for these places.
It is necessary to have two sand buckets to start a fire and extinguish the fire.
3_ Temperature and humidity of the environment:
The temperature and humidity of the laboratory environment should be adjusted to store chemicals and should be in standard conditions.
If the material is stored in the refrigerator and in a cold environment, it is necessary for the laboratory to have a refrigerator.
4_ Paying attention to sunlight:
Direct sunlight on chemicals can pose risks and it is necessary to keep chemicals away from sunlight and heat so that these substances are not affected.
5_ Presence of laboratory safety equipment :
Emergency shower and eye wash for eye washing and cold shower
6_ Compatibility of chemicals:
Some chemicals are not compatible with each other due to their special characteristics and nature, and keeping them physically together can cause irreparable risks Be accompanied.
As a result, it is necessary to identify groups that are not compatible with each other.
7_ Height adjustment of chemical storage:
To reduce the risk of falling and sliding containers containing chemicals from high to low, it is necessary that the chemicals inside the edged shelves and special cabinets have doors.
How to sort and arrange chemicals
It is necessary to separate different groups of chemicals from each other.
1_ Be sure to separate acidic chemicals from alkaline chemicals and store them in a separate place.
In this regard, you can also separate oxidizing acids from organic acids.
2- Toxic chemicals and reactive chemicals need special care and maintenance.
3_ Be sure to remove the heat from the reactive chemicals and be careful not to hit these substances.
4- The place where hazardous materials are collected and stored can be equipped with a lock, and the sign related to the danger can be inserted on their entrance or door.
5_ To prevent chemicals from sliding and falling, chemicals need to be stored in door cabinets and edged shelves.
6- Materials such as sodium, white phosphorus and lithium are classified as unstable chemicals and need to be placed and stored in a cool environment under nitrogen. These materials can undergo chemical changes, but fortunately they cannot explode.
Containers suitable for storing chemicals
A small amount of vapors of materials such as hydrogen cyanide، Cyanogen and parathion can cause death, so they should be kept in high pressure metal cylinders and they should be protected from physical damage and any material that can be used Ignition kept at bay.
Also, some materials such as hydrazine should be stored in steel cylinders or special containers because they can be decomposed and will cause an explosive reaction if there is heat.
Materials such as sodium hydroxide that absorb a lot of moisture should be stored in plastic bottles that are impermeable to water.
Keep radioactive materials in lead containers and completely impermeable environments, and full personal protection must be observed against material radiation.
Use special containers to store corrosive substances or toxic liquids. For example, put hydrofluoric acid in lead containers, rubber or resin bottles and keep it away from other acidic containers.
Note: After the test, be sure to make sure that the door of your chemicals is closed.
Be sure to note that after the test, clean the outer wall of the consumable chemical container well.
