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The Australian standard for storage of chemicals is a set of guidelines and requirements set out by Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee to monitor the safety and storage of chemicals (dangerous goods in particular). Storage of chemicals is part 10 of a series of Standards AS/NZS 2243 on Safety in Laboratories. Other standards included in the series are:


 * Part 1: General
 * Part 2: Chemical aspects
 * Part 3: Microbiological aspects and containment facilities
 * Part 4: Ionizing radiations
 * Part 5: Non-ionizing radiations – Electromagnetic, sounds and ultrasound
 * Part 6: Mechanical aspects
 * Part 7: Electrical aspects
 * Part 8: Fume cupboard
 * Part 9: Recirculating fume cabinets
 * Part 10: Storage of chemicals

The Storage of chemicals helps and should minimise safety and health hazards to personnel, equipment, buildings and the environment. To achieve this, safe storage requires appropriate construction, equipment and operating practices. Requirements for safe storage have been incorporated into codes and regulations, which provide important guidance in regards to the storage of chemicals.

Scope and General
This Standard applies to:
 * a) Hazardous substances defined by NOHSC (National Heath and Safety Commission).
 * b) Most dangerous goods. Exceptions are Class 1 Explosives, Class 6.2 Infectious Substances and Class 7 Radioactive Substances.
 * c) Combustible liquids and goods too dangerous to be transported according to the ADG (Australian Dangerous Goods) code.
 * d) Substances not classed as hazardous or dangerous but which pose compatibility problems.

It should be noted there are no restrictions on the size of the packages of non-hazardous substances and the substances mentioned above as exceptions are addressed under separate National, State or Territory legislation.

The Standard applies only to the keeping, use or storage, of packaged chemicals. The Standard does not apply if the chemicals are in use or being kept 12 hours before or after use if there is no significant danger created by quantity or specific hazards.

Basic Principles of Storage
If any chemicals are stored outside the laboratory the storage should comply with this standard and any requirements in terms of classes and dangerous goods. A risk assessment should also be undertaken. When storing some chemicals, some chemicals may need to be segregated from others.

All dangerous goods should be kept in minimum quantities and in correlation with their shelf life as some chemicals can degrade over time and become more hazardous. Storage must be based on the properties and reactivities of chemicals and all stored chemicals must be labeled. In areas where dangerous goods are located do not work with any chemicals and keep safety equipment (eg. gas cylinders and fire extinguishers) away. Do not open any packages or transfer any liquid on top of a storage cabinet unless it is specifically designed to do so.

Direct heaters should not be used in rooms with flammable substances and ignition sources should not be used where combustible dusts and flammable vapours are present.

Unstable substances should be stored in a controlled temperature environment and wherever possible do not store chemicals in sunlight as plastic containers and chemical contents can be affected. Chemicals, which are volatile toxic substances, should be stored in a ventilated cupboard and away from heat and ignition.

Required Features
Storage cabinets aim to protect the contents against damage, separate incompatible substances, contain spillages and allow at least 10 minutes for escape or fire fighting in the case of fire. In order to achieve the desired levels of safety and protection the cabinet capacity must not exceed 250L. Cabinet ventilation is not normally required, as all containers must have a vapour-tight closure. In some situations, including for volatile, extremely toxic and corrosive substances, ventilation is considered an essential control risk. The cabinet must be vented to the external atmosphere in a way that allows for safe dispersal without entering the room in any way. For Class 5 substances, the cabinet door must have an appropriate closing mechanism, which allows for the release of any pressure. Cabinets must also have chemically resistant lining, and must not be located above one another.

The entrance to a room and doors of all storage cabinets must display the appropriate signage including class labels, packaging groups and emergency contact details.

Storage of chemicals and gas cylinders within a laboratory
Requirements for the storage of hazardous chemicals kept in the laboratory should not exceed quantities outlined in table 1 (found in the Australian Standard document).

Gas cylinders should not be stored in a laboratory unless outdoor location is not practical. Cylinders, which contain toxic gases of class 2.3, cannot be stored in the laboratory, if in use signs must be placed in each entrance of the room. Size of gas cylinders shall be in accordance with local regulations and must not exceed 70L when brought into a laboratory.

Containers which contain flammable or toxic cryogenic liquids must be specifically ventilated and cannot contain a volume greater than 5 litres. Laboratories and basement areas are discouraged from storing cryogenic liquids, these liquids must only be stored in areas with ventilation. Cryogenic liquids that are not flammable or toxic can be kept in a container with a capacity of 250L, which should not be exceeded.Classes 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2 cannot exceed 50L in a cabinet, chemicals outside these classes must not exceed 250L. Dangerous goods classified as PG1 must not exceed 10L or 10kg in each storage cabinet.

Chemicals that are incompatible should not be stored in the same room unless segregated. Suitable measures must be taken if incompatible chemicals are stored in the same chemical storage cabinet. When storing chemicals of classes 3 and 4.1 no other chemical of any other class should be stored. If class 4.2 and 4.3 chemicals are stored in a cabinet, this cabinet must only store other chemicals of that same class. Classes 5.1 and 5.2 must be refrigerated and kept in a chemical storage cabinet. Class 8 goods shall be stored in accordance to which certain reactions should be prevented. Eg. incompatible acids.

Storing Chemicals in a Separate Store
The requirements for the storage quantities of hazardous chemicals are outlined table 2 (found in the Australian Standard document).

Location
A separate store can be attached to a laboratory, another room, a freestanding building or another structure. If a store is internal there must be direct access to the store from street level or a from a site roadway.

In the case of an external store there must be an appropriate separation from on-site protected places, protected places and public places. The required distances for separation are as follows:
 * 3m if hazardous chemicals do not exceed 1000 kg or L
 * 5m if hazardous chemicals are between 1000 kg or L and 4500 kg or L

Alternatively a firewall or vapour screen may be used for separation.

Requirements
Laboratory stores must be used to store hazardous chemicals if the quantities are greater than allowed on laboratory shelving, in chemical storage cabinets or if the chemicals are infrequently used.

Permitted in the store:
 * Chemicals that do not pose any dangers or hazards.
 * Chemical waste that has been classified, packaged and labelled.

Not permitted in the store:
 * Other laboratory items including glassware, apparatus and safety equipment.
 * Gas cylinders and cryogenic liquids.

The total combined quantity of all substances in the separate store must not exceed 4500 kg or L.

Chemicals exposed to sunlight and materials used for flooring must be non-combustible, non-absorbent and chemical resistant. A spill catchment must also be included. Catchments should allow the recovery of any liquid if spilled and should not allow any leakage into the external environment. The capacity of the inbuilt containment should be at least 25% of the capacity of the largest vessel likely to be stored in the cabinet. A minimum of 250mm is required between cabinets that are stored next to each other.

Ventilation of a store is not mandatory but should be used, if volatile, corrosive or toxic substances are kept in storage. Air should not be recirculated through the store unless there is cooling, adequate control measures have been installed and a risk assessment has been carried out.

It is important that the design of the store ensures ignition sources used in refrigeration systems are isolated. Only indirect heating should be used i.e. hot water or hot air circulation. Engineering controls must be used to ensure the temperature does not rise above a safe level for the chemicals stored. Temperature classification should be based on the lowest self-ignition temperature of the chemicals present.

If any PG1 chemical is present all chemicals in that cabinet should be treated as if they were PG1 chemicals as a precaution.

Fire and safety Requirements
Stores should be fitted with an automatic fire extinguishing system or an alarm that sounds when smoke is detected. A minimum of one fire extinguisher must be kept outside. Appropriate hazard signage must be displayed at the entrance to the store for the goods contained within. An eye wash facility, safety shower and first aid kit must be available and accessible to all chemical stores and loading bays.

Storing Gases And Cryogenic Liquids
Nothing else should be kept in the room or space of the gases or cryogenic liquids and the floor of the storage area should be level, solid and well drained. All empty gas cylinders should be treated as full. The location of storage shouldn’t expose cylinders to physical damage, tampering, or excessive temperature rise. Cylinders should not be placed within 1m of any building opening, should be adequately secured and stored with relief devices. Eg. Safety valves. These pressure relief devices should aim away from other cylinders. The storage area in which cylinders preside should be such that it does not promote corrosion, should be kept clear, and access to this area should be restricted to authorised personnel.

Class 2.1 gases should be at least 3m from Class 2.2 gases. Class 2.3 gases should be at least 3m from all other gas classes.

Ignition sources should not be present in the hazardous storage area of a flammable gas, or in adjacent buildings. Appropriate signage for all cylinders should be displayed at the entrance to the storage area. When storing a gas that is lighter than air in a room or space, sufficient ventilation should be provided at the highest possible point of the room.

Package Opening and Transfer
Packages shouldn't be opened in any storage area and any incompatible chemicals should not be opened in close proximity. Ventilation should be used when opening and transferring hazardous chemicals. Fire extinguishers should also be available if flammable or combustible material is opened.

When transferring and repackaging chemicals ensure the containers are made from suitable material. Packages should also be investigated regularly to ensure their safety.

Pouring dangerous chemicals and flammable liquids should be avoided if possible. If it cannot be avoided pour from small containers, use taps or pumps and use personal protective equipment. Decanting or dispensing containers larger than 25L or 25kg should not be used in the laboratory.