Posted By Helen Guys, I have just read a leaflet written by HSE on storage of flammable liquids in labs http://www.hse.gov.uk/fi.../storageflammliquids.htm Para 3 concerns me from a practical point of view - it states "When not in use, containers of flammable liquids needed for current work activities should be kept closed and stored in suitable cabinets or bins of fire-resisting construction and which are designed to retain spills (110% volume of the largest vessel normally stored in it). These should be located in designated areas that are where possible away from the immediate processing area and do not jeopardise the means of escape from the workroom/working area". This concerns me as from a practical point of view this would mean that every 250ml bottle, 500ml bottle, plastic washbottles would have to be stored in a fire-proof cabinet overnight /when not in use. This would have a major impact on the labs with whom I am involved with. Is this really what is required? How many of you do this ? Obviously we have looked at DSEAR and can confirm that :- we only store the flammable substances we need to we have reduced quantities to a minimum bottles of greater than 500mls are stored in fire retarding cabinets (signed /ventilated etc) bunding is in place we have evaluated ignition possibilites and reduced the risk we have regular waste solvent collections we store solvent outside the building in an approved store to keep quantities in the lab to a minimum we have an overall risk assessment written - including calculations to determine what concentration of acetone we might get from 5 wash bottles left on the end of a bench, or from a 20ml spillage during decanting and compared to LEL. Risk is deemed to be low. Most labs I am involved with do leave acetone washbottles on the sink ends overnight, and would store some small (500mls capacity) bottles of flammable materials on either a designated storage shelf or bench (away from ignition sources). What does anone in other labs do ?

Posted By Richard Selk Just a thought. I have used both cabinet and bench storage methods for flammables. I have found that staff will come to terms with having to collect their wash bottles etc, from a central point, students knowing no better - accept it. If you consider paragraph 4 (apart from the fact that I don’t know the ‘Risk Phrase code’ for “extremely highly flammable”!) volumes of 50 Litres… and 250 Litres… are cited – indicating that it is as much a question of scale as much as flammability. One litre of acetone (5 wash bottles x 200ml) on unattended laboratory sinks overnight should not pose a substantial fire or explosion risk, likewise, the risk would be low for a similar volume stored in a storage container. I think the guidance is more aimed at those that use much larger quantities than you OR the dinosaurs that still keep ‘Winchesters’ on the bench and 25L Carboys in the knee spaces (!!), and by doing so set future lab precedents. A point to consider is that these chemicals need a source of ignition – what sources are there likely to be in unattended laboratories overnight? Richard