Developing Safety Guidelines for Highly Flammable/ Flammables stored in
large quantities
Purpose: Develop a reference document that can be used by a Principle Investigator or a
designee to assist in the development of Safety Operating Procedures (SOP) for Highly
Flammable/Flammables stored in large quantities.
The following elements below should be included when developing safety guidelines for Highly
Flammable/Halogenated Solvents/Flammables stored in large quantities:
A. Hazard Summary
These guidelines are intended to provide general guidance on how to work safely with Highly
Flammable/Halogenated Solvents and Bulk Flammable Storage.
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Highly flammable chemicals are chemicals that have a National Fire Protection Agency
(NFPA) rating of 3 or higher for flammability:
NFPA 4: Extremely flammable chemical with a flash point below 73 F (22.8 C)
NFPA 3: Serious flammable chemical with a flash point at or above 73 F (22.8 C) but
less than 100 F (37.8 C). And has one or more of the following characteristics:
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 Vaporizes readily and can be ignited under almost all ambient conditions.
 May form explosive mixtures with or burn rapidly in air.
 May burn rapidly due to self-contained oxygen.
 May ignite spontaneously in air
Examples include: Acetonitrile, Ethyl Ether, Methanol, Propanol, Benzene, Carbon
Tetroxide, ethyl bromide, tert-butyl lithium, Acetone and toluene.
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Flammable Gas Cylinders - Flammable gases are any material which is a gas at 20°C
(68°F) or less at an absolute pressure of 14.7 psi which is ignitable at an absolute pressure
of 14.7 psi when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume with air; or has a flammable
range at an absolute pressure of 14.7 psi with air of at least 12% regardless of lower limit.
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Pyrophoric gases have an auto ignition temperature in air at or below 54°4 C (130°F).
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Examples are hydrogen gas, acetylene, butane, ethylene, methylamine, vinyl chloride,
and silane.
B. Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements
Handling processes should be designed to minimize the potential for splash, splatter, or
other likely scenarios for accidental contact. The handling of these materials needs to be
conducted in a fume hood. If the process does not permit the handling of such materials
in a fume hood, the lab personnel should contact Environmental Health and Safety at x44036 for review the adequacy of ventilation measures.
Bulking control hazards:
 When transferring flammable liquid from a bulk container (greater than 5 gallons), the
container must be electrically bonded and grounded.
 Transfer flammable liquids from containers of five gallon capacity or less inside a
laboratory hood or other area with similar ventilation to prevent accumulation of
flammable concentration of vapors.
Additionally:
 The handling of these materials needs to be used in a fume hood. NFPA regulations state
that dispensing of extremely flammable liquids to or from containers less than or equal to
20L (5gal) in capacity shall be performed in a fume hood, or area with adequate
ventilation, or a liquid storage area specifically designed and protected for dispensing
flammable liquids.
 Avoid static electricity or hot surfaces for highly flammable chemicals; this can serve as
an ignition source.
 A safety shower and eyewash must be available and accessible when working with these
chemicals.
Per NFPA regulations:
 Lecture bottle-sized cylinders of all gases with a health hazard rating of 3 or 4, or a 2
without physiological warning properties, or pyrophoric gases shall be kept in a
continuously mechanically ventilated hood or other continuously mechanically ventilated
enclosure.
 Cylinders of all gases greater than lecture bottle-sized cylinders have a health hazard
rating of 3 or 4 and cylinders with a health hazard rating of 2 without physiological
warning properties that are located in the laboratory units must be stored in approved
continuously mechanically ventilated gas cabinets and comply with NFPA 55,
Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code.
 Cylinders of pyrophoric gases that are greater than lecture bottle size located in a
laboratory shall be kept in an approved continuously mechanically ventilated, sprinklered
gas cabinet.
Storage
 NFPA regulations require flammable liquids to be stored in approved flammable storage
cabinets or refrigerators within the laboratory and labeled in conspicuous lettering,
"Flammable - Keep Fire Away."
 Flammable liquids shall be kept in covered containers when not actually in use.
 Suitable fire control devices such as fire extinguishers must be available at locations
where flammable liquids are stored.
 Keep flammable liquids away from incompatible materials such as oxidizing agents,
acids, bases, and plastics.
 Always follow specific storage guidance provided in the MSDS.
NFPA Bulk Storage Requirements:
 Open flames shall not be permitted in flammable storage areas.
 Inside storage rooms shall be constructed to meet the required fire-resistive rating for
their use
 NFPA 45 has maximum quantities for the total amount of flammable and combustible
liquids allowed in a laboratory.*
 Research laboratories (Class B) are allowed a maximum quantity of 10 gallons/100ft2 of
Class 1 flammable liquids and 20 gallons/100ft2 of Class I, II, and IIIA flammable
liquids.
 Instructional laboratories (Class C) are allowed a maximum quantity of 4 gallons/100ft2
of Class 1 flammable liquids and 8 gallons/100ft2 of Class I, II, and IIIA flammable
liquids.
NFPA requirements for flammable gases:
 Storage of flammable gas shall not be located within 50f of air intakes.
 Static producing equipment located in flammable gas areas shall be grounded.
 Signs shall be posted in areas containing flammable gases stating that smoking or the use
of open flames or both is prohibited within 25ft. of storage.
*Referenced from NFPA 45 table 10.1.1
C. Personal Protective Equipment
At minimum, safety glasses, lab coat, long pants, and closed toed shoes are to be worn
when entering laboratories having hazardous chemicals.
Additional information to include:
 The MSDSs of extremely flammable chemicals may advise using a safety shield
any time there is a risk of explosion, splash hazard or highly exothermic reaction.
 Use flame-retardant lab coats. Do not wear synthetic materials when working with
these chemicals.
D. Spill and Accident Procedures
If there is a spill involving an extremely hazardous chemical, emergency responders
should be contacted immediately. Dial 911 during and after normal business hours to
contact the local emergency responders for your area and provide detail information to
the emergency responders including chemical name, volume, hazards, spill location, and
any injuries incurred.
Building occupants can be notified of a building evacuation through the activation of a
fire alarm pull station.
Personnel: If lab personnel is exposed to an extremely hazardous chemical, call 911
immediately. Remove any contaminated clothing, and IMMEDIATELY flush
contaminated skin with water for at least 15 minutes following any skin contact. For eye
exposures, IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Consult
MSDS for guidance on appropriate first aid. Where medical attention is required, ensure
to bring along MSDS(s) of chemical(s) to aid medical staff in proper diagnosis and
treatment.
Fire and Emergency Evacuation Procedures:
In case of fire or emergency situation, call 911 and or use emergency blue phone
immediately to notify the fire emergency services and campus police.
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Immediately evacuate the building via the nearest exit when the fire alarm is
activated.
If unable to evacuate due to a disability, shelter in the area of rescue / refuge,
typically a stairwell landing, and wait for assistance from drill volunteers or
emergency responders.
Instruct visitors and students to evacuate and assist them in locating the nearest
exit.
Do not use elevators to exit the building during an evacuation as they may
become inoperable.
Carry only those personal belongings that are within the immediate vicinity.
Close doors to limit the potential spread of smoke and fire.
Terminate all hazardous operations and power off equipment.
Close all hazardous materials containers.
Remain outside of the building until the building is released for reentry.
Do not restrict or impede the evacuation.
Convene in the designated grassy gathering area and await instruction from
emergency responders or drill volunteers. Avoid parking lots.
Report fire alarm deficiencies, (e.g., trouble hearing the alarm) to facilities
personnel for repair.
Notify evacuation drill volunteers or emergency responders of persons sheltering
in the areas of rescue/ refuge.
Never assume that an alarm is a “false alarm”. Treat all fire alarm
activations as emergencies. Get out of the building!
Laboratory Incident Reporting
The Laboratory/Studio and Field Incident Report form is to be completed by the Lab
Manager/Teaching Assistant/Instructor for any incident that occurs in any University of
South Florida affiliated teaching or research laboratory/studio or field research project.
An incident means any unplanned event within the scope of a procedure that causes, or
has the potential to cause, an injury or illness and/or damage to equipment, buildings, or
the natural environment. Please fill out the online Laboratory/Studio and Field Incident
Report form below and submit to Environmental Health & Safety within 24 hours of the
incident. Due to medical privacy concerns, no personal identifying information of the
person involved in the incident shall be entered or submitted with the form.
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/eh&s/labsafety/LabIncident.html
E. Waste Disposal
All chemical waste generated within USF System laboratories are considered hazardous
waste and must be disposed of as hazardous waste in accordance with USF Hazardous
Waste Management Procedure, the EPA, and the DEP. The USF Hazardous Waste
Management Procedure can be found using the following link,
http://compass.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1118/kw/hazardous%20waste.
F. Minimum Training Requirements
All individuals working with chemicals in USF laboratories must take EH&S’s
Laboratory & Research Safety Training. To register for Laboratory & Research Training,
please use the following link, http://usfweb2.usf.edu/eh&s/labsafety/tmaterials.html.
Depending on the type of extremely hazardous chemicals you will be working with in
your lab, additional safety training may be required by the PI, EH&S, or an authorizing
unit such as the Biosafety or Radiation Safety programs.
G. Approval Required
In some instances, prior approval may be required to use an extremely hazardous
chemical within the lab. Please consult with PI regarding need for prior approval.